Love

While much of the novel is dedicated to strife and troubles, there is a deep focus on the core importance of love in a meaningful life. Throughout the novel, Angrboda is turned from a mythological figure into a relatable character who is unmistakably tied to humanity. The love and family at the center of her existence are central to the creation of her as a well-rounded character.

Without a family to love, Angrboda drifts through her existence without anything solid to hold onto, not even her heart. When Loki returns her heart to her, and she places it back inside her chest, she begins to feel the stirrings of humanity rising inside her as she falls in love with him: “She approached him and examined his mouth. His gaze softened again, as it had last night. Something in her chest fluttered—her heart, she realized—and...