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3.98 AVERAGE
3.98 AVERAGE
Cute little norse tale. I would read a list of ingredients by Neil Gaiman!!
Neil Gaiman is so up and down for me. Maybe I'll revisit this one later.
I waffled between three and four stars, but I decided to round up because this is wonderfully readable story. I had never heard of the Neil Gaiman title until I ran across it in the library and I wonder why it hadn't made as much of a splash as his other children's fiction. It's a charming dive into Norse mythology with an original protag leading the way.
Odd is the son of a Viking. He is also a little odd, mostly the way he is doesn't say more than he needs to say or show a lot of emotion, but he is kind, he is clever, and he is unassumingly brave, and those are the qualities that get him into an adventure and also save the day. The first chapter is heavily summary of his backstory, but after that the story dives right in, as Odd ends up befriending himself to the Norse gods Thor, Loki, and Odin, who have been transformed into a bear, fox, and eagle respectively by a Frost Giant who has stolen Thor's hammer and taken over Asgard. Thor and Loki have really strong character voices and their bickering is fun. Odd isn't some special, Chosen One hero meant to save the Gods and the world from an eternal Frost Giant-inflicted winter, but a kid who just sort of decides to help out because he can.
This rather short chapter book integrates a lot of elements of Norse mythology without getting too overly descriptive about it and I think could intrigue a reader to delve into more. There are a few references and implications that are a bit eyebrow-raising if you are an adult reader or are vaguely familiar with some of the mythos they are referencing (Loki's time as a horse, for example), but would fly over the head of a young reader (maybe).
I was kind of wondering if this was the first of a series, but it doesn't look like it, which is too bad because I would have read more about Odd and his adventures.
Odd is the son of a Viking. He is also a little odd, mostly the way he is doesn't say more than he needs to say or show a lot of emotion, but he is kind, he is clever, and he is unassumingly brave, and those are the qualities that get him into an adventure and also save the day. The first chapter is heavily summary of his backstory, but after that the story dives right in, as Odd ends up befriending himself to the Norse gods Thor, Loki, and Odin, who have been transformed into a bear, fox, and eagle respectively by a Frost Giant who has stolen Thor's hammer and taken over Asgard. Thor and Loki have really strong character voices and their bickering is fun. Odd isn't some special, Chosen One hero meant to save the Gods and the world from an eternal Frost Giant-inflicted winter, but a kid who just sort of decides to help out because he can.
This rather short chapter book integrates a lot of elements of Norse mythology without getting too overly descriptive about it and I think could intrigue a reader to delve into more. There are a few references and implications that are a bit eyebrow-raising if you are an adult reader or are vaguely familiar with some of the mythos they are referencing (Loki's time as a horse, for example), but would fly over the head of a young reader (maybe).
I was kind of wondering if this was the first of a series, but it doesn't look like it, which is too bad because I would have read more about Odd and his adventures.
adventurous
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I liked the ending, but getting there was tedious.
Delightful story set in the Norse mythos. Follow Odd as he tries to help the Norse Gods reclaim Asgard and put an end to Winter. (It was totally Loki's fault.)
*3.5
It did what it set out to do. A solid kids book with all the mythology being really interesting. Didn't love how the main issue got resolved though
Overall enjoyfull
It did what it set out to do. A solid kids book with all the mythology being really interesting. Didn't love how the main issue got resolved though
Overall enjoyfull
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Loveable characters:
Yes
Well this little book made me smile. Wonderfully narrated, and just magical. A nice little story, just wish there were more adventures.
Cute children's book. I loved the fact that it covered a less popular mythology instead of going with the ever popular Greeks or Egyptians. I'd love to see more Norse myth around.