What happens when an immortal has spent an eternity being exactly what everyone expects him to be?

Odin has been a god for so long that he’s forgotten what it means to be anything else. But when an unexpected challenge threatens to disrupt his carefully cultivated existence, the All-Father finds himself facing something far more dangerous than a mortal enemy: the possibility of change.

Breaking the Habit is a darkly playful fantasy set in the Faerie Mythos, blending Norse mythology, immortal mischief and supernatural intrigue with a story about identity, expectation and what happens when even an ancient god decides he’s had enough.

Scroll down for book club questions, an excerpt, behind-the-scenes insights, and everything you need to step into Odin’s world.

📚 Series: Irascible Immortals
⚡ Genre: Mythic Dark Fantasy
🔥 Features: Norse Mythology, Immortals, Gods, Supernatural Mischief
👥 Recommended for readers who enjoy: mythology retellings, dark fantasy, immortal characters and stories that put a mischievous twist on ancient legends

About Breaking the Habit

Watch the Book Trailer

Read an Excerpt

Odin woke up to someone yelling his name.

He groaned and fell back on the mattress. Wednesday. Wodin’s Day. His day. He rubbed his hands over his face and grimaced. Back in the day he had been honoured when the mortals had named a day of the week after him. Now… each time someone said the name of that infernal weekday, it was as if they called out to him.

He massaged his forehead. Like having warlords and berserkers constantly calling out to him wasn’t irritating enough. He was not a war god; he was not a benefactor to a specific day of the week: he was a tired old man seeking a bit of solitude and peace.

Cawing ravens and hissing cats made his one eye snap open. The birds circled above him and the felines ran over him, scratching him with their sharp claws. Roaring, he threw the quilt off him. The animals scampered. He had had enough. If he found Freya’s cats near his ravens again… The dark thought left him as quick as it came. Odin fell back onto his mattress. He didn’t have the desire or energy to lead the Wild Hunt, much less to run after the animals in Asgard and putting them in their place.

He settled back into the comfort of his bed, trying to sleep again. What he needed, Odin realised, was to find joy in living.

He could hear Freya and Frigg scream at each other, the sounds the ravens and cats were making amplified their argument. He didn’t need to hear them properly to know what they were disagreeing about again: cats and their place in a peaceful household. It was an old argument; one they could run with if not stopped. He pulled a pillow over his face.

Battle cries and the clanging of metal came through the open window. The warriors of Valhalla had stormed into the streets of Asgard, despite knowing they weren’t allowed to. He needed a tranquil place to catch up on much needed sleep. His eye shot open and he threw the pillow aside. Midgard had places for men his age to find joy and tranquillity. Grinning, he got out of bed.

Breaking the Habit, Ronel Janse van Vuuren

Breaking the Habit Book club questions

1. How did you like Odin’s life in Valhalla?
2. Did you see the similarities between actual retirement practices and the story?
3. What do you think of Odin?
4. What do you think about the people at the retirement home?
5. What do you think about the fact that Thor went to Midgard, too?
6. How do you think the story continues?

The Inspiration Behind Breaking the Habit

Breaking the Habit began with an anthology call.

When I saw the submission guidelines for Grumpy Old Gods, I knew I wanted to play with one of the old gods—but which one? Odin seemed like an obvious choice. He’s powerful, ancient, wise, feared and worshipped… and, after several thousand years of being the All-Father, I imagined he might also be thoroughly set in his ways.

That became the starting point for the story: what happens when an immortal has had thousands of years to develop some very bad habits?

Of course, Odin doesn’t exist in a vacuum. Norse mythology comes with a wonderfully dysfunctional cast of gods, and I couldn’t resist bringing Loki, Thor and Freyja into the chaos. Add Odin’s ravens, Freyja’s cats, a little mischief and the particular problem of trying to change someone who has had an eternity to become exactly who he is—and Breaking the Habit had found its shape.

The story was accepted into the Grumpy Old Gods anthology, but Odin wasn’t quite finished causing trouble. He became the first of the Irascible Immortals: ancient beings with enormous personalities, questionable patience and absolutely no intention of behaving themselves.

Sometimes a story starts with a carefully planned idea. Sometimes it starts with an anthology prompt and the thought, What if I made Odin’s life even more difficult?

Meet Odin, the hero of Breaking the Habit

Archive Note: Odin is the first viewpoint character introduced in the Irascible Immortals series. Once worshipped as the All-Father, he has had an eternity to become very comfortable with who he is — and very good at avoiding anything that might force him to change. His story begins with boredom, immortality and an old habit that is about to become someone else’s problem.

Odin has spent millennia being worshipped as the All-Father: wise, powerful, terrifying and very much accustomed to getting his own way. But beneath the grand titles and ancient legends is an immortal who is thoroughly bored with eternity, set in his ways, and not particularly interested in changing them.

As Odin navigates the endless complications of immortality, old grudges and the consequences of habits formed over centuries, he is forced to confront something he would much rather avoid: himself. Because being a god may give him all the time in the world, but it doesn’t necessarily make him any better at dealing with change.

Although Odin is at the heart of the story, it is the people — and immortals — around him who expose the cracks in the persona he has carefully built. Their challenges, conflicts and unexpected interventions force him to question what he thinks he knows about himself, and whether an immortal can ever really break a habit that has become part of who he is.

Explore the Folklore

The myths behind the mischief.
Odin may be at the centre of Breaking the Habit, but he isn’t the only figure stepping out of Norse mythology and into the story. Meet the gods, creatures and legendary companions who bring a little — or a lot — of chaos to Odin’s world.

Voices from Readers

Breaking the Habit originally appeared in the Grumpy Old Gods anthology. Here’s what readers had to say about Odin’s particular brand of immortal mischief:

★★★★★ I LOVED this story!!! The mayhem that Odin causes in the retirement village? That’s the kind of place I’d love to live – now, never mind in my old age! A fabulous story, though a slightly ominous ending. — Lolah

Sneaky “Woody Allen” use in there. I loved the idea of them golfing. I could picture it. Well-done. Good plot-twists. I like the theme of the importance and continued value of the old. — J Lenni Dorner

“Breaking the Habit” by Ronel Janse van Vuuren is a delightful story of an older god who takes a break from his ethereal responsibilities to cause havoc in an earthly retirement community. — Jacqui Murray

Buy Breaking the Habit

Beyond the Archive:

• Odin
• Being Irascible
• Whirlwind Publishing
• The Faeries and Folklore Podcast by Ronel: Odin
• The Faeries and Folklore Podcast by Ronel: An Audiobook Extract

Explore the Audiobook Library ✦ Browse the Lore Archive ✦ Discover the Faerie Mythos Books ✦ Join the Mythmaker’s Circle

Your Turn

Have you already explored the various pantheons, or are you planning your first visit? I’d love to hear from you! Which character, creature or discussion question caught your imagination? Share your thoughts in the comments below. If you’d like to discover more artwork, folklore and inspiration from Breaking the Habit, continue your journey on the Irascible Immortals Pinterest board.

Part of the Faerie Mythos

Also available in Afrikaans ✦ Christi & Saphira universe (coming soon) ✦ All stories archive