Thorfinn and the Witch’s Curse (The Forerunner Series 1)) by Jay Veloso Batista – Review by Savanah Schwarz

This Viking tale starts off with Thorfinn, a young boy in a Viking family. He is shy and a little timid, but as he goes through this tale he starts learning and growing into his own. the fact that this story isn’t all about fighting, wars, and gruff men in battle is a plus as well. There are ancient Viking rituals and celebrations as you would imagine, and a Viking wedding ceremony that was very interesting to read about. The author does such a good job of putting the story together and making the words flow together, even though it is very much an old language and could easily be the hardest part to read through.
Ultimately this story reminded me of the Witcher series, the last wish. The history and storytelling of the Vikings and this series are so good. However, It was in multiple POVs and continuously switching, if you were not into the story, that could be intimidating.

The story starts with Thorfinn when he and his brothers’ adventure and go too far by waking an ancient crone atop a crumbling tower, which in turn, brings a curse upon them. As Thorfinn continues to see and hear things he shouldn’t because of the ghost and his curse. It seems it may not have been a curse. Thorfinn grows into himself rapidly and you can see the character growth and his thoughts change from sweet and innocent to something else. As Thorfinn attempts to put everything back and somehow make it right again, he ends up with unexpected results and consequences for not just him, but his family line.
Under the elder spirit, Raga, centuries old and a character all their own – appears to Thorfinn and his family as a black old raven, who has seen better days. Guided by Raga, Thorfinn quickly navigates his way from the existing, and what seems as the real world of Midgard and the Realm Between.

It was at times hard to get through due to the running on of the story sometimes, with too much description, long chapters, and never-ending pages. Reading it was smooth and easy enough but took some time.
I would still recommend it.