There was a boy called Odd, and there was nothing strange or unusual about that, not in that time or place. Odd meant the tip of the blade, and it was a lucky name (p 1).
For those who enjoy mythological tales, Odd and the Frost Giants is a must read. Employing Norse mythology, Gaiman tells the story of Odd, a crippled young man with an unsettling smile. With the aid of a crutch, Odd leaves home to reside in his deceased father’s hunting cabin.
His adventure really begins when a fox knocks on his door. The fox leads him to a bear caught between two trees during an attempted honey comb heist. A one-eyed eagle flies overhead. When Odd assists the bear, he becomes entangled with the lives of these animals who are soon revealed to be trapped Norse gods.
At only 117 pages, this is a very quick read with only a handful of challenging words for a young reader.
The days were long here in Asgard. The sun was a silver coin that hung in the white sky. Odd pushed himself to keep walking, one step at a time, remembering when he had walked with ease and never thought twice about the miracle of putting one foot in front of the other and pushing the world towards you (p 76).
The writing is, of course, excellent and perfectly paced. As someone who enjoyed the story of Atlanta, elements of stories like the Riddle of the Sphinx, and the tricksters featured in The Sign of the Qin and Trickster’s Choice, this story was a sweet peach.
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