By Emily Haynes

Chronicle Books, out October 30

A glossy photo-filled introduction to the first season of the Starz/Amazon Prime TV version of Neil Gaiman’s epic fantasy novel, introducing the main characters and situations encountered across the eight episodes.

Arriving 16 months after the first season aired, and ahead of the delayed season 2, the timing of Emily Haynes ‘Making of’ book feels a little off, but then this is a show that has been beleaguered by behind-the-scenes troubles from the outset. The issues that led a reduced episode count are not raised – this is official, licensed show merchandise after all – and no explicit reference is made to the sudden departure of showrunners Bryan Singer and Michael Green, beyond acknowledging in an interview with Gaiman that there will be a new show runner, Jesse Alexander.

After a foreword by Neil Gaiman in the form of an interview looking at the writing of the book and its translation to the screen we get separate sections on the key characters – Shadow, Laura, Mad Sweeney, Mr Wednesday, Czernobog and the Zorya sisters, Technical Boy, Media and Anansi. The copy includes quotes from the actors playing them as well as some gorgeous high resolution character profile shots, often filling a complete spread. The chapters focusing on the Coming to America vignettes – Odin, and Vikings, Mad Sweeney, Bilquis, Anansi and Jesus – break up the copy and include insight on the related mythology.

Verdict: An official, large-format hardback intro to TV’s American Gods, boasting the sort of access and imagery that only a licensed book can. Just don’t expect any juicy gossip – that book is yet to be written. 7/10

Nick Joy