The Sword of Summer (Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard, #1)

by Rick Riordan

“The statue of Leif Erikson…Does that mean the Vikings—er, the Norse—discovered Boston? I thought the Pilgrims did that.” “I could give you a three-hour lecture on that topic alone.” “Please don’t.” “Suffice it to say, the Norse explored North America and even built settlements around the year 1000, almost five hundred years before Christopher Columbus. Scholars agree on that.” “That’s a relief. I hate it when scholars disagree.”

“Myths are simply stories about truths we’ve forgotten.”

Don’t think about what you’re doing, Magnus. Don’t hesitate, or you’ll fall. Just keep going.

I’d had no experience with swords, unless you count watching The Princess Bride twenty-six times as a kid.

“As for the senior warriors, they don’t always mix well. Imagine a really violent retirement home.”

“Okay, first of all, who names their dinner? I don’t want to know my dinner’s name. This potato—is this potato named Steve?” She rolled her eyes. “No, stupid. That’s Phil. The bread is Steve.”

“Yes, but that was the gods’ choice, not mine. The thing about fate, Magnus: even if we can’t change the big picture, our choices can alter the details. That’s how we rebel against destiny, how we make our mark.

hangy-down uvula thing

A pen sword. That is the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard. “You have a better idea?” I asked it.

Jack the Sword hovered next to me. “Better hold me now, boss. Otherwise I might get lost again.” “But you said the exhaustion—” “Might make you pass out,” the sword agreed. “On the bright side, it looks like you’re going to die anyway.” He had a point. (Oh, sorry. That was bad.)

Hearthstone Passes Out Even More than Jason Grace (Though I Have No Idea Who That Is)

I held out the rune for Hearthstone. “I know what it feels like to be an empty cup, to have everything taken away from you. But you’re not alone. However much magic you need to use, it’s okay. We’ve got you. We’re your family.” Hearth’s eyes rimmed with green water. He signed to us, and this time I think he actually meant I love you