NORSE MYTHOLOGY - Kelsey A. Fuller-Shafer, PhD


On one hand, as a person who really enjoys learning about Norse mythology, I am really glad to see that publishers believe there's still enough interest in the Norse legends to keep putting out the books.  On the other hand, how many books about Norse mythology do we really need? I suppose, though, that we're only one blockbuster movie about a superhero named Banshee away from suddenly having a rush on Irish Mythology.

This probably sounds as though I'm not happy about this book, but that is very much not true. I really liked this book.  

this strikes me as being targeted toward school-aged readers (middle school and up?) but anyone wanting to get a better handle on who the main players in the Norse legends are can get a great snapshot with this book. Reading translations of Snorri Sturluson's Eddas can be daunting, but author Kelsey A. Fuller-Shafer, PhD hits all the highlights perfectly (okay ... it seems strange to add the author's degree when mentioning the person, but when it's there on the cover of the book on the byline, one can only assume that this is how they wish to be acknowledged).

The format of the book is really fantastic.  We get a synopsis of the key figures in the mythology - who they are, who they're related to (and how they are related ... which is sometimes tricky), their role in some key moments (ie: why we should know them), and then, even though this is already a summary, we get a "What You Need to Know" snapshot - the talking points that will help you sound intelligent when discussing Norse mythology at your next cocktail party or help when writing your next school paper about Ragnarok.

I've done a fair amount of reading of the Norse legends and more than a few times I picked up on something new or something sunk in better from my reading through this. And I can't say it enough how much I liked the layout of the book, making it easy to get the pertinent information.

While the title of the book is Norse Mythology, the subtitle, The Gods, Goddesses, and Heroes Handbook: From Vikings to Valkyries, an Epic Who's Who in Old Norse Mythology, is important to note, because what we don't get here are the stories; the adventures.  Some of it comes through in the character descriptions and the importance of a character's role in the mythology, but the stories, the Eddas, the poems are not here.

The book is lavishly illustrated by Sara Richard.  The style is not one that I personally care for, which does detract from the book for me, but I didn't hate it (such high praise!) and I understand where it might work well for others.

Looking for a good book? Norse Mythology by Kelsey A. Fuller-Shafer, PhD is a wonderful snapshot of all the major players in the Norse Mythology sagas.

I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher, through Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.

4 stars

* * * * * *

Norse Mythology: The Gods, Goddesses, and Heroes Handbook: From Vikings to Valkyries, an Epic Who's Who in Old Norse Mythology

author: Kelsey A. Fuller-Shafer, PhD

artist: Sara Richard

publisher: Adams Media

ISBN: 9781507220528

hardcover, 240 pages

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