Review: The Sword of Summer by Rick Riordan

Title: The Sword of Summer 

Author: Rick Riordan
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion Books

Publishing Date:  October 6th, 2015

Pages:  491
Genre: YA Modern Fantasy/Mythology

Series: Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard #1
Source: Book

Goodreads ~ Amazon 

Magnus Chase has seen his share of trouble. Ever since that terrible night two years ago when his mother told him to run, he has lived alone on the streets of Boston, surviving by his wits, staying one step ahead of the police and the truant officers.
One day, Magnus learns that someone else is trying to track him down—his uncle Randolph, a man his mother had always warned him about. When Magnus tries to outmaneuver his uncle, he falls right into his clutches. Randolph starts rambling about Norse history and Magnus's birthright: a weapon that has been lost for thousands of years.The more Randolph talks, the more puzzle pieces fall into place. Stories about the gods of Asgard, wolves, and Doomsday bubble up from Magnus's memory. But he doesn't have time to consider it all before a fire giant attacks the city, forcing him to choose between his own safety and the lives of hundreds of innocents. . . .
Sometimes, the only way to start a new life is to die.

Rick Riordan has done it again. He has created a crazy, fun, and adventurous tale involving myths. This time he tackles Norse mythology. If you are not familiar with Rick Riordan he has written many series involving myths. Greek (Percy Jackson & The Olympians and Trials of Apollo), Egypt (Kane Chronicles), and Roman (Heroes of Olympus). So he is no stranger to myths. Each story involves a lot of humor with some myth characters in modern like settings.

This novel involves the story of Magnus Chase (Annabeth's cousin) who is a homeless teen whose life comes to an end as he defeats Surt. And I do mean a literal end as he dies at the beginning of the story. That was a quick novel, right! Well lucky for us this is only the beginning of the story as Magnus is carried to Valhalla by the Valykrie Samirah al-Abbas, aka Sam. Sam is also perchance Loki's daughter. So Magnus is not sure of her true intentions in choosing him as an Einherji. To be an Einherji one must die a heroic death with a sword in hand, and the bravery must be unplanned- a heroic response to a crisis. And when reviewing Magnus tape of his death many don't think he belongs. So Sam gets kicked out of the Valkyries.

Magnus knows he must get the Sword of Summer and keep it from causing Rhagnarok. If you seen the latest Thor movie you already know what that is. If you haven't it's basically the apocalypse. Magnus with his friends Hearth and Blitz, a hearing impaired elf and a dwarf, embark on a quest to keep the world safe. Along the way they run into Thor who is funnier and crazier than the movie versions of him. And they have to stay alive. There are many funny and crazy moments with these characters. 

Here is a snippet of words spoken between Hearth, the hearing impaired elf, and Jack, the sword of Summer.

"Hearth signed, 'is it talking? I don't read sword lips.'"

'what is he saying?' Jack asked. 'I don't read elf hands."

Yeah, pretty much classic Riordan humor. Highly recommend reading this book if you like myths, humor, or just a fun adventure.

~~About the Author~~  

Rick Riordan is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of over twenty novels for young readers, including the Percy Jackson series, the Kane Chronicles, the Magnus Chase series and the Trials of Apollo. He is also the author of the multi-award-winning Tres Navarre mystery series for adults.

For fifteen years, Rick taught English and history at public and private middle schools in the San Francisco Bay Area and in Texas. While teaching in San Antonio, Saint Mary’s Hall honored him with the school’s first Master Teacher Award.

While teaching full time, Riordan began writing mystery novels for grownups. His Tres Navarre series went on to win the top three national awards in the mystery genre – the Edgar, the Anthony and the Shamus. Riordan turned to children’s fiction when he started The Lightning Thief as a bedtime story for his oldest son.

Today, eighty-six million copies of his books are in print in the United States, and rights have been sold into more than 37 countries.

Rick Riordan now writes full-time. He lives in Boston with his wife and two sons.