First things first. This is NOT a Pagan book. It is a book with mythological themes and thus it is Pagan-friendly, but it doesn’t espouse any particular religious point of view. It is a novel aimed at the teen audience – the hero is a fifteen year old boy. This young man is not happy with his life. His family life is far from ideal. His father is a maintenance man who has taken a winter job at an inn in Yellowstone National Park. His mother is bored and upset with being isolated from other people, and Samuel is bored with the fact that his on-line classes (the only way he can attend school because of the isolation) are far too easy for him, his TV can only get one channel, and he is isolated in the middle of nowhere.
A raven finds an unusual brooch and secretes it in the attic of the inn, where Samuel encounters the raven (Rag) and his friend (Thokk) and the brooch. Samuel is intrigued by the symbols which appear on the brooch (which allows him to converse with the ravens) and he begins trying to understand what they mean. He finds a clue in a Marvel comic book (The Mighty Thor) and begins looking for a website that will let him translate runes, which he does. The translation, however, makes no sense to him. So he emails the author of the website. He finally gets a response which indicates that the inscription is an Old Norse poem.
Through no fault or action of his own (would you believe a smart-mouthed sarcastic raven?) he finds himself transported from 21st century America to the timeless realm of the Norse pantheon.
Confused, disoriented, and cold (it is the middle of winter, after all), they first thing he and his raven companions see is a giant. The giant slowly approaches Samuel and accuses him of trespassing on sacred ground. While Samuel tries frantically to return to his own time and space, and failing that to come up with an adequate explanation for his presence, the giant identifies himself – as Loki! For Samuel, who has no idea who this giant is (never having heard of him before), things rapidly go from bad to worse. He becomes a slave.
For those readers who, like Samuel, have never heard of the Aesir and know nothing of their tales and culture, this book provides a painless introduction. The description of the gods in clear and vivid, the writing style is crisp and entertaining, and the story itself proceeds at a good clip. While, perhaps, a bit oversimplified and lightweight for the older and/or more knowledgeable reader, it is an excellent book for the intended audience.
Even if your idea of Norse history is Marvel comics’ “The Mighty Thor”; your knowledge of giants comes from “The Lord of the Rings” movies; and your idea of Viking life has been conditioned by “Hagar the Horrible” comic strips, you will enjoy this book.
Like many young heroes, Samuel lacks the maturity to do as he is told. He consistently finds himself in deep trouble though his failure to follow advice given to him by those with more knowledge and experience. Also like many young heroes, he has more than his share of good luck, coming through trouble through no action of his own.
He shares adventures with Thor and Balder; is saved from slavery by one of his two raven companions, and finds himself back in Asgard. He discovers the reason for his inability to operate the brooch to return home, and shares in a feast in Odin’s hall. The ring pin is returned to its rightful owner – Odin.
He returns to his home to find his life in turmoil, just as when he left. He, however, brings with him gifts from the gods. The turmoil ends unexpectedly, and all ends well.
It is nice to read good Pagan-friendly fiction. There is shortage of it in today’s world. This book is a welcome addition to the field.
There is a seven page glossary included at the end of the book which, while no great explanation of Nordic mythology, allows the author to intersperse some terms without having to resort to lengthy explanations in the text, or footnote. It was helpful.
