Each title in this set includes three brief chapters about major heroes. The writing is simple and conversational. Strivers will appreciate the series, though some tales are overly complicated, feature too many characters, and include personal or place names that may be difficult to pronounce. Each volume includes history, deities’ origins, and creation stories. Media representation is noted. The series is visually attractive, with captioned illustrations that occasionally include statues, carvings, and jewels; labeled charts and diagrams are used where applicable. Useful information is included in sidebars. The series emphasizes research skills: each chapter concludes with a “Further Evidence” or “Explore Online” box containing a link to the publisher’s website. Students can access it for evidence supporting or enhancing chapter information. At or near each book’s conclusion, a challenging “Primary Source” feature, containing a quote from a cited scholarly document about the volume’s subject, requires students to determine the quote’s main idea or decide whether it supports the chapter’s facts. Unfortunately, this “textbooky” aspect diminishes the pleasure of reading for fun. Back matter includes a pictorial sum-up; glossary; online resources, offering teacher/student access to activities, multimedia, and book links through the publisher’s websites or QR codes; a bibliography; and an index. VERDICT The stories are informative, especially for those unfamiliar with the Norse pantheon, but the writing is mediocre overall. Recommended where needed in schools.