Odd, a lame orphan boy, saves the world and rescues Odin, Thor, and Loki who have been changed into an eagle, a bear, and a fox by a frost giant, who has brought perpetual winter to Midgard, the plane that the earth is on.
His solution involves figuring out what is in the block of wood that his father had started and sculpted it and, more importantly, sitting down and listening and talking with the frost giant. We, the readers, understand that the real solution have no part in the story told by the gods. The book also asks, what do you do after you have conquered the world? Can you retire gracefully back to your old life? Can you admit that you've made a mistake? And on the other hand, how do you convince the conquerer to give up his conquest. ( )

While this book does have some of the cleverness and spot-on characterization typical of Gaiman, it seemed a bit hollow, interesting characters for whom the action just doesn't seem significant. It was nice to see the Norse Gods after many years that they haven't crossed my path, and certainly it is a light and pleasant read, but it will go straight to my classroom library, not likely to be thought of again, much less reread. ( )

Gaiman strikes again. A short read at 114 pages, I blew through it in a day. The narrative is tight, the story demonstrates detailed knowledge of the Norse pantheon, and maintains Gaiman's unique style. This was a solid five out of five for me. Then again, I'm biased.

Neil Gaiman wrote Odd and the Frost Giants for World Book Day in the UK. It is the story of Odd, a Viking child who has had some very bad luck in his short life: his father died, his leg is crushed, his mother remarries a not so kind stepfather, winter seems to never end. In frustration, Odd decides to leave his village and live in the woods. One day, Odd finds himself in the company of a fox, a bear and an eagle, and they have a story to tell Odd; a story that involves Asgard, Midgard, gods and giants, deceit and mischief and cleverness, and Odd finds himself eventually part of their story.

It's a quick tale, and while it doesn't pull the reader into the heart of the story like some of his other books (The Graveyard Book, for instance), Gaiman's writing is still clever, fun and original. If you are a fan of Gaiman's work, I don't think you'll be disappointed in this story. ( )

Odd is sort of odd, but that’s not what his name means. In Norse, his name means ‘tip of a blade’, which in my mind signifies strength. Looking at his skinny frame, watching him limp as he walks, Odd looks anything but strong. His stepfather feels the same way, always berating Odd. So, Odd decides to leave home and ventures to his father’s hut in the forest, to live a solitary life. One day he hears something at his front door and peering out, he sees a fox. Odd fears that the fox will eat him, but also thinks that there’s not much of him to eat. The fox beckons Odd to follow him, so he does. He is led further into the forest where he finds a bear with his paw caught in a tree hollow, the result of his attempt to get some honey. Odd sets the bear free and thus begins his journey with the fox, the bear and an eagle that has been soaring overhead throughout this adventure.

Odd and the Frost Giants by Neil Gaiman is a short novel inspired by Norse mythology. Odd learns that these animals can talk and the fox, the bear and the eagle have a strange story to tell. Odd, unlikely as he is, becomes their savior.

Gaiman tells a cute but not overly exciting story in this new book. It is not up to the high standards set in the Graveyard Book or Coraline. Odd and the animals are interesting characters. However, the lead in to Odd’s encounter with the Frost Giant as well as the actual encounter itself need something more…something to sink your teeth into and, in my opinion, Odd and the Frost Giants just doesn’t have it. While I would recommend you read the book (it won’t take long) because you’ll enjoy it, I more heartily recommend some of Gaiman’s other children’s books. ( )