The Wolf in the Whale

by Jordanna Max Brodsky

[Beth C.]

I really enjoyed Jordanna Max Brodsky's The Immortals trilogy, so when I saw this book, I was quite excited. Even though the premise was CLEARLY quite different, it was still intriguing. I have always been fascinated with the lore and legends of various god pantheons, and while this was clearly fiction, it seemed right up my alley. And while it took me longer to read it that it needed to (I put it down about halfway through for some reason, and didn't come back to it until a few months later.), it turned out to be an excellent book. In fact, coming back to the book even halfway through, I picked it up and was engrossed immediately all over again.

The mix of Inuit and Norse gods was somewhat startling, but Brodsky tied them together - along with Ragnarok - in such a way as to make it flow, even when it seems as though they shouldn't. It was also quite interesting to read about Omat being considered a "third sex" in the Inuit tradition - a female with a male's spirit. What makes all of this even more interesting are the author's notes at the end explaining her research and just how much her story was truly based on the history of both peoples.

I definitely recommend this book - it's unique and lovely, with a spirit all its own. Just like Omat.