(3) 4-6 Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard series. Nine loosely linked vignettes featuring nine secondary characters from the Magnus Chase stories are set in the nine worlds of Norse mythology; they culminate in Alex--Magnus's genderfluid romantic interest--facing down the fire giant Surt using Loki's trickster wiles. As usual, humor joins Norse mythological minutiae for a fast-paced, entertaining yarn. Inserts of glossy illustrations of the characters and worlds are included. Glos.

Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam

(3) 4-6 Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard series. Loki's about to launch the zombie- and giant-filled ship Naglfar to bring on Ragnarok. Magnus and his companions (including Alex, the genderfluid einherjar Magnus is attracted to) must defeat him in a flyting, a contest of insults. Magnus and Alex grow closer during their adventures leading up to the final confrontation. Riordan's humor, quick pacing, and inclusiveness elevate this enjoyable third series entry. Glos.

Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam

(3) YA Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard series. Magnus Chase tries to prevent his Valkyrie friend Sam's forced marriage to the giant Thrym. But Thrym's "wedding gift" is Thor's missing hammer Mjolnir, which the gods need back to keep giants from invading the human realm. Loki plans to use the wedding to engineer his own escape. Riordan introduces a character with gender fluidity, a welcome addition to his usual effective myths-and-humor formula.

Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam

(2) YA Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard series. On his sixteenth birthday, Magnus Chase's estranged uncle informs him that Magnus's long-absent father was a Norse god. Magnus retrieves a magical sword from the bottom of the Charles River, then battles the fire giant who comes to claim it. Although the first third of the book is slow going, once Riordan hits his stride it becomes a whirlwind of myth, action, and wry sarcasm.

Reviewer: Anita L. Burkam | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2016