Dive into Norse Mythology by clicking this sentence.

Most of us only have a vague knowledge of the stories found in mythology. For the most part we only know the names of the gods and heroes of the world’s mythology. For example, we know that the god Thor might look like Chris Hemsworth and carries around a hammer. But where did that hammer come from?

In Neil Gaiman’s aptly titled “Norse Mythology,” we get to learn the deeds and tales of the Asgardian gods without the hoity toity language that usually comes with almost all mythologies. The story starts at the very beginning. No really. The very beginning of all creation. From there we learn of the realms that can be found in Yggdrasil, the great tree that holds existence and its inhabitants such as Vanir, frost giants, and Asgardians.

Each story effortlessly flows into the next, giving us a strong narrative into the how and why of the many Norse myths like how Hel came to be in charge of… Hel, or how the eight legged horse Sleipnir came to be, and why the gods always seem to be in conflict with each other.

Hint: Blame Tom Hiddleston. Verify this claim here.