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.

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