Loki's Wolves by K.L. Armstrong, M.A. Marr

In Viking times, Norse myths predicted the end of the world, an event called Ragnarok that only the gods can stop. When this apocalypse happens, the gods must battle the monsters—wolves the size of the sun, serpents that span the seabeds—all bent on destroying the world.

The gods died a long time ago.

Matt Thorsen knows every Norse myth, saga, and god as if it was family history—because it is family history. Most people in the modern-day town of Blackwell, South Dakota, in fact, are direct descendants of either Thor or Loki, including Matt’s classmates Fen and Laurie Brekke.

However, knowing the legends and completely believing them are two different things. When the rune readers reveal that Ragnarok is coming and kids—led by Matt—will stand in for the gods in the final battle, he can hardly believe it. Matt, Laurie, and Fen’s lives will never be the same as they race to put together an unstoppable team to prevent the end of the world.

A fantastic tale full of adventure and excitement, this is a great choice for adults and children alike.

We don’t read much about Norse mythology, which is why this book caught my attention in the first place. Nowadays, when everything is magical and unique ideas are hard to come by, especially in the children’s market, it was refreshing to read something like this book. I loved it from beginning to end. Not once did I find myself bored or skimming the pages. The writing is succinct, the chapters move quickly and the action begins at once. All of this makes it a great choice for middle graders. Not only that, but by having both male and female protagonists, it caters to the hardest group, the middle grade boys, without alienating the girls. The characters were all unique and kids with whom we could relate, even as adults.

It is, of course, the first book in a series, so there were many things left unanswered. I would have preferred a bit more closure in the book, but that’s just a personal taste.

I recommend this for all lovers of the Harry Potter books and the Olympus books.