(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Jeffrey Alan Love. This handsome, hefty volume provides readers with a comprehensive introduction to Norse mythology. A master of myths and legends, Crossley-Holland accessibly retells a multitude of myths, from the world's creation to eventual destruction. The striking acrylic and ink illustrations--mostly black-and-white silhouettes with occasional color highlights--emphasize the dark nature of the stories. Glos.

Reviewer: Antonio Trujillo

(4) 4-6 Norse Myths series. Illustrated by Tod Smith & Rex Lokus. Thor decides to travel to Utgard, the land of the giants, but his father, Odin, commands he must take his brother, Loki, with him. Amusing mishaps at their destination prove that Loki isn't the only trickster in this straightforward Norse myth retelling. The graphic novel's old-fashioned illustration style is reminiscent of 1980s adventure comics, heavily inked in basic panel layouts. Glos.

Reviewer: Jeannie Coutant

(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

(4) YA Summer on East End series. Mardi and Molly, seventeen-year-old twin daughters of Thor, battle over boyfriends and meet their previously unknown mother, a global tennis star. As they embrace their burgeoning powers, strange and violent events lead the young witches to question their mother's sudden appearance. Despite flat, stereotypical characters, references to designer brands and cocktails may draw the Gossip Girl crowd to this Hamptons-set supernatural tale.

Reviewer: Megan Lynn Isaac

(4) 4-6 Secrets of the Ancient Gods series. Illustrated by J. E. Larson. The mighty Thor narrates this introduction to Norse mythology. The god guides us through a brief history of the Vikings, explains the myths' lasting influence, and offers retellings of the most famous Norse myths. Dark, moody pen-and-ink illustrations are a stark contrast to the lighter nature of the writing, which sometimes strains for its chatty humor. Bib., glos., ind.

Reviewer: Antonio Trujillo

(3) YA Jet-setting immortal teen witches Molly and Mardi wake up after a Manhattan penthouse party to find that two classmates are dead, and they're the prime suspects. The twins' father (the god Thor) banishes them to sleepy North Hampton, Long Island, until they can control their powers and prove their innocence. This YA Witches of East End spinoff will appeal to fans of Gossip Girl and supernatural romance.

Reviewer: Martha V. Parravano

(4) 4-6 Blackwell Pages series. Matt, Fen, and Laurie--descendants of Norse gods--continue to prepare for their fated battle to stop Ragnarök, the prophesied apocalypse. However, they must first retrieve their deceased friend Baldwin from Hel, and then find Thor's hammer. The nonstop action of this second book's first half grows a bit tedious, but its second half develops the characters well and offers satisfying plot twists.

Reviewer: Randy Ribay

(4) 4-6 Blackwell Pages series. Matt, a descendant of Thor, discovers that the Norse apocalyptic prophecy of Ragnarök is true, and he has been chosen to fight in the final battle. Determined not to repeat Thor's defeat, Matt gathers the other gods' descendants in hopes of convincing them to fight by his side. The incipient series seems promising, but despite intermittent action, this first installment is ultimately pretty flat.

Reviewer: Randy Ribay

(4) 4-6 Illustrated by Jim Madsen. This book presents several myths about the Norse god Thor. The sections first introduce the god himself, his rivals the giants, and his family before spinning them all together into tales about his various deeds. The illustrations are a mixed bag, with some looking serious and others more cartoonish, but they all help bring the adventures to life. Reading list. Bib., glos.

Reviewer: Antonio Trujillo