She Speaks: The Women of Norse Myths in Their Own Words

Classicist Honor Cargill-Martin once again puts women at center stage in this beautiful collection of eight illustrated Norse myths and legends.

Discover your favorite Norse myths - with a twist. This time you'll hear from the female characters in their own words.

Meet Freyja, the enchanting goddess who forges a peace treaty between the Aesir and Vanir and brings magic and harmony to Asgard; ski through the mountains with Skadi on her quest for vengeance after her father's death; and watch Loki, the shape-shifting trickster, recount the rescue of Thor's hammer while disguised as a maid in this illustrated treasure trove of eight tales.

Stories include:
FREYJA'S STORY
The goddess whose role in the peace treaty between the Aesir and Vanir brings magic and harmony to Asgard
FRIGG'S STORY
The Queen of Asgard's desperate attempt to protect her beloved son Baldur from death
IDDUN'S STORY
The goddess who is kidnapped for her eternal youth
SKADI'S STORY
The bowhunting giantess who avenges her father's death
GEFJON'S STORY
The entrepreneurial goddess who creates her own island
GRID'S STORY
The jötunn who helps Thor survive a deadly encounter with the Giant Geirrod
BRYNHILDR'S STORY
The vengeful Valkyrie's betrayal by Sigurd

Written by classics expert Honor Cargill-Martin, whose insightful storytelling will mesmerize young readers as she breathes new life into well-loved stories and brings the classics into the modern world.

This enchanting anthology for children ages 7+ features:

- Eight classic Norse myths, specially retold for young feminists
- Insightful storytelling from 'the new Mary Beard', classicist Honor Cargill-Martin
- Extensive backmatter, with a full synopsis of each story, bibliography, and further reading
- Stunning Viking red foil on the cover

Praise for She Speaks: The Women of Greek Myths in Their Own Words:
"Cargill-Martin's exciting and insightful retelling breathes new life into characters who are often not given as much airtime as their male counterparts." --Charlotte Eyre, The Bookseller
"Lavishly illustrated and dynamic collection of retellings." --Imogen Russell Williams, The Guardian

Author: Honor Cargill-Martin
Publisher: Magic Cat
Published: 09/02/2025
Pages: 80
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 1.41lbs
Size: 11.10h x 9.69w x 0.55d
ISBN: 9781917366083
Audience: Ages 9-12


Review Citation(s):
School Library Journal 08/29/2025 pg. 1

About the Author
Honor Cargill-Martin is an author, classicist, and art historian from London. Cargill-Martin studied ancient history and classical archaeology at the University of Oxford. She won a scholarship and graduated with a first, staying on to complete a master's in ancient history. After a second master's in Italian Renaissance art, she returned to Oxford to begin a doctorate focusing on ancient Roman history at Christ Church College. Pauliina Hannuniemi is a Finnish illustrator with her bachelor of arts from Metropolia UoAS. In addition to The Song of the Swan, she is also the illustrator of Karah Sutton's A Wolf for a Spell.