And the Heavens Burn, A Norse Mythology-based fantasy series

Welcome to CHAPTER 23 of the Kinsmen Die podcast, home of fantasy fiction based on Norse mythology that’s written and read by me, Matt Bishop.

In this podcast I read my first novel, Kinsmen Die, one chapter at a time. Every TEN chapters, or so, I recap the key plot points and provide some insight into the myths I’ve referenced in the book as well as some of the creative choices I’ve made along the way.

Before we roll into Chapter 23, in which we’re back with Frigg, here’s a quick summary of what’s gone before.

The Jotunn attacked the town of Hals which is west of Gladsheim. Vidar was on hand to deal with the trouble…and then proceeded to get himself into deeper trouble.

Baldr, the son of Frigg and Odin, is having terrible dreams which render him corpse-like come morning. Frigg summoned her husband Odin back from his wanderings to figure out what was going on. And, Frigg’s visions of the future have returned — she’s not liking what she sees.

No sooner was he back home than Odin rode back out to help his son Vidar repel the Jotunn. Or so he thought. When he arrived, he had to save Vidar from the spirit — the disir — which had possessed him.

Hodr Odinsson is serving drinks in a pub and talking to merchants. It’s not clear what’s going on there but I promise clarity will gallop in.

Vafthrudnir, high shaman of the Jotunn, met with the Skrymir, high chief of the Jotunn, and his childhood. They have a nefarious plot concocted which involves Loki and stealing supplies from the Aesir.

Finally, we met Loki, his second wife Sigyn, and their two sons, Vali and Narfi. We don’t know what they’re up to, but it does not involve fiery hot magma or, sadly, sharks with frickin lasers.

And on that note, we now join Frigg, the Almother of Gladsheim.

Please visit the podcast's public site for the episode transcript, which includes the entire chapter. Please review and/or share the show -- it is a huge help! And, please feel free to contact me: mattbishopwrites (at) gmail (dot) com.

Welcome to CHAPTER 22 of the Kinsmen Die podcast, home of fantasy fiction based on Norse mythology that’s written and read by me, Matt Bishop.

In this podcast I read my first novel, Kinsmen Die, one chapter at a time. Every TEN chapters, or so, I recap the key plot points and provide some insight into the myths I’ve referenced in the book as well as some of the creative choices I’ve made along the way.

Before we roll into Chapter 22, in which we're back with Hodr Odinsson, here’s a quick summary of what’s gone before.

Vidar Odinsson fought Jotunn warriors outside the town of Hals — which the Jotunn had burned down. Vidar then lost control of his fylgja — his familiar — which possessed him.

Odin, after being gone for twenty winters, returned home at the behest of his wife Frigg. A few hours later, he rode out again to help his son Vidar — but not quite in the way he’d expected. It was by Odin’s magic that Vidar was saved from the fylgja…of course it was Odin’s magic that bound the fylgja to Vidar in the first place.

Frigg summoned Odin back because their son, Baldr, has been having bad dreams which have worsened to the point where he’s nearly dead come morning. She hoped that Odin would figure out the problem and heal him. Frigg ability to see the future has also returned and, so far, she’s not liking what she’s seeing.

We’ve also met blind Hodr Odinsson and his girlfriend and soon-to-be wife, Alara. It’s not entirely clear what’s going on with them just yet…but clarity will gallop in soon enough.

And then there’s clever Loki, father of Vali and Narfi, husband of Sigyn. At least that’s his second wife. Loki’s up to something too, but we’re not quite sure what.

In the last chapter we met Vafthrudnir, high shaman of the Jotunn. He had apparently been watching the battle outside Hals — remember those circling hawks? — before returning to Jotunheim to meet the chiefs of the major Jotunn clans and then have a confab with the Skrymir — high chief of the Jotunn — to discuss their nefarious plans, which involve Loki.

There was a lot packed into that chapter — let me know what you think of it, and Vaft, by rating and/or reviewing the podcast or by sending me an email.

Please visit the podcast's public site for the episode transcript, which includes the entire chapter. Please review and/or share the show -- it is a huge help! And, please feel free to contact me: mattbishopwrites (at) gmail (dot) com.

Welcome to CHAPTER 21 of the Kinsmen Die podcast, home of fantasy fiction based on Norse mythology that’s written and read by me, Matt Bishop.

In this podcast I read my first novel, Kinsmen Die, one chapter at a time. Every TEN chapters, or so, I recap the key plot points and provide some insight into the myths I’ve referenced in the book as well as some of the creative choices I’ve made along the way.

Before we roll into Chapter 21, here’s a quick summary of what’s gone before:

Vidar Odinsson fought Jotunn warriors outside the town of Hals — which the Jotunn had burned down. Vidar then lost control of his fylgja — his familiar — which possessed him.

Odin, after being going for twenty winters, returned home at the behest of his wife Frigg. A few hours later, he rode out again to help his son Vidar — but not quite in the way he’d expected. It was by Odin’s magic that Vidar was saved from the fylgja…of course it was Odin’s magic that bound the fylgja to Vidar in the first place.

Frigg summoned Odin back because their son, Baldr, has been having bad dreams which have worsened to the point where he’s nearly dead come morning. She hoped that Odin would figure out the problem and heal him. Frigg ability to see the future has also returned and, so far, she’s not liking what she’s seeing.

We’ve also met blind Hodr Odinsson and his girlfriend and soon-to-be wife, Alara. It’s not entirely clear what’s going on with them just yet…but clarity will gallop in soon enough.

And then there’s clever Loki, father of Vali and Narfi, husband of Sigyn. At least that’s his second wife. Loki’s up to something too, but we’re not quite sure what.

In this chapter we meet Vafthrudnir.

Please visit the podcast's public site for the episode transcript, which includes the entire chapter. Please review and/or share the show -- it is a huge help! And, please feel free to contact me: mattbishopwrites (at) gmail (dot) com.

Welcome to CHAPTER 20 of the Kinsmen Die podcast, home of fantasy fiction based on Norse mythology that’s written and read by me, Matt Bishop.

In this podcast I read my first novel, Kinsmen Die, one chapter at a time. Every TEN chapters, or so, I recap the key plot points and provide some insight into the myths I’ve referenced in the book as well as some of the creative choices I’ve made along the way.

Before we roll into Chapter 20, here’s a quick summary of what’s gone before:

In Chapter 16, we were with Hodr — the son of Frigg and Odin — as he mucked out some stables and remembered the man, the warrior, he’d been.

In Chapter 17, Frigg pulled double duty — damage control for her husband and as a Mom to Hermod.

In Chapter 18, Vidar engaged the enemy…without and within…and it didn’t go well for him.

In Chapter 19, Loki said goodbye to his wife and sons. Whatever they’re doing, they appear to have all taken sides against the Aesir.

In this chapter, we’re back with Odin as he arrives at the battlefield outside Háls.

Please visit the podcast's public site for the episode transcript, which includes the entire chapter. Please review and/or share the show -- it is a huge help! And, please feel free to contact me: mattbishopwrites (at) gmail (dot) com.

Welcome to CHAPTER 19 of the Kinsmen Die podcast, home of fantasy fiction based on Norse mythology that’s written and read by me, Matt Bishop.

In this podcast I read my first novel, Kinsmen Die, one chapter at a time. Every TEN chapters, or so, I recap the key plot points and provide some insight into the myths I’ve referenced in the book as well as some of the creative choices I’ve made along the way.

Before we roll into Chapter 19, here’s a quick summary of what’s gone before:

In Chapter 16, we were with Hodr — the son of Frigg and Odin — as he mucked out some stables and remembered the man, the warrior, he’d been.

In Chapter 17, Frigg pulled double duty — damage control for her husband and as a Mom to Hermod.

In Chapter 18, Vidar engaged the enemy…without and within…and it didn’t go well for him.

In this Chapter, we’re back with Loki as he says goodbye to his family.

Thanks for listening!

Welcome to CHAPTER 18 of the Kinsmen Die podcast, home of fantasy fiction based on Norse mythology that’s written and read by me, Matt Bishop.

In this podcast I read my first novel, Kinsmen Die, one chapter at a time. Every TEN chapters, I recap the key plot points and provide some insight into the myths I’ve referenced in the book as well as some of the creative choices I’ve made along the way.

Chapter 16: We were with Hodr as he mucked out stables and remembered the man, the warrior, he’d been.

Chapter 17: Frigg was pulling double duty in this chapter — damage control for her husband and as Mom to Hermod.

In this chapter, we’re with Vidar who’s charging a Jotunn warband.

Please visit the podcast's public site for the episode transcript, which includes the entire chapter. Please review and/or share the show -- it is a huge help! And, please feel free to contact me: mattbishopwrites (at) gmail (dot) com.

Welcome to CHAPTER 17 of the Kinsmen Die podcast, home of fantasy fiction based on Norse mythology that’s written and read by me, Matt Bishop.

In this podcast I read my first novel, Kinsmen Die, one chapter at a time. Every TEN or so chapters, I recap the key plot points and provide some insight into the myths I’ve referenced in the book as well as some of the creative choices I’ve made along the way.

In Chapter 16, we were with Hodr — the son of Frigg and Odin — as he mucked out some stables and remembered the man, the warrior, he’d been.

When we last left Frigg (in chapter 8) she’d just had a vision of Baldr burning up aboard a fiery ship. In this chapter, she’s with her daughter, Hermod.

Please visit the podcast's public site for the episode transcript, which includes the entire chapter. Please review and/or share the show -- it is a huge help! And, please feel free to contact me: mattbishopwrites (at) gmail (dot) com.

Welcome to CHAPTER 16 of the Kinsmen Die podcast, home of fantasy fiction based on Norse mythology that’s written and read by me, Matt Bishop.

In this podcast I read my first novel, Kinsmen Die, one chapter at a time. Every TEN chapters, I recap the key plot points and provide some insight into the myths I’ve referenced in the book as well as some of the creative choices I’ve made along the way.

When we last left Hodr Odinsson, he had just returned home to his girlfriend Alara and, rather than help her in the way house, he’d been sent to muck out the stables. Which is where we join him now.

Please visit the podcast's public site for the episode transcript, which includes the entire chapter. Please review and/or share the show -- it is a huge help! And, please feel free to contact me: mattbishopwrites (at) gmail (dot) com.

Welcome to the THIRD RECAP EPISODE of the Kinsmen Die podcast home of fantasy fiction based on Norse mythology that’s written and read by me, Matt Bishop.

In this podcast, I read my first book, Kinsmen Die, chapter by chapter. Every five episodes I recap the prior chapters — this episode covers chapters 11 through 15 ,

So, if you’ve happened to start with this episode, then I suggest going back to the beginning. The episodes aren’t too long so it won’t take that forever to catch up.

Here’s a summary of the major plot developments. This is organized very loosely by POV character.

Baldr, the son of Frigg and Odin, is having mysterious, bad dreams which cause him to sometimes become “corpse like” when he sleeps.

To help her solve the mystery of the dreams plaguing Baldr, Frigg summoned her husband Odin back from his western wanderings.

At roughly the same time in the story, a town named Hals in Vidar Odinsson’s district was sacked by the Jotunn.

Vidar is on scene to render aid and defend the townsfolk. He summoned helped from Gladsheim.

Odin had arrived home at roughly the same time as this attack on Vithi. After some discussion with Frigg, and after Frigg’s ability to see the future returns, Odin decides to ride to his son’s aid.

Hodr, son of Odin and Frigg and brother to Baldr and half-brother of Vidar and Thor, is with his “significant other” Alara in a large town called Ifington. Quite how Hodr plays into the story is as yet unclear, but it may have something to do with his reluctance to return and speak with his father.

We’ve also met Loki Laufeyson, his wife Sigyn, and his two sons Vali and Narfi. Loki in particular appears to be up to something, but we don’t know what. Yet.

Please visit the podcast's public site for the episode transcript, which includes the entire chapter. Please review and/or share the show -- it is a huge help! And, please feel free to contact me: mattbishopwrites (at) gmail (dot) com.

Welcome to CHAPTER 15 of the Kinsmen Die podcast, home of fantasy fiction based on Norse mythology that’s written and read by me, Matt Bishop.

In this podcast I read my first novel, Kinsmen Die, one chapter at a time. Every five chapters, I recap the key plot points and provide some insight into the myths I’ve referenced in the book as well as some of the creative choices I’ve made along the way.

Here’s a quick summary of where we’re at:

Chapter 11: Loki conversed with himself beside the Franangr. He’s up to something with Ygg’s return — Odin’s return — has potentially disrupted.

Chapter 12: Hodr sat and conversed with a woman named Alara; they appear to be in an intimate relationship.

Chapter 13: Vidar and his war band were attacked by the Jotunn. Vidar used magic — seidr — taught to him by his father.

Chapter 14: Odin and Baldr, along with the Einherjar, rode through the city of Gladsheim and headed out to aid Vidar.

And, in this chapter we’re back with Vidar who seems to be headed toward a spirited conflict.

Please visit the podcast's public site for the episode transcript, which includes the entire chapter. Please review and/or share the show -- it is a huge help! And, please feel free to contact me: mattbishopwrites (at) gmail (dot) com.