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Odd, a boy with a bum leg and an odd personality, runs away from
Odd, a boy with a bum leg and an odd personality, runs away from home after his father dies and his mother remarries. In the forest, he finds a fox, a bear, and an eagle, whom he befriends. With these new pals, Odd recaptures Asgard from the Frost Giants. A short and sweet fairy-tale like story.
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Short and Mildly Entertaining This book is meant for children o
Short and Mildly Entertaining
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This book is meant for children or people with short attention spans. A kid friendly version of Norse mythology serves as the setting for this story. Other than that there isn't anything else worth mentioning. -
Anonymous
Posted April 7, 2012
A Damn Fine Read
Best two lunch breaks worth of heathen story I've read in a long time.
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Anonymous
Posted March 24, 2012
Odd and the Frost Giants
This is a must read for anyone who enjoys fantasy, adventure, and humor. There is also Norweighan folklore.
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GenoWrites
Posted March 6, 2012
I can't say I'm a fan of Neil Gaiman. When I read the first two
I can't say I'm a fan of Neil Gaiman. When I read the first two chapters of Odd and the Frost Giant I thought I was going to be. But I'm not. The first two chapters of this book made me slap down the $9.99 for the 57 page e-book---I never pay that much for an e-book let alone a 57 page one. That's how great the first two chapters were. And here I must say a hearty... BUT...
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From that point on it did nothing. Nothing, but frustrate me. The character of Odd, though intriguing in the first two chapters, proved to be more one-dimensional than most characters in the Sunday funny's. That's not to say Odd and the Frost Giant is an awful book. There were moments I enjoyed, but largely I kept reading only because I had paid so much for it. The story is not really children's story (IMHO). It's about a child, and there's some mildly comical dialogue, but there's where the similarity ends. There's one moment where a brief but visceral explanation was given of what a hand ax was used for (severing flesh from bone for sacrifices to the Norse god Loki) that just felt incredibly out of place for a novel for youngsters. When the story had ended (no I won't spoil the ending for you if you still want to read it, but) something happens that left me feeling Odd had lost his childhood far too quickly. Mr. Gaiman is obviously a frequently read author, but if I had been his editor, I'd have taken him back to the beginning of chapter three and told him he needed to change almost everything after that point.
That's my mostly-humble opinion. I mean no disrespect. But my advice... Save the money, save the time, buy something that is enjoyable all the way through. I would recommend something by C.S. Lewis or even Windblowne by Stephen Messer. Although currently that is the only book of Messer's that I can recommend. I hope this review helps.
May all your Dreams be Dreams,
Geno -
Anonymous
Posted January 10, 2012
Dumb dumb dumb
Stupid book never buy it:(
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Anonymous
Posted March 13, 2012
Good
not half bad not my favorite but good
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GaryWOlson
Posted January 2, 2012
entertaining, but with little impact
Neil Gaiman's Odd and the Frost Giants was fun, and had numerous good moments... but (and you knew there was a 'but' coming)... it felt surprisingly thin, compared to, say, 'Coraline.' The storytelling itself was fine, the mythological spin was fresh, and it certainly wasn't boring, but the emotional impact, for me, was light.
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Animal_Azar
Posted October 26, 2011
Good but short!
Neil Gaiman is as always at his best, but be warned, if you buy this book on nook for $9.99, it is only 51 pages long, and only about 45 of those are the story. I liked it but I need a lot more pages for that much money, I was expecting a whole novel.
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Odd's oddness is someething to which one should aspire!
It was delightful, touching, entertaining, and at the same time challenging to all about their vaules. Although written for children, it carries a message that can challenge us all--at any and every age. A friend loaned it to me to read, and upon completion I immediately ordered a copy for my grandson--age 8 and hopefully to be shared with his two younger sisters. The writing immediately drew one in, and captured and held one's interest right up to the last page and last sentence and the last period. Would definitely put this on everyone's "must read list". Am looking forward to reading other works from this author.
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A True Treasure
Odd and the Frost Giants is a fairy tale/legend style story of a strong, determined little boy named Odd, who despite being lame, alone and hated (by his new stepfather) finds his way in Norse life. Quiet and, well, odd, Odd is called on to help three gods, trapped in animal form on Earth by a vindictive giant who has seized their home. As the gods Loki, Thor and Odin spent more and more time trapped on earth they lose their selves to the bestial natures of a fox, a bear and an eagle respectively. With their home Asgard under the control of the Frost Giant spring cannot come to earth (Midgard) and the humans are doomed unless the gods resume their thrones, and their more human shapes.
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Hard and a little cold himself, Odd, only ten, is who Loki finds to help the trio, and through a series of clever sets of problem solving Odd, a mere human, becomes the one smart enough and reliable enough to save the gods and spring. Besides containing a subtle message that humanity is the core of the deities' strength, Odd and the Frost Giants is also a smart, blood-free tale set in a Viking era that children and adults alike will find compelling, adventurous and easy to follow.
This remains one of books to cause the most anticipation in our family's nightly reading, and to engage the children strongly enough to keep them connected to the story, and to Odd, night after night (even on the nights we missed). Highly recommended for reading aloud and to give kids a taste of a world different from ours, but a little boy with all the same big feelings inside.
"I like this book. I like the part when Odd was happy to go home." ~Amber, 6
"I liked this book. The snow would not melt. The giant took Asgard. That giant was so angry!" ~Leif, 9 -
very cute and likable
kids would like this. as an adult is very cute, easy reading that fills your head with interesting dreams :)
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Anonymous
Posted April 10, 2010
great book for both you and your kids
this is Neil Gaiman at his best. he combines the coolness of American Gods with something you can let your kids read. The style itself can be used to teach reading skills.
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Book_Savvy_Dad
Posted February 14, 2010
Educational and Fun
My son really enjoyed this book. He enjoys mythology and this provided a neat mixture of fiction from a boys perspective.
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Anonymous
Posted February 6, 2010
Neil Gaiman is just plain good.
I don't know what happened but I have just discovered Neil Galman. Since this major discovery I have decided to read all his books. So far they have all been great.
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Pinky_Pye
Posted January 30, 2010
I Also Recommend:
Charming Book
I'm teaching a unit on Norse Mythology and I used this book for my class. All of my students enjoyed it tremendously. Mr. Gaiman's previous book, American Gods covered the Norse myths (among others) nicely but this book is more appropriate for the classroom. I highly recommend his juvenile fiction.
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A wonderful children's story.
Another excellent children's story from Neil Gaiman that is also fun for adults.
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KKR
Posted November 21, 2009
Boy Proves his Worth
This is a tale set in the far north, and it involves an under rated young boy who proves that he is valuable and important. Of course it has a happy ending. I bought it as a winter book for my 9 year old twin grandsons.
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k-l-c1962
Posted November 21, 2009
Great book for a 5th grader!
The story kept him interested and worked well for a book report.
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SHP
Posted October 24, 2009
A Nice Tale
This was enjoyable and made me curious about the original story it is based on. A nice read.
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