Ryan Amundson

Neil Gaiman has long been inspired by ancient mythology in creating the fantastical realms of his fiction. Now he turns his attention back to the source, presenting a bravura rendition of the great northern tales. In Norse Mythology, Gaiman fashions primeval stories into a novelistic arc that begins with the genesis of the legendary nine worlds; delves into the exploits of the deities, dwarves, and giants; and culminates in Ragnarok, the twilight of the gods and the rebirth of a new time and people.

Having just graduated from college, Parker is excited to get a career started in the United States Forest Service and serve the community in his home state of California. Unfortunately for Parker though, there currently are no forestry job opportunities in Northern California. Except for one volunteer summer job that no one has applied for in the area. However, deep in these woods exists a creature of folklore that hunts humans for prey with a ravenous and insatiable hunger as told by generation after generation of loggers and outdoorsmen in the area.

"Friday, October 4th, 1957. Scientists from the Soviet Union successfully launch Sputnik 1, a Soviet satellite up into space. It’s the first man made satellite that has successfully entered orbit, triggering the Space Race between the United States and the USSR. Countries from around the world fill their tabloids with news related to the success of the Soviet scientists, dubbing the event as a “modern marvel of scientific ingenuity”.

Matt and Christina Carter live an extremely busy life as a young married couple in Olympia, Washington. Barely having any time for one another, both find themselves in career paths that push them further away from one another, until an auto accident leaves Matt paralyzed from the waist down and in a wheelchair. Realizing they need to make changes in their lives to keep their marriage alive, the couple choose to move out of the bigger city and into a cabin in the heavily wooded area of Elwha, Washington.