MAGNUS CHASE AND THE GODS OF ASGARD Book One: The Sword of Summer by Rick Riordan

MAGNUS CHASE AND THE GODS OF ASGARD

Book One: The Sword of Summer

by

Rick Riordan

Rick Riordan has written young adult series about Greek mythology, Roman mythology, and the Egyptian gods. Now, he has added a new series about Norse mythology, Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard. In The Sword of Summer, book one of the new series, Magnus is a sixteen year old boy who has been living on the streets of Boston for two years, ever since his mother was killed in their apartment. By wolves.

But on this day, at the beginning of The Sword of Summer, Magnus’s life takes a decidedly left turn. It all starts when one of his homeless buddies tells him that a man and his daughter are looking for Magnus, handing out fliers with his picture on it. Although Magnus escapes detection by the pair, his life will never be the same. In fact, this day becomes the day that he dies.

            I am extremely fond of Riordan’s Percy Jackson series. The only negative I found with Magnus Chase is that he reminds me very much of Percy. But, that can also be a positive, as Percy is an excellent character. And, of course, Norse mythology is very different from Greek mythology.

            As with his prior series, the first installment in Riordan’s Magnus Chase trilogy is very well written. Riordan is funny and clever, and the book is action-packed and highly entertaining. It is also very educational – I knew little about the Norse gods before beginning the book. And, it is one of those books where you finish a chapter and immediately think “just one more”.

            I look forward to working my way through the other two books in this trilogy.