9 From the Nine Worlds
2018
- norse mythology
- juvenile fiction
- children's fiction
- short stories
The story
Beloved characters from the Magnus Chase series star in these short stories, each set in a different one of the Nine Worlds from Norse mythology. The Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard trilogy may have concluded, but we haven't heard the last of our favorite peeps from the Nine Worlds. Join Hearthstone, Blitzen, Samirah, Alex, Jack, T.J., Mallory, Halfborn, and more on a hilarious and unforgettable journey through Rick Riordan's unique take on Norse mythology. While Magnus is off visiting his cousin, Annabeth, his friends find themselves in some sticky, hairy, and smelly situations as they try to outwit moronic giants, murderous creatures, and meddlesome gods. Can they stave off Ragnarok at least until Magnus gets back?
What it’s like
Bright, breezy and quick on the page, with a jokey first-person-adjacent voice that keeps the mood light even when the stakes tick up. Picture a sunny, cluttered Saturday afternoon with a mug of cocoa and a cat sprawled across the book: this is a comfort read for young teens and adults who grew up on Riordan's wisecracking heroes. Each short story is self-contained and brisk, so it suits dipping in for a few chapters during a commute or a lazy evening. The mythic world is rendered as a kind of mess of vivid, slightly grubby details: halls that smell of smoke and wet wool, giants who are more bumbling than menacing, creatures that are grotesque in a cartoonish way. Violence is present but cartoonish and brief, with fights that end quickly and no lingering gore; there is some crude humor and mild peril but no real dread. The emotional register is warm, affectionate and playful, with friendships and banter carrying each story and an undercurrent of a looming end-of-the-world threat that never weighs too heavily. Best for readers who want gentle adventure, sharp dialogue and a good-humored romp through Norse myth, especially fans of the Magnus Chase books.
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