This book is an absolute delight for anyone fascinated by the myths and folklore of the Nordic and Arctic regions. The book draws you into a world of gods, heroes, and spirits, weaving together tales from Norse, Finnish, and Sámi traditions with care and reverence for their cultural origins.

What I loved most was how accessible the stories felt, even with their deeply mythological roots. Rayborn has a gift for storytelling, balancing the grandeur of myth with the intimacy of a fireside tale. From the mighty exploits of Odin and Thor to the quieter, mystical stories of Sámi spirits, there’s a wide variety here that kept me captivated throughout.

That said, I occasionally found myself wishing for a bit more depth in some of the Finnish and Sámi sections, as they seemed slightly overshadowed by the more familiar Norse tales. However, the book does a commendable job of introducing these traditions to a broader audience, which I greatly appreciated.

The illustrations are lovely and add a touch of magic to the reading experience. It’s also worth noting that the pacing of the book is perfect for dipping in and out; ideal for those who enjoy savouring myths one or two at a time.

Overall, Northern Mythology is an engaging and well-crafted collection that shines a light on both well-known and lesser-explored traditions. It’s a perfect read for mythology enthusiasts and anyone looking to connect with the rich cultural heritage of the North.

The book is well written. The amount of information for each mythology is very interesting. Throughout the book, the artwork is fantastic. Well written and researched.

This isn't just a collection of stories --; it feels more like an encyclopedia in how much information there is. It starts by explaining the major characters and the relationships between different gods, and there are so many interesting stories. The pictures are wonderful and intriguing. I highly recommend this as a resource or just for a constant source of stories.
Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this

this is a beautifully illustrated and extremely well written introduction to norse mythology. Featuring a collection of both well known, and less-so, stories, this is a fantastic addition to anyone's shelf who is interested in Scandinavian mythology.

Thank you to the author, NetGalley, and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my review.

This good give a good run down of many of the gods and characters in norther myths and includes some of the stories in modern prose. I really liked that it included more then just Norse Mythology, I think that is its biggest selling point.

Northern Mythology: Tales from Norse, Finnish, and Sámi Traditions by Tim Rayborn is a masterful exploration of the myths and legends that have shaped Nordic cultures for centuries. With its rich storytelling, historical depth, and beautiful illustrations, this collection invites readers into a world where gods, giants, and mortals grapple with fate, nature, and cosmic upheaval.

Rayborn’s introduction sets the stage perfectly, offering context for the tales that follow and highlighting the cultural distinctions and shared motifs between Norse, Finnish, and Sámi traditions. The stories themselves range from well-known epics, such as the tragic inevitability of Ragnarök, to lesser-known gems that shed light on the unique beliefs of northern European peoples. This blend keeps the reading experience fresh and enlightening, even for mythology enthusiasts.

The profiles of deities and mythical beings are a standout feature. Rayborn brings these figures to life with vivid descriptions and insightful commentary. Whether it’s the cunning Loki, the powerful Väinämöinen, or the awe-inspiring Sámi nature spirits, each profile adds new layers of meaning to the myths.

The inclusion of Sámi and Finnish myths alongside the Norse legends is a refreshing and significant touch, showcasing the diversity within northern mythology and honoring traditions that are often overshadowed by the more popular Viking-centric tales. Rayborn’s respect for these cultures is evident in the care he takes to present their stories authentically.

Visually, the book is stunning. The illustrations complement the text beautifully, evoking the grandeur and mysticism of the stories without overshadowing their emotional resonance. The artwork enhances the immersive quality of the book, making it as much a visual journey as a literary one.

The only minor drawback is that some sections feel slightly academic in tone, which may slow the pace for readers seeking pure narrative flow. However, for those who appreciate mythological scholarship alongside storytelling, this adds valuable depth.

At 4.5 stars, Northern Mythology is an exceptional collection that breathes new life into ancient tales while paying homage to the rich cultural tapestry of the north. It’s a must-read for lovers of folklore, history, and epic storytelling, offering both timeless wonder and fresh insights. Whether you're familiar with these myths or discovering them for the first time, this book is a captivating gateway to the awe-inspiring world of Nordic legend.

Solid introduction to Northern myths and legends. I love the inclusion of the Sami and Finnish deities and legends as well as the more popular Norse ones. This gives a much more well rounded look at northern beliefs and stories rather than those handed down (often through Christian, Patriarchal political focus). I would highly recommend this for anyone that is looking into myths and legends in general as well as those who are interested in the Northern Traditions of paganism - the latter will not find much by way of witchcraft (for example, the section on runes is tiny and mostly noting the historical use for writing instead of any divinatory methods) but will find education about the Gods and spirits of the region and history.

Such a great book I couldn’t stop reading on. I loved how informative it was. I turkey enjoyed reading and learning with every page. This is a great book for anyone from no knowledge to plenty of knowledge on northern mythology.

This is an amazing book! I highly recommend this to anyone who wants an introduction to Northern Mythology or if you're already a fan! I found that the style of the book was easy to follow and interesting! Something I liked about this book was that it it included Finnish and Sami mythology, which I don't know much about - until now! I would really recommend this to all my friends interested in Norse history! I loved this, it was beautifully written.

Content-wise, this is an engaging and excellent guide/encyclopaedia about Northern Mythologies. The highlights for me were the Icelandic and Sami aspects.
This is one of those books that are great to have as an ebook - to read and refer to while on the go, however, I believe it will look and read much better in the print form.

This book couldn't be better for anyone wanting to learn a solid and in-depth introduction. I’ve read several books on Norse Mythology, learned several new things, and felt the style was much more accessible than most other books on the subject.

I did like how Tim Rayborn added Finnish and Sámi mythology which is unique since most Norse Mythology seem to leave those out. I do wish there were more from the Sámi, but this has piqued my interest and now I want to learn more.

Very well written and enjoyable for anyone wanting to learn a bit more about the Northern Myths.

Northern Mythology by Tim Rayborn is probably the best introduction to Northern Myths you can find today and as well as this, it’s beautifully presented with serious shelf appeal.

From what I can see, there are actually 3 different covers (perhaps depending on your region or retailer) and all look great.

What sets this book apart from many others are the sections on Finnish and Sámi mythology, with a vast array of books solely on Norse mythology already available.

Even if we’re judging this book solely on the Norse Mythology sections, I believe it excels nonetheless. For anyone wanting to learn a very solid and in depth introduction, this book couldn’t be better. I’ve read a number of books on Norse Mythology and I learnt several new things and felt the style was a lot more accessible than most other books on the subject. There are some who downright get things wrong and others that are a little dry with walls of text and a little antiquated in style.

Rayborn’s book is modern but not simplified. When we are presented with the myths, he introduces the background afterwards which handily explains where the information comes from and the context. The introduction is excellent too, highlighting the nuances, highlights and pitfalls of the current knowledge. Everything one needs to know for general knowledge and a little short of academic study is contained here. And the writing style really flows, allowing you to enjoy without having to re-read every sentence.

As touched on above, the fact that this book is Northern Myths rather than just Norse Myths makes this feel more comprehensive and in doing so I believe presents a better picture of North European peoples and their history – how the cold and bleak environments and harsh winters influence a unique blend of folklore, mythology view of the world.

The illustrations by Jo Parry are gorgeous and I feel really takes this book to the next level, one that would make a beautiful gift or addition to your own bookshelf. I really like the theming of the purple shades and the stunning art style, capturing the myths contained within perfectly.

I read this book on Netgalley but am impressed enough to want to purchase a copy for future reading. I’d highly recommend this book.

Thankyou to Netgalley and the publisher Cider Tree Press for the opportunity to read this book.

I’m new to Norse mythology but this was very easy to read and incredibly helpful. Very informative and will be buying this!

This book gave me everything I was hoping for which was new information. I knew a decent amount about Norse gods and myths before this but I learned quite a few new things. I knew basically nothing about Finnish and Sami mythology, so that was fun to read. Overall, a great jumping off point for anyone interested in Mythology!

Very informative, as a Norse pagan I’m always looking for books on the Norse beliefs. I enjoyed the comparison to Finnish and the Sami people’s beliefs and the connections between them. I would definitely recommend to anyone who is looking at information about the Norse belief that’s easy to digest.

I rated this book 5 stars because it's really good and the characters are fantastic and the story is immaculate. Tim Rayborn is a genious! I loved this book so much!

I must get the elephant out of the room. I HATE that the pages go from light to dark! Please just keep to one for the entire book please. Or at least only switch on important moments!
Other than that, the book is good. It goes a lot more into the history of the mythology, and not a lot to the myths them self, which is a choice. Not necessarily a bad one, but as I had hoped for more mythology I as a bit disappointed. But the way the book was written was good, and it somehow managed to keep my attention.

As someone who has recently gotten into Norse Mythology I loved this book. It was great to learn more about the mythology and this book waswas so well written.

Northern Mythology by Tim Rayborn is a fascination overview of deities and mythologies of Norse, Finnish, and Sámi Traditions. I think "in-depth introduction" is an apt descriptor, because it really is a great resource for beginners to the topic. At the same time, it covers more than just the highlights, so readers will come away from this read well-versed in these concepts. Given the breadth of information, it would require a much longer book to truly be an in depth description and discussion of the mythology, so Northern Mythology strikes a really helpful balance between too little and too much information. There's plenty to get your feet wet and point you in the right direction to learn more about a particular myth or deity that feels inspiring to you. The Norse pantheon takes up most of the information presented, and since Finnish and Sámi were new to me, I'd love to have gotten more in these sections. But at least I know what to search for in my quest for further knowledge in this area. Overall, a really interesting read to spend some quality time with to really enjoy and grasp each story covered.