Review: Quirky Mythological Adventure with a Cliffhanger
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 12 28, 2013
Amy's dog Fenrir is small, ferocious, and required a DNA test to be positively identified as a canine. In Norse mythology, Fenrir was the wolf child of the Norse God of Mischief, Loki. The wolf child was so vicious that the gods tethered him to a tree on a lost island. According to the myth, Fenrir will defeat Odin, the Norse gods leader.In I Bring the Fire Part I: Wolves, by C. Gockel, Amy is a veterinary student at Oklahoma State University who spends summers and holidays with her grandparents in Chicago. When a mysterious wolf saves her life and then a handsome stranger materializes moments later, Amy's not sure whether to thank him or run from him.Thor Odinson has a strange affinity with animals, including Fenrir. He didn't realize his chosen name was also a name in pop culture.Between Laura Stodgill, an agent of the U.S. Department of Anomalous Devices of Unknown Origin, and Patches, the roly-poly cat who can sense magic, Thor needs to escape the "vortex of weirdness." He accompanies a nervous Amy to Chicago.The book is a fun and amusing adventure, with interesting characters. Thor's reactions to technology and his knowledge of physics add twists to the story, and characters like Beatrice add depth. The book is also a thoroughly-researched compilation of mythology and folklore.Here's my flashing yellow light for the reader: This book is Part I, and it ends on a cliffhanger. The story is continued in I Bring the Fire Part II: Monsters. Thankfully, Part II is available...or I'd have to put Ms. Gockel on the Naughty List!