I had a internal debate about this book a few months ago. I couldn’t decide if I wanted to read it digitally or not. I ended up deciding to just go for it, and read the advance reading copy on my computer.
I didn’t enjoy the experience of reading the book digitally. I got antsy while reading it on my computer. I wished the book was in my hands. I don’t enjoy reading books on a screen. That is never going to change.
That said, I did enjoy the story itself. Here’s the description from Amazon:
In this inventive, short, yet perfectly formed novel inspired by traditional Norse mythology, Neil Gaiman takes readers on a wild and magical trip to the land of giants and gods and back.
In a village in ancient Norway lives a boy named Odd, and he’s had some very bad luck: His father perished in a Viking expedition; a tree fell on and shattered his leg; the endless freezing winter is making villagers dangerously grumpy.
Out in the forest Odd encounters a bear, a fox, and an eagle—three creatures with a strange story to tell.
Now Odd is forced on a stranger journey than he had imagined—a journey to save Asgard, city of the gods, from the Frost Giants who have invaded it.
It’s going to take a very special kind of twelve-year-old boy to outwit the Frost Giants, restore peace to the city of gods, and end the long winter.
Someone cheerful and infuriating and clever . . .
Someone just like Odd.
It’s quite a bit different that his other kid’s books that I’ve read (The Graveyard Book and Coraline). This feels more like a classic fable, a timeless story (because it is – I like that it’s based on Norse mythology). I enjoyed it, but as an adult I didn’t love it as much as I did the stories of Coraline and Nobody Owens. Probably because I’m not incredibly into folklore, although I don’t know why that is.
I do think it’s going to be a great book for kids, which is, after all, its intent. I think my little brother will love it.
I can’t wait until it’s released (September 22). I want to see it in person and look at the final illustrations. (In the ARC only sketches are included.)
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