The Age Of Odin. James Lovegrove (2011) - Plot & Excerpts
This book is amazing, granted that I haven't read the Age of Ra so I may be biased here. A brief background of Gid's history, he is a vet from the Royal Majesty's Army, in a crappy situation because of divorce, his son no longer wants to have Gid in his life as much, Gid can barely make months end, and his friend Abortion is a pot head.Now Gid didn't really understand what he was signing up for, and was really confused when he first met Odin, and I really like that part. I like how even though I am familiar with James Lovegrove's style of writing from reading The Age of Zeus, but even then you barely knew what the character was signing up for. Gid was even more perplexed when he was taking a tour around the castle, and getting used to everything.Talk about not recommending this to the kids, yes there are some love scenes but the author always adds that, it's something to predict. But to me, I believe that there was more blood, gore,violence, guns, sex, gore, and blood than The Age of Zeus. I was really hooked on this book when I passed it in Barnes and Noble, of course I recognized the author, but when it was about Norse Mythology that is what really brought me towards this book.I look forward to reading The Age of Ra, and hope it is as...thrilling as this book. This is one where I would do have a complaint, and this one is common. At the end (SPOILER ALERT) when Gid wakes up from subconsciousness and dangling upside down in the Astra and it was all a dream, I had to re-read those last chapters over and over again because I couldn't wrap my head around this major plot twist. I was so perplexed that I sat in my living room for 5 hours re-reading that section of text (SPOILER END). But all in all, I found it to be a good book for some light reading, even if it's 600 pages, but to short at the end, it made the atmosphere of the setting feel rushed, and this is not a book for anyone not i the eighth grade or higher. This book is fun, pure and simple. If Age of Odin seems to ride the crest of the recent mini revival of mythologies in pop culture (e.g. Marvel's Thor, or Rick Riordan's young adult fiction), the way in which the story is presented subtly acknowledges this reality and promises nothing more than a readable, entertaining and violent fantasy adventure that makes good use of some (by now) familiar tropes of the ancient Norse pantheon.The plot unfolds with a solid pace, introducing many charming and believable characters. Some of the minor players become forgotten and nearly everyone is underdeveloped, but I didn't find this to be as distracting as I've seen in other books. The reader is never more than a chapter or two away from a major battle or action sequence, and more informative scenes are well-framed, move brusquely and make sense. The first person narration of the story through Gid is humorous if at times irritating; his military background informs his slang and dirty jokes throughout the story, obstinate in its perpetuity to the point of inappropriate, ad naseum. Others may appreciate this point of view more, but at the very least the construction of Gid's rich personality signifies the author's skill at work.The writing is spot-on, rugged and pragmatic. It's easy to visualize the daring missions and epic battles that Gid partakes in after signing onto the Valhalla Project. The ending might disappoint some readers; however, the book is overall worthwhile and fun, a swashbuckling adventure aimed at a more mature demographic within the sci-fi/fantasy readership (would not recommend this to the kiddos).
What do You think about The Age Of Odin. James Lovegrove (2011)?
Enjoyed; good light reading. Enough Norse mythology to balance the guy-pleasing action format.
—CUPPYCAKE
Loved this series of books. Wish he would write some more.
—Fatima
I enjoyed the book, first book i'd read from this author.
—dezzygirl
Easier to read than his age of Zeus book, in my opinion.
—Halea
