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The Prose Edda: Norse mythology

The Prose Edda is the most renowned of all works of Scandinavian literature and our most extensive source for Norse mythology. Written in Iceland a century after the close of the Viking Age, it tells ancient stories of the Norse creation epic and recounts the battles that follow as gods, giants, dwarves and elves struggle for survival. It also preserves the oral memory of heroes, warrior kings and queens. In clear prose interspersed with powerful verse, the Edda provides unparalleled insight into the gods' tragic realization that the future holds one final cataclysmic battle, Ragnarok, when the world will be destroyed. These tales from the pagan era have proved to be among the most influential of all myths and legends, inspiring modern works as diverse as Wagner's Ring Cycle and Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings.

The Gospel of Loki

This novel is a brilliant first-person narrative of the rise and fall of the Norse gods—retold from the point of view of the world's ultimate trickster, Loki. A #1 bestseller in the UK, The Gospel of Loki tells the story of Loki's recruitment from the underworld of Chaos, his many exploits on behalf of his one-eyed master, Odin, through to his eventual betrayal of the gods and the fall of Asgard itself.
Using her lifelong passion for the Norse myths, New York Times bestseller Joanne M. Harris has created a vibrant and powerful fantasy novel that the Sunday Sun recommends "to her long-standing audience with wit, style and obvious enjoyment;" The Sunday Times claims it "lively and fun;" and The Metro adds that "Harris has enormous fun with her antihero...this mythical bad boy should beguile fans of Neil Gaiman."

A Little Bit of Runes: an introduction to Norse divination

"Nordic runes are the most popular and easiest symbols to work with, and can effectively release energy for a positive purpose in one's life. Cassandra Eason, a well-known writer on crystals, Wicca, spells, and magic, explains to spiritual seekers exactly what runes are, how to make their own, which ones are right for them, and much more."--Provided by publisher.

The Witch's Heart

Angrboda’s story begins where most witches' tales end: with a burning. A punishment from Odin for refusing to provide him with knowledge of the future, the fire leaves Angrboda injured and powerless, and she flees into the farthest reaches of a remote forest. There she is found by a man who reveals himself to be Loki, and her initial distrust of him transforms into a deep and abiding love.
 Their union produces three unusual children, each with a secret destiny, who Angrboda is keen to raise at the edge of the world, safely hidden from Odin’s all-seeing eye. But as Angrboda slowly recovers her prophetic powers, she learns that her blissful life—and possibly all of existence—is in danger.
 With help from the fierce huntress Skadi, with whom she shares a growing bond, Angrboda must choose whether she’ll accept the fate that she’s foreseen for her beloved family...or rise to remake their future. From the most ancient of tales this novel forges a story of love, loss, and hope for the modern age.

The Norse Myths: a guide to the gods and heroes 

  • Author: Carolyne Larrington
  • Genre: History writing; Mythology
  • Storyline: World-building
  • Writing Style: Accessible; Concise

An exhilarating introduction to the vivid, violent, boisterous world of the Norse myths and their cultural legacy—from Tolkien to Game of Thrones.
The Norse Myths presents the infamous Viking gods, from the mighty Asyr, led by Ódinn, and the mysterious Vanir, to Thor and the mythological cosmos they inhabit. Passages translated from Old Norse bring this legendary world to life, from the myths of creation to ragnarök, the prophesied end of the world at the hands of Loki's army of monsters and giants, and everything that comes in between: the long and problematic relationship between the gods and the giants, the (mis)adventures of human heroes and heroines, with their family feuds, revenges, marriages, and murders; and the interaction between the gods and mortals.
Photographs and drawings show a range of Norse sites, objects, and characters, from Viking ship burials to dragons on runestones. Dr. Carolyne Larrington describes the Norse myths' origins in pre-Christian Scandinavia and Iceland, and their survival in archaeological artifacts and written sources, from Old Norse sagas and poems to the less-approving accounts of medieval Christian writers. She traces their influences into the work of Wagner, William Morris, and J. R. R. Tolkien, and even Game of Thrones in the resurrection of the Fimbulvetr, or "Mighty Winter."

Norse Mythology 

  • Author: Neil Gaiman
  • Genre: Adult books for young adults; Mythological fiction; Mythology
  • Character: Well-developed
  • Storyline: Sweeping
  • Tone: Dramatic; Violent
  • Writing Style: Engaging; Lyrical

In Norse Mythology, Gaiman stays true to the myths in envisioning the major Norse pantheon: Odin, the highest of the high, wise, daring, and cunning; Thor, Odin's son, incredibly strong yet not the wisest of gods; and Loki—son of a giant—blood brother to Odin and a trickster and unsurpassable manipulator.
Gaiman fashions these primeval stories into a novelistic arc that begins with the genesis of the legendary nine worlds and delves into the exploits of deities, dwarfs, and giants. Through Gaiman's deft and witty prose, these gods emerge with their fiercely competitive natures, their susceptibility to being duped and to duping others, and their tendency to let passion ignite their actions, making these long-ago myths breathe pungent life again.

Heathen. Volume 1 

  • Author: Natasha Alterici
  • Genre: Comics and Graphic novels; Fantasy comics; LGBTQIA comics
  • Themes: Coming out experiences; Women of steel
  • Storyline: Own voices

"Aydis is a viking, a warrior, an outcast, and a self-proclaimed heathen. Aydis is friend to the talking horse Saga, rescuer of the immortal Valkyrie Brynhild, and battler of demons and fantastic monsters. Aydis is a woman. Born into a time of warfare, suffering, and subjugation of women, she is on a mission to end the oppressive reign of the god-king Odin."--Amazon.com.

Odin: ecstasy, runes & Norse magic 

  • Author: Diana Paxson
  • Genre: Arts and Entertainment; History writing; Spirituality and Religion
  • Writing Style: Accessible; Engaging

Odin is arguably one of the most enigmatic and complex characters in Norse mythology. Revered since the Viking Age, Odin has been called the greatest of the gods—the god of words and wisdom, runes and magic, a transformer of consciousness, and a trickster who teaches truth. He is both war god and poetry god, and he is the Lord of Ravens, the All- Father, and the rune master. Odin: Ecstasy, Runes, and Norse Magic is the first book on Odin that is both historically sourced and accessible to a general audience. It explores Odin's origins, his appearances in sagas, old magic spells, and the Poetic Edda, and his influence on modern media, such as Tolkien's Lord of the Rings trilogy. Each chapter features suggestions for rituals, exercises, and music, so readers can comprehend and become closer to this complicated god. Author Diana Paxson, an expert on Viking-era mythology, provides a complete portrait of Odin and draws on both scholarship and experience to provide context, resources, and guidance for those who are drawn to work with the Master of Ecstasy today.

The Mighty Thor

  • Author: Walter Simonson
  • Genre: Comics and Graphic novels; Superhero comics
  • Themes: Cosmic and mystical beginnings
  • Storyline: Action-packed
  • Pace: Fast-paced

Few people have ever left their mark on one character quite the way Walter Simonson has. His work on The Mighty Thor swept the Norse God of Thunder to heights never before seen and rarely achieved in his wake. Spanning epic tales of heroism and treachery, love and war, Simonson's work is often considered the definitive Thor. From the majesty and mystery of fabled Asgard to the gritty streets of New York City, Thor was never the same. That is the mark of a true visionary. This first volume begins the collection of Simonson's epic run - completely remastered from the original artwork and newly colored by Steve Oliff !  COLLECTING: THOR 337-345  - (Grand Central Pub)

The Mighty Thor. Volume 1: thunder in her veins

  • Writer: Jason Aaron
  • Artist: Russell Dauterman
  • Genre: Comics and Graphic novels; Superhero comics

"When Dr. Jane Foster lifts the mystic hammer Mjolnir, she is transformed into the Goddess of Thunder, the Mighty Thor! Her enemies are many, as Asgard descends further into chaos and unrest threatens to spread throughout the Ten Realms. Yet her greatest battle is against a far more personal foe: the cancer that is killing her mortal form. When Loki steps back into Thor's life, will it ease her troubles or only add to her pain? It's time to find out whether the next chapter in the twisting tale of the Trickster will be one of good or evil! There's no such question about Malekith, though, as he and his Dark Council continue to fan the flames of a looming War of Realms! Jason Aaron continues his startling saga of the mighty Thor!"--Amazon.

By VictoriaR on April 12, 2021