Rutabaga's Reads 2019: Part 4

I don’t usually read many companion novels, yet more and more seem to sneak onto my TBR (To Be Read) List. When they are associated with series that I have been following, I’ve found that I devour the slim volumes as I would a full-length novel … only much quicker. Companions aren’t just defined as friends or buddies, but accompanying persons. I think of these stories as the latter. They accompany us on our waiting journey to the next novel from the author and try to tide us over in the meanwhile (keyword: try).

9 From the Nine Worlds (Oct. 2, 2018) by Rick Riordan.

Distracting goats! Forever pants made out of a corpse relative’s skin! Cheesebutt the Magnificent! From the world of Norse mythology comes this really sweet, endearing guide to the Nine Worlds. For this slim volume, nine different characters have taken up the mantle of  giving glimpses into each of the worlds. So, if you’re questioning which “heim” is which, this is the book for you! While Magnus Chase doesn’t visit this volume, many of his friends do, as does the All-Father himself, Odin. Each of the characters finds her or himself in a sticky situation, and Odin isn’t exempt. As his einherjar say, “Some days you are the ax, some days you are the decapitated head.” Friendly stuff, this book.

            Admittedly, this companion novel to the Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard series isn’t actually sweet, endearing or entirely friendly, but it is full of adventure and high entertainment value. There are even color illustrations of the characters; you can put a face to the name if your imagination hasn’t done so already. Even when not a full-length novel, Riordan nails the writing. There’s fun and humor and supernatural abilities and trouble-raising characters of all shapes, sizes and species!

            Fair warning: Be mindful of gods passing through. Thor is running about, and you don’t want to be traumatized by the sight of him in his “tighty-leatherys” or amble by while he’s squat-farting. After all, Thor is no Chris Hemsworth.

From The Kane Chronicles: Brooklyn House Magician’s Manual (May 1, 2018) by Rick Riordan.

Congratulations! Those reading this have obviously found their way to Brooklyn House without being attacked by Egyptian monsters, evil magicians or quick-tempered gods/goddesses. Granted, by finding this book, you’ve alerted area monsters and enemy magicians to your magical powers, so go through the Rooftop Portal to Brooklyn House when it appears, would you? Please and thank you.

            As the cover states, this book is, “Your Guide to Egyptian Gods & Creatures, Glyphs & Spells, and More.” You can brush up on your knowledge of the Duat and learn more about major gods and goddesses, including the first family of them and those associated with animals (Bast is my favorite). Siblings Carter and Sadie Kane are not the only authors of the manual. They bring in fellow initiates and friends (not all of whom reside at Brooklyn House) to share their own knowledge. There are quizzes, too, so make sure your thinking caps are on (not a literal thinking cap … unless Thoth has one stored in a hidden place?).

            This little novel is a fun treasure for fans of Riordan. I didn’t always think Sadie’s quips were as funny as they were probably meant to be, but they didn’t cause me to like the manual any less. I still laughed aloud multiple times, and I brushed up on my limited Egyptian mythology data. However, if it’s all right with everyone – and even if it’s not – I’m going to avoid Bes’s uglification advice, and keep a watch on Setne, as it appears he’s oozed out of his prison snow globe. Now, if you’ll please excuse me, I need to feed a frozen turkey to Freak, Brooklyn House’s semi-domesticated griffin. I don’t want him accidentally devouring any new initiates.