Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard by Rick Riordan may have come to its conclusion, but we don’t have to say goodbye just yet thanks to 9 from the Nine Worlds.

Ever wonder what your favorite gods and demigods get up to in their spare time? If so, then this new installment from Riordan set in Magnus’ world is perfect for you. It features nine short stories from some of your favorite characters, each taking place in a different world.

The first story, titled “Just Another Decapitated Head,” is from Odin’s point of view. It certainly offers a unique perspective, as we don’t often get to be inside the heads of the gods and goddesses who are always making life more difficult for our heroes. (Apollo aside, of course.)

While I think this is the weakest story of the nine, it does have its merits. Odin is, more or less, one of the good ones, and while his obsession with merchandising doesn’t typically tickle my funny bone, there are some great moments in this tiny tale. It also sets the tone for a few other stories throughout the book. In other words: Everyone is still obsessed with Ragnarok.

Luckily, the followup story is from Amir’s point of view and is titled, “This is Why I Hate Clothes Shopping.” This might be my favorite short story out of all nine, partially because Amir is so delightful and partially because it feels like the perfect one-off adventure. You’ll meet a new villain in this one, but let’s be real — the real draw in more moments between Amir and Samirah.

The third short story is “This Little Light of Mine, I’m Going to Let It Shine” by Blitzen. This one continues a prior plot point for Blitzen, and while the connection to the main series is nice, it would’ve been nice to see him putting his skills to use in a way we haven’t seen before. Still, the return of a (different) familiar character complicates the narrative, and Blitzen is so done with everything. It’s great.

Next up is “Speaking of Trolls” by Hearthstone, which is in close contention with Amir’s story as my favorite. It’s nice to hear Hearthstone’s voice from his own perspective, instead of it being relayed by one of the other characters. As one of my favorite characters in the Magnus Chase series, there’s little that could make me not like this one. That being said, I do miss Blitzen and Hearthstone’s friendship and wish it had been on more prominent display.

Samirah’s story, “My Eighth-Grade Physics Actually Comes in Handy,” sees her going on a mission for Odin. Samirah is such an interesting and complex character, and it’s nice to see her on a solo mission. We need more characters like Samirah, and this short story proves that I could read an entire book about everyone’s favorite Valkyrie.

“Nice Doggy” by Thomas “T.J.” Jefferson Jr. packs an emotional punch and shows us a little more of T.J.’s background. It might not be as fun and peppy as some of the other stories, but it has a place in 9 from the Nine Worlds, regardless. One of the best parts about this book is the fact that we get new perspectives, and T.J.’s is definitely a welcome one.

Luckily, “Nice Doggy” is followed by “So’s Your Face!” by Mallory Keen. This one is a bit silly, but Mallory’s voice is so strong and refreshing that the change in tone is welcomed. Mallory is known for her sharp tongue, and this story puts that on display. It’s also read by Sile Bermingham in the audio version, which is quite the treat if you have the chance to get your hands on it.

“Well, That Was a Surprise” by Halfborn Gunderson brings the tone back a little bit, but it’s still in typical fashion for our heroes. We get a look into how his relationship with Mallory is doing and to what lengths he’ll go to keep the love alive. (Spoiler: It’s adorable.) I’ve always been intrigued by his Berserker persona, and this time we get to see a little bit of it up close and personal.

Last, but certainly not least, we get Alex’s story, “I Play with Fire.” It’s the perfect ending to these nine tales, and is full of humor, action, shape-shifting, and Alex’s typical wit. We see her go up against a formidable foe and hold her own. Her story ends on a happy note, and one that will undoubtedly put a smile on your face.

There’s a little surprise at the end of the nine tales that feels like the perfect sendoff for this book. I won’t spoil it here, but I will give a warning for 9 from the Nine Worlds: This book isn’t about Magnus. It’s about the people around him, human or otherwise, who populate the various worlds we’ve seen in the Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard series. While I’ll always want more Magnus in my life, I’m delighted that we got to see his universe from someone else’s perspective.

Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard: 9 from the Nine Words is available now! You can purchase it on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and IndieBound, or add it to your Goodreads list.