Book excerpt: FASCINATING BACKGROUND FACTS, STORIES AND MYTHOLOGICAL INFORMATION FOR THE MAGNUS CHASE AND THE GODS OF ASGARD SERIES Long ago in the legendary land of Asgard, battles raged throughout the Heavens and Earth between powerful gods, Viking heroes and deadly monsters. These timeless tales of bravery, deceit and love come alive in this all-new illustrated guide. As enthralling today as when first told around arctic campfires, these ancient myths are the inspiration for Rick Riordan’s captivating new Magnus Chase books. An ideal source of Norse mythology for anyone reading his novels, this handy companion includes information on: •Odin: King of the gods •Asgard: Realm of the gods •Fenrir: A blood-thirsty giant wolf •Loki: The trickster god •Fafnir: A treasure-hoarding dragon •Valhalla: Heaven’s golden hall •Freyja: Goddess of love •Ragnarok: Battle of the doomed gods IMPORTANT NOTE TO READERS: This book is an independent and unauthorized fan publication. No endorsement or sponsorship by or affiliation with Rick Riordan, his publishers, or other copyright and trademark holders is claimed or suggested. All references in this book to copyrighted or trademarked characters and other elements of books by Rick Riordan are for the purpose of commentary, criticism, analysis, and literary discussion only.