Hotel Valhalla: Guide to the Norse Worlds

Hotel Valhalla: Guide to the Norse Worlds (also known as For Magnus Chase: Hotel Valhalla Guide to the Norse Worlds) is a collection of short stories about Norse mythology. The book is a supplementary work in the Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard series, written by Rick Riordan. It was released on August 16, 2016 and was published in United States by Disney Hyperion, in United Kingdom by Puffin Books[1] and was also translated into five languages to date.[2]

Hotel Valhalla: Guide to the Norse Worlds
U.S. cover of first edition.
AuthorRick Riordan
Cover artistJohn Rocco
SeriesMagnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard
GenreFantasy, Norse mythology, Young adult
PublisherDisney Hyperion
Publication date
August 16, 2016 (hardcover, audiobook CD, Kindle/Nook eBook)[1]
Publication placeUnited States
Media typePrint (hardback, paperback, audiobook CD, e-book)
Pages176[1]
ISBN9780141377551

Hotel Valhalla features characters from Norse mythology, including Norse gods, who narrate their stories in a humorous retelling. The book was praised for its humour and writing style, but criticized for its lack of illustrations.

Plot

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The book opens with Helgi, manager of Valhalla's announcement. It is then followed by Hunding, servant of Valhalla, who introduces the reader to Norse deities and creatures.

Characters

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Reception

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Horn Book Magazine writes "Written as a handbook for new einherjar, Odin's warriors in Valhalla, this irreverent volume uses wry humor and a variety of devices (interviews, dossier-style highlights, first-person confessionals, a rap battle) to overview the gods and gossip of Norse mythology. Heroic-looking black-and-white sketches add visual interest, while an appendix contains a pronunciation guide. Hints throughout point to the next Magnus Chase installment."[3] Hypable writes "In fact, it reads a lot like J.K. Rowling’s Tales of Beedle the Bard or Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. Riordan clearly has his own voice, though, and the myriad of characters who step forward to write entries in Hotel Valhalla quickly make a name for themselves."[4] A staff reviewer for YA Books Central expressed sadness for the lack of drawings.[5]

References

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  1. ^ a b c Riordan, Rick (16 August 2016). Hotel Valhalla Guide to the Norse Worlds: Your Introduction to Deities, Mythical Beings & Fantastic Creatures. Penguin Random House Children's UK. ISBN 9780141377551. Retrieved 15 November 2017 – via Google Books.
  2. ^ "For Magnus Chase > Editions". Good Reads. Retrieved 19 January 2021.
  3. ^ For Magnus Chase: Hotel Valhalla guide to the Norse worlds: your introduction to deities, mythical beings & fantastic creatures. Magnus Chase and the gods of Asgard. Disney-Hyperion. Spring 2017. ISBN 9781484785546. OCLC 936347716 – via King County Library System Library Catalog. {{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)
  4. ^ "'Hotel Valhalla' by Rick Riordan is a hilariously informative guidelines to the Norse worlds". Hypable. 16 August 2016. Retrieved 15 November 2017.
  5. ^ "Review Detail - For Magnus Chase: Hotel Valhalla Guide to the Norse Worlds (An Official Rick Riordan Companion Book)". Young Adult Books Central. 15 September 2016. Retrieved 15 November 2017.