sfletcher26's review against another edition
4.0
This is an interesting take on the Norse myths and a great read. A really enjoyable book.
ellenpenleysmith's review against another edition
Please remind never to read this book again. It was something I found hard to get into. I stopped reading it at page 300 because it was full of background information and not enough actually happening in the story!
waywardskyril's review against another edition
4.0
4.5
Wow... I've read a lot of books. I've read a lot of kids' books too, and this one... This one is one of the best.
I don't have much time, so I'll keep this short.
Basically, characters: realistic, fun, funny, wonderful, awesome, I-absolutely-loved-all-of-them-except-for-the-bad-guys-of-course.
The plot was perfect. It never left me bored. Constant excitement- edge-of-the-seat kind of stuff, honestly.
And the writing. The writing was... incredible. Brilliantly, brilliantly written. Not only was is utterly absorbing, but it was hilarious, ingenious, sort of a combination of Jane Austen and Derek Landy- two of my favorite authors as a matter of fact.
Please, if you get a chance, read this book!
Wow... I've read a lot of books. I've read a lot of kids' books too, and this one... This one is one of the best.
I don't have much time, so I'll keep this short.
Basically, characters: realistic, fun, funny, wonderful, awesome, I-absolutely-loved-all-of-them-except-for-the-bad-guys-of-course.
The plot was perfect. It never left me bored. Constant excitement- edge-of-the-seat kind of stuff, honestly.
And the writing. The writing was... incredible. Brilliantly, brilliantly written. Not only was is utterly absorbing, but it was hilarious, ingenious, sort of a combination of Jane Austen and Derek Landy- two of my favorite authors as a matter of fact.
Please, if you get a chance, read this book!
planetbeth91's review
4.0
I have big love for Joanne Harris's writing. The Gospel of Loki caused me to embarrass myself on a train as I laughed so hard. Pithy, superbly crafted, this very original take on the world after Ragnarok, introduces to new characters and reunites us with old favourites. Loki may not be narrating the show this time, but his sarcastic, dry, wily, self-preserving nature shine through as through no fault of his own... Ok some fault of his own... He and the mysteriously runemarked Maddy, Odin, who definitely had a hand in starting all this nonsense, Thor and the rest not to mention some unsuspecting folk tumble headlong into the end of the world all over again.
jmatkinson1's review
3.0
Maddy Smith lives in a remote northern valley in the village of Malbry. Her life is far from pleasant and her 'ruinmark' means that she is shunned by many and forced to work menially. However a traveller called One-Eye sees Maddy's mark differently, he calls it her Runemark and he teaches Maddy to use the special powers that she tries to keep hidden. When Maddy draws attention to herself by releasing goblins and more from the ground she escapes to Red Horse Hill and then the adventures really start because Maddy is no ordinary girl, her skills are inherited from the old gods. Five hundred years ago the gods were defeated and a new order came to power, now things are about to change.
Joanne Harris is a wonderful writer but for some reason this YA novel didn't really gel with me. I like what she has tried to do, to fuse Norse legend with a slight SF edge and a huge dose of humour, and I like the setting in a northern area that seems parallel to her world of Malbry in her adult fiction (although the village of Farnley Tyas does exist in real life). However I found the plot very confusing and too reminiscent of Phillip Pullman to feel truly original.
Joanne Harris is a wonderful writer but for some reason this YA novel didn't really gel with me. I like what she has tried to do, to fuse Norse legend with a slight SF edge and a huge dose of humour, and I like the setting in a northern area that seems parallel to her world of Malbry in her adult fiction (although the village of Farnley Tyas does exist in real life). However I found the plot very confusing and too reminiscent of Phillip Pullman to feel truly original.
rosekk's review
4.0
I liked the way norse mythology was used in this - always sticking close enough to the familiar tales to justify using the old gods, but not afraid to add new ideas.
Maddy made an engaging main character. She reminded me a bit of Tiffany Aching (one of Pratchett's witches) - which is a good thing. Her view of the gods around her made them feel more approachable and human as well.
Maddy made an engaging main character. She reminded me a bit of Tiffany Aching (one of Pratchett's witches) - which is a good thing. Her view of the gods around her made them feel more approachable and human as well.
twikel's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0