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The Sword of Summer

Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 2015

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Book Brief

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Rick Riordan

The Sword of Summer

Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 2015
Book Details
Pages

544

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Boston, Massachusetts • Contemporary

Publication Year

2015

Audience

Middle grade

Recommended Reading Age

10-14 years

Lexile Level

630L

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Super Short Summary

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

Reviews & Readership

4.4

247,318 ratings

83%

Loved it

13%

Mixed feelings

4%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

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.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Sword of Summer?

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.

4.4

247,318 ratings

83%

Loved it

13%

Mixed feelings

4%

Not a fan

Character List

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.

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.

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.

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 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 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 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 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 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 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.

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 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 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.

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 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 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, 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.

Book Details
Pages

544

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Boston, Massachusetts • Contemporary

Publication Year

2015

Audience

Middle grade

Recommended Reading Age

10-14 years

Lexile Level

630L

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