The Sword of Summer by Rick Riordan Book Review/Discussion

Hello! I was debating whether or not to post this, but then i realized that i shouldn’t really be ashamed that i didn’t like a book, and also, i haven’t read any other books lately, and I wanted at least one more book review this month before i tried to catch up on tags.

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The Sword of Summer by Rick Riordan

Book 1 of the Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard Series

Publisher: Hyperion

Publication Date: October 6th, 2015

Page Number: 528

Format Read: Hardcover (Bought)

Goodreads Synopsis:

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 a man he’s never met—a man his mother claimed was dangerous. The man 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 . . .

My Thoughts:

The Good:

Aaaaand the funny chapter titles are back! I’ve missed them! And there was a Jason Grace getting knocked out reference too!

Also, Annabeth! She’s awesome!

Also, those Taylor Swift references 😉

The Bad:

Magnus Chase is exactly like Percy Jackson, but less funny because Percy is bae.

It’s like Rick only knows how to write in this one kind of style. It was funny in Percy Jackson, less funny in Heroes of Olympus, and now it’s plain annoying.

All of the monsters and villain type characters are idiots. They’re so stupid and Magnus/Percy/Jason always find a way to best them, either with a sword or their smart mouths.

Maybe it’s me. Maybe i’ve outgrown middle grade books, because the last middle grade book i actually loved was House of Hades, in 8th grade, when i was a middle schooler.

So maybe it is me, but maybe it’s not.

I’m still debating on if i should buy the second book once it comes out…

The Ending:

Jesus, way to end a book like that. Annabeth thinks that Magnus is a demigod, but he’s not of Greek origin, he’s of Norse! So now they’re going to swap stories and la di da da.

I wonder if the next book will start off with them swapping stories or after that already. Probably the latter.

Verdict:

Unfortunately, Rick Riordan is just repeating all of his old tricks, but in Norse god form. I feel like though it’s subjective. Some people may like that, but i didn’t.

Rating:

3 out of 5 stars.

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And yes. That is all for today.

Unfortunately, today is Sunday, which means i go back to school tomorrow, pre set my November Wrap Up and then don’t have time to post until the weekend basically.

I posted every day of the Thanksgiving break, and i’m hopeful that i could do it again during Christmas break…even though i’m going on vacation…

Anyways, thanks for reading, and share your thoughts on Magnus Chase! Have i outgrown middle grade fiction, or was this book just a PJO knockoff?