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Norse Tales: The Norse Myths Retold
A brief (and sometimes silly) introduction to Norse mythology for younger readers...
Read the fascinating and captivating tales of the Norse. You’ll be taken from the golden spires of Asgard to the ice cliffs of Jotunheim. You’ll meet mighty beings like Thor, the protector of Midgard; Sindri, the master crafter; Vidar, the avenger; and even Audumbla, the super cow! Learn about Odin’s relentless quest for knowledge or the many deceptions of Loki. Hear about the fearsome monsters that stalked the nine worlds, and witness the end of the gods.
Read the fascinating and captivating tales of the Norse. You’ll be taken from the golden spires of Asgard to the ice cliffs of Jotunheim. You’ll meet mighty beings like Thor, the protector of Midgard; Sindri, the master crafter; Vidar, the avenger; and even Audumbla, the super cow! Learn about Odin’s relentless quest for knowledge or the many deceptions of Loki. Hear about the fearsome monsters that stalked the nine worlds, and witness the end of the gods.
147 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 27, 2023
69 people are currently reading
219 people want to read
About the author
Liam G. Martin
4 books11 followersLiam G. Martin is the author of Scrapbook of Dreams and Norse Tales: The Norse Myths Retold.
After a childhood illness left him stuck in the hospital, he discovered the magic of storytelling. He went on to study Creative Writing at university, specialising in fairy tales, Norse myths, and Viking sagas.
He now writes stories full of wonder, wild worlds, magic, and a smidge of silliness!
After a childhood illness left him stuck in the hospital, he discovered the magic of storytelling. He went on to study Creative Writing at university, specialising in fairy tales, Norse myths, and Viking sagas.
He now writes stories full of wonder, wild worlds, magic, and a smidge of silliness!
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
August 30, 2024
Non c'è molto che io possa dire, in quanto non conosco bene la mitologia norrena. Pertanto, non so effettivamente se questo retelling sia accurato e le storie fedeli. So solo che il libro mi è piaciuto molto. Molto scorrevole e facile da leggere. Forse mi sarebbe piaciuto una narrazione un po' più articolata e meno semplicistica, ma di sicuro per qualcuno che non si è mai approciato alla mitologia norrena è un buon modo per iniziare. Mi piacerebbe sapere anche il pensiero di chi la mitologia e cultura norrena le conosce bene.
April 23, 2023
Norse Tales
A short version of the classic Norse tales. Fights between the gods and giants and the tricks of Loki. Interesting and relatively brief, a quick and worthwhile read!
A short version of the classic Norse tales. Fights between the gods and giants and the tricks of Loki. Interesting and relatively brief, a quick and worthwhile read!
December 30, 2023
Intriguing Read
I totally enjoyed these short stories about the gods. Loki was definitely a trickster and definitely got what he deserved in the end. I was shocked at how each god died and to think only Odins son remains standing at the ending. Overall it was an enjoyable read.
I totally enjoyed these short stories about the gods. Loki was definitely a trickster and definitely got what he deserved in the end. I was shocked at how each god died and to think only Odins son remains standing at the ending. Overall it was an enjoyable read.
September 1, 2024
A perfect introduction to Norse mythology for children, it was funny and easy to read. My Grandson loved it! Our favourite story was the one about the apples of immortality.
January 9, 2025
Fantastic and hilarious. I'm a big Norse mythology fan and found this highly enjoyable. It's crazy how, in this particular version of events, how the gods are so terrible to Loki for no reason. Like, he reminds me of a kid pulling pranks on old people with no sense of humour.
Spoilers for stories that are thousands of years old
Literally our first introduction to Loki, and we have no reason to hate him yet:
'So, Loki, why exactly are you here? You don't do anything. And it's not like any of the Aesir like you. Even my other half, Thor, doesn't like you, and he likes everybody. I hear there are some nice places in Vanaheim. Why not relocate?'
'I-I,' Loki stammered. He looked hopefully at Odin.
'Getting rid of Loki?' Tyr shouted from across the mead hall. 'I'd drink to that!' He raised his cup and took a swig.
The other Aesir did the same. Then, they began singing.
So uncalled for:
'Loki promised me his head if my brother and I won.'
'Well, a deal's a deal,' said Odin, turning to Loki.
Loki sprang forward and ran as fast as he could. 'That's only if he can catch me first.'
'Thor, can you help me, please?' Brokk asked.
'With pleasure,' he said. He threw Mjolnir. The hammer soared through the air and hit Loki in the back. He collapsed to the floor, and Mjolnir returned to Thor.
'I will fetch him,' Sif said.
She raced forward. When she reached Loki, she slung him over her shoulder. 'I'll enjoy watching your head being seperated from your neck,' she told him.
The one time the gods both believe and appreciate Loki, they shouldn't:
Freyr scratched his head. 'I think Loki saw her last.'
Loki squirmed. 'I-I don't think it was.'
'Oh right,' Freyr said sadly. 'Do forgive me. I keep getting things wrong lately.'
'If you like, I could ask around and see where Idun has got to?' Loki suggested.
'Thank you,' Odin said.
Odin steals the Mead of Poetry, but somehow Loki's the bad guy here.
'Thief!' she yelled. 'Come back with my father's mead.'
His mouth was full of blood-stained fangs that were as sharp as daggers. Thor nudged Loki. 'He's got your smile.'
Odin again.
'Didn't Odin tell you? He made an oath. He promised her to me in exchange for some information.'
Is this just the classic, 'well it's okay when the guy in power does it, but the one foreign immigrant?'
'They're already a bit fed up by his insistence on keeping Loki around.'
More Loki abuse - classic:
'Now is as good a time as any to show us why we keep you around.'
More bullying:
Freya thought for a moment. 'Did I mention that you might get to hurt Loki?'
Heimdall's eyes lit up. 'I would love to teach Loki a lesson. That hepped-up little twerp needs to learn some respect.'
Loki fatshaming:
Heimdall soon spotted a fat seal wearing Freya's gold necklace. That seal must be Loki, he thought.
It was just a prank, bro! So unnecessary:
When he landed, he threw a rock at Loki. It hit him on the head, and he dropped to the floor. Heimdall went over to Loki and nudged him with his foot. Loki was unconscious.
Once again, Loki being a scapegoat:
Thor yelled. 'Mjolnir's missing, and I know you took it.' He banged on Loki's door. 'Give it back this instant!'
Loki opened the door. 'Your hammer's missing?'
Self-deprecating jokes to mask the pain.
'I don't think Freya likes you that much,' Thor told Loki.
'Why would you say that?'
'Because none of us really like you that much.'
Loki nodded. 'Fair point.'
Actually fair for once:
'Open up, Loki! Killing Baldur was the final straw. We're hear to punish you.'
Okay, that's enough discussion of Loki being bullied. We need to celebrate the true hero of Norse mythology. Get yourself a woman willing to waste the rest of eternity at your side:
If Sigyn could not free her husband, at least she could ease his pain (...) She remained by Loki's side until Ragnarok.
Thank you for coming to my Ted Talk. Highly recommend. Justice for this particular version of Loki (every other version deserves his punishment, though).
Spoilers for stories that are thousands of years old
Literally our first introduction to Loki, and we have no reason to hate him yet:
'So, Loki, why exactly are you here? You don't do anything. And it's not like any of the Aesir like you. Even my other half, Thor, doesn't like you, and he likes everybody. I hear there are some nice places in Vanaheim. Why not relocate?'
'I-I,' Loki stammered. He looked hopefully at Odin.
'Getting rid of Loki?' Tyr shouted from across the mead hall. 'I'd drink to that!' He raised his cup and took a swig.
The other Aesir did the same. Then, they began singing.
So uncalled for:
'Loki promised me his head if my brother and I won.'
'Well, a deal's a deal,' said Odin, turning to Loki.
Loki sprang forward and ran as fast as he could. 'That's only if he can catch me first.'
'Thor, can you help me, please?' Brokk asked.
'With pleasure,' he said. He threw Mjolnir. The hammer soared through the air and hit Loki in the back. He collapsed to the floor, and Mjolnir returned to Thor.
'I will fetch him,' Sif said.
She raced forward. When she reached Loki, she slung him over her shoulder. 'I'll enjoy watching your head being seperated from your neck,' she told him.
The one time the gods both believe and appreciate Loki, they shouldn't:
Freyr scratched his head. 'I think Loki saw her last.'
Loki squirmed. 'I-I don't think it was.'
'Oh right,' Freyr said sadly. 'Do forgive me. I keep getting things wrong lately.'
'If you like, I could ask around and see where Idun has got to?' Loki suggested.
'Thank you,' Odin said.
Odin steals the Mead of Poetry, but somehow Loki's the bad guy here.
'Thief!' she yelled. 'Come back with my father's mead.'
His mouth was full of blood-stained fangs that were as sharp as daggers. Thor nudged Loki. 'He's got your smile.'
Odin again.
'Didn't Odin tell you? He made an oath. He promised her to me in exchange for some information.'
Is this just the classic, 'well it's okay when the guy in power does it, but the one foreign immigrant?'
'They're already a bit fed up by his insistence on keeping Loki around.'
More Loki abuse - classic:
'Now is as good a time as any to show us why we keep you around.'
More bullying:
Freya thought for a moment. 'Did I mention that you might get to hurt Loki?'
Heimdall's eyes lit up. 'I would love to teach Loki a lesson. That hepped-up little twerp needs to learn some respect.'
Loki fatshaming:
Heimdall soon spotted a fat seal wearing Freya's gold necklace. That seal must be Loki, he thought.
It was just a prank, bro! So unnecessary:
When he landed, he threw a rock at Loki. It hit him on the head, and he dropped to the floor. Heimdall went over to Loki and nudged him with his foot. Loki was unconscious.
Once again, Loki being a scapegoat:
Thor yelled. 'Mjolnir's missing, and I know you took it.' He banged on Loki's door. 'Give it back this instant!'
Loki opened the door. 'Your hammer's missing?'
Self-deprecating jokes to mask the pain.
'I don't think Freya likes you that much,' Thor told Loki.
'Why would you say that?'
'Because none of us really like you that much.'
Loki nodded. 'Fair point.'
Actually fair for once:
'Open up, Loki! Killing Baldur was the final straw. We're hear to punish you.'
Okay, that's enough discussion of Loki being bullied. We need to celebrate the true hero of Norse mythology. Get yourself a woman willing to waste the rest of eternity at your side:
If Sigyn could not free her husband, at least she could ease his pain (...) She remained by Loki's side until Ragnarok.
Thank you for coming to my Ted Talk. Highly recommend. Justice for this particular version of Loki (every other version deserves his punishment, though).
July 4, 2024
Short Norse tales, nothing special about the writing style
August 31, 2024
This reads like an lementary school book report…
October 19, 2024
Norse Tales: The Norse Myths Retold by Liam G. Martin – This was a freebie, but I really enjoyed having more time with the Norse Pantheon. Happy Reading!
March 2, 2025
a nice introduction to some of the Norse mythology lore - fit better for kids, teens
short, easy, enjoyable
short, easy, enjoyable
March 27, 2025
great for kids
March 27, 2025
BLA….one of the worst retellings of Norse mythology I’ve read. Boring and snarky
May 29, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews