Those Gnomes: Book 3 of the Viking Trilogy
Karl, Finch, and Erika are back for Round Three of Norse chaos. After finally dealing with Ulf the Viking, our reluctant heroes are ready for a well-earned rest. They offer to help the local librarian, Mrs Robb, tidy up the mess Loki's daughter, Hela, left when her magic went haywire. Finch searches the library's basement for boxes to pack with books. When he doesn't return, Karl and Erika go looking for him. Surprise, surprise - Hela appears with a proposition. She'll restore the library if the kids find an ancient artefact.
Asgard gnomes Regin and Jari are fed up with hosing down the damage left behind after each battle between Gods and Giants. Regin devises a plan to get them working together instead of fighting. He shares it with Jari, who decides tidying is better than Regin's scheme.
Regin goes ahead anyway. He steals an obsidian egg from Utgard's resident giant snake, then tricks Asgard's gnome blacksmith, Alviss, into forging a super-strong shovel from it. Regin leaves Asgard and uses the shovel to weaken the foundations of the tower that supports Earth's southern sky. The tower collapses into the ocean, taking Sudri, the caretaker gnome, with it. The resulting tsunamis catch the attention of Earth's scientists, who attempt some tidying of their own.
The kids' first stop on their quest is to find Alviss. They locate him, but he won't talk to them. Regin's tinkering has triggered an ancient curse that has turned Alviss to stone. Jari offers help after Finch is banished to Utgard for reasons unknown. Could it be part of the same curse? Or has Hela had a hand in it?
In Utgard, Finch meets Alviss's sister, Henna, who is under a similar curse. She can't leave Utgard until she produces the artefact Hela needs. Finch realises they are searching for the same thing.
Regin's plan to unite the gods and the giants results in an uneasy peace, which lasts until they start fighting again. Boss God Odin teams up with a fire giant, Surt, to reveal the real villains.
Buckle up for a wild ride through the forests of Utgard, Asgard's palace, and a lake filled with murky water that steams with a dangerous gas called the Reek. As they work to break the curse and avoid the coils of the vengeful snake, Karl, Finch and Erika deepen their bonds of friendship and trust.
Ending with more than a gentle bang, Those Gnomes will have you on the edge of your seat. If only to make sure a giant snake hasn't slithered under it.
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