And the Heavens Burn, A Norse Mythology-based fantasy series
Welcome to And the Heavens Burn (AtHB), a narrated fantasy series based on Norse mythology that’s written and read by me, Matt Bishop. Kinsmen Die is the first book in my series. It retells and adapts some of the major events in Norse mythology through the lens of six main characters: Odin, the Alfather and his wife, Frigg, the Almother. Together, they rule over the Aesir city of Gladhseim. Vidar Odinsson, jarl of the district of Vithi. Hodr Odinsson, the blind son of Odin and Frigg. Loki, son of Farbauti and Laufey. Vafthrudnir, high shaman of the Jotunn, the ancient enemies of the Aesir. In Kinsmen Die, Frigg, Almother of Gladsheim, fears that her son Baldr, afflicted by a strange malady, is dying – which should be impossible since Frigg used ancient magics to make her son immune to all harm. As Baldr’s condition worsens, Frigg summons her husband Odin, Alfather and master of magics, back from his wanderings. On the eve of Odin’s return, however, the Jotunn attack an Aesir town thus breaking the forty-year peace between Aesir and Jotunn. These events initiate a search for answers. Odin sends his son Vidar to learn how and why the Jotunn attacked. Through mystical and mundane means, Odin strives to figure out what affliction ails Baldr. Frigg learns of a witch’s plot against herself. Meanwhile, Loki agrees to help the Jotunn in their renewed war against the Aesir. Their plans help further his own plan of revenge against Odin and everything he holds dear. But, Loki must tread carefully. If he is exposed then he loses all hope of freeing his three children and avenging his dead wife. __ Everything you’ll hear is based on my interpretation of the two main source materials of Norse mythology – the Poetic Edda and the Prose Edda, along with a stack of books that discuss the myths … and another stack of academic articles that do the same. Kinsmen Die has 93 chapters; that story is now complete. Dark Grows the Sun, the second book in this series, is about half that. I will begin publishing the chapter by chapter narration of DGtS in October 2024. You can find me online here.
Episodes
Welcome to And the Heavens Burn (AtHB), a narrated fantasy series based on Norse mythology that’s written and read by me, Matt Bishop.
Kinsmen Die is the first book in my series. It retells and adapts some of the major events in Norse mythology through the lens of six main characters:
- Odin, the Alfather and his wife, Frigg, the Almother. Together, they rule over the Aesir city of Gladhseim.
- Vidar Odinsson, jarl of the district of ...
Welcome to the Kinsmen Die podcast, home of fantasy fiction based on Norse mythology that’s written and read by me, Matt Bishop.
In CHAPTER 1, we met Frigg, the Almother, wife of Odin and mother of three: Baldr, Hodr and Hermod. In this chapter we will meet Vidar Odinsson -- a young warrior who may soon find himself in a heap of trouble.
Where to find me:
Welcome to the Kinsmen Die podcast, home of fantasy fiction based on Norse mythology that’s written and read by me, Matt Bishop.
In this episode, the first chapter of Kinsmen Die, we meet Frigg, the Almother, wife of Odin and mother of three: Baldr, Hodr and Hermod, as she rushes to the side of her ailing son.
Where to find me:
Welcome to the Kinsmen Die podcast, home of fantasy fiction based on Norse mythology that’s written and read by me, Matt Bishop.
In CHAPTER 1, we met Frigg who rushed to the side of her sick son, Baldr while in CHAPTER 2 we met Vidar Odinsson who arrived outside the town of Hals which had apparently been sacked by the Jotunn. In this chapter we will meet Odin the Alfather himself who chats awkwardly with his wife and then gets into ...
Welcome to the Kinsmen Die podcast, home of fantasy fiction based on Norse mythology that’s written and read by me, Matt Bishop.
In this chapter, we meet Loki Laufeyson who, while enjoying some time at home with his wife and two sons, is interrupted by some britches-soiling news.
The story so far:
CHAPTER 1: We met Frigg, the Almother, wife of Odin and mother of three, who rushed to the side of her sick son, Baldr.
CHAPTER 2: We met Vi...
Welcome to the Kinsmen Die podcast, home of fantasy fiction based on Norse mythology that’s written and read by me, Matt Bishop.
In this chapter, we meet Hodr, son of Odin and Frigg, who pauses when crossing a bridge to enjoy a delicious snack.
The story so far:
CHAPTER 1: We met Frigg, the Almother, wife of Odin and mother of three, who rushed to the side of her sick son, Baldr.
CHAPTER 2: We met Vidar Odinsson who arrived outside the...
Welcome to the Kinsmen Die podcast, home of fantasy fiction based on Norse mythology that’s written and read by me, Matt Bishop.
In this episode I summarize the major plot developments in the first 5 chapters of his novel. I also discuss the mythic influences I wove into those chapters and, to some extent, my overall novel.
The story so far:
In CHAPTER 1, we met Frigg, the Almother, wife of Odin and mother of three: Baldr, Hodr and He...
Welcome to the Kinsmen Die podcast, home of fantasy fiction based on Norse mythology that’s written and read by me, Matt Bishop.
In CHAPTER 6 we left Vidar fumbling awkwardly through an interaction with the leaders of Hals who’d, it seemed, lost everything. In this chapter we’ll meet Odin who is kinda pissed that Heimdall is, well, pissed.
Please visit the podcast's public site for the episode transcript, which includes the entire ch...
Welcome to CHAPTER 6 of the Kinsmen Die podcast, home of fantasy fiction based on Norse mythology that’s written and read by me, Matt Bishop. I’ve written two novels – Kinsmen Die and Dark Grows the Sun. They are the first two books in my series called And the Heavens Burn.
In this episode, we're back with Vidar Odinsson. When we left Jarl Vidar, he and his warriors had ridden through the night to render aid to the townsfolk under h...
Welcome to the Kinsmen Die podcast, home of fantasy fiction based on Norse mythology that’s written and read by me, Matt Bishop.
In this chapter, we’re back with Frigg who is not happy that Odin’s going to ride off westward after arriving home not 5 seconds earlier. And then, her night gets worse.
The story so far:
CHAPTER 6: We spent more time with Vidar who’s realized that maybe staring off into space and acting weird is perhaps not...
Welcome to the Kinsmen Die podcast, home of fantasy fiction based on Norse mythology that’s written and read by me, Matt Bishop.
In this chapter, we're back with Vidar as he deals with getting shoved even further out of his comfort zone.
The recent story so far...
CHAPTER 6: We spent more time with Vidar who’s realized that maybe staring off into space and acting weird is perhaps not the best way to win friends and influence people.
CH...
Welcome to the Kinsmen Die podcast, home of fantasy fiction based on Norse mythology that’s written and read by me, Matt Bishop.
In this chapter, we’re back with Odin as he takes action to help his son.
The recent story so far...
CHAPTER 6: We spent more time with Vidar who’s realized that maybe staring off into space and acting weird is perhaps not the best way to win friends and influence people.
CHAPTER 7: Odin knows now that his so...
Welcome to the SECOND 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…which is going to get more complicated as time goes on.
So, if you’ve happened to start with this episode, then do what Vizzini said and go back to the beginning...
Welcome to CHAPTER 11 of the Kinsmen Die podcast, home of fantasy fiction based on Norse mythology that’s written and read by me, Matt Bishop. In this episode we return to Loki who’s having a quiet riverside moment by himself.
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 o...
Welcome to CHAPTER 12 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.
In the last episode, we were with Lok...
Welcome to CHAPTER 13 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.
In Chapter 11, we were with Loki as h...
Welcome to CHAPTER 14 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.
Chapter 11: Loki conversed with himse...
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...
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 t...
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 ha...
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