9 from the Nine Worlds

Gr 5 Up--Fans of the "Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard" series will be delighted to dive into this funny and engaging short story collection taking place in each of the Nine Worlds. In Midgard, Amir is tricked into wearing necropants created by dark magic; in Helheim, T.J. makes a deal with Hel by finding and retrieving her lost hound in exchange for the safety of his mother; and in Muspellhein, Surt tries to recruit deities for a new world order after Ragnarok. Tales span about 15 pages and are told from the point of view of various characters. While they can stand alone, the stories are meant to be read in order, as they often lead into one another. Connecting all of the stories is Thor, who has humorously decided to jog throughout the Nine Worlds. If Thor logs enough steps on his FitnessKnut, he will be able to make an appearance on a Midgard TV show. Color inserts of the Worlds and characters are interspersed throughout the book. While any reader will be able to pick this up and jump right in, it will be most enjoyed by those who have read the "Magnus Chase" books and are familiar with Riordan's characters. VERDICT A first purchase for all collections where Riordian fans abound.--Marissa Lieberman, East Orange Public Library, NJ