The goal of this project was not to tell new stories, but to breath new life into the old stories, but it sticks too much to the source material, hence spoiling the whole books. It doesn’t have the same pull as American Gods(old characters, new story, new setting), because it only has one new thing: new setting.
But if you grab this book as an overall “intro” into Norse mythology, well you’re in for a ride. It’s good when you compare it to the Edda (which can run a bit too long in their description of drunken brawls). That Gaiman puts his touch on these Edda is just a bonus point. Worth a read if you’re new to both Gaiman and Norse Mythology