Rate: 4/5
Medium: Kindle
Overview (No Spoilers): Despite obtaining The Trickster’s Lover months ago, it has occupied a spot on my digital bookshelf where it hasn’t moved, figuratively collecting dust. After being a victim of preconceived notions, due to romance novels rarely finding their way onto my reading list, The Trickster’s Lover surprisingly blew away any expectations I’d been harboring, quickly capturing my complete and undivided attention. As such, this novel serves as a much needed reminder regarding how refreshing it is to step outside of your comfort zone and read books that you might not normally. With that being said, once I started this book, I couldn’t put it down, surprised with how much I was thoroughly enjoying this tale, which weaves together Norse mythology and romance. Of course there were moments that literally drew exasperated eye rolls, specifically, a scene comes to mind in which Loki makes an unexpected appearance as Caroline is out on a date at a very fancy restaurant. My other key complaint centered on Caroline’s helpless attitude regarding Loki. She is a strong individual that breaks out of her family’s normal career/life path and moves half way across the country to pursue a PhD in mythology, as such, she is by definition independent and willful. However, as soon this trickster god arrives on the scene she falls into the stereotypical damsel, waiting beck and call for the guy to dictate the relationship. Otherwise, the story was fast paced, interest provoking, especially as Caroline travels to worlds beyond our own. Overall, The Trickster’s Lover unapologetically hooked me from the beginning with its fascinating take on mythology in modern times.
Additional Insight (Spoilers Abound):
- I want to know the story behind the Grandpa! How did he get stewardship of the tree? How are his children exceptional? We know, with regard to his grandchildren this means attracting gods/goddesses. What else makes them special?
- How did Loki find Caroline? Was it as simple as her reading from the old Icelandic text?
- So are the other Nordic gods dead now? I found myself a bit confused during the edge of your seat dash at the end, however I’m pretty sure they perished in Ragnarök.
- I loved that Caroline’s brother ended up marrying Aphrodite. It makes one wonder about other gods/goddesses in this literary realm.
- Will Caroline and Loki have children or get married? How does the growing old aspect work?
Loved your point about reading out of your habitual genres — it sounds like you had a very active, engaged relationship with the story!
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I hate to leave this comment here as it’s a bit off topic but I reckon you may have a better chance of seeing it. I sent you a message not long ago through your contact page inquiring about your interest in my sending you an advance copy of my novel for review. After reading your about page, it’s clear to me that there’s a lot of common ground in the way we both like to read books. If anyone was going to write a review of my story, I think I’d like it to be you (good, bad, or indifferent). Best Regards.
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[…] You can read the whole review here. […]
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Needless to say this would be WELL outside my typical reading material, but I know some folks that might like a little fantasy- romance mix. Thanks for the review.
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Thanks! It was a really well done book.
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[…] (No Spoilers): A little over a year ago I was first introduced to Samantha MacLeod’s The Trickster’s Lover, whereupon I was reminded how refreshing it can be to step outside of one’s typical reading […]
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[…] other recent reads of mine have also focus on Norse mythology. MacLeod’s The Wolf’s Lover and The Trickster’s Lover add a their own modern twist to the classic tales. With these stories as a refreshing backdrop, I […]
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