Bound To Stay Bound

Booklist - 08/01/2018 For brief visits to each of the nine worlds of Nordic mythology, Riordan pitches as many supporting characters from his Magnus Chase series into some pickle. In earthly Midgard, Amir Fadlan is tricked into donning a pair of nonremoveable “necropants” made from human skin; deaf elf Hearthstone returns to Alfheim to battle a troll; and rumors that fire lord Surt is hatching some plot sends gender-fluid Alex Fierro to fiery Muspelheim. Thor, a broadly comical figure in the series, adds to the fun by blundering into and out of each story on an invigorating run through all nine worlds. Though he appends a large glossary and pronunciation guide, the author goes more for action than description in the tales, so the bunched color inserts of landscapes and stylish portraits are particularly helpful for less-fannish readers, who might struggle to distinguish among characters and locales. A fine ramble up Yggdrasil’s trunk, with some bits of cultural currency to pick up along the way. - Copyright 2018 Booklist.

School Library Journal - 09/01/2018 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 - Copyright 2018 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.