Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me free access to the advanced digital copy of this book.

Fenris and Mott is an engaging middle-grades adventure story with great characters. It will especially appeal to kids who are familiar with Norse mythology but you don't have to have any background knowledge to enjoy the story.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with this ARC.


Description from NetGalley:
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?

This is super cute. The story starts from the first few pages and doesn’t slow down. The characters that they meet along the way to try and stop Ragnarock are varied and some are downright hilarious. Mott is definitely not going to let anyone hurt Fenris despite what all the prophecies say. I wish it was a bit longer, but am not sold 100% on that because I also wouldn't want to slow the pacing down. Overall the book is cute and fun.

Overall: 4/5

Fenris & Mott by Greg van Eekhout 4.5 stars

Mott finds an abandoned puppy in a recycle bin and wants to take care of him. Only the puppy in not a puppy; it's a wolf pup and needs special care. Events take a weird turn, when she finds strange looking people calling the wolf pup, Fenris. Wikipedia and Google help when she finds out that Fenris is the name of the wolf that will bring on Ragnarok. Can a cute little wolf pup actually be the moon eating monster prophesied in Norse mythology? If its true, can Mott protect Fenris and save the world?

An engaging tale that combines a tale of love between a child and a pet with commentary on climate change and the environment. The author's clever use of Norse mythology illustrates and teaches on more than one front. However, I would not use this as an introduction to Norse mythology; there are better books out there.

Thank you Netgalley and HarperCollins Children's Books for this ARC.

This book was super cute. Who doesn't love puppies? A young girl trying to keep a puppy from eating everything is itself a fun story, but throw in Norse mythology and it just becomes so much more fun

Fans of THOR and other action-packed, mythology-inspired fantasies that make you laugh out loud, will love this story. Mott has just moved to LA and is bummed to be making her root beer review YouTube videos without her best friends when she finds a stray dog. Being an animal lover, she promises to take care of the pup...even when it turns out to be a wolf pup who is part of a Norse mythology prophecy that will destroy the world. Fast-paced action, silly Nordic characters trying to navigate LA, plus characters with a lot of heart make this a great book for 3rd-6th grade readers who like fantastical stories set in the real world.

This very fun and fast paced story is about Mott, a middle schooler who lives in LA with her mom (her dad has left the family). She's facing a summer without her best friend (she's out of the country) but Mott finds a puppy. She knows she can't keep the puppy but when she takes it in to a shelter to see if they can help her find it's home, she's in for a big surprise. The puppy is a mythical wolf that is meant to end the world. This is a quick, enjoyable read with interesting characters and and plot twists. I think the kids are going to love this one.

Thank you, NetGalley, for the opportunity to pre-read this book and share my opinions on it.

If there is a more charming presentation of Norse mythology out there, I have yet to find it. I mean, come on, Fenris as a cute and cuddly chubby little wolf puppy? What’s not to IMMEDIATELY love about that?

Other things to love about this book are the sweet, sympathetic, and sassy main character who spends her free time rating root beer on her YouTube channel (that is, when she’s not trying to prevent Norse gods from stealing away her new puppy friend and ensuring he brings about the end of the world), a Valkyrie who rides a scooter named Scooty, and tons of very subtle pop culture references that you might miss if you’re reading too fast (I laughed especially hard at an actor named Chris who acts in superhero movies). Mix all those things in with big doses of Norse mythology, and you get this wonderful little book that I absolutely have to add to my own bookshelf at home as soon as it’s available. I think I inwardly squealed in delight dozens of times while reading (Odin eating ice cream and riding rollercoasters? a dead man’s hand that acted much like a mummified version of Thing from the Addam’s Family reaching into a bowl of popcorn? Cue me cackling), and any book that fills me with that much glee just has to come home with me.

What a treat. What a delight. As Mott would rate it, it was five out of five bubbles for me

Fenris & Mott is a fun adventure which will appeal to all dog and mythology lovers! Mott wants nothing more than to have a dog (who doesn't??) and when she finds an abandoned puppy, it seems like fate....but Mott gets more than she bargained for! Mott's struggle to balance her own choices and wants with the world around her that is so out of her control creates a fast paced, non-stop adventure that will appeal not only to Middle Grade readers, but to anyone. If like to read what your Middle Grader also reads, this one is not to be missed! The integration of Scandinavian mythology is seamless and provides an otherworldly aspect to an urban story.

Dog owners of all ages will appreciate the challenges faced by Mott, whose rescued pup brings with him not only the usual assortment of new responsibilities and updates for interacting with family and neighbors, but also encounters with /his/ family, allies, and adversaries, who are anticipating Fenris fulfilling his destiny as the devourer of the moon and instigator of Ragnarok. Protecting the puppy while also preventing his prophesied actions are a lot of responsibility for a middle schooler -- is Mott up to the task?