Ah yes. There's a reason why I review books as soon as possible after I read them, and that reason would be... I forget what I really wanted to say and the notes I take while reading are slightly less meaningful. Magnus Chase and the Guards of Asgard: The Sword of Summer came out on... October first I think. And here I am. Reviewing it in December. Why would that be? Because I was lazy in October and was wayyy to caught up in a number of different things in November.
As expected from any of Rick Riordan's writing, Magnus Chase is a great book filled with witty humor, fascinating action scenes, and a twist of mystery. On top of that, while reading you're learning a bit more about mythology and not the boring kind of learning, like the learning where you don't even realize you're learning 'cause it's just that interesting.
Even though it's filled with what you'd expect, I found myself not enjoying this book quite as much as I did any of Rick's other books. Maybe it's because I'm getting older (doubtful, Rick's books are great for all ages), maybe it's because I enjoy a clear cut romance in my books. Rick Riordan's books are middle school books so they kind of slowly introduce the romance over the course of the series (Kind of like Harry Potter), maybe it's because I wanted and expected to see a lot more of Annabeth (and maybe even Percy) in this book or maybe it's because I just didn't have the time to really sit down and enjoy the book. It could've been any of those or it could just be that this book just isn't as good for me as Rick's other books have been. I know me expecting to see a lot of Annabeth in the book was rather foolish now that I come to think of it because if Annabeth was in the story, she'd steal the whole show. Especially since where Annabeth goes, Percy follows. And Percy can show anybody up.
"He still holds a grudge that Jesus never showed up for the duel he challenged him to."
Even though I didn't enjoy this book quite as much as I did The Kane Chronicles, Percy Jackson and the Olympians or The Heroes of Olympus, I still had a lot of fun reading the story. I found myself laughing quite a bit. My friends probably would've thought I was a little insane if they weren't used to this behavior.
I wasn't sure what I was expecting from Magnus, but I certainly wasn't expecting him to be homeless. And that's what he was at the beginning of the book. A homeless sixteen year old. Magnus is an interesting character, unlike Percy, he isn't exactly a good physical fighter, others kind of have to do the physical fighting for him (if you've read the book, you know what I mean.) I didn't get quite as attached to Magnus as I usually do to Rick's characters, but I still liked his character a lot.
Sam is Magnus's friend as well as a daughter or Loki. She's an interesting character, not wanting to use her powers because it makes her more like her father an all that. Sam's definitely not my favorite female protagonist that Rick has created, in fact, she might be near the bottom. I wasn't particularly interesting in her. Sure, I felt a little bad for her background, but I couldn't bring myself to care too much.
Blitz and Hearthstone are two hilarious characters that I really enjoyed reading about. They're courageous and rather funny. I can't say too much about them otherwise I'll spoil the story!
"Blades before Babes."
Jack might've been my favorite character in this story. You don't talk to Jack until about halfway through the book or so but he's quite the funny character.
"Stupid magical hotel won't even allow me to properly vandalize things."
Overall, I'd give Magnus Chase a solid 7/10 stars. It was good, but I was a little disappointed. Though, I do fully intend to continue reading the series.
Summery:
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 . .
As expected from any of Rick Riordan's writing, Magnus Chase is a great book filled with witty humor, fascinating action scenes, and a twist of mystery. On top of that, while reading you're learning a bit more about mythology and not the boring kind of learning, like the learning where you don't even realize you're learning 'cause it's just that interesting.
Even though it's filled with what you'd expect, I found myself not enjoying this book quite as much as I did any of Rick's other books. Maybe it's because I'm getting older (doubtful, Rick's books are great for all ages), maybe it's because I enjoy a clear cut romance in my books. Rick Riordan's books are middle school books so they kind of slowly introduce the romance over the course of the series (Kind of like Harry Potter), maybe it's because I wanted and expected to see a lot more of Annabeth (and maybe even Percy) in this book or maybe it's because I just didn't have the time to really sit down and enjoy the book. It could've been any of those or it could just be that this book just isn't as good for me as Rick's other books have been. I know me expecting to see a lot of Annabeth in the book was rather foolish now that I come to think of it because if Annabeth was in the story, she'd steal the whole show. Especially since where Annabeth goes, Percy follows. And Percy can show anybody up.
"He still holds a grudge that Jesus never showed up for the duel he challenged him to."
Even though I didn't enjoy this book quite as much as I did The Kane Chronicles, Percy Jackson and the Olympians or The Heroes of Olympus, I still had a lot of fun reading the story. I found myself laughing quite a bit. My friends probably would've thought I was a little insane if they weren't used to this behavior.
I wasn't sure what I was expecting from Magnus, but I certainly wasn't expecting him to be homeless. And that's what he was at the beginning of the book. A homeless sixteen year old. Magnus is an interesting character, unlike Percy, he isn't exactly a good physical fighter, others kind of have to do the physical fighting for him (if you've read the book, you know what I mean.) I didn't get quite as attached to Magnus as I usually do to Rick's characters, but I still liked his character a lot.
Sam is Magnus's friend as well as a daughter or Loki. She's an interesting character, not wanting to use her powers because it makes her more like her father an all that. Sam's definitely not my favorite female protagonist that Rick has created, in fact, she might be near the bottom. I wasn't particularly interesting in her. Sure, I felt a little bad for her background, but I couldn't bring myself to care too much.
Blitz and Hearthstone are two hilarious characters that I really enjoyed reading about. They're courageous and rather funny. I can't say too much about them otherwise I'll spoil the story!
"Blades before Babes."
Jack might've been my favorite character in this story. You don't talk to Jack until about halfway through the book or so but he's quite the funny character.
"Stupid magical hotel won't even allow me to properly vandalize things."
Overall, I'd give Magnus Chase a solid 7/10 stars. It was good, but I was a little disappointed. Though, I do fully intend to continue reading the series.
Summery:
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 . .
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