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 an...
Norse Mythology -- (AtHB) Kinsmen Die Ch 93 (the final chapter!): Frigg stays strong
Welcome to CHAPTER 93 — the final chapter — 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. And, with each episode, when it makes sense, I provide some commentary about the source materials I’ve referenced in the text.
This week, we’re back with Frigg. The last time we were with her was Chapter 88, when her son Hodr killed his brother, Baldr, right before her eyes.
Let’s rejo...
Norse Mythology -- (AtHB) Kinsmen Die Ch 92: Loki sees serpents
Welcome to CHAPTER 92 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. And, with each episode, when it makes sense, I provide some commentary about the source materials I’ve referenced in the text.
This week, we’re back with Loki. The last time we were with him was Chapter 47, when he’d been with the Skrymir in the tunnels and caves deep below Utgard.
Let’s re...
Norse Mythology -- (AtHB) Kinsmen Die Ch 91: Odin...cause I'm a wanderer
Welcome to CHAPTER 91 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. And, with each episode, when it makes sense, I provide some commentary about the source materials I’ve referenced in the text.
This week, we’re back with Odin. The last time we were with him, he’d been cursed by the dead witch Angrboda such that he became, to an extent, the disguise he’d taken —...
Norse Mythology -- (AtHB) Kinsmen Die Ch 90: Vaft cradles a new hope
Welcome to CHAPTER 90 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. And, with each episode, when it makes sense, I provide some commentary about the source materials I’ve referenced in the text.
This week, we’re back with Vafthrudnir. The last time we were with him, he’d been badly wounded in a fight with Freyja.
Let’s rejoin him, now.
I used Goo...
Norse Mythology -- (AtHB) Kinsmen Die Ch 89: Vidar digs deep
Welcome to CHAPTER 89 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. And, with each episode, when it makes sense, I provide some commentary about the source materials I’ve referenced in the text.
This week, we’re back with Vidar. The last time we were with him, he’d reached an agreement with his fylgja and was kicking butt in an attempt to break thru the Jotunn w...
Norse Mythology -- (AtHB) Kinsmen Die Ch 88: Frigg is stumped
Welcome to CHAPTER 88 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. And, with each episode, when it makes sense, I provide some commentary about the source materials I’ve referenced in the text.
This week, we’re back with Frigg.
The last time we were with Frigg, she’d just welcomed her son Hodr back to Gladsheim. Then, she re-took her place on the platform...
Norse Mythology -- Kinsmen Die Ch 87: Hodr is stumped
Welcome to CHAPTER 87 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. And, with each episode, when it makes sense, I provide some commentary about the source materials I’ve referenced in the text.
This week, we’re back with Hodr. The last time we were with Hodr, he’d ended up in the family reunion he’d intended but had tried to postpone. Turns out that his father...
Norse Mythology -- Kinsmen Die Ch 86: Vidar opens a can of...
Welcome to CHAPTER 86 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. And, with each episode, when it makes sense, I provide some commentary about the source materials I’ve referenced in the text.
This week we’re back with Vidar Odinsson. We were last with Vidar in Ch 84 where he embraced the strength provided to him by his fylgja.
Let’s rejoin him now.
You...
Norse Mythology -- Kinsmen Die Ch 85: Hodr gets burned
Welcome to CHAPTER 85 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. And, with each episode, when it makes sense, I provide some commentary about the source materials I’ve referenced in the text.
This week we’re back with Hodr Odinsson. We were last with Vidar in Ch 83 in Hodr and his friend, the smith Lopt, stood in line outside the Great Hall of Gladsheim waiting to get...
Norse Mythology -- Kinsmen Die Ch 84: Vidar takes matters into his own hands
Welcome to CHAPTER 84 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. And, with each episode, when it makes sense, I provide some commentary about the source materials I’ve referenced in the text.
This week we’re back with Vidar Odinsson. We were last with Vidar in Ch 81 in which he’d struck a bargain with the spirit within him. He loosed her bonds in return for her...
Norse Mythology -- Kinsmen Die Ch 83: Hodr grins and bears it
Welcome to CHAPTER 83 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. And, with each episode, when it makes sense, I provide some commentary about the source materials I’ve referenced in the text.
This week we’re back with Hodr, the son of Odin and Frigg.
We were last with Hodr in Ch 80, which showed him arriving in Gladsheim with the smith Lopt. You’ll recal...
Norse Mythology -- Kinsmen Die Ch 82: Frigg grins and bears it
Welcome to CHAPTER 82 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. And, with each episode, when it makes sense, I provide some commentary about the source materials I’ve referenced in the text.
This week we’re back with Frigg, the wife of Odin and Almother of Gladsheim.
As readers we’ve learned quite a bit more than Frigg has since we last saw her in C...
Norse Mythology -- Kinsmen Die Ch 81: Vidar grins and bears it
Welcome to CHAPTER 81 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. And, with each episode, when it makes sense, I provide some commentary about the source materials I’ve referenced in the text.
This week we’re back with Vidar Odinsson. We last saw Vidar in Ch 79 where he, and his warband, got their asses kicked first by a pack of snow bears and then the snow b...
Norse Mythology -- Kinsmen Die Ch 80: Hodr arrives home
Welcome to CHAPTER 80 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. And, with each episode, when it makes sense, I provide some commentary about the source materials I’ve referenced in the text.
This week we’re back with blind Hodr Odinsson for a very short chapter. We last saw Hodr in Ch 70 as he traveled back to Gladsheim in the company of the smith, Lopt. The sm...
Norse Mythology -- Kinsmen Die Ch 79: Vidar can't bear it
Welcome to CHAPTER 79 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. And, with each episode, when it makes sense, I provide some commentary about the source materials I’ve referenced in the text.
This week we’re back with Vidar Odinsson. We last saw Vidar in Ch 74 when he and his small warband, having emerged from the magical doorway the Jotunn used to attack Hals, explored the su...
Norse Mythology -- Kinsmen Die Ch 78: Odin... get back, witch!
Welcome to CHAPTER 78 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. And, with each episode, when it makes sense, I provide some commentary about the source materials I’ve referenced in the text.
This week we’re back with Odin who, the last time we saw him, had taken the shape of a dead man named Wayfarer. Odin took this disguise so that the dead witch Angrbo...
Norse Mythology -- Kinsmen Die Ch 77: Frigg... all along the watchtower
Welcome to CHAPTER 77 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. And, with each episode, when it makes sense, I provide some commentary about the source materials I’ve referenced in the text.
This week we’re back with Frigg who we’d last seen surviving the attack of the witch Yelena. The witch killed the baresark Gulfinn and then, having shapeshifted, escaped from Gladsheim’s main hall...
Norse Mythology -- Kinsmen Die Ch 76: Odin casts "speak with dead"
Welcome to CHAPTER 76 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. And, with each episode, when it makes sense, I provide some commentary about the source materials I’ve referenced in the text.
This week we’re back with Odin who we’d last seen disguising himself as a dead warrior he’d plucked from the Ship of the Dead. Odin had ridden to where Loki’s dead wife...
Norse Mythology -- Kinsmen Die Ch 75: Vafthrudnir has a snack
Welcome to CHAPTER 75 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. And, with each episode, when it makes sense, I provide some commentary about the source materials I’ve referenced in the text.
This week we’re back with Vafthrudnir for a very short chapter. We last saw Vaft in Ch 73 when he brought his apprentice, Kali, into the Gap to lay claim to one of the di...
Norse Myth -- Kinsmen Die Ch 74: Vidar on the ridge
Welcome to CHAPTER 74 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. And, with each episode, when it makes sense, I provide some commentary about the source materials I’ve referenced in the text.
This week we’re back with Vidar Odinsson. We last saw Vidar in Ch 65 when he and his small warband emerged from the mines beneath Hálsberg into the snowy wastes of Utgard. They ha...
Norse Myth -- Kinsmen Die Ch 73: Vaft falls into the Gap
Welcome to CHAPTER 73 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. And, with each episode, when it makes sense, I provide some commentary about the source materials I’ve referenced in the text.
This week we’re back with Vafthrudnir, the high shaman of the Jotunn. We last saw Vaft in Ch 66 when he reported to his friend, the Skrymir — who is the High Chief of the Jotu...
Norse Myth -- Kinsmen Die Ch 72: Frigg's toil and trouble
Welcome to CHAPTER 72 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. And, with each episode, when it makes sense, I provide some commentary about the source materials I’ve referenced in the text.
This week we’re back with Frigg. Here's a quick summary of the key events in Frigg's last few chapters. Frigg was called to adjudicate a murder. Harald had apparently murdered his ex-wife Bera...
Norse Myth -- Kinsmen Die Ch 71: Odin is hounded by the dead
Welcome to CHAPTER 71 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. And, with each episode, when it makes sense, I provide some commentary about the source materials I’ve referenced in the text.
This week we’re back with Odin. Last time, Odin stopped beside the river of death…the Gjoll…to harvest and refine witchthread. That’s the power source for one of the types of magic he...
Norse Myth -- Kinsmen Die Ch 70: Hodr heads home
Welcome to CHAPTER 70 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. And, with each episode, when it makes sense, I provide some commentary about the source materials I’ve referenced in the text.
There are 23 chapters left in the book. We’re nearly there.
Just as blind Hodr, the son of Odin and Frigg, is nearly back in Gladsheim. When we last were with him, h...
Norse Myth -- Kinsmen Die Ch 69: Frigg goes out on a limb
Welcome to CHAPTER 69 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. And, with each episode, when it makes sense, I provide some commentary about the source materials I’ve referenced in the text.
This week, we’re back with Frigg. In her last chapter, Frigg presided over a murder inquiry. A young man, Harald, was accused of raping and murdering his ex-wife, Bera. Frigg had presided over t...
Norse Myth -- Kinsmen Die Ch 68: Odin goes for a spin
Welcome to CHAPTER 68 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. And, with each episode, when it makes sense, I provide some commentary about the source materials I’ve referenced in the text.
This week, we’re back with Odin. Several chapter ago, Odin left Gladsheim…and his wife, Frigg, to get answers from the dead witch Angrboda…who was Loki’s first wife.
Why Angrboda...
Norse Myth -- Kinsmen Die Ch 67: Frigg...murder most foul
Welcome to CHAPTER 67 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. And, with each episode, when it makes sense, I provide some commentary about the source materials I’ve referenced in the text.
This week, we’re back with Frigg. Frigg discovered that the heart of the mistletoe into which they had placed her son Baldr’s spirit had been cut out. That was why he was dyin...
Norse Myth -- Kinsmen Die Ch 66: Vaft...to the lake!
Welcome to CHAPTER 66 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. And, with each episode, when it makes sense, I provide some commentary about the source materials I’ve referenced in the text.
This week, we’re back with Vafthrudnir. The last time we were with him, Vaft had a front-row seat to the Thor’s destruction of a Jotunn town — which is Odin’s promised retribution...
Norse Myth -- Kinsmen Die Ch 65: Vidar...walking in a winter wonderland
Welcome to CHAPTER 65 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. And, with each episode, when it makes sense, I provide some commentary about the source materials I’ve referenced in the text.
This week, we’re back with Vidar.
If you recall, Vidar had pursued several Jotunn warriors through the mines beneath the mountains north of Hals. Those Jotunn were the last o...
Norse Myth -- Kinsmen Die Ch 64: Odin...these boots were made for walking
Welcome to CHAPTER 64 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. And, with each episode, when it makes sense, I provide some commentary about the source materials I’ve referenced in the text.
This week, we’re back with Odin. Having cut out his eye, Odin has now received expert medical care from his son, Baldr, and a new golden eye from Baldr’s wife, Nanna.
Ove...
Norse Myth -- Kinsmen Die Ch 63: Hodr...how blind can he be?
Welcome to CHAPTER 63 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. And, with each episode, when it makes sense, I provide some commentary about the source materials I’ve referenced in the text.
This week, we’re back with Hodr. Hodr received a magical spear from Lopt. While holding the spear, Hodr can again see—not perfectly, but enough for it to potentially change his life.
Let...
Norse Myth -- Kinsmen Die Ch 62: Odin eyes a new solution
Welcome to CHAPTER 62 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. And, with each episode, when it makes sense, I provide some commentary about the source materials I’ve referenced in the text.
This week, we’re back with Odin. His last few chapters have dealt with him cutting out his eye so that he may see more clearly — what’s happening to his son Baldr, how Loki i...
Norse Myth -- Kinsmen Die Ch 61: Hodr...and the eyes have it?
Welcome to CHAPTER 61 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. And, with each episode, when it makes sense, I provide some commentary about the source materials I’ve referenced in the text.
This week, we’re back with Hodr. It’s been quite a few chapters since we were with him. Hodr spoke with the smith Lopt — that was the dude whose horse trampled Hodr. Lopt apolo...
Norse Myth -- Kinsmen Die Ch 60: Vaft...thunder and lightning very very frightening!
Welcome to CHAPTER 60 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. And, with each episode, when it makes sense, I provide some commentary about the source materials I’ve referenced in the text. Last week was the one year anniversary of this podcast. Thank you for continuing to listen! There are 93 chapters in Kinsmen Die, so we’re nearly there. As you might expect, events will start coming to a head n...
Norse Myth -- Kinsmen Die Ch 59: Frigg...and the eyes have it!
Welcome to CHAPTER 59 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. And, with each episode, when it makes sense, I provide some commentary about the source materials I’ve referenced in the text.
We’re back with Frigg in this chapter. She had left the wounded Odin to go fetch Sleipnir which is Odin’s horse. Remember that Odin used a shaper -- basically a magic wand — t...
Norse Myth -- Kinsmen Die Ch 58: Odin eyes his future
Welcome to CHAPTER 58 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. And, with each episode, when it makes sense, I provide some commentary about the source materials I’ve referenced in the text.
We’re back with Odin in this chapter. While rescuing his uncle Mimir from a trap in the spirit world, Odin was badly wounded by a draugr. Last chapter we were with Frigg; she an...
Norse Myth -- Kinsmen Die Ch 57: Frigg binds Odin's wounds...again
Welcome to CHAPTER 57 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. And, with each episode, when it makes sense, I provide some commentary about the source materials I’ve referenced in the text.
Frigg and Odin discovered that the "heart" of Baldr's mistletoe had been cut out and removed. When Baldr was born, Frigg and Odin had placed Baldr's spirit into that mistletoe by means of an ancient Jotu...
Norse Myth -- Kinsmen Die Ch 56: Vidar's way is barred
Welcome to CHAPTER 56 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. And, with each episode, when it makes sense, I provide some commentary about the source materials I’ve referenced in the text.Vidar, Garilon, and the war band with them tracked the Jotunn warband into the mines beneath the mountains near the town of Hals which had been sacked. He was expecting to find their secret staging ground for that...
Norse Myth -- Kinsmen Die Ch 55: Hodr remembers the man he was
Welcome to CHAPTER 55 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. And, with each episode, when it makes sense, I provide some commentary about the source materials I’ve referenced in the text.
This week we’re back with Hodr. Last time we were with him, he had enjoyed his first night outside the way house where he lives with his girlfriend, Alara. He is visited by Ger...
Norse Myth -- Kinsmen Die Ch 54: Odin dances with the dead in the pale moonlight
Welcome to CHAPTER 54 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. And, with each episode, when it makes sense, I provide some commentary about the source materials I’ve referenced in the text.This week we’re back with Odin. These events pick up right after Frigg’s chapter last week. So, let’s get right to the action. Please visit the podcast's public site for the episode transcript, which includes t...
