Common Sense Media Review
By Carrie R. Wheadon
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Companion book to Norse mythology series best for fans.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 10+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
In 9 FROM THE NINE WORLDS, Thor has his FitnessKnut and his shorter-than-short shorts and is ready to run through all nine worlds as a personal challenge. Odin, king of the gods, sees him off in Asgard before embarking on his search for a new head of the Valkyrie. As Thor runs through the other eight worlds, he happens upon friends of Magnus Chase on dangerous mini-quests. Amir gets tricked into putting on a pair of magical pants made of human skin in Midgard, Blitzen saves Thor from a vengeful dwarf in Nidavellir, Hearthstone staves off an angry troll in Alfheim to rescue an old friend, Samirah outsmarts a giant to check on a magic doomsday egg in Jotunheim, T.J. finds Hel's lost doggie in Helheim, Halfborn finds the perfect art supplies for his mosaic -- dragon scales -- in Vanaheim, and Alex shapeshifts her way through Muspellheim to talk some much-lesser gods out of Ragnarok.
Is It Any Good?
For rabid readers of the Magnus Chase series, this color-illustrated companion book of mini-quests will be a like their own little piece of Asgard to hold in their hands. For those in the "I like Percy Jackson better" camp, 9 from the Nine Worlds may be a pass for you. (Or consider the Camp Half-Blood Confidential companion book -- the prolific Rick Riordan has you covered.)
Eight of Magnus' buddies embark on their own mini-quests in eight of the worlds -- Odin gets Asgard. All of these adventures are so short that there's little chance for the conflict to build. Everything is hastily wrapped up and we're on to the next world. It's more about guessing when flatulent Thor will run by in his short-shorts, sometimes unintentionally helping save the day, sometimes wreaking more havoc. And it's about the detailed full-color art depicting six of the characters and all nine worlds. Both of these elements make the book a keeper for fans.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about companion books like 9 from the Nine Worlds. Who are they for? Would someone who hasn't read the original series enjoy it? Why or why not?
Would you like to live anywhere besides Midgard? Why?
Which of Magnus' friends do you think needs their own series?
Book Details
- Author :
- Illustrators : James Firnhaber , Jim Madsen , Yori Elita Narpati
- Genre : Fantasy
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic ) , Adventures , Friendship
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Disney-Hyperion
- Publication date : October 2, 2018
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 8 - 12
- Number of pages : 176
- Available on : Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : September 30, 2025
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