Odd and the Frost Giants by Neil Gaiman and TTFN

Posted on March 1, 2008 by Chris

oddfrost.jpgWhat can I say? I’m impatient…within an hour of receiving my copy of Odd and the Frost Giants from Amazon UK today I had finished it. At 97 pages, that wasn’t very hard to do, but it’s 97 pages of pure goodness! I wish it would’ve been longer, but it’s absolutely perfect for young readers. I wish that this book would’ve been available when I was a kid. It’s been released for World Book Day which is March 6th this year. World Book Day is celebrated in Europe and books are sold for 1 pound a piece!! The point is to encourage kids to read and if this book doesn’t do it, I don’t know what will. Debi wrote a post the other day about reading her little boy The Spiderwick Chronicles and I kept thinking of that post while reading this book. This is just the kind of book that I’d like to read my kid and that I would’ve liked to have been read when I was a kid. It’s also one that us adults will enjoy just as much!

It’s a Neil Gaiman book, so of course it’s excellent. Not to be biased, but the man really can’t write a bad book. This book is about a boy named Odd who embarks on a very unexpected journey. He’s a boy who has lost his father and has crushed his leg and now has to walk on a crutch. One night while sleeping in his father’s old wood working cabin, he awakens to be greeted by a fox, a bear, and an eagle who turn out to be no other than the gods Loki, Thor, and Odin. They have been banished from their kingdom, Asgard, by the Frost Giants and need the help of Odd to reclaim what is rightfully theirs. Like I said, it’s a short book and to tell more would give away the book, but it’s an awesome book filled with lots of humor, great writing that will educate and entertain kids, and typical Gaiman charm.

This is a great little book to tie you over until The Graveyard Book comes out on September 30th…of course, I read it now, so I have nothing to tie me over once again. Unfortunately, it’s only out in the UK…so if you want it, it will cost you more than 1 pound if you live in the states…you have to pay lots for shipping like I did! But I’m a completist, so I have to have the ENTIRE Gaiman collection. Glad I have it.

In other news, I’m leaving tomorrow morning for my Austin trip, so please forgive me if I’m a stranger in blogland. I’ll be back on Wednesday afternoon, so I’ll be back to normal posting then! Please continue posting your links though in the previous “favorite books” post for everyone else to read and keep checking the comments for others’ posts. I’ll update it when I get back. Once again, I’m sorry if I don’t respond to comments or if I’m a stranger on blogs for the next few days, but I’ll be doing job interviews…I’ll catch up on Wednesday though. Wish me luck! Keep your fingers crossed on Monday and Tuesday!!

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23 Responses to “Odd and the Frost Giants by Neil Gaiman and TTFN”

  1. Nymeth, on March 2nd, 2008 at 5:11 am Said:

    Ahhh I’m dying to read this one! Amazon has already shipped my copy, so it should be here sometime next week. I just know that I will drop whatever I’m doing and read the whole thing right away like you did.

    The book sounds excellent, of course. I love Norse mythology, so this will be a treat for sure.

    On a side note, it’s not fair that The Graveyard Book will be out a month earlier in the US! :P Looks like I’ll have to order it from Amazon.com, because there’s no way I can wait a whole month!

    I wish you all the luck in the world with the interviews in Austin! And don’t apologize, we all understand! Hopefully you will be back with good news on Wednesday :)

  2. valentina, on March 2nd, 2008 at 5:26 am Said:

    Unlike you, I was going to wait till thursday to read it even if I’ve head in my bag for a week now :D We received our World Book Day books a long time in advanced and we’re not supposed to sell them before monday I think. But all the Gaiman lovers already snatched a copy ah ah ah (evil laughter). I’ll read as soon as I finish my book…

  3. Dark Orpheus, on March 2nd, 2008 at 7:32 am Said:

    May you find the job that will truly make you happy.

    Sending lots of good luck and good vibes your way, buddy!

  4. Debi, on March 2nd, 2008 at 7:50 am Said:

    Oh, oh, oh…what an exciting, nerve-wracking couple of days you have coming up, huh? Wishing you all the best, and hoping that “job of your dreams” is there waiting for you to claim it!

    Hmmm…do you think I can break my buying ban and order this one? I mean, I would be sharing the experience with my kids. (This one really does sound like the perfect one to read as a family!) So it’s not like I’m being selfish adding to my own pile, right?

  5. deslily, on March 2nd, 2008 at 8:34 am Said:

    love the cover on the Gaiman book!

    I’ll keep my fingers and toes crossed for you while you are gone!!!

  6. Chris, on March 2nd, 2008 at 9:05 am Said:

    Nymeth, It’s Excellent!!! Yes, you have to drop everything you’re reading and read this one when you get it. It took me about 45 minutes to read. It’s a great little book. I didn’t know the Graveyard book came out earlier here…that’s weird! I suggest you order it from the US ;) We can’t have you waiting that long! And thanks for the good luck!

    Valentina, There was NO WAY I could hold out, LOL! When a new Gaiman book arrives at this house, it needs to be consumed immediately. I didn’t get any of the other WBD books, but I really should have…even if they weren’t fantastic, they only would’ve cost me about 2 bucks a piece and support a good cause! Oh well…Hope you enjoy it!

    DO, Thanks :) That’s what I’m telling myself “I’ll find what makes me happy” If one of these isn’t it, then it’s not it. Thanks for the good luck and good vibes ;)

    Debi, Oh yeah! I’m very nerve-wracked right now!! About to head out the door after I write these comments. Thanks for all the good luck wishes Debi :) I think you NEED to break your book buying ban to buy this one :) Your kids would love it! And it would be great for Annie’s homeschooling for a Norse Mythology section! Not selfish at all!

    Deslily, I thought the cover was really good too…especially for a World Book Day book that was only 1 pound. I thought they’d give him a cheap cover for that, but they did a good job. It has some good illustrations throughout. Thanks for the crossed fingers and toes…I swear, you’re going to arthritis always crossing those toes for me ;)

  7. Stephanie, on March 2nd, 2008 at 9:17 am Said:

    Oh no…you aren’t biased……”the man really can’t write a bad book”. Not at all!! Of course, I agree with you. But boy, it costs a fortune in shipping from the UK. Bummer.

    Good luck with your interviews!! I have my fingers crossed!

  8. jean pierre, on March 2nd, 2008 at 9:23 am Said:

    hooray!!!

    like all of us, i love neil’s stuff, but i must say i particularly enjoy what he does with norse mythology. he really has such a passion for it and it bleeds through the pages.

    hooray again!

  9. jean pierre, on March 2nd, 2008 at 9:23 am Said:

    oh, and my fingers are crossed!!!!

  10. deslily, on March 2nd, 2008 at 5:36 pm Said:

    ok I’ve been back here a few times (like always) and since that book doesn’t come to America until October I may just have to get it when it arrives, if for no other reason than the cover ! lol… dang you Chris! lol (I know you are gone to Texas ..good luck!)

  11. Kim L, on March 2nd, 2008 at 8:38 pm Said:

    Not to be biased, but the man really can’t write a bad book

    While I agree with you, I think you are definitely biased. Then again, so am I. :-)

    Blowing good luck dust your direction. I hope you find a job you like!

    This week when I run out of book reviews or puppy pics, I’m planning on writing a post about some favorite books. What a fun topic!

  12. Rhinoa, on March 3rd, 2008 at 4:26 am Said:

    Sounds like a fun book and I really like the cover. Good luck with your interviews :)

  13. Nancy, aka Bookfool, on March 3rd, 2008 at 12:46 pm Said:

    Oh, wow, have I been a bad blogger? You’ve been gone since yesterday! I wish you the best, whether you see this message or not. :)

  14. carole mcdonnell, on March 3rd, 2008 at 2:26 pm Said:

    God bless you and guide you on the interviews! -C

  15. Carl V., on March 3rd, 2008 at 4:55 pm Said:

    Glad to hear its good. I ordered Jeff and my copies and look forward to getting them soon. Will be a great book to start the Once Upon a Time Challenge with….if I can wait that long! ;)

  16. Stormfilled, on March 4th, 2008 at 10:45 am Said:

    Chris, you got Gaiman linked! Yay!

  17. Lightheaded, on March 4th, 2008 at 10:51 am Said:

    Gee, NEIL GAIMAN linked this post in his journal! Coolness!

    And goodluck!

  18. Robin, on March 5th, 2008 at 6:26 pm Said:

    Hi Chris,
    I’ve been sending lots of positive wishes your direction! Hope your job interviews went well. You have an awesome mention in Neil Gaiman’s blog! He linked to your review! Well-deserved, for both you and Nymeth. I was so excited for you both.
    Robin

  19. Chris, on March 5th, 2008 at 10:30 pm Said:

    Steph, Me? Biased? No! lol…It really is a great book though :p Yeah, shipping is a fortune, but it’s worth it to me to not have to go through the anxiety of waiting! THanks for the good wishes!

    JP, I love what he does with mythology too…he has such a gift when it comes to modernizing the gods. I always enjoy reading that. You’ve gotta get this one! It should be easy for you to find! You don’t have to pay these huge shipping prices ;)

    Deslily, Yes you definitely have to get this one when it comes out!!! You’ll enjoy the story too. It’s a quick read, great cover, and great illustrations. Altogether great book

    Kim, Yeah…um, I might be a little biased and that statement’s sort of an oxymoron, isn’t it? lol! Can’t wait to read your favorite books post…I’ll be playing blog catch up tomorrow!

    Rhinoa, It was such a great book…go get it! It’s only a pound!

    Bookfool, Thanks for the good luck wishes :) I got them!

    Carole, Thanks again! Your prayers definitely helped!

    Carl, I doubt you’ll be able to hold out, lol…but you can try. It’s a quick read, but a satisfying one. Tell Jeff to read it with his kids! I think it’s a good family read. You’ll love it I’m sure.

    Stormfilled, I know!!! That’s nuts…I nearly keeled over when I saw that :/ My life’s goals are accomplished. Now that would be sad, huh?

    Lightheaded, I can’t believe that! I freaked out when I saw that…I had been gone on a trip since Sunday and then I come home to catch up on journals and there’s my blog on his! Talk about every fanboy’s dream!

    Robin, Thanks :) I appreciate your good wishes! The interviews went good! I’m excited for me and Nymeth too! I couldn’t believe that we were BOTH in there. That’s nuts!

  20. J Scott Savage, on March 6th, 2008 at 1:11 am Said:

    Great review. I’ve put it on the next to read with my kids list.

  21. jean pierre, on March 6th, 2008 at 3:51 am Said:

    yeah, i am lucky there…

    but i’ll have to wait until my tbr pile is down… although! hang on, its once upon a time coming up soon…!

  22. Tasses, on March 9th, 2008 at 7:13 pm Said:

    Wow, I didn’t know anything about this new title until I happened upon your site. Thanks for the great review.

    P.S. I’ll be linking to this post when I get around to my own Gaiman reviews (my book site is new and I’m still a bit overwhelmed).

  23. Chris, on March 9th, 2008 at 7:15 pm Said:

    Tasses, Glad you found my site and the book :) It’s a really great book and if you’re a Gaiman fan you’ll love it. Even if you’re not, I’m sure you’ll enjoy it. Great to hear about your site! I’m heading over to check it out. Always looking for new blogs to read :) It’s a bit overwhelming at first, but it’s so much fun.

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