Children of Ragnarok is a powerfully written fantasy series starter by Cinda Williams Chima. Released 8th Nov 2022 by HarperCollins on their Balzer + Bray imprint, it's 536 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. Paperback format due out 4th quarter 2023 from the same publisher. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately.
This is a solid brick of a book. Despite being marketed as a YA book on a children's allied imprint, it's surprisingly brutal and unflinching throughout. There is pervasive moderate violence, and while it's definitely not egregious, it is quite stark in many places.
The Norse mythological and mystical tales provide a solid historical framework for the story which is the story's beating heart. It's very very well written and even in the parts which are scary and distressing are fascinating and immersive at the same time.
Four stars. Probably too scary for younger/more sensitive readers. Some mature themes, death of a parent, vulnerable kids, domestic abuse and murder. Public library acquisition recommended, school library acquisition after carefully considered curation.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
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