How Saeter Robbed the Underworldby Meredith Katz
Published by Less Than Three Press
eARC
LGBT, fantasy, romance
The day before his coming-of-age ceremony, Eirik has a fight with his best friend - who had pointed out that, adopted by a pair of travelling warriors as Eirik was, how can he know who his ancestors are to celebrate them? Embarrassed and angry, he's not in to mood for the story his fathers insist on telling him.
Despite himself, however, Eirik becomes engrossed in the tale of the son of the god of Love who has never felt pain, and the son of the god of Envy who always does, how they struggle with each other and their community, and how, ultimately, they trick the underworld out of a very special prize.
How Saeter Robbed the Underworld is a short story, which is a fantasy based loosely on Norse mythology with demigods and shape-shifting and a daring rescue. It's told in a story within story way; Eirik is in a bad mood night before his coming-of-age ceremony, so his fathers tell a story to Eirik and his two adopted siblings a tale of two demigods, the sons of the god of Love and son of the god of Envy.
I loved the story of two travelling warriors, who had adopted Eirik and two other orphans, and the domestic feel that the story had when they started to tell a tale on the camp fire. More than that, I absolutely loved the tell they told; of Saeter, who's son of the god of Envy and who always felt pain and envy, and of Skault, who's son of the god of Love and who never felt any pain because everyone loved him and were unable to harm him. Oh, how bittersweet the story seemed with Saeter feeling so alone and hated while his friend Skault was loved by everyone. Skault's a sweetheart but it was Saeter's pain and anguish that I was able to feel. Of course, everything changed when something tragic happened and a daring rescue to the Underworld happened, and it was just so thrilling and captivating from beginning to the end.
How Saeter Robbed the Underworld is a perfect example of a short story that works within the limited word limit beautifully. It's captivating, charming and unique story that is fully fleshed out with nicely paced plot and plenty of character development. I'm amazed how well the story worked, and while I'd love to read full novel, this was enough. This might just be the best executed short story that I've ever read.
I highly recommend How Saeter Robbed the Underwold, because it's a captivating and stunning story with complicated characters and relationships, and it's simply so beautiful.
I loved the story of two travelling warriors, who had adopted Eirik and two other orphans, and the domestic feel that the story had when they started to tell a tale on the camp fire. More than that, I absolutely loved the tell they told; of Saeter, who's son of the god of Envy and who always felt pain and envy, and of Skault, who's son of the god of Love and who never felt any pain because everyone loved him and were unable to harm him. Oh, how bittersweet the story seemed with Saeter feeling so alone and hated while his friend Skault was loved by everyone. Skault's a sweetheart but it was Saeter's pain and anguish that I was able to feel. Of course, everything changed when something tragic happened and a daring rescue to the Underworld happened, and it was just so thrilling and captivating from beginning to the end.
How Saeter Robbed the Underworld is a perfect example of a short story that works within the limited word limit beautifully. It's captivating, charming and unique story that is fully fleshed out with nicely paced plot and plenty of character development. I'm amazed how well the story worked, and while I'd love to read full novel, this was enough. This might just be the best executed short story that I've ever read.
I highly recommend How Saeter Robbed the Underwold, because it's a captivating and stunning story with complicated characters and relationships, and it's simply so beautiful.
5 of 5 stars
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Thank you, Less Than Three Press, for giving me a chance to read and review How Saeter Robbed the Underworld!
Thank you, Less Than Three Press, for giving me a chance to read and review How Saeter Robbed the Underworld!
(A copy of this ebook was provided in return for an honest review.)












































