It is difficult to take something like the Norse gods and provide a fresh new look at the story of Ragnorok though a COVID-lens. However, Luis Paul Delgado de Mendoza's novel The Rotten Roots of Yggdrasil: Mythology meets reality in Sweden’s COVID19 pandemic is a mighty good effort.
As a reader, you will gain a new insight into the relationship between Thor and Loki, Odin and Freya and of course the Valkyrie.
Natasha and Damien were pleasantly surprised by this complex and detailed story.
Rating out of five masks: Natasha: 4.5/5 

The Rotten Roots of Yggdrasil: Mythology meets reality in Sweden’s COVID19 pandemic

Lowbrow Lowdown explores the cultural moment in front of us right now by reviewing how it manifests in pop, trash and pulp culture. Season 1 is all about pandemic prose, the self-published literature of coronavirus. COVID-19 has been at the centre of our lives here in Australia and around the world, and with the continuing debates about vaccination (please get vaccinated if you can), masks, lockdowns and science, this has naturally found its way into self-published literature on Amazon. Yes, it's mostly erotica.  Join us for Pandemic Prose: self-published literature of coronavirus. We're reading it so you don't have to. Who knows, you might be surprised by what we find!  In the Lowbrow Lowdown, Natasha and Damien dial into what’s happening around us, drink a glass (or two) of something and wheeze-laugh their way through the fabulous and the dastardly of pop, trash and pulp culture.  Music from the&nbsp;Youtube Audio Library:&nbsp;Book Bag by E's Jammy Jams Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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In our season finale, Natasha and Damien return to the incredible mind of M.J. Edwards with Covid Claus is Coming to Town (Kissing the Coronavirus Chronicles). A wild tale of COVID, Christmas and erotica. Christmas will never be the same after reading this erotic tome.
Rating out of five masks: Natasha: 3/5 

Covid Claus is Coming to Town (Kissing the Coronavirus Chronicles)

The twisted Christmas tale of COVID, virus, romance(?) and horror. Coronavirus is coming to town: A COVID-19 steamy horror story by K.A. Ricen was a weird, confusing and ultimately disappointing ride. We're still not entirely sure what happened, but it had a strong 'mask-up' message at the end, so at least it has one positive.
Natasha and Damien endured this story so you don't have to.
Rating out of five masks: Natasha: 0.5/5 

Coronavirus is Coming to Town: A Covid-19 Steamy Horror Story

Like Icarus, Natasha and Damien flew too close to the sun; the wax has melted from the wings of a fantastic crime novella from the perspective of a crow, to dive to the depths of a bonkers Tinder fuelled COVID romance. This may be our lowest moment. 
COVID Cupid (Book 1) is a rough draft of a series of vignettes where, admittedly, the dire state of dating is definitely on show. If anything, this is yet another item of proof that there's a gap in the market for editors of self-published short stories.
Natasha and Damien find out how to solve a crime from an unexpected perspective.
Rating out of five masks: Natasha: 

Covid Cupid: Finding love in the new plague

Here's the thing, when Natasha and Damien started this podcast and made the first season about coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic-themed literature, they expected a lot of rushed and terrible erotica. Over the weeks, there have been surprises - good and bad, terrible and delightful. 
When we tell you that you simply must read Martin Cross' Co[r]vid: A novella, you really must.
From the author himself: "CO[R]VID, is a crime story with a difference. The difference being that the detective is a crow."
You may baulk at the concept, but we're here to tell you that it works. My god it works.
Natasha and Damien find out how to solve a crime from an unexpected perspective.
Rating out of five masks: Natasha: 

The Rotten Roots of Yggdrasil: Mythology meets reality in Sweden’s COVID19 pandemic

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