Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me a free advanced copy of this book to read and review.

This is a Marvel story. A story taking place while Odin is still sleeping his Odinsleep. The chapters are short and hence the story moves along at a nice pace. Yet, the characters are rather shallow and I wish there had been a bit more depth to them.

A solid story for fans of the Marvel franchise.

From Heimdall's point of view, The Head of Mimir begins with him and his sister Sif participating in the battle against Jotunheim. Odin has entered the Odinsleep at Asgard, but Heimdall believes that something else is going on. He discovers that The Head of Mimir is missing after he and Sif enter Odin's chamber. Their mission starts here; they must find the Head of Mimir and deliver it to Asgard in order to save Odin, Asgard, and themselves.
I love Norse mythology, and I am a huge marvel fan, so the fact that I'd love this book wasn't even in question. On their journey, Heimdall and Sif come across a variety of monsters and are forced to go into survival mode. The dialogue between Heimdall and Sif was my favorite part of the story. Their brotherly relationship comes into play with their own complex personalities. 
Extremely well written and action-packed, The Head of Mimir is a great read.

The Head of Mimir is set up as a story to teach your child a specific lesson, which is you don’t always have to charge into battle but you can use your head and think in order to win a battle. I liked that this in a way, opens the book as a middle-grade book despite including themes which skew a bit older. I think this matches the target audience for younger Marvel fans who watch cartoons, and may pick up the comics.

The book focuses on siblings Heimdall and Sif, long before they’re Thor’s companions which we’ve seen in multiple other formats. I love reading all the backstories, lore and additional world building I can get my hands on for other fantasy books, so I love that this was kind of an origin and coming of age story for Heimdall and Sif.

Norse mythology plays a huge part in world building and magic throughout the story. Clearly a lot of research has been put into the mythology as well as the comic book history. I found that the book had a bigger focus on different magical entities like the Valkyries, Frost Giants, and even creatures on the World Tree like Nidhogg. This definitely pulls the book away from the typical sci-fi tone that superhero books usually have, but as a fantasy lover I really enjoyed it.

Heimdall as a character is stubborn and thoughtful, aiming to prove himself right even if it puts himself in harm’s way at the start of the book. There’s some great character development as he goes through multiple experiences which lead to him being the recognisable character we already know. However, I enjoyed that this shows off how he’s not always so stoic, which I think younger audiences may think he is.

I loved the sibling relationship and how they interacted with one another. Heimdall and Sif’s relationship was based on loyalty and trust which was shown multiple times throughout the book. They also felt realistic when they’d tease one another, disagree and ultimately have one another’s backs no matter what.

Sif is a bit more level headed and helps her brother throughout the story. I liked that Sif was the traditional warrior of the duo as it switches up the gender norms for these kinds of stories. She’s a great character in that she actively wants Heimdall to become a better person throughout their journeys, often supporting his decisions and leaning on the strengths he has.

The story is a self-started quest and a little bit of a mystery solver, as they go in search for the missing Head of Mimir. This is with the overall goal of waking Odin from his Odinsleep, and I thoroughly enjoyed how Odin and Thor didn’t turn up and become a bigger hero in the story of Heimdall and Sif becoming heroes. They’re mentioned, they’re known and they’re there but they have other problems to deal with in this world too.

As the book is a quest there is a lot of travelling. This is by foot, by air and even through the World Tree itself. It is unfortunate, but sometimes the travelling got a bit boring to read, and slowed the pacing down a lot. It’s not a huge issue, but just one thing that did make me put the book down sometimes.

Overall I found The Head of Mimir to be a quick and enjoyable read. Whilst the story could be read by younger readers, I do think any fan of Marvel no matter the age could read and enjoy it as well as fans of Norse mythology too. It’s the perfect fantasy/superhero hybrid.

I have been provided with an advance copy of the new Legends of Asgard book The Head of Mimir by Tim Pratt, published by Aconyte Books, so here is the honest review I promised in exchange for the book.

So here is an important disclaimer which is always important to put out there first. I have a casual work contact with Asmodee to demonstrate board games for them in stores and at conventions. Asmodee being the parent company of Aconyte the publisher.

I am going to try my best to not let that cloud my judgement in this review, but I accept that subconsciously it might.

Also I won’t lie, I have looked at other reviews to see what others think, so there may be some influences from them in this book review. If I am going to quote them, I will attribute them. But if I forget to, or something is highly influenced by them, and you think I ought to attribute someone, let me know so that I can.

What is Marvel
Look at this point I would bore you with a bit of background to the game/universe, but lets not, you all know the Marvel Universe, if you don’t have you been living under a rock!

The Legends of Asgard novels specially focus on the Norse mythology influenced Asgard with characters like Thor, Odin and Loki.

The Story
This story focuses on a young Heimdal and his sister Sif, as they undertake a quest to save Odin, who has been bewitched to remain in the Odinsleep during a war waged by the Frost Giants of Jotunheim.

But the Frost Giants are winning the war, and Odin is desperately needed, as somehow the natives of Jotunheim have an advantage in the war.

Breaking the rules and slipping into the inner sanctum of the Allfather, they discover a great relic is missing, the Head of Mimir, which gives advice and wisdom, having been preserved by Odin.

This story is about the quest of Heimdal and his sister as they travel through out the nine realms to retrieve the Head of Mimir and awake the Allfather.

Its a book as my friend Michael from Track of Words puts it, isn’t Heimdals origin story, but his first steps to becoming who he is in the comics as we know him.

The story has a lot of action, its very hectic and goes at a very fast pace, reminding me of an RPG adventure, but it does focus on Heimdal being a warrior who thinks about how to solve an issue, rather than simply being Leroy Jenkins.

His sister is the counterpoint the that, a warrior who wants to find the problem and kill it. In one part of the book they encounter a legendary creature, and whilst Sif would like to fight it, knowing she has no chance of beating it, Heimdal challenges it to a game, and instead of just playing the game, which he could never win, he pokes at the creatures ego to throw him off.

Conclusion
This is a great book, its a lot better than I expected, and it doesn’t bog the reader down in exposition, whilst I know the stuff about Asgard, this book would be perfectly approachable for someone without that knowledge.

Its a great blend of Marvel fantasy and Norse mythology with a sprinkle of science fiction. And the character development whilst light, is fantastic, plus the sibling rivalry and ribbing from Sif is utterly delightful.

I am really looking forward to the next Legend of Asgard book, Sword of Surtur.

You can buy the eBook and paperback now!

Richard creates a great action story about a Marvel character that we know so little about. I look forward to more adventures with Heimdall in the future and finding out how he became the guardian of the Rainbow bridge

The first novel in Aconyte Books’ new Marvels: Legends of Asgard series, Richard Lee Byers’ The Head of Mimir is a fun, fast-paced fantasy adventure. With Asgard under siege by armies of Frost Giants, and Odin trapped in an unusually long Odinsleep, the thoughtful young warrior Hemidall worries that his fellow Asgardians are underestimating their enemies. Speculating that something supernatural is affecting his king’s sleep, Heimdall and his sister Sif slip into Odin’s inner sanctum and find that the Head of Mimir, a powerful relic said to possess great wisdom, has been stolen. Despite the evidence of an intruder, and the suggestion of a traitor in Asgard’s court, Heimdall and Sif soon find themselves on the path to Jotunheim alone, desperate to recover the relic, foil the Jotuns’ plans, and redeem themselves in the eyes of Asgard.

Framed as a tale being told by Volstagg (one of the ‘Warriors Three’) to his son in order to illustrate a life lesson, this is effectively written as an oral retelling, like a sort of heroic saga with added fantasy. The pacy, action-packed plot takes the shape of a hectic quest story, as Heimdall drags Sif (begrudgingly) into an adventure that sees them bounce from one problem to the next, desperately trying to stay one step ahead of their pursuers while attempting to reach an uncertain destination. Along the way they explore a swathe of the Nine Worlds and meet all manner of allies, enemies and entities of ambiguous intent, with a few famous names popping up (Frigga, in particular) amongst the cast of supporting characters. Heimdall is very much the main protagonist, but Sif provides a nice foil, frequently exasperated by his antics but nevertheless reliable and trustworthy, and her grounded, common sense approach contrasts well with his more imaginative sensibilities.

While this isn’t exactly Heimdall’s origin story, it does show him taking the first steps on the path that will eventually lead him to become the mighty hero of his destiny. At this point in his life he’s still fresh-faced, stubborn and endearingly naive, and sees himself as a regular Asgardian, far from the godlike characters he’ll go on to mingle with later on, but both he and Sif are already strong, capable warriors. As you might expect there’s plenty of fighting over the course of their adventure, in all manner of nicely varied action sequences, but the core theme running throughout is Heimdall having to think his way out of trouble. Powerful though he already is, he knows that brawn and physical skill will only take him so far, and despite Sif’s teasing about his tendency to overthink, ask too many questions and stubbornly fixate on apparently strange ideas, it’s that very sense of thoughtfulness that provides his greatest strength.

Drawing from both the original Norse myths and the high fantasy stylings of the Marvel stories, this nicely blends together its influences to create something enjoyably different. For readers familiar with one or more of the comics/movies/myths this offers a fresh perspective and its own unique take on Heimdall, Sif and the Nine Worlds, while finding a satisfying balance between fantasy and mythology. It’s more tell than show – it doesn’t truly get inside its characters heads – but that’s an intentional choice, and what this style lacks in deep character studies it gains in energy and momentum. Anyone looking for a fun, pacy fantasy quest story exploring sibling bonds being tested and heroes choosing brain over brawn, not to mention offering an engaging glimpse of the Nine Worlds through the young eyes of a hero-to-be, should find much to enjoy here.

Thank you to NetGalley, Aconyte Books and Marvel Entertainment for providing me with an ARC of The Head of Mimir: A Marvel Legends of Asgard Novel by Richard Lee Byers for an honest review. I've voluntarily read and reviewed this copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Being a very enthusiastic Marvel fan, I was super excited to get my hands on a copy of The Head of Mimir. This is my first time reading a Marvel novel instead of the comics and I was immediately sold when I learned that the main characters in this story would be Heimdall and Lady Sif.

The Head of Mimir is told from Heimdall's POV and starts off when Heimdall and his sister Sif are fighting in the war against Jotunheim. Back in Asgard, Odin has fallen into the Odinsleep but Heimdall suspects that there's more going on than meets the eye. He and Sif break into Odin's chamber and discover that The Head of Mimir is missing. This is where their quest begins, in order to save Odin, Asgard and themselves they must retrieve the Head of Mimir and return it to Asgard.

The Head of Mimir is super well-written, full of action and adventure. You'll learn more about Heimdall and Lady Sif and the various worlds. Also this story features The Valkyrie, so what more could you want? On their quest Heimdall and Sif encounter many different creatures and find themselves thrown into survival mode. Both Heimdall and Sif are well-layered characters and their banter is one of the highlights of this book. I found this to be a very enjoyable story.

The Head of Mimir, by Richard Lee Byers, is Aconyte’s second Marvel novel, and the first in the Legends of Asgard series. I’ve already commented in my review for Domino: Strays, that it’s a bit of a strange activity to be taking on, writing a prose novel about a comic-book character. The Head of Mimir takes that complexity and ramps it up even further, by writing a novel about comic-book characters who are (to a greater or lesser extent) based fairly strongly on Norse Myths and Legends.

In the finest comic-book tradition, The Head of Mimir is an origin story, specifically the origin story for the all-seeing Guardian of the Bifrost, Heimdall. The book begins with a young, thoughtful, but otherwise unremarkable young warrior, out on patrol with his sister Sif, and a band of otherwise unnamed troops during a war between Asgard and the Frost Giants. After Heimdall’s quick-thinking helps his patrol survive an ambush, they return to the heart of Asgard, and we learn that strange things are afoot. As is his wont sometimes, Odin has descended into his vault, and entered the Odinsleep. Rather strangely though, the typical days or, at most weeks, of the Odinsleep have stretched into months, leaving Asgard without its mightiest warrior just as the Frost Giants have developed a previously unheard of level of nuance and strategy to their waging of war. Whilst Odin’s slumber is a concern to many Asgardians, who find their troops being forced back, and the eternal summer of their lands giving way to icy winter, it seems that only Heimdall is really questioning what might lie behind these strange events. In fact, he is sufficiently convinced that something is afoot that he will risk everything, first to investigate, and then to take the fateful steps that will lead him on an epic quest across the ten realms, for the very survival of Asgard itself.
Heimdall’s quest is an epic MacGuffin hunt, which will take him beyond the borders of Asgard, into the realms beneath, and out to Yggdrasil itself, as he visits various realms. Alongside for as much of the way as she can be, is his sister who thinks it’s all a terrible idea, but certainly isn’t about to let him go and do anything this stupid by himself. The two make a remarkably effective team, Sif the brash warrior who likes solving problems with her sword, and Heimdall the thinker who would probably be paralysed by over-analysis, or simply dead from too many enemies without her there to watch his back. As the story is told entirely from Heimdall’s perspective, we only get a limited amount of insight into Sif’s inner thoughts and motivations, but she still feels like a strong, complex character, a figure with great loyalty to her family, and a clear mind that helps her do the right thing, however much it might cut against her broader ambitions.
Their journey has a fairly linear feel to it, and one which stretches plausibility a little: at each step Heimdall (or sometimes Fate) will determine the next step on the path, and somehow each time they manage to advance their pursuit of their end goals – whist they certainly take a fairly roundabout route, there are few true setbacks.
Inevitably with an origin story which stars younger versions of well-known characters, there is a limit to how much tension can really be created. We all know that Heimdall and Sif are going to make it through ok, that the all-father will eventually wake from the Odinsleep, and that Asgard will not be conquered in its entirety by Frost Giants. There is greater peril for some of the original supporting characters of course, but only one of these feels at all fleshed out – she does at least get to play an important role in several key moments of the plot. Again, the lack of uncertainty as to the outcome isn’t necessarily a bad thing – the Norse Legends from which these stories draw were often about recounting the heroics of these great figures in their younger days, and it never ruined those stories to know that Thor (or whoever) would make it out alive.
If you do have a good knowledge of Asgardian lore – both Marvel and Norse – then you’ll be able to see one of the big twists coming a long way off, although I did feel that the writer wasn’t taking any great pains to disguise who the hidden villain pulling the strings truly was. Again, this is a reasonable fit for the genre – how many Thor stories have Loki as the obvious villain from page 2, but still twist and turn in interesting enough ways to keep you reading? Whether you guess who the meta-villain is early on, or whether the big reveal comes as a true surprise for you, the question of how Heimdall and Sif will overcome the latest challenge remains pressing.
From reading The Head of Mimir, I would guess that Byers is fairly well-versed in the original Norse lore as well as simply the Marvel back-catalogue, based on various little nods and easter eggs that he slips in to the text. (I particularly enjoyed the explanation of Heimdall’s Nine mothers, both for the way its delivery helps to develop Heimdall’s character, and the knowing nod it gives to the lore. Byers is also careful to note that Heimdall and Sif are Vanir, rather than true Asgardians, a distinction, which a lesser work might easily have swept under the carpet in the name of simplicity. Whilst Heimdall, and Sif in particular, are significantly different in their Marvel iteration from the ‘traditional’ legendary versions The Head of Mimir feels like it achieves an ideal synthesis of comic-book and legendarium as it weaves together its story.
Ultimately, as much as it may sound like a contradiction on a blog about stories related to gaming IPs, one of my favourite things about The Head of Mimir, was how often I forgot that I was reading a Marvel novel at all, as this just felt like another of the secondary-world Fantasy novels that make up the bulk of my leisure reading.
If you’re thinking about running Heimdall in your next Thor deck, then why not give The Head of Mimir a read for some more thematic inspiration? Sadly, I can confirm that reading this book will neither allow you to look at the top 3 cards of the Encounter deck, nor ready Thor, but you can at least laugh at Heimdall teasing his sister about having a crush on the young prince of Asgard and how she’s probably going to marry him one day…
The main thing which makes The Head of Mimir work is the portrayal of Heimdall and Sif, and the relationship between them. Whilst I can’t recall a recent comic or TV plot-line that has placed the two together (I’m not sure if the MCU has ever even hinted that they might be siblings), their relationship is natural, and believable, with the overall result being a very credible portrayal of the younger characters we’ve seen on comic pages and even on our TV screens – although I don’t believe the MCU has ever made any suggestion that they might be siblings.
In conclusion, I really enjoyed The Head of Mimir, it’s an accessible read that clips along at a good pace, but also offers deeper rewards for fans of the source material, whether it be Marvel, the Norse Sagas, or both.

The Marvel Universe has plenty of areas to explore, it is not just superheroes. You also have mutants, magic, aliens and so much more. Perhaps one of the hardest elements to get your head around are the Gods of Asgard. Suddenly, the Norse Gods of Odin and Thor are fighting alongside the likes of Iron Man and even Blob. Perhaps they are not Gods after all but powerful aliens from another realm? The Legends of Asgard series gives insight into the Asgardians before we humans even entered the picture.

You may know Heimdall as the keeper of the rainbow road that links the realms, but before he was all seeing, he was once just a young warrior who fought alongside his sister Sif. In their youth, Asgard came under attack from the Frost Giants whilst Odin slumbered. All but Heimdall believed the sleep to be part of Odin’s natural cycle. With his sister at his side, Heimdall sets out to prove that Odin has been cursed and discover the whereabouts of the Head of Mimir, an artifact that offers wisdom to those that ask. The siblings start their saga as traitors but will end it as legends.

Saga is the right word to use when describing Richard Lee Byers’, The Head of Mimir as it follows the tradition of Norse Tales. The legends of Norse Mythology are epic, and Byers buys straight into this and uses them to his advantage. Who wants a small story set only on Asgard when you can fly on a Pegasus, climb a mythical tree of life, play boardgames with a giant serpent, and sneak through a castle full of giants? Mimir is packed with action and ideas, many of which come from Norse Mythology itself.

There is a sense of perpetual motion in this book as Heimdall and Sif set out to achieve a goal across another world. It has the classic fantasy trope of there and back again on an unexpected journey, but then fantasy itself took this idea from traditional tales such as those of the Norse, Greek or Roman Gods. For readers who enjoy their books pushing ever onwards, they will love the change of scenes and constant new things to enjoy.

There are some moments to breath, but they are few and far between. We learn a little about the relationship between the siblings, but it is mostly set at the start. Where the book shined the most was during the set pieces. Stand out moments include a tense board game with a God like serpent and the Battle for Asgard as the Frost Giants beat against the walls. In these moments you get a sense of the epic tales of old, of Gods and Monsters. It was refreshing that no humans were involved at all.

Mimir is a book that is not quite fantasy or science fiction, but a mash up of the two genres. The closest I can think of it is as is Action Fantasy. It takes some of the traditional narrative elements of that genre and then adds more action that I have ever read in such a book. For readers who enjoy their fantasy full on and nonstop, this will be a great read.

The world of Marvel's Thor is an interesting one, one that manages to mix together super heroics, Norse mythology, and in later years, science fiction. The recent big screen adaptations have very much pushed the sci-fi angle, which I've enjoyed, but the downside of this is that viewers got very little fantasy with their Thor. The Head of Mimir, in contrast, has very much embraced the mythology behind the original comics, and has provided readers with a high fantasy adventure that's sure to thrill.

The story is bookended with Volstagg, one of the Warriors Three, telling his son a story about Heimdall in order to teach him that a warrior is more than a strong sword arm, and that being smart enough to take a step back and think things through is perhaps even more important than martial skill. His story takes readers back through time, to a place long before the events of the Thor comics, where Heimdall and his sister Sif were just regular soldiers in the Asgard army during a war with the Frost Giants of Jotunheim.

The war is not going well for the people of Asgard. Odin has been in the Odin-Sleep for weeks, longer than ever before; and without his wisdom and power the forces of Jotunheim have been encroaching further and further into the kingdom of the gods. The Frost Giants have been using more and more cunning tactics than ever before, and are simply overwhelming Asgards forces. Looking at what's happening, Heimdall is convinced that something more must be at work here, that Odin being away for so long must be a sign of something awful going on behind the scenes.

Approaching Queen Frigga, he implores her to enter Odin's chambers and make sure that something awful hasn't been done to the king. Under the advice of court enchantress Amora, the queen dismisses Heimdall's concerns; which prompts the young soldier to take matters into his own hands. Sneaking into the Odin-Sleep chambers, he and his sister must overcome the magical defences and illusions within before coming face to face with their king. Unable to see anything wrong with him, they do notice that someone must have entered before them, as the magical Head of Mimir has been stolen.

Knowing that this magical artefact is able to dispense amazing advice and knowledge Heimdall concludes that a traitor must have sent the head to the Frost Giants, explaining their change of tactics. Unfortunately, entering Odin's chambers is high treason, and when he and Sif are seen leaving they must go on the run from their own people, setting off on a mission to retrieve the head whilst being hunted by Asgard too.

The Head of Mimir is a hell of a story, more in line with the epics of legend than anything I've read in the Thor comics, but it fits so well with the universe and characters that Marvel have adapted over the decades. Richard Lee Byers clearly know not just the world of the comics, but the original myths too, and manages to weave them together in great ways. And one of the things I liked the most, there was never a sense that he was trying to make it feel like science was at work here. Unlike the films, which tried to explain magic away as advanced science, this book embraces its fantasy roots and says 'no, this is magic'. People cast spells, monsters from myth wield powers, and the world tree exists.

I adored this decision. I never like it when writers try to make magic feel less special, when they try to make it feel practical and real. Give me Frost Giants with ice staffs casting spells on battlefields, giant dragons scaling the sides of a magical tree that holds different worlds in its branches, and teleporting Pegasuses over that. Let me feel awed and in wonder, rather than waiting for a scientific explanation for things. It's so nice to have a book that embraces the fantastic and presents them without feeling like it has to give reason or make it understandable. It makes the journey that the two heroes go on feel so much bigger and more amazing.

Heimdall and Sif make for some excellent protagonists too, and their relationship is explored well throughout the book. I have to admit, before reading this I never knew that the two of them were siblings, and to have that relationship not just included, but made central to their story, is great. We see two soldiers who keep fighting for each other, who refuse to give in or leave the other behind because they're not just brother in arms, but family. There are a few occasions in the book where lesser relationships would have really been put to the test, where lesser characters would have broken apart, but the two of them never give up on each other.

The focus on their relationship also gives some stakes to the book. These are characters that we know from the comics, we know that they don't die here, that they go on to bigger positions in Asgardian society. So instead of having to worry if they'll die or not the concern shifts to their relationship. Will the two of them end up falling out? Will events push them to the point of hating each other, even if only temporarily?

The Head of Mimir wasn't what I was expecting going into the book, but it was such a pleasant surprise. In a time where comic heroes revolve around science and realism it's so good to get a story that embraces the fantastical, that doesn't feel the need to be gritty and true to life, but is content to be wondrous and over the top. Comic book fans will love seeing more about the kingdom of Asgard and learning more about some of it's inhabitants, and fantasy fans will feel right at home here too, even if it's their first time trying out the Marvel universe.

Well written, well told and highly entertaining, if you like Norse mythology and action then this is definitely the book for you