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A review by mishmashedmagic
The Sword of Summer by Rick Riordan
5.0
I remember, years ago, trying to start the Percy Jackson series by Rick Riordan (after hearing it was a good series to start if you were a fan of Harry Potter) and just not being able to get into it. I think at the time I was hoping it would be very much like Harry Potter but the writing style was different and I stopped out of sheer disappointment because it wasn't what I was hoping it to be. Which is obviously an unfair way to judge a book. This book makes me want to revisit Percy Jackson and give it another shot.
Honestly, what drew me to Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard was the cover. It is such a pretty cover. The colors are perfect, the gradient is perfect, it's just a joy to look at. Nevermind the fact that Magnus looks way older than 16 and very Kurt Cobain-ish. Anyway, on to the book!
When I first started reading this, I was not sure about Magnus. He definitely had a unique, sarcastic, witty way about him right off the bat and and initially I was not a fan. But his humor very quickly won me over (several times I found myself laughing out loud and I don't do that very often) and I have to say, he's probably one of my favorite characters now. I also enjoyed the mystery surrounding his lineage (which God is his father) and that (spoiler!) he wasn't related to one of the more popular Gods, but rather one that I had never heard of.
The pace of the book is very steady and enjoyable, I felt myself getting drawn in very quickly but I wouldn't necessarily call it a crazy page turner. I found myself having to put it down after several chapters and take a break but I was always eager to return to the story which is important to me.
I also enjoyed how there were several questions that arose for me at the beginning that were later answered, and those that weren't seemed like the would be in a later book. I also loved the twist, which I won't reveal here but it was a complete surprise and I enjoyed it a lot.
My only criticism would be Magnus' hallmates in Valhalla. I didn't get to know them very well, and so I didn't care very much about them, but I'm hoping that will change with later books.
Honestly, what drew me to Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard was the cover. It is such a pretty cover. The colors are perfect, the gradient is perfect, it's just a joy to look at. Nevermind the fact that Magnus looks way older than 16 and very Kurt Cobain-ish. Anyway, on to the book!
When I first started reading this, I was not sure about Magnus. He definitely had a unique, sarcastic, witty way about him right off the bat and and initially I was not a fan. But his humor very quickly won me over (several times I found myself laughing out loud and I don't do that very often) and I have to say, he's probably one of my favorite characters now. I also enjoyed the mystery surrounding his lineage (which God is his father) and that (spoiler!) he wasn't related to one of the more popular Gods, but rather one that I had never heard of.
The pace of the book is very steady and enjoyable, I felt myself getting drawn in very quickly but I wouldn't necessarily call it a crazy page turner. I found myself having to put it down after several chapters and take a break but I was always eager to return to the story which is important to me.
I also enjoyed how there were several questions that arose for me at the beginning that were later answered, and those that weren't seemed like the would be in a later book. I also loved the twist, which I won't reveal here but it was a complete surprise and I enjoyed it a lot.
My only criticism would be Magnus' hallmates in Valhalla. I didn't get to know them very well, and so I didn't care very much about them, but I'm hoping that will change with later books.