Book Review: Hotel Valhalla: Guide to the Norse Worlds

Hotel Valhalla Guide to the Norse Worlds: Your Introduction to Deities, Mythical Beings, & Fantastic Creatures by Rick Riordan

Synopsis:
So you’ve made it to Valhalla. Now what?
This “who’s who” guide to the gods, goddesses, and other important figures of Norse mythology was commissioned by Helgi, who, after more than a millennium as manager of Hotel Valhalla, became fed up with answering the same questions from newly deceased heroes at check-in. The profiles provide essential stats, interviews, and personal reflections so you can identify the gods and avoid those awkward introductions. Handy facts about other beings round out this go-to tome. You’ll never see Ratatosk as a cute little rodent or confuse a dwarf with an elf ever again!

Review:
This is a fun handbook for fans of the new Magnus Chase series. There are detailed descriptions, illustrations, and more of the Norse gods that make an appearance (or mention) in the books. There is also a spotlight on various mythical beings such as giants, elves, dwarves, Valkyries, and the Norns – as well as creatures like Fenris wolves, Thor’s goats, and more. The illustrations are fantastic. And the bits of lore, mixed with plenty of humor, make for fun reading. This is a great little reference book for those who want to read more about Riordan’s unique take on Norse mythology.