3.98 AVERAGE

adventurous funny hopeful lighthearted relaxing medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

This is a charming and sweet story for children. 

Beautiful and short, a good prologue to his Nordic Mythology. Can´t wait!
adventurous medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: No
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes
adventurous hopeful lighthearted mysterious reflective fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus: N/A

4.5 stars.
I overall enjoyed reading Odd and the Frost Giants and every time I picked up this book, it was a struggle to put back down again. Basically this book is about where Odd lives in a Viking village where the winter never ends due to something happening in Asgard. That is all I can say about the story without spoiling it.
The only reason why I didn't give this 5 stars is that the way the situation was resolved felt a little meh and I expected more to happen.
Nevertheless, I mostly enjoyed the plot, the characters and the inclusion of the Norse Gods.
While this book is aimed at children, it is perfect for both adults and children in my opinion. I also read the illustrated version by Chris Riddell which is the  version I recommend getting because I love the way he illustrates.
adventurous funny inspiring lighthearted fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: No
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: No
adventurous hopeful inspiring lighthearted

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

Cute and simple

This new edition of Neil Gaiman's Odd and the Frost Giants is beautifully illustrated by Chris Riddell. The drawings by Riddell perfectly assist in narrating the story of Odd, a young Viking boy who is taken on an adventure of mythological proportions after meeting a fox, a bear and an one eyed eagle deep in the forest.

Odd is a delightful character to follow as he tries to rescue Asgard from the Frost Giants. He's more practical than I was expecting and that contrasted nicely with the contrariness of the Norse Gods. Assisted by Loki, Thor and Odin, Odd sets out on a journey to reclaim Thor's magical hammer and end the eternal winter on his world.

This is such a fun book. The illustrations are gorgeous and added an extra element to the story. The Norse mythology is delivered in a way which does not overwhelm. The gods are wonderfully eccentric and their strong personalities shine no matter what form they are in.

Magical hammers and one eyed birds - Odd and the Frost Giants is a story for readers of all ages. This book has an almost fairy tale atmosphere. It's well written, funny and at only 120 pages including illustrations, it is not intimidating to younger readers.

If you have read the book before - I highly recommend this edition. Chris Riddell has a way with translating Neil Gaiman's words into artwork of a visual form. They have collaborated many times now (The Sleeper and the Spindle by Gaiman and illustrated by Riddell is just magnificent) and I can't wait to see what they work on next.

Perfect for anyone who enjoys a different take on mythology or just good stories with fun characters, Odd and the Frost Giants is a lovely book and the pictures make the reading experience even more magical.
lighthearted fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Strong character development: No
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: No

 Target Audience: Neil Gaiman's "Odd and the Frost Giants" is primarily aimed at younger children, especially those who are early readers. This focus on a younger demographic is evident in the book's structure and narrative style.


Storyline Simplicity:
The story is straightforward and lacks complexity, making it easily understandable for its intended audience. However, this simplicity also becomes its drawback for more mature readers or fans of Gaiman's other works. The lack of intricate plotlines or deeper thematic elements makes the book seem somewhat unengaging, particularly when compared to Gaiman's other children's book, "The Graveyard Book," which is imbued with more profound meaning and life lessons.


Character Development:
The protagonist, Odd, appears to be a relatively flat character. His development throughout the story is minimal and seems to occur abruptly, attributed to a magical event rather than a gradual, character-driven progression. This aspect may disappoint readers who expect a more substantial character arc, as seen in Gaiman's other works.


Overall Experience:
As a fan of Neil Gaiman, I found "Odd and the Frost Giants" to be a bit of a letdown. It lacks the depth, complexity, and emotional resonance that I admire in Gaiman's writing. While the book may serve as a suitable introduction to Gaiman's world for very young or new readers, it falls short of the expectations set by his other, more layered children's literature.


Conclusion:
"Odd and the Frost Giants" is a decent choice for its intended young audience, offering a gentle introduction to Neil Gaiman's storytelling. However, for those familiar with Gaiman's ability to weave profound narratives even within children's literature, this book might seem overly simplistic and less satisfying.