Francesca Simon's first novel for 12+ readers is a darkly funny look at life through the eyes of Hel, teenager and Queen of the Dead.
Francesca Simon is universally known for the staggeringly popular Horrid Henry series. These books and CDs have sold over 20 million copies in the UK alone and are published in 27 countries. Horrid Henry and the Abominable Snowman won the Children's Book of the the Year award in 2008 at the British Book Awards. She lives in North London with her family.
"Hel, the protagonist of this deliciously fun YA debut from Simon
(the Horrid Henry series), is the daughter of trickster god Loki
and Angrboda the giantess. Hel was born a monster: while her top
half is normal, she has the legs of a corpse. The Fates have
foretold that Hel's brothers, Fenrir the wolf and Jormungand the
snake, will kill Odin and Thor during Ragnarok, so the deities
abduct the siblings and bring them to Asgard. Hel falls in love
with the god Baldr, but her happiness is short-lived: Odin
incapacitates Hel's kin, then ban-ishes her to Niflheim to rule the
dead. By recasting the Norse queen of hell as a snarky, disaffected
teenager, Simon makes the ancient relatable and adds humor to an
otherwise grim and gruesome tale: "Let's pause and take a closer
look at just some of Dad's children," Hel offers. "Eight legs
(Sleipnir). Four legs (Fenrir). No legs (Jormungand). Corpse legs
(yours truly)." Though the book is light on plot and narrative
drive, it oozes style, and Simon's evocative descriptions transport
readers to the strange and brutal world of Norse myth." Ages 12-up.
(June)
Publishers Weekly
"Hel, Norse goddess of the Underworld, tells her story, on her
terms, in THE MONSTROUS CHILD. Born in a cave with a snake and a
wolf for brothers, Hel is the daughter of a giantess and of Loki,
the god of mischief--it's no wonder that Hel is unusual too. While
her torso is normal, her legs are those of a corpse. Her mother
proves to be hateful, and her brothers are terrifying. Her absentee
father appears and disappears for much of her life. She has never
known affection; Baldr, a god, surprises her with that. But it
cannot last. She is already jaded and cynical by the time that she
comes to live among other gods, before she is cast down into the
Underworld--a place she later names after herself. Hel's voice is
definite and strong. She's a sarcastic and bitter lead, and
unapologetic. Why should she be, when she was born half dead and
sent to live with only the dead for companions? Hel often seems to
be a victim of her circumstances--of her parentage, her rotting and
painful form, and a lack of love. But she is also derisive of
nearly everyone and sometimes seems suited to her awful fate. Most
of the book takes place in the Underworld, where those who have not
died in battle go to spend eternity. Not much happens in the land
of the dead; Hel keeps it interesting, and her scenes hold
attention. Hel's story is unique; her toughness carries the story,
and her inner monologue is absorbing."
--Foreword Reviews
"In this British import from the author of the Horrid Henry series,
a young Norse goddess with an accursed affliction (she was born
with the legs of a rotting corpse) is banished from Asgard to
Niflheim, the underworld, to reign over the dead. Hel, the daughter
of Loki and the giantess Angrboda, at first does her best by
building an enormous hall and welcoming the dead, but she is
consumed with thoughts of revenge against Odin and longing for
Baldr, the lone god who was kind to her. Teenage Hel tells her
story directly to the reader in first person, with equal amounts
bitter sarcasm, miserable whining, and cold rage. While Hel's
anachronistic tone is modern, fast-paced, and funny, it grows
tiresome, as there isn't much else to the story: this is more of a
stylish monologue than a retelling. Readers may enjoy Hel's
flippant insolence, aimed at adults, while others may find the
quirky presentation of Norse mythology a good companion to Rick
Riordan's Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard series. "
--Booklist
"Mum's a giantess, Dad's a trickster god, and her brothers are
fated to play major roles in ending the world; trapped in her fetid
underworld, Hel (aka Goddess of the Dead) has had enough eternity,
thanks, and she's about to tell you why.Jotunheim, land of the
giants, leaves plenty to be desired. Snow, sleet, and howling winds
scour the mountains. It's no Asgard. A seemingly ordinary girl on
top, Hel's legs are in a permanent state of decay--blotched with
gangrene, wrapped in bandages. Her father, Loki, rarely visits the
family cave. But then the children are kidnapped and brought to
golden Asgard, as Odin hopes to render her ill-fated brothers
harmless, at least for now. At first overlooked, narrator Hel
develops a huge crush on Baldr, a beautiful, kindly--and
married--god, before Odin hurls her to Niflheim to rule over the
dead. This permanent teen doesn't take her fate lying down--at
first. Failing to escape, she occupies herself constructing a
palace for the dead and dreams of Baldr, fated to die eventually
and come to her. But as years pass, she grows bitter and vengeful,
and she doesn't hesitate to tell readers: "I have no friends. I
don't want any friends. I'm fine by myself. I am cradled by hate
and fury; I need no one." Hel's persuasive, compelling, brutally
grim, and very funny voice drives the narrative. Seen from below,
the Twilight of the Gods is neither tragic nor noble--it's long
overdue." (Fantasy. 12-16)
--Kirkus Reviews
"The darkly funny testament of an accidental teenage goddess of the
dead. The Horrid Henry author's first foray into YA follows
14-year-old Hel, an eternal teenager who also happens to be the
queen of the underworld. Her legs are in a permanent state of
decay. Hel's parents put her in charge of all who enter, and she
grows increasingly bitter, as she has nothing to occupy her mind
aside from the dreams of a lost love, Baldr. All Hel wants is to be
able to tell her story. This title is perfect for "Percy Jackson"
lovers who are looking for their next read. Those who enjoy the
young adult work of Neil Gaiman but are not old enough for his
American Gods would also appreciate this book. As Simon includes
many allusions to Norse mythology throughout, this could be
incorporated in similar units of study in a language arts
curriculum. Small illustrations at the beginning of each chapter
will help readers keep the pages turning. VERDICT An excellent
choice for young adult fans of all things mythology."
--School Library Journal
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