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. ( )