Once upon a time, in a small village nestled deep in the enchanted forest, lived a seamstress named Lily. She was known far and wide for her magical ability to create beautiful garments that perfectly fit their wearers. People would travel from far-off lands to have her create a custom-made dress or suit for them. Lily lived a humble life in a little cottage on the outskirts of the village. She spent her days sewing and creating, content with her craft and the joy it brought to others. However, it wasn't until she received a special order from the witch queen that her life took a thrilling turn.
Gunnhild's feast clothing was already spread out on her bunk: a linen dress soft from years of use; a woolen apron-dress, faded and threadbare but woven in a fine diamond pattern; and a pair of tarnished oval brooches with a simple string of beads. All had been handed down to Gunnhild from her older sisters.
Ketil and Ozur had stopped to talk with the Sámi in their language, and Gunnhild heard Ketil s roaring laugh from across the room as the largest of the men clapped him on the back with a grin. She opened it and added the bead Signy had given her to the little pouch full of smooth skipping stones, seashells, and other baubles she d won over time from the Ketilsdottirs.
However, it wasn't until she received a special order from the witch queen that her life took a thrilling turn. The witch queen, known for her dark and mysterious powers, had heard of Lily's prowess as a seamstress. She needed a new cloak that would enhance her magical abilities and provide protection in her battles against evil.
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December 14, 2022 by Genevieve GornichecThe national bestselling author of the award-winning novel "The Witch's Heart" (2021), Genevieve Gornichec, delivers another subversive reimagining of Norse mythology in her new novel "The Weaver and The Witch Queen" ($27) — publishing from Ace (an imprint of Penguin Random House) on July 25, 2023.
Like Madeline Miller's "Circe" and Neil Gaiman's "Norse Mythology," Gornichec's novels breathe new life into the more obscure characters of myth and history. "The Wall Street Journal"'s Tom Shippey wrote that Gornichec's debut, "The Witch's Heart," "subverts the mythology from inside, knowledgeably and provokingly," detailing the story of a banished witch who fell in love with the trickster god Loki.
In "The Weaver and the Witch Queen," Gornichec crafts another sweeping, feminist tale, this time exploring the powerful bonds of sisterhood — both by blood relation and by sworn blood oath — through a striking new take on the story of the Viking Queen Gunnhild, Mother of Kings.
This excerpt from "The Weaver and the Witch Queen" introduces us to Gunnhild when she was still just a child, long before establishing her legacy as Viking Queen.
A horn sounded across the water in two short bursts.
Upon hearing it, Gunnhild Ozurardottir dropped her spindle and distaff and ran, ignoring the admonishments of the other serving women sitting under the awning, where they'd been spinning all afternoon. They would scold her later, but she cared little.
Her friends were about to arrive. And at such times, she found it hard to care about anything else.
Gunnhild rounded the corner of the longhouse and sprinted up the hill, making for her father's watchman on the eastern side of the island. He was stationed on a small platform overlooking the water and always had a blowing horn on hand.
"One ship!" he called over his shoulder at the other men milling about, not even noticing as Gunnhild hiked up her dress and scrambled up the platform's short ladder. "It's Ketil's!"
Before he could protest, Gunnhild grabbed the horn off its peg and blew it twice. Below, she could hear disappointed noises coming from the children on the ship, and she grinned.
"Oi!" the man said, snatching the horn. "That's only for emergencies!"
"This is an emergency," Gunnhild replied with gravity. She pointed to a dark shape in the water. "As soon as they pass that big rock in the bay, they blow the horn. And if I don't respond before they dock, I owe them a trinket. Two blasts for hello, three for goodbye."
"Aren't you a little old for games, girl?" He hung the horn back where it belonged with an air of reverence.
"Not when I know I can win," Gunnhild said, still grinning. She descended the ladder and ran for the shore, leaving the watchman shaking his head.
As she got closer, she could see Ketil and his son, Vestein, and his men tying up their rowboat at the rickety wooden dock, which would soon be full. Three others disembarked: Ketil's wife, Freydis, and their daughters, Oddny and Signy, whom Gunnhild practically tackled in a hug as she ran up to them. After sighing and shifting the bedroll in her arms, Signy rummaged in her rucksack and handed over a single glass bead, which Gunnhild snatched up with an air of triumph and stuffed into the pouch at her belt.
At twelve years old, Gunnhild was exactly between the sisters in age—Signy a year older, Oddny a year younger—and the girls rarely got to see each other except at gatherings like this, which made the day even sweeter.
"You're too fast," Signy complained as Gunnhild threw an arm around each of her friends and herded them up the hill toward her father's hall.
"Or maybe you're not fast enough," Gunnhild said, "because when I visit you I still always win. I have a collection to prove it."
Oddny, the younger of the two sisters, sniffed and picked at one of the furs rolled up in her bedroll, thin shoulders hunched, her usual pinched expression looking even more so than usual. "It would help if Signy ever paid attention instead of daydreaming all the time."
"Hush, you. I pay attention," Signy said lightly, tossing one of her chestnut-colored braids over her shoulder. Her green eyes were, as always, brimming with mischief. Gunnhild always appreciated that about her: whether it was stealing oatcakes from the cookhouse or pulling a well-timed prank on the farmhands, Signy was always up for a little fun, where Oddny was more likely to sit back and give them a disapproving look from whichever of her chores she was dutifully performing. Oddny wasn't much fun, but at least she never tattled on them.
As they entered the longhouse, Gunnhild saw that preparations were well underway to receive the völva, the wise woman who would soon be visiting. A small, square platform had been raised at the far end of the hall, near her father's high seat, for the witch to use as she performed the ritual to peer into the other world and reveal the future. It sat just under the wooden statues of the gods Odin, Thor, and Frey which loomed from the jutting lintel above the entrance to the antechamber where Gunnhild's family slept.
Gunnhild had never seen her father's hall looking quite like this: buzzing with activity, the air charged with excitement. It felt like a much-needed rainstorm was about to blow through.
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The witch queen's cloak would need to be enchanted with special threads and embroidered with symbols of ancient spells. It was a challenge that Lily eagerly accepted. For weeks, Lily poured her heart and soul into crafting the cloak for the witch queen. She meticulously chose the finest materials, wove intricate patterns, and stitched in enchantments every step of the way. The cloak began to take shape, and with each stitch, a bond between Lily and the witch queen seemed to form. Finally, the day came when Lily presented the completed cloak to the witch queen. As the queen tried it on, she felt an immediate surge of power and protection. The cloak seemed to fit her like a second skin, enhancing her abilities and granting her an air of command. The witch queen was thrilled with Lily's work and could sense the love and dedication that went into its creation. As a token of her gratitude, the witch queen offered Lily a small vial of magical potion. "With this potion, you can bring life to any cloth you touch," she said. "Use it wisely and it will open up new possibilities for your craft." Lily, filled with awe and excitement, thanked the witch queen and promised to use the potion with care. With her newfound gift, Lily took her craft to new heights. She began to create garments that not only fit perfectly but danced with life. The fabric seemed to shimmer and flow, responding to the wearer's movements. People marveled at her creations, and word spread of Lily's magical abilities. Lily continued to live a simple life in her little cottage, but her work became legendary. She was sought after by royalty and commoners alike, all eager to experience the magic she weaved into her garments. She never forgot the witch queen's gift and used the potion sparingly, mindful of the power it held. In the end, it was the bond between the seamstress and the witch queen that brought magic into Lily's life. Through their collaboration and mutual respect for each other's talents, they had created something truly extraordinary. And so, their story served as a reminder that when talents are combined, the possibilities are endless, and even the humblest of endeavors can become something truly enchanting..
Reviews for "Magic in Motion: The Seamstress and the Witch Queen's Dance with Destiny"
1. Mark - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with "The seamstress and the witch queen". The plot was predictable, the characters were one-dimensional, and the writing felt forced and unnatural. I found myself disengaged and uninterested in the story pretty quickly. The supposed "twists" were underwhelming and lacked originality. Overall, I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone looking for a captivating and well-written fantasy novel.
2. Sarah - 1 star - I struggled to finish "The seamstress and the witch queen". The pacing was incredibly slow, and the story seemed to drag on without any meaningful development. The dialogue felt stilted and unrealistic, making it hard to connect with the characters. Additionally, the story lacked depth and complexity, which left me feeling unsatisfied. I had high hopes for this book, but unfortunately, it fell short in almost every aspect. I wouldn't recommend spending your time on this one.
3. Jennifer - 2 stars - "The seamstress and the witch queen" was a major letdown for me. The world-building was lacking, leaving me feeling disoriented and confused throughout the entire book. The relationships between the characters felt forced and unnatural, making it hard to invest in their journeys. The premise had potential, but the execution fell flat. I found myself skimming through the pages, hoping for something to grab my attention, but it never happened. Overall, this book failed to live up to my expectations, and I wouldn't recommend it.
4. David - 2 stars - I was disappointed with "The seamstress and the witch queen". The writing style was bland and uninspiring, making it difficult to engage with the story. The characters lacked depth and seemed like caricatures rather than fully fleshed-out individuals. The constant repetition of certain phrases and ideas became tedious and annoying as the story progressed. I was hoping for an exciting and enchanting fantasy tale, but sadly, this book fell short for me. I wouldn't recommend it to fans of the genre.