Review by Booklist Review
Not to be mistaken as a follow-up to this year's Newbery winner, The Graveyard Book, this thin novella was written for Britain's World Book Day, an event designed to get kids excited about reading, and is now being published in the U.S. It follows the adventures of a Viking lad named Odd, who grows weary of his little village and sets out on his own. He encounters a talking (and bickering) eagle, bear, and fox, who reveal themselves to be none other than Odin, Thor, and Loki, banished from Asgard by a monstrous frost giant. Odd takes it upon himself to help the trio return home, using his wits and sense of compassion to dispatch the giant. Along with Gaiman's deft humor, lively prose, and agile imagination, a few unexpected themes the double-edged allure of beauty, the value of family sneak into this slim tale with particular appeal to kids drawn to Norse mythology, but suitable for any readers of light fantasy. Yet more proof that there isn't much Gaiman can't write well, be it comics, picture books, or novels for any age. Final art not seen.--Chipman, Ian Copyright 2009 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
In this simple but well-done tale, Newbery Medal-winner Gaiman (The Graveyard Book) introduces Odd, a boy with an injured leg whose Viking father died at sea. Odd befriends the Norse gods Odin, Thor and Loki, who have been transformed into animals and exiled from Asgard. The gods, having previously tricked and bested the Frost Giants, are now receiving some of their own medicine. Showing great ingenuity, Odd figures out how to reach Asgard and then convinces the Frost Giant that ruling Asgard isn't so great (after all, admits the giant, his prize, the beautiful goddess Freya, "only comes up to the top of my foot. She shouts louder than a giantess when she's angry. And she's always angry"). The gods and the giant, though powerful, come across as self-involved and vaguely simple-minded, clearly in need of a resourceful young fellow like Odd to help set things straight. Although less original than Coraline or The Wolves in the Walls, this enjoyable story should appeal to Gaiman's younger fans. Final art not seen by PW. Ages 8-12. (Sept.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 3-6-Using several figures from Norse mythology, Gaiman has written a thoughtful and quietly humorous fantasy that younger Percy Jackson fans will enjoy. Twelve-year-old Odd hasn't had a good couple of years: his father died rescuing a pony that fell overboard during a Viking raid, his leg was crippled during a tree-felling accident, and his mother married a man he dislikes. So, in the midst of what should be spring ("Winter hung in there, like an invalid refusing to die"), he sets out for a cabin in the wilderness, figuring that anything will be better than home. Soon after arriving, a fox leads him to an enormous bear whose paw is caught in a tree; a large eagle circles overhead. Odd shows kindness and bravery when helping the bear, learning afterward that these three animals are gods who have been transformed by the Frost Giant. Odd is determined to help them, and his ultimate encounter with the Frost Giant is especially interesting, tweaking the tradition of small boys getting the better of giants. Readers will also enjoy Odd's interaction with the animals, Gaiman's simple and graceful writing, and the satisfying conclusion.-Lauralyn Persson, Wilmette Public Library, IL (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
(Intermediate) Odd, twelve, has run away from his dreary Viking settlement, seemingly trapped in desolate winter. After freeing a trapped bear, he learns that the bear and its companions -- a fox and a one-eyed eagle -- are really the Norse gods Thor, Loki, and Odin. A Frost Giant, coveting spring-goddess Freya, has done them this mischief, and blocked spring besides; only in Asgard can the gods regain their true shapes. Odd contrives a rainbow bridge to get them there, then reasons with the giant, who's finding his successful coup inconvenient: Freya, though lovely, is too small and feisty for him, and his brothers don't want to join his siege. There's an entertaining whiff of political commentary here, plus some effective conflict resolution: "I am trying...to allow you to go home with your honor intact and a whole skin," Odd points out, sweetening the deal with something beautiful for the grateful giant to take with him. Gaiman's narration is impeccable, with lots of monosyllables (the eagle utters nothing but: "Rage!" "Death!") and pithy descriptions ("Winter hung in there, like an invalid refusing to die"). There's humor in many a turn of phrase. Even the most straightforward remarks are telling, while the framing story -- Odd's home life -- is resolved with a satisfying twist. Swift-moving yet thoughtful, a book to share aloud -- and then again. Helquist's eight full-page drawings, distinguished by their sturdy characterizations and angular drafting, deftly evoke Gaiman's wintry Norse world. From HORN BOOK, (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
Gaiman does it again, this time featuring a lame young boy, talking animals and intrigue in Asgard. Originally written for World Book Day, this sweet, wistful, slyly funny novella also offers a crash course in ancient Norse mythology. Unlucky Odd lost his father during a Viking raid (but not to heroics) and then crushed his leg trying to be a man. When an endless winter descends, he leaves his stepfather's home and is recruited by talking animals who are actually Thor, Odin and Loki, exiled to earth by a Frost Giant. Odd ultimately outwits the giant in a way that upholds and yet totally subverts the trope, at the end returning home still humble but successful and clearly destined for more adventures. Like George R.R. Martin's The Ice Dragon (2006), this succeeds both as a delightful children's book and an adult collectible. Children will enjoy Odd's quiet heroism and the simple adventure; adults will love the squabbling gods and the strong women (and the Frost Giant's response to feisty Freya!). All in all, another winner. (final art not seen) (Fantasy. 8 up) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
