Storytellers On Tour is a Blog/Instagram Tour organising service. It was born out of Justine’s (Whispers & Wonder) and my love and dedication toward SFF indie books and authors. Our goal is to give as much exposure to our clients as we can, while we also build a community among our Roadies. Find out more about us on www.storytellersontour.online!
This past week we gave the spotlight to Children, the first book of the Ten Worlds series by Bjørn Larssen in celebration of its release! Our Roadies brought a wide selection of content to this show with reviews, interviews and other posts. Now it’s time to bring the show to an end and it’s my pleasure to present you with the encore, including some extra content. Come and learn a bit more about the world of Children through Bjørn‘s fan cast and playlist!
Shall we?
Bjørn Larssen is a Norse heathen made in Poland, but mostly located in a Dutch suburb, except for his heart which he lost in Iceland. Born in 1977, he self-published his first graphic novel at the age of seven in a limited edition of one, following this achievement several decades later with his first book containing multiple sentences and winning awards he didn’t design himself. His writing is described as ‘dark’ and ‘literary’, but he remains incapable of taking anything seriously for more than 60 seconds.
Bjørn has a degree in mathematics and has worked as a graphic designer, a model, a bartender, and a blacksmith (not all at the same time). His hobbies include sitting by open fires, dressing like an extra from Vikings, installing operating systems, and dreaming about living in a log cabin in the north of Iceland. He owns one (1) husband and is owned by one (1) neighbourhood cat.
Magni never wanted to be like his father, a murderous, absent, cheating alcoholic: Thor – the feared and beloved God of thunder. When Thor destroys everything and everyone his son knows and loves, Magni vows to stop the violence. His dream is to bring peace and prosperity to the Nine Worlds, then settle down with the man he loves. But is it possible to remain good in a place this bad? How do you escape cruelty in a universe built on it, or the shadow of your father when everyone calls you by his name?
Maya knows she’s a failure and a disappointment to her foster-parents. How could a child raised by Freya and Freyr – Goddess of love and God of sex – have no interest in the greatest of pleasures? Obviously, it couldn’t be the torture they subjected her to, or treating her as a tool that might someday be useful. Maya, her rage at their games more powerful than she knows, wants freedom to pursue her own destiny. But how do you forge your own life away from your God-parents when you’re nothing more than human?
A retelling of the Norse myths unlike any other, Children will answer all the questions you never knew you had about the heathen Nine Worlds… before leading you into the Tenth.
Click on the blog name to read their full review or other content!
OCTOBER 4TH–THE WELCOMING
Whispers & Wonder – interview + IG spotlight
OCTOBER 5TH
The Sword Smith – review
“This is a brutal book it does not hold back and in keeping with Norse Mythology (which in itself can violent, brutal and nasty) but also was very moving and yet again I say what a wonderful story Bjorn has instore for you. I would urge you to read this, you are missing out on a rare talent if you do. Something that struck me is how long this story has stayed with me, only a few books have achieved this recently but Children really has. It’s a beautiful story, one that will move, shock, surprise and like any story of Norse Mythology make you think in wonder.”
Debjani’s Thoughts – spotlight / excerpt
Out of This World SFF Reviews – review
“This book is about as raw and brutal a read as you can come by but it is also incredibly moving and never makes you feel like there’s not something worth salvaging in the end. I was really blown away by CHILDREN and am here to say that if you don’t read this book, you are seriously missing out on a rare talent right now by the name of Bjorn Larssen. He will not hold your hand and tell you everything that you need to know explicitly, but he will ask you to work a little for what is a phenomenal payoff if you just invest a little time and attention. The true testament to how this book moved me is that I couldn’t get it out of my head for the entire day after finishing it.”
OCTOBER 6TH
Jessica Belmont – review
“Told in a split narrative between Magni and Maya. I loved these characters. Their stories are written so well. I went on an emotional Rollercoaster, and I didn’t want this story to end.”
Kats Reading Room – spotlight
The Coycaterpillar Reads – review
“Children by Bjørn Larssen is one of those truly once in a lifetime reads. Whilst reading it felt like all the stars had aligned, every wish I ever had come true, it was the jackpot lottery win. It has everything. The striking colour and magic that it promises within, decadent characterisation and prose that is as majestic as a sunset. This was a blog tour that I couldn’t pass up on matter how snowed under I was writing reviews (you’d think I’d learn). This is what Norse fiction should be all about and Bjørn Larssen is a master craftsman in it’s art.”
OCTOBER 7TH
The Writer’s Alley – review
“I have to say that Bjorn’s novel—Children: Ten Worlds, #1—was a very interesting read.“
Beneath A Thousand Skies – review
“I was blown away by Children, and it was one of those books that lingers in your mind and calls you back to it because of the sheer impact it has. I can’t recommend this book highly enough, especially for anyone with an interest in Norse Mythology, and who want to lose themselves into a book that will grab hold of you and refuse to let go even after you’ve read that last page.”
@hillsofbooks – IG spotlight
OCTOBER 8TH
dinipandareads – review
“An intensely dark story about the Norse gods from the perspective of two “minor” but important characters that shed light on the raw brutality of the human world and the gods they worship. Larssen’s writing is infused with a relieving humour that balanced the story’s darker elements. The world-building and characterisation were exceptionally done and you will come to deeply care for both protagonists. This definitely won’t be for everyone but if you have a strong stomach for dark fantasy and you’re interested in Norse mythology and experiencing a different perspective of the gods, you should definitely give this a try!”
Woven From Words – review
“Indeed, Children is very emotional, yet this provides rich storytelling. Bjorn Larssen weaves a different account of the classic Norse mythology tale, yet his twists are unique.”
Bookends & Bagends – review
“Children is written with such power it is brutal yet afforded such tender care by its author. The language is a delight swinging from the visceral to the florid and is laden with imagery.
Bjørn Larssen really has crafted a masterpiece here. The level of creativity and intelligence on display is peerless, to have created something so unique yet so believable and seamless is a monumental achievement.
I’ll be re-reading Children until Ragnarok, and I don’t think I’ll have unlocked all of its treasures by then.”
OCTOBER 9TH
The Bookwyrm’s Guide to the Galaxy – review
“It knows just how to elevate emotions at climactic moments, inviting you to feel along with the characters. Not all, or rather, most of those feelings may not be good, but it’s the way Children carves sorrow into your heart that creates a burrow inside you where this book can dwell.”
Betwixt The Sheets – review
“What’s really cool about the story, is the unorthodox approach Larssen took to the retellings. His perspectives feel unique while still containing enough core mythos to keep the reader’s path forward clear.”
Cover to Cover – spotlight / excerpt
When writing books, I like to save Netflix time and do the casting for the inevitably upcoming series myself. I’ve been curating my Children/Land board over the last year and a half. I did not, however, think about giving my characters theme songs – until Queen Timy notified me that they will be necessary…
Magni
Unknown model. Once I get this bloke to grow out his hair and beard, he’ll be perfect. Not just because of his colouring; the wary eyes and slightly tearful expression on a big, muscular man (there are more photos of this model) make him perfect for the role.
Magni isn’t really big on music, or at least that’s what he’d say if someone were to ask. Once he’s alone, he plays his Enya box set – quietly.
Maya
Rooney Mara – isn’t really into commercial stuff. If pressured, she’d choose between early Tori Amos (before she became a total sell-out), Courtney Love, and Garbage. She’d like to dedicate this song to her dear stepmother, Freya.
Freya
While Freya can look like any woman, as long as that woman fits the most mainstream definition of “beautiful,” she – like every shapeshifter – has her favourite look, that of Scarlett Johannson. In completely unrelated news, I can’t stand Scarlett Johannson.
Freya’s idea of love and romance is torturing her gentlemen friends with Celine Dion until they cry for mercy.
Freyr
Travis Fimmel – is a sensitive guy, a charmer. He’ll seduce you… by rubbing his erection against the nearest part of your body. Some people just don’t get subtle hints, though. This song will make his intentions slightly clearer…
Thor
Kristofer Hivju – is a no-nonsense bloke who will tell you there are only two genres of music: hard rock and classic rock. Deep Purple – now, that was music, not whatever that noise the young whippersnappers listen to even is.
Eir, the Goddess of healing
Cate Blanchett – finds that music should soothe our souls and minds, allowing us to travel to the place where we are one with the Universe. (Most people interpret that as getting high, which Eir does not approve of.) Music, anyway, is really a state of mind rather than anything else. A vibration. Have you ever tried just not having a broken leg?
Odin
Sir Ian McKellen – likes things that are beautifully complicated. Mike Oldfield’s Amarok, an album consisting of one track that’s 60 minutes long and purposefully written and produced in such a way that it’s not possible to use any excerpt from it as a single, is layers on top of layers on top of layers. Odin, the only person to hear and understand each and every one of them, approves.
Loki
Jared Leto – is a man, a woman, sexy, mischievous, prone to boasting, fond of tight black clothing, and loves attention. If his personality could be trapped in a song, it would be this one.
Thank you for having me, Timy, and I apologise for my characters’ offensively mainstream taste!
If you are interested in Children and would like to get in contact with Bjørn Larssen, you can find him on social media:
Find out more about Storytellers On Tour or join our team:
Grab a copy of Children at your local Amazon!
Odin Ian Mckellen now lives forever in my mind, thank you.
Oh my god. I was already interested in this book because I really enjoyed STORYTELLERS and the cover for this looks amazing, but that blurb *could hardly* be better pitched at me! *grabby hands*
I’ll check out some of the tour reviews. 😀
Children is awesome! I’ve read an early version of it. It’s dark and brutal, but awesome.