The Doom of Odin

Oden’s gritty, action-packed third Grimnir fantasy (after Twilight of the Gods) wraps up the monster fighter’s tale. Grimnir has chased his nemesis, the dragon Níðhöggr, all the way to Rome, the seat of power for the Nailed God, but a lucky crossbow bolt from a dullard surprisingly fells him, leading Grimnir to believe that the Allfather Odin manipulated events to do away with him. He wakes on the island of Nástrond in the netherworld and cuts a bloody swath through the region to Vargholl (“the Wolf’s Hall”), where he is reunited with his dead kin, including his maternal grandfather Kjallandi, beloved uncle Gifr, and obtuse father Bálegyr. Despite being ancient enemies, Kjallandi and Bálegyr rule Vargholl together in a balance of power. Kjallandi and Gifr believe that the Twilight of the Norse gods should have happened by now, but a conspiracy in Asgard, the home of the gods, led by Odin, has delayed the apocalypse that should have been. Grimnir, accompanied by his lover Skadi, a small but fierce warrior, launches a quest to confront Odin and finally, after 130 years, kill Níðhöggr. Thrilling cinematic action, defiant characters, intricate—if sometimes hard-to-follow—plotting, and sprawling Norse mythology keep the pages flying. Series fans will find this a worthy conclusion. Agent: Bob Mecoy, Bob Mecoy Literary. (Dec.)