The Songweaver’s Vow knits together a world where gods and goddesses come to life in all their glory—and all their humanity. Euthalia, a human, is sacrificed to become the wife of a god and is carried to Asgard by her new husband, a god she is not allowed to see. Jealousies kindle, passions ignite, and feuds erupt in this tale where good intentions have unintended consequences, lies are currency, and true love may not be enough to conquer all. Laura VanArendonk Baugh masterfully draws on legends and myths both familiar and obscure to create a world that is all too similar to our own, with characters who display humanity’s best and worst traits in a way that embraces honesty, forthrightness, and love.

Best for: Young adults who appreciate subtlety and shades of gray and situations that don’t always have a “right” answer.

Discern: Open sex discussion, implied sex in the context of marriage, violence and gore.