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Norse Gods
Johan Egerkrans long dreamed of illustrating the Norse mythology, and when he released Norse Gods in Swedish it was an immediate success. Egerkrans re-tells the most exciting and imaginative sagas of the Norse mythology: From the creation myth in which the first giant Ymer is hacked to pieces by Odin and his brothers, to the gods’ final destruction in Ragnarök.
159 pages, Hardcover
First published August 3, 2016
86 people are currently reading
1068 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 107 reviews
March 19, 2020
I enjoy these l books I get from Grimfrost.
I’ve added some art from my book below.
Mel 🖤🐶🐺🐾
I’ve added some art from my book below.
Mel 🖤🐶🐺🐾
March 12, 2018
I have a secret crush on Johan Egerkrans, ever since I heard him talk about this book at an event last spring. Well, I've liked him longer than that, his drawings are spectacular, but just listening to him getting all nerdy in the Eddas was envigorating.
UPDATE:
Ran out of time writing, so here's some more review of this actual book and not just random swooning.
I actually think Gaiman did a better job bringing the characters to life in Norse Mythology than Egerkrans. I think Egerkrans stays more true to the original Eddas, and all the little snippets of original quotes, I just eat up with a spoon. But the way Gaiman sorted the stories chronologically rather than after characters is just dramaturgically (?) better. I get that it's probably easier if you want to illustrate the different gods rather than the story, and the illustrations really should lead in this book, but the stories are just a little dry. I didn't get his passion in his writing, the way I got it listening to him. Or looking at the illustrations. Because those are just fenomenal.
Oh, and another thing! Egerkrans translates most names into modern Swedish, which makes sense, but it just got me thinking about all the other names. I mean, all exotic, cool names like Odin's bracelet Draupnir, I bet it just means "droplet" or something. Like Gildenborst, Frey's pig? It literally just is golden brush/hair. I don't know, it just makes me giggle.
UPDATE:
Ran out of time writing, so here's some more review of this actual book and not just random swooning.
I actually think Gaiman did a better job bringing the characters to life in Norse Mythology than Egerkrans. I think Egerkrans stays more true to the original Eddas, and all the little snippets of original quotes, I just eat up with a spoon. But the way Gaiman sorted the stories chronologically rather than after characters is just dramaturgically (?) better. I get that it's probably easier if you want to illustrate the different gods rather than the story, and the illustrations really should lead in this book, but the stories are just a little dry. I didn't get his passion in his writing, the way I got it listening to him. Or looking at the illustrations. Because those are just fenomenal.
Oh, and another thing! Egerkrans translates most names into modern Swedish, which makes sense, but it just got me thinking about all the other names. I mean, all exotic, cool names like Odin's bracelet Draupnir, I bet it just means "droplet" or something. Like Gildenborst, Frey's pig? It literally just is golden brush/hair. I don't know, it just makes me giggle.
April 7, 2019
The stories are really accessible and interesting, and the illustrations are beautiful. -1 star for the editing. I don't know if it had something to do with the process of translating, but there were several typos in the book.
February 1, 2017
helt fantastisk!! illustrationerna visste jag ju skulle vara det - men HUR sjuk och intressant är inte den nordiska mytologin?!? nu vill ja veta ännu mer.
February 14, 2024
Just a great and detailed summary of the norce mythology told in a consise yet interesting way.
March 7, 2021
I read this for inspiration to my DND campaign that i am running.
When i started reading i found out that this is an amazing book in all aspects.
Suddendly a new book enters my list of favourites.
I would recommend this to anyone and everyone.
When i started reading i found out that this is an amazing book in all aspects.
Suddendly a new book enters my list of favourites.
I would recommend this to anyone and everyone.
March 4, 2024
Fantastiska illustrationer. Nordisk mytologi är EN JÄVLA RÖRA men Egerkrans har gjort den någorlunda begriplig i Nordiska gudar. Hade kanske önskar ett släktträd men det hade nog sett ut som ett garnnystan så det är väl ok utan ändå. Det märks att Egerkrans gjort sin research och berättelserna är berättade på ett engagerande sätt och med humor. Dispositionen hade dock kunnat förbättras, jag kände mig lite disorienterad emellanåt pga information som inte hade presenterats.
August 20, 2024
En bok som borde finnas i allas bokhylla, fantastiska bilder och en jättefin introduktion till vikingamytologin på svenska. Har högläst högt för åttaårige sonen som har haft stor behållning speciellt av de mer actionfyllda berättelserna där det även ingår monster! Korparna Hugin och Munin blev också favoriter.
January 4, 2020
I was looking on that book for many years and eventually got it as a present for myself. The stories here are well-known Scandinavian myths. The main value of the book is hidden in drawings. Its just a pleasant to hold it, look on illustrations and follow old stories I remember from childhood.
October 1, 2022
Amazing art combined with as-close-to-the-original stories found in the Elder and Younger Edda's.
August 19, 2020
Trevliga illustrationer. Texten var också bra men tillförde inte särskilt mycket jmf med tex den klassiska Asken Yggdrasil.
March 26, 2022
Thanks to Kamal for gifting this illustrated book. It is a straightforward but enjoyable read with uniquely styled drawings providing a concise and vivid representation of Norse Mythology. Favorite among the Gods is Odin, with his ravens Huginn and Muninn, and his growing host of Einherjar. Favorite among the Giants is Utgard-Loki with his clever illusory trials for Thor and his companions on their journey deep into Jotunheim.
O'er Mithgarth Hugin and Munin both
Each day set forth to fly;
For Hugin I fear lest he come not home,
But for Munin my care is more.
O'er Mithgarth Hugin and Munin both
Each day set forth to fly;
For Hugin I fear lest he come not home,
But for Munin my care is more.
December 9, 2018
I really enjoyed reading this! Also really cool illustrations!
July 8, 2018
I first saw this when I was helping out at a bookstore, and fell in love with the cover. It was wrapped in plastic, so I couldn't look inside. I asked for an advance reader copy, and I got one! I have the norwegian translation - there are only a few typos, not too bad.
The moment I got it (and many moments after that) I looked through and fell in love with the beautiful artwork. It's very dark and spooky, so I was a little surprised this was marketed for children. But I don't mind at all! I'm definitely gonna take some inspiration for my next tattoo (of Åsgårdsreien and Frøya)!
The written content tells us about how the world was created, the nine worlds, gods, goddesses and all the other creatures in norse mythology. And of course it tells us how the world is gonna end in ragnarok. The back of the book has a list of other books to read on the subject, and a glossary.
It's a very short book, only 159 pages, but the size of the book is pretty huge. I definitely think the main attraction of this book are the illustrations - at least for me! I've never seen artwork like this when it comes to norse mythology, and I love it. So if you like dark art, I definitely recommend this book! It's a great coffee table book, and the classic stories are just a bonus. Like I said, it's marketed to children, but I actually think adults would appreciate the art more - but all ages will definitely cherish the stories!
Review on my blog with pictures of the illustrations: http://carolinesometimes.blogspot.com...
Buy the english version: https://www.bokus.com/bok/97891321981...
(They do not ship worldwide, sadly, so check the english page at the bottom of the page to see if they ship to your country.)
Author's facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/johanegerkra...
The moment I got it (and many moments after that) I looked through and fell in love with the beautiful artwork. It's very dark and spooky, so I was a little surprised this was marketed for children. But I don't mind at all! I'm definitely gonna take some inspiration for my next tattoo (of Åsgårdsreien and Frøya)!
The written content tells us about how the world was created, the nine worlds, gods, goddesses and all the other creatures in norse mythology. And of course it tells us how the world is gonna end in ragnarok. The back of the book has a list of other books to read on the subject, and a glossary.
It's a very short book, only 159 pages, but the size of the book is pretty huge. I definitely think the main attraction of this book are the illustrations - at least for me! I've never seen artwork like this when it comes to norse mythology, and I love it. So if you like dark art, I definitely recommend this book! It's a great coffee table book, and the classic stories are just a bonus. Like I said, it's marketed to children, but I actually think adults would appreciate the art more - but all ages will definitely cherish the stories!
Review on my blog with pictures of the illustrations: http://carolinesometimes.blogspot.com...
Buy the english version: https://www.bokus.com/bok/97891321981...
(They do not ship worldwide, sadly, so check the english page at the bottom of the page to see if they ship to your country.)
Author's facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/johanegerkra...
July 20, 2017
Recension finns på bloggen: Bokbabblaren :)
September 4, 2019
Illustrationerna är helt sagolika.
January 22, 2023
En dejlig, flot og let tilgængelig bog om de nordiske guder. Egerkrans tegner jo rigtigt godt, men har i denne desværre en lidt for stærk tendens til at gøre alting episk i min optik. F.eks. guden Frej synes jeg ikke den duer helt ved. Han har bedre ved at være lidt længere nede på jorden. Egerkrans trolde og dværge i bogen er dog helt fantastiske.
December 11, 2020
I'm a little over the Norse gods. They're awesome, of course, but how many times are the Edda stories going to be rehashed?
But the spectacular art included with these tales, plus hints of the original bawdiness, really make this book shine.
But the spectacular art included with these tales, plus hints of the original bawdiness, really make this book shine.
September 15, 2018
Underhållande kortfattad redogörelse för gestalter, platser och händelser i den nordiska mytologin. Kul att få lite bättre koll!
October 17, 2018
Fina bilder och bra format men alldeles för korta och utelämnande texter. Dessutom en hel del underliga språkliga fel
April 15, 2020
Die nordischen Götter und ihre Geschichten, eingängig und spannend erzählt, begleitet von großartigen Illustrationen!
May 20, 2020
Fina illustrationer och lagom med information som första bok i detta ämne!
April 10, 2022
Läste denna nån gång i början av året men kommer ej ihåg när. Jättebra bok och jättefina illustrationer. Måste läsa om den någon gång.
March 29, 2024
Häftiga visualiseringar av gudasagorna. Egerkrans har en tydligt egen stil.
November 17, 2024
The illustrations are gorgeous, but it's not a good place to start if you don't already know the stories. By no means scholarly. Also, the editing is horrible.
December 13, 2025
Fun bite-sized stories and gorgeous illustrations on Norse Gods. I learned a lot and enjoyed the read.
November 12, 2024
GORGEOUS! I will be using this book for all future references and mythology lessons.
August 20, 2024
Gorgeous, gorgeous illustrations. Worth it just for that. Pretty good and coherent retelling of the stories, too. I read aloud to a 7-year old, and if he weren’t so interested in ancient mythology I probably would have stopped. It’s not really kid stuff, and it’s also aimed at older people.
February 5, 2024
As always, Egerkrans delivers! He introduced me to some new people from Norse mythology, surprising me, as I'd thought I'd know everything the book would talk about seeing as it is geared towards youth. An easily digestible introduction without leaving out important elements, leaving you with enough information should you stop after reading this book, but also giving enough for those that would like to dive deeper.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 107 reviews