FENRIS & MOTT, by Greg van Eekhout, HarperCollins, Aug. 2, 2022, Hardcover, $16.99 (ages 8-12)
A girl comes face to face with Norse gods when she learns her puppy is destined to bring on the end of the world in Fenris & Mott, by Greg van Eekhout.
When Mott finds a puppy abandoned in a recycling bin, she’s ready to do everything she can to protect him. What she doesn’t realize, however, is that this is the legendary wolf Fenris, who’s prophesied to bring about the end of the world by eating the moon.
Now Mott has found herself in charge of making sure the hungry pup — who’s busy munching on lampposts, cars, and water towers — doesn’t see all of California as an appetizer, while also hiding him from the Norse gods who are hot on his trail, determined to see the prophecy come true.
Mott vows to protect Fenris, rescue him from his destiny, and prevent the world from ending. But will she be able to keep her promise? Or has she bitten off more than she can chew? —Synopsis provided by HarperCollins
Fenris & Mott is the sort of book that will appeal to all adventure-loving readers. There’s action, there’s mystery, things explode, and there’s an adorable pup.
Except the pup is really a wolf.
A wolf that’s the son of the demoniac god Loki and the giantess Angerboda.
And he’s been fed the Annihilation Rune, which means he’ll destroy the world.
But other than that, things are good…
At the center of the story is Fenris, of course, and Mott, a root beer expert that’s trying to find her footing after moving to LA with her mom. But it’s really when Thrudi, the prison warden who felt bad for the wolf and let him out, makes her entrance that the book really gets going.
Thrudi and Fenris quickly become the friends/support that Mott has desperately needed. The interaction between the two girls feels genuine. Thrudi’s straight-forward personality combined with her wonder at Mott’s world adds a nice balance. And Mott’s continual bubble ratings will have readers making their own.
Fenris’ sweet appearance is a lovely contradiction to his appetite — no person, place or thing is safe around him!
At 208 pages, Fenris & Mott is a shorter, and more accessible middle-grade read that would be fun to read aloud independently or in a classroom setting.
About the author:
Greg van Eekhout is the author of several novels for young readers, including Weird Kid (“A heartfelt, pitch-perfect middle grade novel”—Publishers Weekly, starred review); Cog; and Voyage of the Dogs. He lives in San Diego, California, with his astronomy/physics professor wife and two dogs. He’s worked as an educational software developer, ice-cream scooper, part-time college instructor, and telemarketer. Being a writer is the only job he’s ever actually liked. You can find more about Greg at his website: www.writingandsnacks.com on Twitter and Instagram: @gregvaneekhout.
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