If you’ve got a spare hour—even half an hour; that’s about what it took me—this holiday season, spend it reading Odd and the Frost Giants. It’s a delightful tale based on Norse mythology and told by the master storyteller I can’t hail enough, Neil Gaiman. 

Odd and the Frost Giants is the story of Odd, a young boy who is, in fact, a little odd compared to his peers. He’s been pretty unlucky in life, having lost his father on a Viking ship and nearly his entire leg to a tree accident. When his mother remarries a not-so-nice man, Odd sets off to return to the home he grew up in, even in the arduous journey found in the endless snow his village is enduring.

During his “escape” from his new life, Odd is befriended by a bear, an eagle, and a fox. “Befriend” is sort of a loose term, since they’re not exactly the friendliest of animals—nor do they mean him harm; the fox entices Odd to help free the stuck bear, who in turn gives him a ride back to the cabin he was originally hoping to stay in.

Odd discovers that the three animals are actually Norse gods, banished from Asgard, the city of the gods, from the Frost Giants who took over the land. This also explains why the cold winter is still upon Odd’s village and will not leave. Odd, a clever twelve-year-old, decides to help restore the gods and devises a plan to make the Frost Giants simply leave.

It really is a tiny book—yes, it’s 128 pages, but the book is smaller than average size and one of the quickest reads you’ll ever experience. I checked it out from the library myself, and after reading figured I could have just read it there! It reminded me of Coraline when I read it—another fast, action-filled, cool tale designed for kids, sure, but so enjoyable for adults, too. Many enjoyable illustrations are also included in the novel.

Also like Coraline, Odd delivers Gaiman’s trademark adventurous, crafty child hero who saves the day by being brave and smart. One of my favorite things about the protagonist is his annoying little smile he uses to confound people, even when he isn’t happy. A quirky Gaiman character to add to a list of loveable heroes, Odd will make you smile no matter how cold the Frost Giants are keeping the winter where you are.