Rick Riordan's The Sword of Summer garners praise for its engaging fusion of Norse mythology and humor. Younger audiences appreciate the relatable protagonist and fast-paced plot. However, some readers feel the narrative occasionally relies too heavily on Riordan's established formula, making it predictable. Overall, it's an entertaining read suitable for fans of myth-based adventures.

Readers who enjoy The Sword of Summer by Rick Riordan are typically fans of action-packed fantasy with humor, Norse mythology, and teen protagonists. Similar to Riordan's Percy Jackson series, these readers might also appreciate J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series and C.S. Lewis's The Chronicles of Narnia.

In The Sword of Summer, 16-year-old Magnus Chase discovers he's the son of a Norse god and retrieves a powerful sword. After dying in battle with a fire giant, he’s taken to Valhalla, where he learns of his destiny to prevent Ragnarok. With friends, Magnus escapes Valhalla, gathers allies from Norse mythology, and uses his new abilities to confront existential threats. Includes references to parent loss and homelessness.

Adventurous / Humorous / Fantastical / Exciting / Emotional

- The Sword of Summer is the first book in Rick Riordan's Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard series, which is inspired by Norse mythology and follows a demigod named Magnus Chase.
- Rick Riordan's inspiration behind writing about Norse mythology for The Sword of Summer came from reading the tales to his son, who suggested Norse gods as the next topic after the success of Riordan’s Greek and Roman series.
- The Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard series is set in the same universe as Riordan’s Percy Jackson and the Olympians books, allowing for occasional crossovers and connections between characters and mythical elements.

**Magnus Chase**  
Magnus is the protagonist with pale skin and visible blue veins, who undergoes a physical and emotional transformation after his death. As a son of Frey, he possesses godly abilities and approaches conflicts with a quest to honor his mother's memory and stop the impending Ragnarok.

**Samirah (Sam) Al-Abbas**  
Sam is a multi-faceted character who serves as a Valkyrie while maintaining her dedication to her Islamic faith. As a daughter of Loki, she struggles with preconceived notions yet demonstrates a strong integration of her diverse identity.

**Blitzen (Blitz)**  
Blitz is a dwarf with a perpetually alarmed expression, who dreams of becoming a fashion designer rather than following traditional dwarven crafting norms. He watches over Magnus and learns to embrace his individuality through crafting fashionable armor.

**Hearthstone (Hearth)**  
Hearth is an elf with intense gaze and a background of familial rejection due to his deafness. He chooses to remain deaf to practice powerful rune magic, representing strength through pain and the idea that disability doesn't define a person.

**Loki**  
Loki is the trickster god who, despite being imprisoned for a serious crime, continues to influence others. His presence is characterized by his shifting gaze, representing his manipulative and powerful nature.

**Fenris Wolf**  
Fenris is a fearsome wolf and child of Loki, imprisoned for his potential threat to the gods. He influences events surrounding Ragnarok and represents Magnus's fear of wolves, albeit initially appearing smaller than expected.

**Gunilla**  
Gunilla is the cold, muscular captain of the Valkyries, who has strong prejudices against Loki's offspring. Her actions against Sam are rooted in past betrayal, and she is a daughter of Thor.

**Jack (Sumarbrander/The Sword of Summer)**  
Jack is a sentient, talking sword left by Frey for Magnus to discover. He embodies the belief that items have historical significance and personality, evolving his trust in Magnus over the course of the story.

**Randolph Chase**  
Randolph is Magnus's uncle, described as dark and imposing, who has suffered personal losses. His desperation drives him to associate with Loki, despite the trickster god's malevolent reputation.

**Annabeth Chase**  
Annabeth is the intimidating cousin of Magnus and a character from another series by Rick Riordan, linking the Norse and Greek mythologies. Her presence signals narrative connections to Riordan’s wider mythological universe.

**Odin/X**  
As the king of the gods, Odin hides in plain sight among the einherjar as X, a half-troll. Through his disguise, Odin exposes underlying prejudices and ultimately promotes acceptance and recognition of diverse accomplishments.

**Surt**  
Surt is a fire giant prophesied to initiate Ragnarok with the Sword of Summer. Described as a dark figure, he acts with influence from Fenris, representing the threat of early doomsday.

**Halfborn Gunderson**  
Halfborn is a long-time resident of Valhalla with a massive presence, representing the upper hierarchy among the einherjar. His character exemplifies the need for warriors to maintain sanity while awaiting Ragnarok.

**Thomas Jefferson Jr. (T.J.)**  
T.J. is a Valhalla hallmate who died during the Civil War, hailing from the Fifty-Fourth Massachusetts regiment. Initially unwelcome, he becomes accepted due to his battle skills and bonds with fellow outcasts like Magnus.

**Mallory Keen**  
Mallory is a recently arrived einherja with an Irish accent who died heroically disarming a car bomb. Her fearlessness and loyalty cement her friendships with Magnus and others, despite Valhalla's rules.

**Frey**  
Frey is the Norse god of spring, summer, and peace, and Magnus's father, symbolizing consequential choices. He relinquished Jack, a powerful weapon, to aid his offspring in their quests.

**Thor**  
Thor, the Norse god of thunder, is missing his iconic hammer, a storyline that creates anticipation for future developments. His ongoing quest for the hammer leaves unresolved tensions at the book's end.

Rick Riordan

Middle grade

Novel

Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard

Fiction

Guide

Study Guide

Teaching Guide

Before You Read

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The Sword of Summer Summary and Study Guide

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Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapters 1-4

The Sword of Summer Chapters 1-4 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 5-8

The Sword of Summer Chapters 5-8 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 9-13

The Sword of Summer Chapters 9-13 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 14-17

The Sword of Summer Chapters 14-17 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 18-20

The Sword of Summer Chapters 18-20 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 21-23

The Sword of Summer Chapters 21-23 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 24-27

The Sword of Summer Chapters 24-27 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 28-32

The Sword of Summer Chapters 28-32 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 33-36

The Sword of Summer Chapters 33-36 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 37-40

The Sword of Summer Chapters 37-40 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 41-44

The Sword of Summer Chapters 41-44 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 45-48

The Sword of Summer Chapters 45-48 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 49-52

The Sword of Summer Chapters 49-52 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 53-57

The Sword of Summer Chapters 53-57 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 58-60

The Sword of Summer Chapters 58-60 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 61-63

The Sword of Summer Chapters 61-63 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 64-67

The Sword of Summer Chapters 64-67 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 68-70

The Sword of Summer Chapters 68-70 Summary & Analysis

Chapter 71-Epilogue

The Sword of Summer Chapter 71-Epilogue Summary & Analysis

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Character Analysis

The Sword of Summer Character Analysis

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Themes

The Sword of Summer Themes

Symbols & Motifs

The Sword of Summer Symbols & Motifs

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Important Quotes

The Sword of Summer Important Quotes

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Essay Topics

The Sword of Summer Essay Topics

Introduction

The Sword of Summer Teacher Introduction

Before Reading

The Sword of Summer Before Reading

During Reading

The Sword of Summer During Reading

After Reading

The Sword of Summer After Reading

The Sword of Summer

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