The Land of Lost Things

January 1, 2024
Whetstone, a young, reformed thief-turned-Hero, and Lotta, a Valkyrie trainee, reunite on a quest from Asgard to Helheim and back in this second series entry. A few stanzas of Viking verse orient readers to prior events, in which Whetstone, who reads white, bested trickster Loki and defeated a dragon. He's been tasked by Odin to find and return cursed harp strings to the Dwarves in Svartalfheim and is seemingly coincidentally reunited with Lotta, who is coded Black, and her trusty flying steed, Thighbiter. The brave but argumentative pair find themselves tumbling over the edge of Midgard, falling past Muspell, and eventually hauling themselves from the icy waters of Helheim, the Land of Lost Things. In the Lower Worlds inhabited by the dead, Lotta's Valkyrie strength is waning, goddess Freyja's cat needs returning, and the harp strings are nowhere to be found. Whetstone and Lotta learn to put aside their initial self-interest and backbiting to work together, showing growth and teamwork as they stand up to the denizens of Helheim. The humorous combination of creative names (Krud, Awfulrick, Snotra), genuine Norse elements (like Naglfar, a ship made from the toenails of the dead), and dramatic illustrations will appeal to middle-grade readers. The timely arrival of Freyja in her chariot sets the scene for the next installment. Silly adventures sure to amuse Norse mythology fans. (map, guide to the Nine Worlds, activities, name generator, rune puzzle, author's note) (Adventure. 8-11)

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