I know they say you shouldn’t judge books by their covers, but this one was calling out to me from across the bookshop. It truly is a thing of great beauty!

 Written by the masterful Neil Gaiman and illustrated by the Children’s Laureate, Chris Riddell, you would be right to expect great things from this book – and it doesn’t disappoint!

This magical tale follows the fortunes of a Viking boy called Odd, who has already known great tragedy in his life. Fatherless, crippled and loathed by his step-father, Odd’s life is not a happy one.

One day, in the depths of Winter, Odd strikes out on his own to seek shelter in his father’s old woodcutting hut hidden deep in the forest.

A chance encounter with a mysterious fox, an eagle and a trapped bear, sees Odd set off on an adventure with the mightiest of Viking gods – Thor, Odin and Loki – to travel along rainbow bridges and help free the realm of Asgard from the clutches of the Frost Giants. He can’t help but wonder what use a crippled boy would be.

Odd soon discovers that there’s more to being a hero than simply being strong – cleverness and bravery can be even more important.  His journey will see him return home a changed man.

I absolutely loved this book and read it in a day. The illustrations and words wove a web around me which transported me into Odd’s world of frost, fighting and magic. I could picture myself there in the thick of the action and feel the icy winds blowing around me.

Riddell’s beautiful illustrations are the perfect pairing with Gaiman’s spell-binding language. They really bring the story to life

A completely amazing book which I intend to share with my class as soon as possible!

Library Girl.