Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

Asgardians: Odin

Rate this book
Following his smash-hit the Olympians series, New York Times bestseller George O'Connor embarks on a new saga about the Norse gods. This first volume tells the story of the warrior god Odin!

Welcome to the Nine Worlds, home of Gods, Valkyries, Dwarves, Jotnar, and more! Travel the burning rainbow bridge to Asgard where Odin, king of the Aesir, surveys his realm. His thirst for knowledge drives him ever onward, but nothing is learned without sacrifice...


In Asgardians, George O’Connor’s highly kinetic illustrations bring these gritty and astonishing tales of war, betrayal, and the quest for enlightenment at any cost to vivid and startling life and provide the perfect companion to his Olympians series.

96 pages, Paperback

First published March 26, 2024

Loading interface...
Loading interface...

About the author

George O'Connor

75 books410 followers
Librarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads data base and there are multiple George O'Conner's that illustrate comics

George O'Connor is the author of several picture books, including the New York Times bestseller Kapow!, Kersplash, and Sally and the Some-thing. JOURNEY INTO MOHAWK COUNTRY was his first graphic novel, a long-held dream that weaves together his passion for history and ongoing research into Native American life. He's also the author/illustrator of a new picture book, If I Had a Raptor.
He lives in Brooklyn, New York.

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
22 (29%)
4 stars
33 (44%)
3 stars
16 (21%)
2 stars
2 (2%)
1 star
1 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
Profile Image for Rod Brown.
6,045 reviews229 followers
April 17, 2024
Having wrapped up his wonderful series about the Olympians of Greek mythology, George O'Connor now proceeds to give Norse mythology the same treatment.

This opening chapter gets a little bogged down in setting the stage and introducing a boatload of characters, but O'Connor manages to keep it fairly lively. Odin is revealed to be an Captain Ahab-type whose white whale is knowledge, and heaven help those who get in the way of his quest.

The chatty and informative endnotes are just as fun to read as the main story.

I already know this whole series is going to be a pleasure to read.
Profile Image for S.E. Anderson.
Author 26 books150 followers
December 30, 2023
As a fan of mythic tales, I was eager to immerse myself in the world of Odin and his pantheon, and O'Connor did not disappoint. The graphic novel brings the gritty and profound tales to life. Each page is a visual feast, depicting Odin's relentless quest for wisdom and the dramatic lives of the Aesir.

I especially appreciated the wealth of resources at the end of the book. The index, glossary, and character profiles are a treasure trove for anyone looking to deepen their understanding of these ancient myths. It's evident that a lot of research and love for Norse mythology went into this work.

However, I did find the narrative a tad more challenging to engage with compared to O'Connor's Olympians series. Perhaps it's due to my own familiarity with Greek myths over Norse ones, or maybe the inherently fragmented nature of Norse mythology. The comic jumps from one story to another, sometimes leaving me craving a stronger thread to tie them together. And while the harsher, more rugged illustration style fits the theme, it took me a moment to adjust from the sleekness of his previous work.

Despite these hiccups, the journey was well worth it. This book has left me with a deeper appreciation for the All-Father and a curiosity piqued for more stories from the Nine Worlds. I'm left with questions, sure (some stories are left for later, but never expanded upon), but also with a newfound respect for the complexities and nuances of Norse lore. This book is a solid pick for anyone looking to brave the burning rainbow bridge into a realm of gods, wisdom, and epic tales. A vivid start to what promises to be another mesmerizing series by George O'Connor!
Profile Image for Paige.
132 reviews53 followers
November 2, 2023
Thank you to NetGalley for the eARC of Asgardians: Odin by George O'Connor.

I'm reading this arc fresh off watching Vikings and rereading Neil Gaiman's Norse Mythology.

Mythology is a great interest to me, and I adore how the author gave us the story of Odin, how he came to be and how he gained his knowledge and the name All-Father.

The artwork is beautiful, and the graphic novel compiled many stories of Odin and the Gods that came together so well.

The index, glossary, character profiles and Norse Code at the back of this novel are fantastic aids to the norse myths, and I found myself entertained and educated.

I am thrilled to learn that there is more to come, as well as a collection of Olympians graphic novels.
Profile Image for Margaret.
1,248 reviews61 followers
February 20, 2024
This is a solid introduction to Norse mythology—specifically Odin—in graphic novel format. I like the art and the older style of writing, though it's still accessible. There's also lots of back matter for readers interested in learning more. I haven't read O'Connor's Greek series, but I'd be keeping up with these.
Profile Image for Amanda [Novel Addiction].
3,308 reviews92 followers
May 31, 2023
I found this a little harder to get into and follow than the author's Olympians series, but perhaps that is because I'm less familiar with the Norse myths than I am the Greek ones. But it did leave me with several questions... What did happen to Odin's brothers? I don't think that was ever actually answered, just posed as a question...

This is definitely something I will be purchasing for my library collection, as books on mythology are always popular, and George O'Connor has shown that he does a solid amount of research on the topic. He's a good story teller, and those that love mythology or are maybe struggling with understanding the Norse myths in school will find this beneficial and/or easier to read than the source text.
Profile Image for Megan.
44 reviews1 follower
December 9, 2023
I read all of O'Connor's Olympians graphic novels and when I heard that Asgardians were being written, I was so excited! The artwork is still just as stunning as the first series. I am very familiar with Greek mythology, but not much so with Norse. It was fun learning something new and seeing it written/drawn out rather than watching it on a screen. The back matter (further art/info of a few characters, the Glossary, and the Norse Code) were all helpful if readers wanted to learn further explanations!

Thank you to NetGalley and First Second Books, First Second for the eARC!
Profile Image for Robert.
1,810 reviews150 followers
April 4, 2024
O’Connor will have his work cut out for him retelling these grim and weird Norse myths after the more familiar territory of the Greek Pantheon but the origin story of the Allfather and Vahalla is as good a place to start as any, I imagine.
Profile Image for Brooke McGowan.
60 reviews22 followers
March 7, 2024
Title: Asgardians: Odin by George O'Connor - A Graphic Novel Review

Rating: 4/5 Stars

As someone with aphantasia who holds a deep passion for folklore and mythology, "Asgardians: Odin" by George O'Connor was an absolute delight to read. This high-level graphic novel effortlessly weaves together thoughtfully crafted imagery with an accessible interpretation of Norse mythology. As an introductory dive, it will certainly be enjoyed by readers of most ages.

I loved the playful approach in telling the surrealistic creation stories of the Norse gods. The illustrations are beautifully rendered and bring the stories from Snorri's Prose Edda to life.

The use of multiple points of view for narration adds an extra layer of depth to the storytelling, reminiscent of the narrative style found in Patrick Rothfuss's "Name of The Wind." One particular silly highlight is the tale of Odin transforming into an eagle, bursting with mead and ultimately resulted in human's terrible rhyming and poetry.

The addition of the historial background discussed author's note enriches the reading experience, offering readers a deeper understanding of the lore behind the myths. The character profiles at the end of the book are beautifully illustrated and serve as a helpful visual index for readers to reference with subsequent glossaries and other educational materials.

Having recently struggled with the imagery of Norse mythology, such as Neil Gaiman's "Norse Mythology," (I did love it!!) I found "Asgardians: Odin" to be a refreshing and accessible pairing to digest the more in-depth variations.

Overall, "Asgardians: Odin" is a wonderful read. Whether you're a seasoned enthusiast of Norse mythology or simply looking for an entertaining read, this book is sure to enchant. Highly recommended.

Thank you First Second Books and NetGalley for the digital ARC!
Profile Image for Etta (Chonky Books Review).
1,082 reviews12 followers
March 23, 2024
Asgardians: Odin is the first volume in a graphic novel series about Norse gods. The story introduces Odin including how he came to be and how he rose to become the All-Father discussed in many well-known tales. This novel was a great introduction to Norse mythology and even included character profiles and a glossary. The story is shorter, but since it is a graphic novel there is a lot that can be put on a page as there isn’t the need to describe everything with words. The artwork itself did a nice job of portraying everything in the story. The novel is displayed in a way that is accessible to a young adult audience as well as an older audience. The content is also well presented as those with no background of Norse mythology can understand the story and those who do have the background are not bored with the introduction.

I think this series has a ton of potential as there are a lot of great characters to portray. There is a lot of material in the story, so, at times, it is a little hard to engage with it, but it was still interesting. There are a lot of pieces in this story as the creation of the nine realms is explained, the main gods are introduced, and other mythology surrounding Odin are explored. The shortness of the story did mean a lot of material had to be packed into each page. The wealth of resources, while great, felt more educational than pure entertainment. I still enjoyed them, but I expected more actual storylines than what was delivered. Norse mythology is really interesting, and I think this story did a great job at portraying Odin. I look forward to trying the next novel in the series.

**I give a special thank you to Netgalley and the publisher, First Second, for the opportunity to read this entertaining novel. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.**
Profile Image for CoCoBug.
974 reviews13 followers
March 22, 2024
These types of graphics are tough for me to review because it is NOT my wheelhouse at all. I started reading this one as I was processing it for the library, and I found it quite confusing and a lot of names and worlds come up in the first few pages alone. I did like the art - while some things were not as bright and shiny as I thought they should be, it's all clear and distinguishable (which is important for me as a non-graphic reader).

I know next to little about Norse and Greek mythology, so I'm not sure if the creation of the world and humans and Gods explained here is just top-level for teenagers, or if there is a lack of detail and a must-have leaning on faith to just take it as it is to understand where everyone comes from.

Not a great intro to the genre for new readers, but those already submersed into it will love this offering.
Profile Image for Kara.
Author 23 books87 followers
April 13, 2024

I have about the same knowledge of the Norse gods as your average MCU viewer, so this was quite a different read from O'Connor's Greek gods series. I went in more or less a blank slate, so I couldn't compare it to anything else, but just on its own - Oh. My. It is intense in the harshness of the world it presents, suggesting very much the type of people who wrote it and the harsh environment of dark and cold they lived in. ("The night is dark, and full of terrors.") O'Connor suggests, both in the text and in his Author's Notes that xenophobia was at the root of the original storytellers' ideas about what is the Other. Also, I was surprised to learn how few sources we have on Norse myths - basically just two epic poems, but, being truly epic in scope, there is quite a lot there and, as he broadly hints, so much more to come!
Profile Image for DarkFantasyReviews.
855 reviews27 followers
November 22, 2023
I would like to thank Netgalley for providing me with an ARC copy of this book. This book is absolutely gorgeous and I really enjoyed reading it. Being a fan of Mythology this is by far my favourite book.

I love how the author presented the story оf Odin, his origins, his quest for wisdom and his role as the All-Father. The graphic novel has stunning artwork and a captivating compilation оf stories about Odin and the other Gods. The novel also provides useful resources tо learn more about the norse myths, such as the index, glossary, character profiles and Norse Code at the end оf the book.

I am eagerly waiting for the next installment, as well as the series оf Olympians graphic novels.

#AsgardiansOdin #NetGalley
Profile Image for Ms. Yingling.
2,315 reviews480 followers
February 21, 2024
Copy provided by the publisher

In O'Connor's inimitable style, he turns his pen to Norse mythology after a successful twelve book Olympians series. This larger format graphic novel retells a selection of myths relating to Odin, the one-eyed war god. There's a nice list of characters at the end, as well as "Norse Code" notes that explain details about the illustrations or myths that don't necessarily fit in with the panels. This has a classic comic book feel to it, and will be popular with readers who enjoyed Napoli and Balit's Treasury of Norse Mythology, VanEekhout's Fenris and Mott, Richard's Secrets of Valhalla, Subity's The Last Shadow Warrior, or my favorite, Armstrong's 2013 Loki's Wolves series.
Profile Image for Machaia.
501 reviews9 followers
April 3, 2024
George O'Connor is an automatic buy for me. I adored his Olympians series, and I've been eagerly anticipating his interpretation of Norse mythology. He does such an amazing job of taking wild and disparate mythological stories and interpreting them into a fantastic narrative supported by gorgeous artwork. It was cool to see the transition from perfectly beautiful Olympians to the more rough and tumble Asgardians. He also does a great job of picking storytellers for each of the tales. I loved the narrative device of High, Just-As-High, and Third. And of course having his notes at the end is the perfect cherry on top (Norse Code for this series rather than Greek Notes). Odin was an excellent start to the series, and the only thing I'm sad about is waiting for book 2.
Profile Image for Vanessa.
707 reviews33 followers
April 12, 2024
The writing really flows, edging on lyrical which is so very fitting for the Norse. The author's note, glossary, and "Norse Code" portions are amazing; they easily contributed a star to my rating! Norse myth is tough; there's very few sources and it was great to see that recognized. I am always a fan of pronunciation guides. The notes provided in "Norse Code" are hilarious AND satisfied my need for more information. Now that need for more information is two fold: I know a lot about Norse myth so I want to see it be well represented AND I don't know everything/like hearing other folks takes on it. As a kid, I would have read and reread this book so many times!

Illustrations and colors are good.
89 reviews7 followers
February 20, 2024
I received a copy of this book from netgalley in exchange for a review.

This was such a great introduction to Odin, and to Norse mythology as a whole. Focused on Odin, this story covers the creation story of Norse mythology, the discovery of runes, the mead of poetry, the Aesir and Vanir, and the beginning of Odin and Loki's brotherhood. (I also appreciate that this book didn't just immediately demonize Loki, I hope future novels are the same.)

The art is lovely, and a great way to read the myths. I really enjoyed it, as someone familiar with Norse myths, and would be a great read for those both new and familiar to the pantheon. I look forward to the rest of the books.
Profile Image for Alicia.
6,866 reviews137 followers
June 5, 2023
I'm not sold on the series yet but I'll check out another one or two. The harsher illustration style than his other series (that you can't help but compare it to) makes it gruffer to start, but there's a notable difference in the storytelling as well. In part because O'Connor does mention that there are only two texts that provide detail into the Norse mythology and there's a lot of interpretation from there. So it doesn't have a solid foundation for me, reading more fantastical and fluid than others that have a defined story.

Jury is out for me.
Profile Image for Jay Le.
266 reviews23 followers
October 23, 2023
Rating: 3.5 stars

A fun, new graphic novel series regarding Norse mythology from George O'Connor himself. Having read his Greek mythology series years back, it was nice to immerse myself back into his artwork and storyline. This book was a little hard to follow, given my lacking knowledge in Norse mythology, but O'Connor flowed multiple stories relating to Odin well. For only a 100 pages, he was able to jam pack much.

Overall, a great read and a series I'll look forward to following for the years to come.
Profile Image for Julia Glassman.
Author 1 book15 followers
February 20, 2024
First Second kindly sent me an advance copy to review. Funnily enough, I couldn't get to it right away because my 11 year old stole it! She's a big fan of the Olympians books, and the moment she saw this, she was intrigued.

For a children's graphic novel series, this is a great introduction to Norse myth. O'Connor does a great job of parsing out Odin's most interesting myths into a standalone volume, while still hinting at all the cataclysmic stuff to come. Can't wait to see what he does with the rest of the Aesir.
Profile Image for Nilendu Misra.
290 reviews13 followers
April 7, 2024
My boy is a huge fan and so was I of the “Olympians” series. The artwork is grander - as befitting Valhalla, the average panel dimensions vary widely as apt for violence in Norse mythology, and the beginning of the series is absolutely breathtaking - it redirects to, rather than starts with, origin story. Recently met the author in Santacruz Bookshop and got it autographed - may he continue creating. Brilliant!
Profile Image for Hannah.
187 reviews5 followers
May 7, 2023
**thank you Netgalley for the ARC copy**
What a great POV look into Norse mythology. Artwork like a comic is sure to draw a young adult audience and it was quite informative for fans of mythology, Vikings and comics alike. A very detailed story with great artwork, I look forward to more from this author in the future.
Profile Image for Sarah.
252 reviews
October 23, 2023
Thank to the publishers - First Second Books, First Second – for giving me access to this graphic novel as an E-ARC via Netgalley- All opinions are my own.

A nice introduction to Norse mythology starting with the beginning of the creation of the world itself through the art of storytelling to a new einheri in Valhalla

Nice illustrations and the text bubbles are in a readable, clear font.
715 reviews7 followers
February 22, 2024
Thank you First Second Books and NetGalley for the advanced electronic review copy of this great book. George O’Connor has done it again. This is a great start of the new series about the Norse gods. The first book is about Odin and how the Norse gods came to be. Well-researched, detailed storytelling, accompanied by great illustrations. Looking forward to the next volume!
Profile Image for Jon Nakapalau.
5,436 reviews804 followers
April 19, 2024
All my GR friends know that I am a big Marvel Thor (T) fan. I always try to find books that relate to Norse mythology, strange hoe the comics have taken me to the original stories. This is such a well done book; the story of Odin is told in a straightforward and entertaining way. George O'Connor did such a fantastic job on the Greek gods - can't wait to see more gods in this series!
Profile Image for Amanda.
1,585 reviews23 followers
July 6, 2023
I still very much love the art and O’Connor’s ability to distill a narrative from the threads of Norse mythology. But, its not as captivating as his Greek mythology series. Still looking forward to further titles down the road.
Profile Image for Jenn Naughton.
75 reviews5 followers
October 20, 2023
I'm a huge fan of Norse Mythology so I jumped at the chance to read this early. The art is amazing and there is so much detail. It's really a great and I recommend it to readers who are looking for another Norse Mythology volume.
Profile Image for Michael Keany.
171 reviews5 followers
October 29, 2023
Thank you NetGalley for providing me an ARC copy of the book.

Norse mythology is weird, man. This graphic novel did a good job explaining the early history of Odin and why he needs his army. The artwork was okay. At times it made it hard to remember which character was which because of it.
Profile Image for Elizabeth Dickerson.
108 reviews12 followers
November 7, 2023
A great graphic novel describing the beginning of the world and Odin’s adventures in it according to Norse mythology. Solid graphics with some larger words and concepts pushing this to more of a 5th+ novel in most instances.
Profile Image for Freya Abbas.
Author 9 books13 followers
April 19, 2024
I love graphic novels and I love Norse mythology so of course I liked this. The art is beautiful and I like that the story focused on Odin’s sacrifices for wisdom. I also liked that it was all being told to a warrior who died and went to Valhalla.
1,109 reviews107 followers
May 29, 2023
Review closer to the release date.

I am looking forward to sharing this one next March!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.