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In a flash, the world Ted Callan knew exploded. The fire on the patch had burned everything to the ground, including his marriage and now he's on the road looking for a fresh start. What he finds is a mysterious young woman named Tilda in the middle of the highway who tells him he's destined to either become a hero or die a quick and painful death. Later that evening, when three stout men break into his hotel room, bind him to the bed and proceed to carve his skin with a stylus Ted wishes that death would come quickly. When he wakes, his body is covered in an elaborate norse tattoo, complete with Hugin and Munin, Mjolnir and Yggdrasil, not to mention the power of the Gods. As Ted seeks out the three men who assaulted him, he learns that the creatures of Norse mythology walk in the world of humankind and some of them want to see it burn. Accompanied by the trickster Loki and the bequiling Tilda, Ted wants nothing more than to have his old life back. No more tattoos. No more smart-ass Gods. No more mystic powers. The problem is, if he succeeds, it might just be the end of the world.… (more)
I'll be honest, I wasn't sure I was going to enjoy this book. But Ginther's writing style draws you in. Yes, he may have an over-reliance on the f-word, but I can't say much...so do I. He sets up an interesting story by turning a man into a god and, I have to admit, for the most part, deals with some tough writing issues, including the "Superman" issue: when you create a godlike creature that essentially can't be harmed, how do you then keep up the suspense? Ginther does. He also does some fun table-turning toward the end. My only real complaint is there seemed to be a bit too much repetition of the "don't trust Loki" conversation. Other than that, a solid debut. This is fantasy for adults, but it will appeal to SF fans, comic book fans (especially those that, like I did, read Thor) and anyone graduating from the Harry Potter-type stories. Definitely looking forward to the next book. ( )
In a flash, the world Ted Callan knew exploded. The fire on the patch had burned everything to the ground, including his marriage and now he's on the road looking for a fresh start. What he finds is a mysterious young woman named Tilda in the middle of the highway who tells him he's destined to either become a hero or die a quick and painful death. Later that evening, when three stout men break into his hotel room, bind him to the bed and proceed to carve his skin with a stylus Ted wishes that death would come quickly. When he wakes, his body is covered in an elaborate norse tattoo, complete with Hugin and Munin, Mjolnir and Yggdrasil, not to mention the power of the Gods. As Ted seeks out the three men who assaulted him, he learns that the creatures of Norse mythology walk in the world of humankind and some of them want to see it burn. Accompanied by the trickster Loki and the bequiling Tilda, Ted wants nothing more than to have his old life back. No more tattoos. No more smart-ass Gods. No more mystic powers. The problem is, if he succeeds, it might just be the end of the world.
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The author transports the gods, giants, dwarves and other hidden folk of the old Norse from Iceland to Manitoba. He begins by weaving the story of Ted, a man traumatized in an Alberta oil patch explosion, moving back to his home town of Winnipeg. There Ted has a supernatural encounter with three dwarves who re-create him into an embodiment of the Aesir with powers from the gods Odinn and Thor as well as powers from other supernatural beings from the beliefs of the ancient gods of the Viking age. Ted's life becomes entwined with the three Norns who read runes to fortell the future. The Trickster god Loki links up with him. Together they take on the Giant Surtur whose hellfires will destroy the earth if he isn't stopped. After an adventure in Gimli and on Lake Winnipeg, Ted finally meets and defeats the giant in the rocky landscape of Flin Flon. The earth is saved, for now - but we know there will be more to come. Ted and the youngest of the three Norns are expecting a baby.
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