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Reviewed by Nino Lobiladze for Readers' Favorite
Hel and Back by James Anderson Foster, the third book in the Vegas Arcana series, is for fans of urban fantasy, adventure, and fiction based on mythology. Malcolm, Alex, Sophie, and Damian are on a mission to rescue Mal's beloved mentor, Eli Hawthorne, from Helheim, the terrifying realm of the dead, where the goddess Hel reigns supreme. This task is difficult, as the only way to Helheim is through the branches of the Tree of Life, the mighty Yggdrasil. Experienced in traveling the nine Norse realms, Viscount Dahl Mell joins the group as a guide. Odin sends Loki, the trickster god, to help the mortals. But should they trust Loki, whose mischief is legendary? The friends must pass the tests of Freya, the goddess of love, to get her magic cloak. Will they succeed? The road to Helheim is full of obstacles, and only those courageous enough dare to accept the challenge.
In Hel and Back, James Anderson Foster reveals the core of Norse mythology, a lovingly preserved magnificent heritage of Western civilization. Along with the protagonist, we embark on a risky and exciting quest. Our meetings with the gods leave us astonished as James grasps and conveys the essence of the myths flawlessly through imaginative writing: "...her voice a whisper that carried a thousand winters." That is how James describes Hel, the goddess of the dead. The novel has impressive character development. Mal undergoes trials, fights spiritual battles, and faces a moral choice. There is an intriguing love triangle and the author finely connects the outcome of its dynamic to the benevolence of the goddess of love. This novel is a fascinating modern continuation of the ancient myths, carrying important lessons. I highly recommend it to young adult readers and those cherishing the traditions of storytelling.
