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Northern Mythology: Tales from Norse, Finnish, and Sámi Traditions
Alternate cover edition of ISBN 9781646434619
Discover the complex mythology of the legendary Nordic people who inspired Hollywood films, epic novels, and more. Beautiful goddesses, fierce warriors, formidable beasts, and Ragnarök itself--these magical tales have enthralled audiences for centuries. This classic collection of tales offers fascinating insights into Nordic cultures.
Stunningly illustrated and depicting Sámi, Finnish, and Norse myths, this captivating book dives deep into the rich history of the region and recalls both the most popular and little-known tales of the north. Inside you'll This phenomenal compendium of northern European folklore is informed by archaeology and literature. Celebrating the intricacies of a long-lost world, Northern Mythology breathes new life into the tales of the distant past.
Discover the complex mythology of the legendary Nordic people who inspired Hollywood films, epic novels, and more. Beautiful goddesses, fierce warriors, formidable beasts, and Ragnarök itself--these magical tales have enthralled audiences for centuries. This classic collection of tales offers fascinating insights into Nordic cultures.
Stunningly illustrated and depicting Sámi, Finnish, and Norse myths, this captivating book dives deep into the rich history of the region and recalls both the most popular and little-known tales of the north. Inside you'll This phenomenal compendium of northern European folklore is informed by archaeology and literature. Celebrating the intricacies of a long-lost world, Northern Mythology breathes new life into the tales of the distant past.
480 pages, Hardcover
Published August 6, 2024
13 people are currently reading
162 people want to read
About the author
Tim Rayborn
51 books28 followersTim Rayborn is a historian, medievalist, and musician, with an MA and PhD from the University of Leeds in England. He is a writer on a variety of topics in history and the arts, from the academic to the amusing to the appalling. He has written nearly 50 books to date.
A professional musician with a specialty in medieval repertoire, he plays dozens of musical instruments, has appeared on more than 40 recordings, and has performed in the US, Canada, Europe, and Australia.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
December 24, 2024
Northern Mythology by Tim Rayborn is probably the best introduction to Northern Myths you can find today and as well as this, it’s beautifully presented with serious shelf appeal.
From what I can see, there are actually 3 different covers (perhaps depending on your region or retailer) and all look great.
What sets this book apart from many others are the sections on Finnish and Sámi mythology, with a vast array of books solely on Norse mythology already available.
Even if we’re judging this book solely on the Norse Mythology sections, I believe it excels nonetheless. For anyone wanting to learn a very solid and in depth introduction, this book couldn’t be better. I’ve read a number of books on Norse Mythology and I learnt several new things and felt the style was a lot more accessible than most other books on the subject. There are some who downright get things wrong and others that are a little dry with walls of text and a little antiquated in style.
Rayborn’s book is modern but not simplified. When we are presented with the myths, he introduces the background afterwards which handily explains where the information comes from and the context. The introduction is excellent too, highlighting the nuances, highlights and pitfalls of the current knowledge. Everything one needs to know for general knowledge and a little short of academic study is contained here. And the writing style really flows, allowing you to enjoy without having to re-read every sentence.
As touched on above, the fact that this book is Northern Myths rather than just Norse Myths makes this feel more comprehensive and in doing so I believe presents a better picture of North European peoples and their history – how the cold and bleak environments and harsh winters influence a unique blend of folklore, mythology view of the world.
The illustrations by Jo Parry are gorgeous and I feel really takes this book to the next level, one that would make a beautiful gift or addition to your own bookshelf. I really like the theming of the purple shades and the stunning art style, capturing the myths contained within perfectly.
I read this book on Netgalley but am impressed enough to want to purchase a copy for future reading. I’d highly recommend this book.
Thankyou to Netgalley and the publisher Cider Tree Press for the opportunity to read this book.
From what I can see, there are actually 3 different covers (perhaps depending on your region or retailer) and all look great.
What sets this book apart from many others are the sections on Finnish and Sámi mythology, with a vast array of books solely on Norse mythology already available.
Even if we’re judging this book solely on the Norse Mythology sections, I believe it excels nonetheless. For anyone wanting to learn a very solid and in depth introduction, this book couldn’t be better. I’ve read a number of books on Norse Mythology and I learnt several new things and felt the style was a lot more accessible than most other books on the subject. There are some who downright get things wrong and others that are a little dry with walls of text and a little antiquated in style.
Rayborn’s book is modern but not simplified. When we are presented with the myths, he introduces the background afterwards which handily explains where the information comes from and the context. The introduction is excellent too, highlighting the nuances, highlights and pitfalls of the current knowledge. Everything one needs to know for general knowledge and a little short of academic study is contained here. And the writing style really flows, allowing you to enjoy without having to re-read every sentence.
As touched on above, the fact that this book is Northern Myths rather than just Norse Myths makes this feel more comprehensive and in doing so I believe presents a better picture of North European peoples and their history – how the cold and bleak environments and harsh winters influence a unique blend of folklore, mythology view of the world.
The illustrations by Jo Parry are gorgeous and I feel really takes this book to the next level, one that would make a beautiful gift or addition to your own bookshelf. I really like the theming of the purple shades and the stunning art style, capturing the myths contained within perfectly.
I read this book on Netgalley but am impressed enough to want to purchase a copy for future reading. I’d highly recommend this book.
Thankyou to Netgalley and the publisher Cider Tree Press for the opportunity to read this book.
June 5, 2025
When rating a nonfiction book of this type, I ask myself three questions.
What does this book do?
It offers insight into Norse, Finnish, and Sami mythology, drawing (possible) parallels between them and exploring (probable) influences of Christianity on what that mythology looks like today.
How the book does it?
In an accessible, well-structured way which names sources and influences, but never in a tedious way.
How much did I use Google and/or Wikipedia?
Maybe once or twice, but mostly because I’ve picked up the audio book. For example Rayburn keeps mentioning Snorri as the source, but I missed his last name so I had to Google it.
A physical copy or an ebook might have been an easier choice, but I think I didn’t miss the mark. The narrator gives a touch of playfulness and a lot of life to these stories, and I could imagine Snorri Sturluson and Elias Lonnrot sitting next to a fire, listening and writing down these stories (and then embelishing them a bit :).
To conclude, if your knowledge about Norse mythology is based on Marvel movies or Viking-inpired fantasy, and you want more, this is the book for you.
What does this book do?
It offers insight into Norse, Finnish, and Sami mythology, drawing (possible) parallels between them and exploring (probable) influences of Christianity on what that mythology looks like today.
How the book does it?
In an accessible, well-structured way which names sources and influences, but never in a tedious way.
How much did I use Google and/or Wikipedia?
Maybe once or twice, but mostly because I’ve picked up the audio book. For example Rayburn keeps mentioning Snorri as the source, but I missed his last name so I had to Google it.
A physical copy or an ebook might have been an easier choice, but I think I didn’t miss the mark. The narrator gives a touch of playfulness and a lot of life to these stories, and I could imagine Snorri Sturluson and Elias Lonnrot sitting next to a fire, listening and writing down these stories (and then embelishing them a bit :).
To conclude, if your knowledge about Norse mythology is based on Marvel movies or Viking-inpired fantasy, and you want more, this is the book for you.
February 27, 2025
4/5
Beautiful illustrations with a wealth of knowledge.
This book is beautiful! There's so much inside that makes this perfect for people interested in mythology. I'm not well versed in northern mythology, but this book is the perfect stepping stone into the history and rich depths of these cultures.
The illustrations are a wonderful addition. I didn't like that the page numbers were going sideways and I really didn't like the random black pages, completely unnecessary and it would have been a solid 5 if not for them.
I recommend it to anyone interested in mythology in general, and especially anyone interested in these specific groups. It was so interesting to read about deities and tales I've never heard of. It's an easy read, it's not too scholarly and tries its best to stay away from Old Norse, so it's very accessible in that regard.
The perfect library book! I'm glad to have found this at my library and I would gladly have it on my own shelves. Check your local library or request they purchase a copy!
Beautiful illustrations with a wealth of knowledge.
This book is beautiful! There's so much inside that makes this perfect for people interested in mythology. I'm not well versed in northern mythology, but this book is the perfect stepping stone into the history and rich depths of these cultures.
The illustrations are a wonderful addition. I didn't like that the page numbers were going sideways and I really didn't like the random black pages, completely unnecessary and it would have been a solid 5 if not for them.
I recommend it to anyone interested in mythology in general, and especially anyone interested in these specific groups. It was so interesting to read about deities and tales I've never heard of. It's an easy read, it's not too scholarly and tries its best to stay away from Old Norse, so it's very accessible in that regard.
The perfect library book! I'm glad to have found this at my library and I would gladly have it on my own shelves. Check your local library or request they purchase a copy!
February 27, 2025
Northern Mythology covers the folklore and mythologies of the Norse, Finnish, and Sámi peoples; it's an amazing non-fiction read for anyone interested in these cultures and their beliefs. It covers general myths, deities, and more, and also acknowledges the possible erasures and rewritings of Christian writers and how this may have changed meanings or overtaken the original myths.
I loved this so much. The illustrations are captivating, the information is dense but also sprinkled with humour and intrigue. I picked this up initially for its focus on Norse mythology, which takes up most of the book, but I learned so much about Finnish and Sámi mythology as well.
I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to delve into this as a beginner, or for a refresher. It's a wonderful take on history and I really appreciated all the small details I learned of that I'd never come across elsewhere.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for early access!
I loved this so much. The illustrations are captivating, the information is dense but also sprinkled with humour and intrigue. I picked this up initially for its focus on Norse mythology, which takes up most of the book, but I learned so much about Finnish and Sámi mythology as well.
I highly recommend it to anyone who wants to delve into this as a beginner, or for a refresher. It's a wonderful take on history and I really appreciated all the small details I learned of that I'd never come across elsewhere.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for early access!
May 1, 2025
I think this book is great for anyone who's interested in Northern mythology or doesn't know much about the topic. I think it's a bit rough to read this (could be just me since I don't read much) since there's so much information, thoughts, names, places etc. but it really shows how deep this goes and explains the information we have or do not have about the Northern mythology. Overall I would recommend it and as a person whose native language isn't English I think this is easy to read and follow.
October 7, 2024
Good telling of the Northern Mythology tales.
February 25, 2025
A beautifully illustrated collection of Northern Mythology. Tim Rayborn has written a brilliant overview of Northern Mythology, enjoyable to both newbies and ones who are familiar with the subject.
I particularly enjoyed the notes after each chapter discussing the sources for the myth, links to other myths and its relevance within the wider narrative.
Thanks to NetGalley for the eArc
I particularly enjoyed the notes after each chapter discussing the sources for the myth, links to other myths and its relevance within the wider narrative.
Thanks to NetGalley for the eArc
March 7, 2025
This wonderful book packs it in, and no mistake. I have seen before now how books about Norse myth can almost struggle in formatting – the balance of telling us who and what these characters are, before actually telling us some of the stories they feature in. This clearly seems to state this is the way it has to be, and then proceeds to give us biography after biography, essay after essay. So for the first hundred pages or so we're learning who Frigg was, what Fenrir was, the nuance of the elves and dwarves, etc etc. A hundred pages of their actual legends and dramas follow, mostly from the Eddas. We then have a lovely chunk (150pp) about Finnish myth – and again it's a lot of biography and only then the legend, before a decent fifty-odd pages getting us to Sami lore.
One sign of a book doing this kind of thing well is how it conveys the geography of the worlds, arrayed around and under Yggdrasil – this does it better than most by, er, hedging, and not trying to pin it all down. Good for it. Another sign of how a book does all this is in the voice it uses – well, it was actually quite on the chatty side with the encyclopaedic biographies ("there will be a test on this later", indeed) so that the stories were in danger of feeling relatively plummy, staid and old-fashioned. They're not – certainly there's not a huge wrenching gap between each tale and the context of similar length that immediately follows them all.
Another marker is the level of illustration, and I have to say I wasn't a huge fan of the portraits here – although I've seen worse. One final marker of course is the way the page turns from black ink on white/cream to white ink on a black page – I'm sorry, what? Yes, this annoyingly dips into a black-backed spread every two or four page turns, and it's a decision that somehow makes this look more glossy and rich at times, but really alters the mood of the stories, with the look of the page changing completely and completely at random at some midpoint.
Still, that aside, what we have is very fine indeed. The chance to see a summary of the whole Kalevala – the Finnish national legend, albeit one written very recently, comparatively – is great. It allows you to wonder which you'd prefer – knowledge gained from putting one of your own eyes out (Odin), or knowledge gained from living inside a dead wizard's guts for a while. It also tells us that the narrative rule of three never really hit Finland – everything has a fourth example, everyone setting a set of tasks a fourth demand.
It does feel a disappointment that the Sami section is so short, but this is more for the layman audience, and they are it seems rather insular and just plain don't need to convey all their (historically down-trodden) beliefs to all and sundry. A lot of their folk tales are yet to hit English anyway. Still, I know a lot more about joiking than I ever did before, and of Sami drumming, a lot more than the zero of before.
This is a fascinating source of the slightly esoteric, by which I mean exceedingly important to someone once. Just because we don't know quite how these spirits were appeased, and these goddesses worshipped and so on, doesn't mean we can ignore them. They had a spine in even earlier civilisations, got fleshed out by their original believers – and presented with great glamour here, in generally an intelligent and appealing way. The black page disease aside, this is close to a marvel – four and a half stars.
One sign of a book doing this kind of thing well is how it conveys the geography of the worlds, arrayed around and under Yggdrasil – this does it better than most by, er, hedging, and not trying to pin it all down. Good for it. Another sign of how a book does all this is in the voice it uses – well, it was actually quite on the chatty side with the encyclopaedic biographies ("there will be a test on this later", indeed) so that the stories were in danger of feeling relatively plummy, staid and old-fashioned. They're not – certainly there's not a huge wrenching gap between each tale and the context of similar length that immediately follows them all.
Another marker is the level of illustration, and I have to say I wasn't a huge fan of the portraits here – although I've seen worse. One final marker of course is the way the page turns from black ink on white/cream to white ink on a black page – I'm sorry, what? Yes, this annoyingly dips into a black-backed spread every two or four page turns, and it's a decision that somehow makes this look more glossy and rich at times, but really alters the mood of the stories, with the look of the page changing completely and completely at random at some midpoint.
Still, that aside, what we have is very fine indeed. The chance to see a summary of the whole Kalevala – the Finnish national legend, albeit one written very recently, comparatively – is great. It allows you to wonder which you'd prefer – knowledge gained from putting one of your own eyes out (Odin), or knowledge gained from living inside a dead wizard's guts for a while. It also tells us that the narrative rule of three never really hit Finland – everything has a fourth example, everyone setting a set of tasks a fourth demand.
It does feel a disappointment that the Sami section is so short, but this is more for the layman audience, and they are it seems rather insular and just plain don't need to convey all their (historically down-trodden) beliefs to all and sundry. A lot of their folk tales are yet to hit English anyway. Still, I know a lot more about joiking than I ever did before, and of Sami drumming, a lot more than the zero of before.
This is a fascinating source of the slightly esoteric, by which I mean exceedingly important to someone once. Just because we don't know quite how these spirits were appeased, and these goddesses worshipped and so on, doesn't mean we can ignore them. They had a spine in even earlier civilisations, got fleshed out by their original believers – and presented with great glamour here, in generally an intelligent and appealing way. The black page disease aside, this is close to a marvel – four and a half stars.
January 16, 2025
This book is an absolute delight for anyone fascinated by the myths and folklore of the Nordic and Arctic regions. The book draws you into a world of gods, heroes, and spirits, weaving together tales from Norse, Finnish, and Sámi traditions with care and reverence for their cultural origins.
What I loved most was how accessible the stories felt, even with their deeply mythological roots. Rayborn has a gift for storytelling, balancing the grandeur of myth with the intimacy of a fireside tale. From the mighty exploits of Odin and Thor to the quieter, mystical stories of Sámi spirits, there’s a wide variety here that kept me captivated throughout.
That said, I occasionally found myself wishing for a bit more depth in some of the Finnish and Sámi sections, as they seemed slightly overshadowed by the more familiar Norse tales. However, the book does a commendable job of introducing these traditions to a broader audience, which I greatly appreciated.
The illustrations are lovely and add a touch of magic to the reading experience. It’s also worth noting that the pacing of the book is perfect for dipping in and out; ideal for those who enjoy savouring myths one or two at a time.
Overall, Northern Mythology is an engaging and well-crafted collection that shines a light on both well-known and lesser-explored traditions. It’s a perfect read for mythology enthusiasts and anyone looking to connect with the rich cultural heritage of the North.
What I loved most was how accessible the stories felt, even with their deeply mythological roots. Rayborn has a gift for storytelling, balancing the grandeur of myth with the intimacy of a fireside tale. From the mighty exploits of Odin and Thor to the quieter, mystical stories of Sámi spirits, there’s a wide variety here that kept me captivated throughout.
That said, I occasionally found myself wishing for a bit more depth in some of the Finnish and Sámi sections, as they seemed slightly overshadowed by the more familiar Norse tales. However, the book does a commendable job of introducing these traditions to a broader audience, which I greatly appreciated.
The illustrations are lovely and add a touch of magic to the reading experience. It’s also worth noting that the pacing of the book is perfect for dipping in and out; ideal for those who enjoy savouring myths one or two at a time.
Overall, Northern Mythology is an engaging and well-crafted collection that shines a light on both well-known and lesser-explored traditions. It’s a perfect read for mythology enthusiasts and anyone looking to connect with the rich cultural heritage of the North.
February 25, 2025
In this fascinating combination of history and mythology, Tim Rayborn explores the gods, warriors, beasts, monsters, and magical beings of Sami, Finnish, and Norse mythology in this detailed and complex book. Profiling different figures and bringing them to life through this collection of their myths, this book’s detailed introduction to Nordic and Scandinavian folklore and the stories of northern Europe are a great way to discover these stories and legends, while the mix of archaeology and literature places them in real places and cultures. Divided by region, the book includes some breathtaking illustrations and depictions of the figures that readers will absolutely love. The variety of myths and deities in this book not only shows how the three cultures interact with each other over the centuries but also shows the scope of this fascinating literary tradition. Rayborn’s narrative style is brilliant, character-centric, and immersive, really bringing each story to life and tying all of the different stories together to create this larger mythical world. Exciting, immersive, and absolutely fascinating, this detailed and brilliantly written new release is a must-read for fans of mythology, literature, and Scandinavian culture looking for a comprehensive compendium of mythology and stories from northern European communities.
Thanks to NetGalley and Cider Mill Press for the advance copy.
Thanks to NetGalley and Cider Mill Press for the advance copy.
March 25, 2025
This book is fantastic! It covers an incredible amount of topics and is a wonderful introduction to Nordic Mythology. It's written in an engaging style that isn't dry or monotone like many non-fictional books. It's split into three sections (four if you count the introduction): Norse Gods, Goddesses, and Myths, Finnish Gods, Goddesses, and Myths, and Sámi Culture and Beliefs. The Norse section is the most well-known, but that doesn't stop it from being engaging and delightful. I had little to no knowledge of the Finnish and Sámi sections, so they sparked my interest the most and I keep returning to them. I love the stories and the stunning images that go along with them. I thoroughly loved this and even bought a copy recently, I would recommend this to anyone interested in the subject.
A big thanks to NetGalley, Cider Mill Press, and Tim Rayborn for a copy of this book.
A big thanks to NetGalley, Cider Mill Press, and Tim Rayborn for a copy of this book.
December 26, 2024
This book couldn't be better for anyone wanting to learn a solid and in-depth introduction. I’ve read several books on Norse Mythology, learned several new things, and felt the style was much more accessible than most other books on the subject.
I did like how Tim Rayborn added Finnish and Sámi mythology which is unique since most Norse Mythology seem to leave those out. I do wish there were more from the Sámi, but this has piqued my interest and now I want to learn more.
Very well written and enjoyable for anyone wanting to learn a bit more about the Northern Myths.
I did like how Tim Rayborn added Finnish and Sámi mythology which is unique since most Norse Mythology seem to leave those out. I do wish there were more from the Sámi, but this has piqued my interest and now I want to learn more.
Very well written and enjoyable for anyone wanting to learn a bit more about the Northern Myths.
January 1, 2025
This is an amazing book! I highly recommend this to anyone who wants an introduction to Northern Mythology or if you're already a fan! I found that the style of the book was easy to follow and interesting! Something I liked about this book was that it it included Finnish and Sami mythology, which I don't know much about - until now! I would really recommend this to all my friends interested in Norse history! I loved this, it was beautifully written.
November 16, 2024
I really enjoyed this collection of mythology tales. It is definitely not comprehensive, but it gives a taste of these traditions and a place to start if you want to explore more on your own. The Norse tales are the most extensive, and I wish we got more about the Sámi stories, particularly from their perspective.
January 25, 2025
The author's strengths are in the historical context in each section before diving into the content, and then the individual profiles. Some of the retellings felt bland in comparison, unfortunately, but I enjoyed it!
February 17, 2025
A solid book of old Norse Mythology. I learned quite a bit that I don't remember reading below and am even more excited to learn more about Scandanavian history.
June 26, 2025
The retellings are serviceable but not amazing, the information and speculation on the cultural context is very interesting though
February 28, 2025
I would like to thank Netgalley and Cider Mill Press for a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
I was most interested in the Sami section of the book - this seemed to be shorter and with less illustrations than the other two sections.
I was most interested in the Sami section of the book - this seemed to be shorter and with less illustrations than the other two sections.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews