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Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard: The Sword of Summer by Rick Riordan

This book is the first of three books in the series, Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard. As opposed to the Percy Jackson series, another one of Rick Riordan’s works, this story takes place in Boston, and intertwines the modern world with a magical world: Norse Mythology. Some other differences can be seen with the Percy Jackson and the Magnus Chase series as well. While the Percy Jackson series focuses on a relatively normal teenager, albeit with some differences resulting from his godly parentage, the Magnus Chase series puts its spotlight on a teenager with a different background. Magnus Chase, a teenager in Boston who lost his house and mother burning down due to a fire, is currently homeless on Boston with Blitz and Hearth, his friends he met on the streets. Magnus, although not satisfied with his life, is living a somewhat happy life due to his two friends. One day, however, his uncle show up and surprises him with a fact that will completely change his life: his father is a Norse god. Randolph urges Magnus to a river and tells Magnus to find a sword from within its depths. Somehow, they succeed, and find the sword, otherwise known as the Sword of Summer, the sharpest blade in the Universe. Their victory is short lived, as a fire giant appears and attacks. Magnus tries to fight back but is defeated and killed. Although that may seem anticlimactic, Magnus’s adventure continues. He is resurrected in Valhalla as an Einherjar and starts the search for the legendary sword that disappeared with the fight against the fire giant to claim it as his own.

If you like fantasy, mythology, or the Percy Jackson series, I highly recommend you read this book. At first look it seems as if it is following the exact same line as the Percy Jackson series, but it is not. While it still does have the action packed and comedic scenes the Rick Riordan brings, it also is different in many ways from Riordan’s other works. While Percy Jackson’s father is a very powerful and scary god, Magnus’s father, as readers will find out throughout the book, is a very peaceful god who isn’t known for his prowess in combat. This reflects on Magnus, too, and Magnus soon finds out that his forte may not be fighting. Magnus must come to terms with this fact, and find his real strengths that he has, or the world may even end. If you liked the plethora of mythical creatures coming from Percy Jackson, you will definitely like this book. In this book, you will see dwarves, elves, Valkyries, giants, and of course gods. Also, if you have an adventurous spirit and have an attachment to books with a lot of adventure in it, I will highly recommend you read this book too, as it is packed to the brim with action. All in all, a very good book, and would give it a 9/10 would recommend.

Reviewed by Rintaro O. 11th Grade

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