Rick Riordan has collected stories from some of the most popular middle-grade fantasy writers all in one volume. Great introduction for kids to these writers and as a potential jumping-off point for young readers to find some new beloved series.

I love anything Rick Riordan puts out and this is no exception. I really loved each of these stories and they were fun. I can't wait to read this with my son when he is old enough.

I loved the idea of this compilation, but unfortunately, if readers aren't familiar with these characters already, they will be a little lost. Though I LOVED the touch of having Sal riding a unicorn appearing in some of the other stories.

Lots of great cultural representation within these stories (which is awesome): Indian, Mesoamerican, Korean, Cuban, Black American, African, Navajo, Mexican, Mesopotamian, and Celtic. And readers who have read at least the first book in these series will love having additional stories of their favorite characters.

Advanced Reader’s Copy provided by NetGalley, Disney Audiobooks, and Rick Riordan Presents in exchange for an honest review.

As with all anthology some stories are better than others. This had more good than not. I really enjoyed listening to all of them.

Honestly, you had me at Rick Riordan, but it helps that the stories are written by a cast of all-star authors. I enjoyed listening to the audiobook and was super excited when I saw my library had added the book to our collection.

I have not read all of the series under the Rick Riordan presents umbrella, but this was a delightful introduction to a lot of them. It was a delight to revisit the series I do know and get to dip my toes back into those worlds - Race to the Sun, Tristan Strong, The Last Fallen Star, and of course Camp Half-Blood. But, what was most fun was listening to stories from the worlds I hadn't yet read. Safe to say I know have many more series on my TBR list. The talent that has come together in this collection is second to none. What a joy that Uncle Rick used his powers for good and made it possible for all of us to enjoy and learn from so many different cultures legends, folklore, and storytelling traditions. This is a great collection for anyone who's enjoyed any of these series or has never read a single one! The audio is great with many fantastic voice talents for each story.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ALC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

I love everything Rick Riordan writes and have been trying to get around to reading all the presents books. This was a great way to dip into each universe to see which ones might be more intriguing to start on. I loved each story and the cast of characters they presented. Not knowing anything about some of the stories I was still able to follow along and enjoy each story. A great collection for some fun, fast reads.

This book was ok. I think it would be great if I had read more of the original stories that these short stories are based in. That being said there were a couple I really enjoyed.

So good! I can't stop raving about this book! I have told everyone that I know and though I have not gotten into of the Rick Riordan presents books; I loved these characters just the same and can't wait to join them on their individual journeys. I can't wait to read all the other books now!

What a delightful collection. I'm going to be in the minority here and say that Riordan's original story at the end, while fun, was the one I enjoyed the least. Maybe I just really needed this collection of old friends on new adventures right now!

This audiobook was fun. Even for the stories I haven't read, the shorts here were pretty easy to understand. Of course the book series that are more entertaining to me personally like Aru Shah were the most exciting, but I can see avid readers of any of these series enjoying a snapshot from their favorite read. The audiobook isn't too long as well. Solid collection.

If you're an avid fan and reader of Rick Riordan and Rick Riordan presents mythology, this is the short story collection for you! While I have not had the time/pleasure of reading ALL the Rick Riordan presents series... I have heard/glimpse most of them and I have read enough of them to enjoy this collection thoroughly!

Highlights: Gum baby makes a HUGE appearance in the Tristan Strong short story and she's my favorite character of all time. I also love how Sal and Gabi (and their unicorn friends) make a cameo appearance in so many of the other mythology stories. I also loved Paola's story and Bruto! Bruto is another character near and dear to my heart and this collection has a story centered on him. The Cursed Drum short story was my favorite story - loved everything about it. I also loved the story about the ice monster.

The end story in the collection was intriguing. I am super excited for a Celtic mythology novel! EEEE!!!!

If you have read any/all of the books in the series by these amazing authors - you will enjoy this anthology!

I am new to audiobooks so wanted to try this volume of short stories. Even though I didn’t read all of the series books in which the characters originated, I was still able to enjoy the stories as stand-alones. The narrations were well done and added to my ability to visualize the settings and story events. I would recommend this audiobook for upper elementary and middle school grades.

Thank you to #NetGalley for an ARC of the audiobook version of #TheCursedCarnivalandOtherCalamities compiled by #RickRiordan

I loved getting new stories from all of the Rick Riordan Presents series. I have read at least one book in most of the series, but not all. Stories I knew were easy to jump back into the characters and action, like with Gum Baby, or Sal. For stories I had not read yet like Storm Runner and Dragon Pearl, it was easy enough to grasp what was going on, and exciting enough to make you want to get back to those unread series. Plus the new Irish story from Riordan himself. Loved it. Plus, since this is all short stories, it makes it great for long and short car rides this holiday season.

Let me start by saying I have a personal goal to read every book published in the Riordan Imprint. I am a huge fan of both Riordan's writings, and the authors he has selected to highlight various cultures and mythos. This collection of stories hits my top 20 list of 2021. Each story reconnected me with characters I'd already fallen in love with, with the exception of a few.

There were themes I gravitate to including healthy families, strange magic, love, exploration and adventure, and the forever attractive underdog that wins in the end. I am a super fan of Carlos Hernandez' voice as he constructs characters. There is always a thread of believability in his work that strongly connects me to his characters. I loved the new detail and depth of Zane''s relationship in J.C. Cervantes' story. I have come to also love Sarwat Chadda's work as it is my first dive into Mediterranean lore.

As a collection, I was glad I experienced this as an audiobook. It really elevated my experience. This is a great collection. Easy to stay engaged. Perfect for readers with short attention span. You can listen to one story at a time, versus in one sitting. Well done!

Sidebar, I do hope to see more from Mr. Riordan's story's main character. That young man had a truly interesting situation. Is this the next big series?

If a hero isn't ready to lose everything for a greater cause, is that person really a hero?
Jason Grace, The Tower of Nero
Rick Riordan Presents includes stories by Carlos Hernandez, Roshani Chokshi, J.C. Cervantes, Yoon Ha Lee, Kwame Mbalia, Rebecca Roanhorse, Tehlor Kay Mejia, Sarwat Chadda, Graci Kim, and SURPRISE! Rick Riordan, who introduces an Irish hero: boy a marked for death before he was born. Is he destined for greatness or destruction?

The multiverse is home to an assortment of fascinating characters: Gum Baby will give you two pieces of her mind "one for now, and one to take home and enjoy later." Riley is the only member of her family who does not possess supernatural powers, or does she? Nizhoni battles a demon-possessed drum that contaminates everything, including the fry bread she loves to eat.
There are numerous ways to enter these mythic worlds:
Relax and plunge through the floor into a different universe. Take the elevator to the Lower Levels of Hell. Descend six thousand feet to face plant on Seventh Avenue. Visit a New York deli to find a "Demon in the Trash." Locate the red cactus flower that your mind envisioned. Slip in and sample any one of the selections, finding stories that pique your interest. They can be read in any order.
The Cursed Carnival and Other Calamities is an introduction to mythologies and cultures that invite further exploration. Fans of the Riordan series will relish these stories chronicling additional adventures for characters featured in the addictive series. ​ It's an enchanting potpourri brimming with danger, humor, courage, friendship, and magic.

Thank you to the publisher and the NetGalley for the advanced electronic audio copy of this book. This anthology is another gem from the Rick Riordan imprint. Yet again, anything Rick touches — turns to gold! It was a pleasure to meet the well-loved characters from multiple mythologies yet again. Can hardly wait for the next installments!

By, Roshani Chokshi, J.C. Cervantes, Yoon Ha Lee, Carlos Hernandez, Kwame Mbalia, Rebecca Roanhorse, Tehlor Kay Mejia, Sarwat Chadda, Graci Kim, and Rick Riordan, who also served as the editor.
Narrated by: Soneela Nankani, Ozzie Rodriguez, Frankie Cortez, Gary Furlong, Kim Mai Guest, Kinsale Hueston, Suzie Yeung, Taylor Poildore, Vikas Adam

I think this book is a nice intro to many different series I don’t feel like you have to know the established series to enjoy these stories. And for the people that have already read the source series it’s a fun side story for characters you already love! If you are looking for a sampler or an intro to some of these books this is the perfect book for that!

Calamity Juice by Carlos Hernandez narrated by ??? this series is normally narrated by Anthony Rey Perez but his name isn’t listed as a narrator and from samples I don’t think it’s him. So from the list of narrators and listening to samples I think this may be Ozzie Rodriguez
I am going to go back and read this series! This was a good story!

Beware the Grove of True Love by Roshani Chokshi Narrated by: Soneela Nankani
Another one I want to go read the source series.

The Cave of Doom by J.C. Cervantes Narrated by: Ozzie Rodriguez
This was a good one!

The Initiation by Yoon Ha Lee Narrated by: Kim Mai Guest
This was good a little confusing

The Gum Baby Files by Kwame Mbalia narrated by Taylor Poildore
This might be my favorite so far. This was a really good story!

The Demon Drum by Rebecca Roanhorse Narrated by: Kinsale Hueston
Happy to get another story from the characters in Race to the Sun. I still want another book with these characters!

Bruto and the Freaky Flower by Tehlor Kay Mejia Narrated by: Frankie Corzo
Cute

The Loneliest Demon by Sarwat Chadda Narrated by: Vikas Adam
I liked this one!

My Night at the Gifted Carnival by Graci Kim Narrated by: Kim Mai Guest (This is a guess on the narration)
This was a good story!

My Life as Child Outlaw by Rick Riordan narrated by, Gary Furlong
I liked this one it was interesting.

I listened to the audiobook ARC thanks to the publisher and NetGalley. Overall I give this book a 7/10. I enjoyed it, but not having read any of the other books about the children featured in the stories, I felt like I was missing some information at times. I truly enjoyed hearing about myths from different cultures, especially as they were narrated. The voice actors all did a lovely job with their parts. I especially enjoyed the stories of “My Night at the Gifted Carnival,” “The Demon Drum,” and “My Life as a Child Outlaw.” These stories were easier to pick up without prior knowledge and had action and humor and heart. This book could be a nice one to study for mythology units in elementary or middle schools.

The Rick Riordan Presents series of books are among some of my favorites to use in my classroom. Using indigenous authors to tell the mythology of their areas is truly unparalleled. The Cursed Carnival and Other Calamities contains short stories bringing back some of our favorite characters. You don't need to have read all of the previous books by the authors to understand or enjoy the short story presented here. You may just find a new author to appreciate.

The narrators of the audiobook were the same that narrate the original stories. They truly bring the stories to life. I would highly recommend this book on audio.