Review – The Sword of Summer (Gods of Asgard, Book 1) by Rick Riordan (4/5 stars)

Reading Level: Middle Grade
Genre: Fantasy
Length: 512 pages
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion
Release Date: October 6, 2015
ISBN-13: 978-1484760383
Stand Alone or Series: 1st book in Gods of Asgard series
Source: Bought
Rating: 4/5 stars

“Magnus Chase has always been a troubled kid. Since his mother’s mysterious death, he’s lived alone on the streets of Boston, surviving by his wits, keeping one step ahead of the police and the truant officers.

One day, he’s tracked down by an uncle he barely knows-a man his mother claimed was dangerous. Uncle Randolph tells him an impossible secret: Magnus is the son of a Norse god.

The Viking myths are true. The gods of Asgard are preparing for war. Trolls, giants and worse monsters are stirring for doomsday. To prevent Ragnarok, Magnus must search the Nine Worlds for a weapon that has been lost for thousands of years.

When an attack by fire giants forces him to choose between his own safety and the lives of hundreds of innocents, Magnus makes a fatal decision.

Sometimes, the only way to start a new life is to die . . .”

This is the first book in the Gods of Asgard series. I read this outloud with my 11 year old. This is very typical Riordan fare and is very similar to everything else he has written. It’s well done with a lot of mythology and humor throughout.

This book features Nordic mythology and deals with a kid named Magnus who finds out he’s the son of the Nordic god Frey. It’s a long book with lots of stereotypical characters. The plot line and characters are very much what you would expect from Riordan. However, there’s a lot of humor in here as well and this makes for a fun read even if I feel like I am reading the same story I’ve read by Riordan before.

My son loved it. Riordan knows his audience and the jokes and characters are something middle grade kids will really love. There’s a lot of action and the story moves at a good clip. Lots of good themes about family, friends, and responsibility.

My main issue with Riordan’s books are that they are all the same. I stopped reading them after I read Percy Jackson, Kane Chronicles, and Heroes of Olympus series because I felt like it was the same story over and over featuring a different Pantheon of gods. That being said, the kids love it and the methodology seems to be working well for Riordan. The books are well written and easy to read.

Overall this is a Rick Riordan book; if you love his books you will love this one. My son wants to continue the series so we probably will. I personally could take it or leave it. This is great for middle grade readers who love mythology and humor.

This book goes towards the following reading challenges:
– Goodreads Reading Challenge
– Mount TBR Reading Challenge