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

by Kelsey A. Fuller-Shafer, Sara Richard (Illustrator)

Discover the gods, goddesses, and heroes from Norse mythology with this beautiful handbook that captures the ancient stories that captivated the Vikings.

Learn more about your favorite Norse gods, goddesses, and heroes with this collection of profiles that share the real stories behind the characters.

With characters from Norse myths coming to life on the big and small screens, and in the pages of new and exciting fiction, this guide can give you all the details you need to understand your favorite heroes, villains, and powerful deities. With comprehensive entries that outline each character’s names, roles, related symbols, and foundational myths, you can get to know the roots of these personas, and better understand the new stories we tell about them today.

Genres: Mythology, Nonfiction, History

220 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 3, 2023

Reviews

[Megan Norred · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I saw this at the library, I was excited to learn more about Norse Mythology. I always enjoyed Greek and Roman, but other than a few names I don’t know much about it. This is a good basic book to learn more about it. The author kept it interesting and I learned about many different characters and the dynamics of Norse mythology.

[Anne White]

Pros: well laid out and easy to follow; helpful bibliography. Cons: too much mature content to be acceptable for family use. Definitely a step beyond the D'Aulaires.

[Jochen Olivier · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good story and ideas, but felt rushed and at times hard to follow.

[Matt · Rating 5 out of 5]

They are the mythological personages that know they are doomed but still fascinate the modern world, the are the Aesir and Vanir. Norse Mythology: The Gods, Goddesses, and Heroes Handbook: From Vikings to Valkyries, an Epic Who’s Who in Old Norse Mythology by Kelsey A. Fuller-Shafer is a handy guide to the major figures of the mythos for those interested in who is who that features illustrations by Sara Richard.

Over the course of 231 pages, Fuller-Shafer covers the major deities of Norse mythology along with their major opponents from the familiar to the lesser known just still important figures. Along with the gods were the major human heroes, whose bloody adventures and equally bloody deaths, that were chronicled in various sagas. Given that the sources Fuller-Shafer consulted sometimes contradicted one another and some of the same stories in both the Poetic and Prose Edda are different as well, she did a good job selecting a version and sticking with its details throughout the book when covering related individuals and stories. Throughout the book the art of Sara Richard brings events, creatures, gods, goddesses, and heroes to life which is fantastic since the main reason I purchased this book was for her art.

Norse Mythology is a quick, easy to read introduction to the major points on well known gods along with human heroes that are the focus of epic sagas that Kelsey A. Fuller-Shafer presents in informative synopsis form and to that the amazing art of Sara Richard which brings it to life makes is an added bonus.

[Jenn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some of the stories were interesting but I was more interested in Fenrir as he’s a very interesting character that rings around Ragnarok with his flaming jaws. Some good songs on YouTube about Fenrir.

[Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This review originally published in Looking For a Good Book. Rated 4.0 of 5

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.

[Shirley Andrade · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exploring Norse Mythology

Kelsey Fuller-Shafer begin this book by starting that to in order to fully explain the history, background, and tales of
this extraordinary mythology, she has broken this book down into four parts, which are:
1. What Is Norse Mythology?
2. The Aesir and Vanir.
3. The Jotun and Other Villains.
4. Human Heroes.

The author goes into indepth details explaining each part of this book. In Part 1, she explains what Norse Mythology is and states that premedieval Scandinavians told many stories of Norse mythology, and she has written key primary source texts that held these stories, where and when they were written, by whom, and why they matter. Additionally, she discusses the Vikings, their customs and values.

In Part 2 of this book, she discusses the Aesir and Vanir, by stating that the pantheon of gods in Norse mythology comprises two conjoined societies or families: the Aesir and the Vanir; the Aesir are the more powerful gods who live in the realm of Asgard, while the Vanir originally inhabited Vanaheim.

Some of the gods of Aesir were Odin, the leader of the gods; Thor, son of Odin; Frigg, Odin's wife. These are just to name a few.

The author discusses the Vanir gods as Njord, being the leader, and father of Frey, and Freyja is often called the goddess of love and fertility. She was one of the Vanir and was integrated into Aesir society after the fallout of the Aesir-Vanir War, during which she was likely exchanged as a hostage along with her father, Njord, and brother, Frey. The author discusses many other gods and goddesses.

In Part 3, the author discusses the Jotun and other villains. She states that there are many troublemakers in the Norse mythology that keep the Aesir and Vanir on their toes. To name a few of such villains are Loki, arguably the most enigmatic character in Norse mythology, who has both positive and negative interactions with the Aesir.

However, the author states that the Jotun are considered the primary villains of the mythology, but point out that several of them intermarry and have children with the Aesir and Vanir, living among them in apparent harmony. She further states that the Jotun aren’t the only villains the Aesir have to worry
about, that there are some other remarkable creatures too!

In the final part of this book, Part 4, the author discusses some human heroes. One of such heroes, was Sigi, who was a mortal son of Odin. Others such heroes discusses were Volsung, Signy, and Sigmund. These are just to name a few.

This is a great reference book on norse mythology. The author discusses so many gods and goddesses. Great for beginners or someone needing to refresh their knowledge of norse mythology. I highly recommend it.

[Theediscerning · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well I find that I wasn't that much a lover of this volume's Greek Myths sister (https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...), but this seemed to work more. It is again a guide to the thinking of Norse myth that does try and cram as many references to Tolkien and a certain computer game in as it can, but nowhere like the other book's detrimental efforts.

This is a guide, first to the main stars of the Norse pantheon, and to all that one might expect, but it starts by making us assured of the creation myth they are part of, and of course of Ragnarok. And for all this book's dry, staid ways of saying "hush now, I must tell you this bit first", the prescriptive approach and ordering here really does stop the gazetteer part of this from being repetitive and/or anything like as cross-referencing as it could be.

So once primed, we get the gods, then the baddies, then the humans – and while I did tire of all the sagas' goings-on, I found that added info welcome. The thesis here is that a lot of this was written by Christianised authors, and Icelandic ones, and ones centuries after the 'event' at that, and so the lineages of the warriors they created to add authenticity to their background are just as important as the Lokis of this world. The world of opera would be lighter, for one.

Each main entry gets something between six and twelve pages to convey who this person/god/giant-type rum'un actually is, potentially a wispy fantasy portrait, and the key story they feature in – apart perhaps from Thor, who has to settle with the fact that he will feature on these pages a lot. And while several books before this have taught me this kind of stuff, I found this pretty decent as a teen-friendly, family-amenable recap. And as I say, the sagas were pretty much new to me, adding value to this as a purchase if you think that will float your longship.

It's not perfect, or not as I saw it – it's not even a schoolboy error to say Harald Hardrada lost in battle to William the Conqueror, so one has to hope this has been corrected before going to print. But it does more to open out understanding of these stories than many such volumes – showing this as an ouroboros-equivalent, that a golem-like creation, that woman trapped at the behest of men so very close to Sleeping Beauty, and all that cultural reference. And thankfully it just tells the stories without going into a self-applauding paroxysm about Loki switching genders, unlike what I saw when I last turned to this shelf. For presenting the bare bones in pretty stylish and engaging fashion, this has to be lauded.

[Cathy Geha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Norse Mythology by Kelsey A. Fuller-Shafer PHD
The Gods, Goddesses, and Heroes Handbook
From Vikings to Valkyries, An Epic Who’s Who in Old Norse Mythology

Beautifully illustrated, well-written, easy to follow look into a topic I have always wanted to know more about. This book is one that cannot be read and remembered in its entirety in one sitting…not if you want to know all the characters and how they fit into the world they inhabit. I can see myself adding this book to my mythology collection and returning to it often till I am sure I know who is who in this pantheon and what each of their stories is.

The first section of this book deals with the WHAT of Norse Mythology and where the information comes from. As with the Bible, the stories were written down after a long history of narrative telling and not first hand historical recordings. I learned what Vikings really were and what era they pirated about in and then learned more about Norse vs Scandinavian and a few other tidbits. This section included the creation myth, talked about the nine realms and their relation to the Life Tree, and discussed Ragnarok as the destruction myth.

Section two introduced the Aesir and Vanir – Gods and Goddesses of the Pantheon. Here I learned that immortality was not a given and that these entities had quite a few rather human issues to contend with, too. They lived higher up in the realm on the tree than others

Section three brings in the Jotun (Giants) and other villains or antagonists that play parts in the stories found in this mythology.

Section four finishes off with human heroes and a bit about each one that made it into the book. I was most interested in King Harald because I have been reading about him recently and also wanted to read about Egil One-Hand as I wanted to see if this might be related to Otto of the Silver Hand that I read long ago. My take on Egil and Otto was that they both lost a hand and came up with a way to make a device to use in place of the hand that was no more there.

Each section’s characters are easily found with the name at the top of the page, alternative names they were known by, what they were known for-alternative translations, and who they were related to. Characters sections also included what was important about them and a section on what one should remember about them. A the end of the book there is a list for further reading and an index.

I enjoyed this book and thank NetGalley and Simon & Schuster – Adams Media for the ARC.

5 Stars

[Hakam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fuller-Shafer’s approach is particularly effective for readers new to the subject, including middle schoolers and adults seeking a concise reference. She distills complex relationships and mythic events into digestible summaries, highlighting not just who the gods and heroes are, but why they matter and how they relate to each other. Each entry is accompanied by “What You Need to Know” snapshots, making the book useful for quick reference or deeper study.

The author contextualizes the myths by discussing their historical roots, the oral tradition of premedieval Scandinavia, and how these stories were eventually recorded. She also introduces readers to Viking culture, values, and the broader cosmology, including the creation myth, the nine realms, and Ragnarok. The handbook is further distinguished by its illustrations, which bring the characters and stories to life. While the artwork’s style may not appeal to everyone, it adds a vivid dimension to the text.

This book serves as both an inviting entry point for newcomers and a handy reference for mythology enthusiasts, offering a comprehensive yet readable “who’s who” of the Norse pantheon and their epic tales.

[Serena · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sara Richard's artwork makes this shine, Kelsey A. Fuller-Shafer does a excellent job summarizing the Aesir and Vanir gods, the "Jotun and other villains" and the most interesting to me the hero stories who I didn't know as well and some who were as familiar as old friends - Volsung, Signy, Sigmund, Helgi, Sigurd, Brynhild, Gunnar, Gudrun, Ragnar Lothbrok, Aslang, the sons of Ragnar, King Harald, Hrolf Kraki, Hervor (A Viking woman with a cursed sword that has to draw blood before being sheathed!), Heidrek, Egil One-Hand, Frodi and even Snorri Sturluson himself.

I enjoyed the recommended reading list, but Kelsey's comparisons to other media (largely Tolkien's Lord of the Rings and Vikings) could have used some nods to modern fantasy for instance Diana Paxson in her novel Brisingamen made up the names of Freyja's cats Bygul and Trjegul which are popularly reported as facts.

[Derek · Rating 2 out of 5]

I could tell early into my read that I was not the target audience for this book. As I read it felt as though the author was writing a book to explain Norse Mythology to young adults, given the many asides and references to contemporary pop culture, or, perhaps more likely, written for those that have no prior knowledge on the subject. (A blatant factual error in the very first chapter put me "on guard" to what I was reading.)

That being stated, this book was fine. The author is clearly passionate about the subject and the artwork is incredible. If one were to have a passing interest in the subject matter this is a short handbook, as the author calls it, to give you a good overview of the mythology.

[Kristen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this intro to Norse Mythology! I have always been fascinated with mythology, but the older I get and more I dive into fantasy books, the more I enjoy learning the original myths. It was what you would expect a book to be when it’s deemed a “handbook” and I enjoyed learning about the various “characters”

Unfortunately I ran out of time / my adobe digital edition expired so I didn’t get a chance to finish the book in its entirety, but I feel that I got a really good idea of what the book was about and I enjoyed the parts I was able to finish.

Thanks NetGalley, Kelsey Fuller-Shafer and Adam’s Media for the arc to read. All thoughts and opinions were mine!

[Maximillian Takayama · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've always been interested in Norse mythology. This book did a great job of describing the lore and going in depth with the important characters. The small stories were very interesting and well-explicated. It was very easy to understand and follow along with the characters. I've read it multiple times now and maybe it's just because I'm a nerd but I would definitely say it's worth rereading since it's so short.

[Mmetevelis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very useful guide to the stories of Norse Mythology. Fuller-Shafer draws from the Eddas and Icelandic Sagas to go over the main stories as they are told with a small amount of background information that stays in the background. Whether you're new to this or just trying to keep the stuff straight it's a good book and reads quickly.

[Ine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Norse mythology and although I already know most of the tales of the Norse gods this was still entertaining to read.

I was also curious to learn more about Ragnar Lothbrok and his sons, as I only know the version of the Vikings TV show.

The illustrations were beautiful and complemented the stories well.

[mikescic27 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy lore book for Norse Myths that’s easily digestible. Great entry point. Of course I was not nearly as interested after you got past the main Jotun characters and got into the human heroes, but more content in the book for lore if you want it shouldn’t hurt the rating. First half I’ll reread parts probably a bunch

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to preview this title and I love the way it was organized. Many norse mythology books I've read are organized by story rather than character. I found the layout refreshing, the stories entertaining, and the artwork excellent.

[Jenn Meijer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this up as research for the book I’m writing and this was a lovely read. It was very organised and easy to find whatever I needed to know, and the illustrations are gorgeous. I also think this is a great book for children that want to learn more about the Norse mythology!

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a Free Friday book from Barnes and Noble. It is a good overview of some Norse sagas and the players. It is an overview only. The author does include a further reading list if you want to get deeper into the mythology.

[Carol Custer · Rating 4 out of 5]

My heritage is Norwegian so I always gravitate to this kind of book. I enjoyed learning more about Norse mythology - the book is easy to read and interesting.

[Kate]

Very interesting and informative. I really enjoyed the "Now you know" sections.

[Aazuto_Gh0st · Rating 4 out of 5]

i enjoyed most of it but the Heroes section was really hard to follow at times

[Harper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very easy to read and understand!! I loved reading it, such an enjoyable experience!

[Donna Robinson · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice book discussing Norse mythology. Kelsey A. Fuller-Shafer did a good job about informing us of these gods, goddesses, and heroes but nothing really new about the information. I did enjoy the small tales that were given about each character to give them a better understanding of their personaliy.

[The Sassy Bookworm · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book Review: Norse Mythology: The Gods, Goddesses, and Heroes Handbook by Kelsey A. Fuller-Shafer

Overall rating: ★★★★☆

Norse mythology has captivated people for centuries with its rich and fascinating tales of gods, goddesses, and heroes. In her book, “Norse Mythology: The Gods, Goddesses, and Heroes Handbook,” Kelsey A. Fuller-Shafer delves into the ancient stories that have enthralled the Vikings and continues to captivate readers today. This beautifully illustrated handbook provides comprehensive profiles of the characters from Norse mythology, allowing readers to better understand their favorite heroes, villains, and powerful deities.

“Norse Mythology: The Gods, Goddesses, and Heroes Handbook” offers an in-depth exploration of the gods, goddesses, and heroes from Norse mythology. The book provides detailed profiles for each character, including their names, roles, related symbols, and foundational myths. By delving into the roots of these personas, readers can gain a deeper understanding of the characters and appreciate the new stories that are being told about them today.

The book also includes visually appealing illustrations and fun icons that enhance the reading experience. Additionally, it features Old Norse translations, which add an authentic touch to the narrative. The “Now You Know” sections provide further insights and tidbits of information that make the reading experience both informative and enjoyable.

My Review

Firstly, I must commend the eye-catching cover of “Norse Mythology: The Gods, Goddesses, and Heroes Handbook.” It immediately draws the reader’s attention and sets the tone for the captivating content within. As someone who has called Scandinavia home for the past 25 years, I found the subject matter of this book incredibly fascinating. Norse mythology has always intrigued me, and this handbook did not disappoint.

One of the aspects that impressed me about this book was its well-organized layout. The author’s thoughtful approach to presenting the information made it easy to navigate through the profiles of the gods, goddesses, and heroes. The comprehensive entries provide all the essential details one needs to understand each character’s significance in Norse mythology.

The colorful illustrations throughout the book bring the characters to life and add an extra layer of visual appeal. They help to immerse readers in the world of Norse mythology and enhance their overall reading experience. Additionally, the inclusion of fun icons adds a playful element to the book, making it accessible to readers of all ages.

I particularly enjoyed the Old Norse translation bits scattered throughout the book. They not only provide a deeper connection to the ancient language but also showcase the author’s attention to detail in capturing the authenticity of Norse mythology.

The “Now You Know” sections were another highlight for me. They offer additional insights and interesting facts that go beyond the surface-level information provided in each character’s profile. These sections add depth to the book and make it an engaging read for both casual readers and mythology enthusiasts.

In conclusion, “Norse Mythology: The Gods, Goddesses, and Heroes Handbook” is a fantastic resource for anyone interested in Norse mythology. It is a well-researched and beautifully presented book that will capture the attention of fantasy lovers of all ages. Whether you are new to Norse mythology or a seasoned enthusiast, this handbook will undoubtedly expand your knowledge and deepen your appreciation for these ancient tales.

**ARC Via NetGalley**

[CJ Beshara · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are many casual Norse mythology books like this on the market, but this one is particularly well-done. Other books in this genre have a tendency to sacrifice historical accuracy in favor of theatrics, pop culture, and the “smoothing out” of Norse narratives for modern audiences. “Norse Mythology” by Kelsey A. Fuller-Schafer avoids these traps as much as possible.

Right from the beginning, the author is clear about only using historical source material, and lists exactly which works she will be using for the whole book. These are referenced periodically throughout all the entries for Norse gods/goddesses, monsters, and heroic figures. Most entries include a retelling of a relevant story for the character in question. These are relayed in an easy style that is entertaining to follow and remains true to the source material. And when there is conflicting information, as there often is in mythology, the author is honest about it. She explains different versions clearly, and without trying to make them agree. I found her retellings of certain heroic sagas particularly good. In my opinion these tend to be the most confusing, but Fuller-Schafer makes a valiant effort to lay out all the drama in a digestible manner.

If the Eddas and sagas themselves are too intimidating, this book is an excellent introductory step in understanding Norse myth and culture. Credit must also be given to Sara Richard for her wonderful illustrations, especially the one for Heimdalr which I think is particularly fabulous. The book’s aesthetic and its friendly writing style combine to make a pretty and approachable guide. I would recommend it to any teens or adults making their first forays into Norse myth.

[MaguiWorld · Rating 4 out of 5]

Estoy en una racha de leer este tipo de libros donde puedo aprender un montón y seguir maravillandome con la cantidad de cosas que desconozco y que puedo conocer y aprender a través de estos libros.

Mitología Nórdica, conozco poco y nada. Y la verdad es que este libro me vino genial. Me gustaría poder tenerlo en físico, siento que la experiencia sería mil veces mejor que estar leyéndolo desde mi tablet pero estas son mis posibilidades y agradezco haber tenido la oportunidad de leerlo! Pero sí... tenerlo en mis manos... me imagino la calidad del papel, la tapa. Precioso.

Me gusta aprender de este tipo de cultura y de su mitología, es super claro, dinámico y hace que uno quiera aprender más. Me gustó la manera en que se encuentra dividida.

Un libro más para sumar a mi lista de libros que quiero comprar y tener en mi biblioteca. E incluso sería super interesante que se puedan comprar para los colegios.

Gracias Adams Media por el ARC que lei en NetGalley a cambio de una reseña honesta.

[Eva Kouvari · Rating 4 out of 5]

What I loved most about this book is that every myth and lore is explained like a bedtime story, for the entertainment of the reader, but we also learn from them.

Divided into groups, so that the reader can read everything starting from the beginning and the creation of the world and ending with the lives of myths and historical figures.

I love mythology and this book was an opportunity for me to dust off my knowledge and add more information. It also helped me with some questions I had, about some of the figures in the book, as well as added information about people I didn't even of.

It was a fun read and very entertaining for those who love Norse Mythology and want to learn more about it.

Thank you to Net Galley for the ebook!