One Sentence Summary
When sixteen-year-old Magnus dies heroically, he discovers that Norse gods exist and his new destiny is to reclaim the sword of Summer from the most powerful forces in the nine worlds.
Book Genre
Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard, Book 1: The Sword of Summer is a blend of fantasy and adventure fiction.
Main Topic of the Book
This book mainly revolves around the central character Magnus Chase, and his quest to retrieve the Sword of Summer from the Norse gods – an imperative destiny that he must fulfil in order to save the world from chaos and destruction.
Key Ideas
- Fate and Destiny: Magnus must accept his fate and destiny as the great warrior he was born to be and follow his quest to its completion.
- The Nine Worlds: Magnus travels through the Nine Worlds of Asgard, where he encounters different kinds of creatures, gods and goddesses, and discovers different aspects of himself.
- Strength and Courage: His courage and strength will be tested throughout the quest as he confronts powerful enemies and struggles to find his identity.
Main Parts of the Book and a Short Summary
- Prologue: In the prologue, Magnus Chase learns of his death and learns that it was a heroic death. He is then transported to Hotel Valhalla and introduced to his new fate as a mortal chosen to reclaim the Sword of Summer from Loki and save the Nine Worlds from chaos.
- Part 1: The Sword of Summer: In Part 1, Magnus is taken to college by some of the Norse gods who want him to find the sword. Magnus makes many allies and enemies along the way, and eventually finds out what his quest is and how to complete it.
- Part 2: What’s Past Is Prologue: In Part 2, Magnus discovers the truth behind his past and family. He discovers his parents and siblings, and he must race against time to stop the wolves of Ragnarok from destroying the Nine Worlds.
- Part 3: Endgame: In Part 3, Magnus embarks on his final quest to stop the apocalypse from happening. He is confronted with difficult choices, and must use his courage and his wits to outsmart his enemies and save the Nine Worlds.
Key Takeaways
- Fate and destiny are important and should be accepted.
- The Nine Worlds of Asgard are filled with many fascinating creatures and gods.
- Strength and courage are assets in overcoming danger.
- No matter how difficult the quest may be, one should not give up in the face of adversity.
Author’s Background and Qualifications
Rick Riordan is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series and the Heroes of Olympus series. He has won several awards for his work, including the Barnaby Rogerson Children’s Book of the Year Award, the Best School Library Journal Award, and the Parents Choice Gold Medal.
Target Audience
Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard, Book 1: The Sword of Summer is primarily targeted at readers aged 12-16, but is also suitable for adults.
Publisher and First Publication Date
The Sword of Summer was published by Disney-Hyperion in October 2015.