Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard Series by Rick Riordan - Reading from 'The Sword of Summer (Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard #1)' from May 13th 2019

[Karen]

Up to ch32. Small steps towards completing the quest. Do wonder how they survive when they don’t know the rules of this land.

[Karen]

Up to ch35. Magnus is learning the art of negotiation with a god...sure it’ll come back to haunt him.

[Karen]

Up to ch46. Style makes me laugh, but it’s annoying how none of them really trust Magnus to do anything.

[Natalie]

Ch41 (view spoiler)[So now Blitz is going to be in a crafting competition with another dwarf... where the loser loses their head. Doesn’t that make it lose/lose for Magnus and co though? Either Blitz loses his head or the other guy does... and they need ‘magic rope’ (essentially) from the other guy to bind Fenrir to the rock again if the current one breaks!

...side note: wouldn’t it have been a better idea to prevent this from happening in the first place by just adding more and more ropes to Fenrir over the year if him getting free essentially means Ragnarok has come? ._. (hide spoiler)]

[Karen]

Up to ch53. There’s only so many conversations you can have with gods and end up in crazy situations before you’d want out.

[Natalie]

Ch50 (view spoiler)[Well Thor is not at ALL what I was expecting - I thought he’d be more along the lines of Rick Riordan’s portrayal of Hercules in the Heroes of Olympus series o.O

...I am also rather concerned as to how he has managed to lose Mjolnir multiple times. (hide spoiler)]

[Karen]

Up to ch58. Magnus is one very lucky character-just seems to get the right action/help at the right time.

[Natalie]

Ch60 (view spoiler)[So it looks like they’re finally getting to what I’m assuming is the ‘big battle’ of the novel.... once they survive a boat trip with two homicidal robbing dwarves. This should be... interesting o.O

I’m also very curious as to whether Hel/Hela plays a larger role in the series or if her appearance was a one-time thing. Hmmm... (hide spoiler)]

[Karen]

Up to ch67. Bit more emotional than I expected, but well done Magnus.

[Karen]

Finished. Review on home page. A little formulaic, but that doesn’t stop it being good fun.

[Natalie]

Ch70 (view spoiler)[Well Odin is not at ALL what I expected o.O Reminds me a bit of Poseidon... but if Poseidon got obsessed with self-help seminars and such. Weird that he’s been X this entire time though - it’s kinda like an episode of ‘Undercover Boss’ ._. (hide spoiler)]

[faith]

dang i'm a little slow on this book
20% // pg. 100
(view spoiler)[it's pretty good so far, nothing has really happened yet though. I'm a little confused because there are so many terms, and I have no idea what most of them mean, but I guess that's why there's a glossary haha. right now we're looking at Magnus' video clip from when he died, but hopefully Sam won't be punished. that head Valkyrie is downright evil, what does she have against Sam?? (hide spoiler)]

[Natalie]

To be fair, it's not a small book ;D

[faith]

@Natalie ahaha yeahhh it's close to 500 pages yikes

[Jennifer]

Ch 35 (50%) - (view spoiler)[ It is hard to keep track of who is a friend and who is an enemy. I mean, so far, it seems like everyone wants to prevent Ragnorak and help Magnus, but some of these people are destined to be enemies once it starts. It's confusing now, but I am sure things will become clear at the end?? (hide spoiler)]

[Jennifer]

Ch 50 (74%) - (view spoiler)[ I could barely get by the mental picture of Thor farting lightening. Especially since it was Chris Hemsworth in my mind despite Magnus's efforts to assure me his Thor was nothing like the movie version. (hide spoiler)]

[Jennifer]

Finished - (view spoiler)[Yay! Magnus managed to stay alive, and the wolf is still on his leash. I was a little surprised by Odin's big reveal and his strange personality. I wonder what adventures he will have Sam and Magnus do in the future. And how ominous it was for Loki to mention that he has more plans to go against Magnus. I do hope that Magnus and Annabeth get around to talking about their situations - she could really bring a lot to the table. (hide spoiler)]

[Sarah Elizabeth]

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Date changed. Restarting May 13th 2019. Happy Reading ☺

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[Mara]

Chapter 1-10
(view spoiler)[ Not as much Norse mythology as I had expected. I find it funny that they referenced the Thor movies (which is basically my foundation of Norse Mythology). I like Magnus’ voice up, and I can’t believe I am saying this, but I am happy to see the first POV return. I feel like first POV brings a lot more personality, something I didn’t quite get with the HOO series. And Annabeth’s cameo! I think this event happens after the second giant war? Seeing as Annabeth was looking for him, and I remember that she spent most of her Winter looking for Percy and I doubt she suddenly has time for his cousin (quickly checked the wiki and yup, after the giant war). It’s surprising to see that Magnus actually died and now went to some sort of in between world? I remember hearing about Valhalla before, but can’t remember what it exactly was. But it seems that from now on, we’ll be pelted with Norse Mythology (I saw Ragnarok and was like, cool, the end of the world. Thanks Marvel for the movies!) (hide spoiler)]

[Haris]

Chapter 1-10
(view spoiler)[I'm glad he's 16 years old, Rick Riordan tends to say characters are 13 but they act longer. This way it will be pretty normal behavior for their age (as much as it can be). And Holy crap he's really Annabeth's cousin. I'm assuming he's some sort of Nordic half-blood so this is really crazy.

Holy crap Hotel Valhalla sure seems like a nice place to live. You got literally everything you wanted and have really amusing neighours, and on top of that he got even his personal Valkyrie. They even gave him a girlfriend lol

I do wonder if we'll see Anabeth again (hide spoiler)]
Chapter 11-20
(view spoiler)[Oh so the Valkyrie put Magnus into the hotel, that makes kinda sense now. And I bet at one point at the story he'll rescue his mother on some way. Also it's kinda funny that her name sounds so arabic. Maybe another little crossover coming soon?
And so he's the son of Frey. If I recall correctly she isn't one of the warrior gods, and it sucks that Sam is gone already, she was kinda nice. Also, it's a nice twist to switch up the roles of Thor and Loki. Everywhere Thor is the good guy and it's kinda a nice twist.

So Ragnarok will be soon coming and this black giant dude wants to release Fenrir and kill Magnus' father using his sword. Peachy

His powers are kinda interesting, I wonder if we'll get explanations for them or he'll just use them easily from now.


(hide spoiler)]

[Haris]

Mara wrote: "
Chapter 1-10
[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[I did like the first POV story-telling as well as it makes you feel closer to the main character :D

Umm let's see. From what I remember Valhalla is like some sort of heaven, from where the great fallen warriors go and feast until Ragnarok (doomsday). When Ragnarok appears the Yggdrasil (world tree that contains all the worlds and holds them) will be close to dying from some sort of foe (can't remember what they were) and the Gods will fight against them alongside the Valkyries and warriors from Valhalla (hide spoiler)]

[Mara]

Chapter 11-20
(view spoiler)[ Well, what a start to the adventure. Since this is Riordan, I am waiting for the love interest to be introduced. It might be Sam? Dunno. All the Norse Mythology things are really fascinating and I like Mangus’ narration. Yes, it sounds a little like Percy, but he’s way more ‘let’s roll with it’ than Percy was at first. Hotel Valhalla feels a little like Camp Half-Blood, which I really like. Mallory reminds me of Rachel, at least from the appearance. Free for all Tuesday sounds kinda cool, and I like the idea that from the looks of it, Magnus is less of a fighter than the other main characters we had up until now. It’s cool that Magnus doesn’t have a big name god but instead Frey/Freyr, which is according to the wiki the god of ‘peace, fertility, wealth, rain, summer, and sunshine’. That’s, like, the complete opposite of the big name gods we’ve seen up until now (Poseidon, Isis/Horus, Jupiter/Hephaestus/Aphrodite). I mean, Aphrodite isn’t an offensive god either, but she was one mean lady. And now we have like, a chill guy as the mc’s father? It’s cool to see that the children of Thor aren’t, like, worshipped. They are just a rowdy bunch. And we're introduced to Loki. Don’t trust that guy as far as I can throw him, but hey, I learnt something from the Thor movies. (hide spoiler)]

[Mara]

Haris wrote: "Mara wrote: "
Chapter 1-10
[spoilers removed]"

I did like the first POV story-telling as well as it makes you feel closer to the main character :D

Umm le..."

(view spoiler)[ It’s really silly, as I really disliked the first POV when I was younger, but especially with Riordan’s books, I enjoy them. Yeah, thankfully the book explained it because I was kinda clueless. It’s like the Elysium but for the Norse people. Only in Elysium they are really dead and can’t transport worlds (I think). Well, can’t wait for this series’ Ragnarok. I love a good final fight. (hide spoiler)]

[Mara]

Haris wrote: "Chapter 1-10
I'm glad he's 16 years old, Rick Riordan tends to say characters are 13 but they act longer. This way it will be pretty normal behavior for their age (as much as it can be). And Holy c..."

(view spoiler)[ Totally agree on the 16 years old part. It feels like he is actually his age, instead of some characters that are 13 but feel much older (Sadie, Hazel). Omg, the mum. I already had forgotten. The Lightning Thief, but Norse. (Sort of). Frey is a guy actually, though it would’ve been cool if he had two mums (I looked him up quickly because I never had heard of him). I think you’re thinking of Freya? Honestly, sounds pretty much like your typical Riordan story. Want to enjoy being death? Nah, not if you’re the main character. You died and now you have to stop the end of the world. (hide spoiler)]

[Haris]

Chapter 21-30
(view spoiler)[SO he escaped Valhalla on a tree running away from a squirell, typical Rick Riordan fashion if I might say. And then this dude attended his own funeral, that's kinda interesting.

And another Annabeth appearance! For a moment I wanted him to go with her to camp half blood. That would have been very interesting. Can't believe the patron of the elf and dwarf was a severed all-knowing head tho, reminds me of a sci-fi tv show I used to watch as a kid.

And I'm glad Sam's back, her Loki dilemma is sure interesting and I wonder what her agenda is.

(hide spoiler)]

[Mara]

Chapter 21-30
(view spoiler)[ So, stuff isn’t going all that well with the gods? And there apparently two groups of gods? And Magnus has healing powers and other Fae magic that is usually more on the support side. I am curious how the author is going to handle that, as most of the time, his main characters are more offensive. It’s nice to see Hearth and Blitz return. Though why is Hearth called Hearthstone??? Like, the game??? I am like, the book was released a year-and-a-half after the game, so why not change it? Oh well, I am really curious to see where this story is going. All what happened in like, 10 chapters was a bit of infodump, the Squirrel, meeting Magnus’s body (and Annabeth!) and then they meet Sam again, talk to a head and take orders from a pigeon. (hide spoiler)]

[Haris]

I'm so sorry I disappeared lol

Chapter 31-40
(view spoiler)[So Samirah is a muslim and in an arranged marriage with some guy, Riordan keeps adding stereotypes more and more :D
Wow, so much happened in these 10 chapters. It's crazy.


And the pidgeon/eagle was some sort of evil magiciano, wow I'm so surprised...

And having the prettiest woman ever as your aunt is both lucky and sad. Luckily he could stare at ehr eyebrow without any weird thoughts lol

Also the dialogue about Magnus turning the sword into a pen made me chuckle, it's an obvious reference to Percy's riptide.

(hide spoiler)]
Chapter 41-50
(view spoiler)[The contest was so fun, and Junior's items actually were really good, luckily Sam's been a good housefly. Such a random transformation though, and the the contest was so lawless that I really can't believe they decapitate the loser because of it.

I really was baffled when the sword spoke up lmao, and it even named itself Jack. God that's so random it made me laugh, and I kinda like it's personality.

Poor Heat, he could cure his dissability but instead he chose to pursue his goal. It was a honorable choice and I respect it

(hide spoiler)]
Chapter 51-60
(view spoiler)[The reference about the League of Assassins in Arrow is so true, they just keep coming back. And I once was a part of a group who gutted a goat like that I really can say that it's no easy business.

So Magnus is gonna help Sam with her marriage issues? Don't tell me she won't be with him at the end. That will suck.

I smiled. “So this horse is your nephew, Sam?”
She glared at me. “Let’s not go there.”
“How did your dad father a horse?”
Blitzen coughed. “Actually, Loki was Sleipnir’s mother.”
“What—?”
“Let’s definitely not go there,” Sam warned.

LOL

Random note, he should stop killing giants with stuffing his sword into their noses. That's just not hygenic.
(hide spoiler)]

[Mara]

Haris wrote: "I'm so sorry I disappeared lol

Chapter 31-40
So Samirah is a muslim and in an arranged marriage with some guy, Riordan keeps adding stereotypes more and more :D
Wow, so much happened in these 10 ..."

Nah, you're fine, it isn't like I am doing better. I have been awfully busy with college this week (and Eurovision) so I hadn't time to write the updates (or finish the book), but I will have it finished tomorrow!

[Haris]

61-end
(view spoiler)[Wow it was really an intense battle and ending. It had quite a few more deaths than I anticipated.

And the Odin reveal should be obvious but I was still genuinely surprised. I mean his name literally was X yet I didn't think he was someone more important.

I wonder what will happen with Magnus' romance, I mean Sam has a fiancee/boyfriend. Or he won't have a girl at all? That would be something new in this book.

And Annabeth and Magnus team-up next book!!!! Maybe Percy will come around as well.
(hide spoiler)]

Let's start the second book on Tuesday then, I'll write the review tomorrow

[Haris]

Mara wrote: "Haris wrote: "I'm so sorry I disappeared lol

Chapter 31-40
So Samirah is a muslim and in an arranged marriage with some guy, Riordan keeps adding stereotypes more and more :D
Wow, so much happene..."

You were singing at Eurovision ? XD

[Mara]

Haris wrote: "Mara wrote: "Haris wrote: "I'm so sorry I disappeared lol

Chapter 31-40
So Samirah is a muslim and in an arranged marriage with some guy, Riordan keeps adding stereotypes more and more :D
Wow, so..."

With what singing talent? XD Nah, just watching the show, but that's three evenings a week and a terrible sleep schedule

[Mara]

Finally caught up!

Chapter 31-40
(view spoiler)[ It feels like so much happened in those ten chapters. Between fishing (and accidentally catching a Sam’s big brother and angering a bag hoarder to travelling through the world tree and nearly being killed by a squirrel and after that, finding out that Blitz and Magnus are technically related. And welp, there goes Sam’s chance to be the love interest. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 41-50
(view spoiler)[ The dwarven showdown was pretty fun! And it’s a nice touch that the sword can actually talk (though it’s weird to think of Jack as an actual person). I winced at the ‘Heartstone Passed Out even more than Jason Grace’ chapter title. A little… cringy? But hey, we at least meet Thor and realise that isn’t all that big and great and that his Hammer is missing. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 51-60
(view spoiler)[ Loki has many… interesting children. Wolf? Serpent? Horses? Hel? I swear I am forgetting one but can’t for the life of me remember. The whole giant thing is an obvious set-up for the next book (since the Mjolnir is still missing and the next books is called The Hammer of Thor. Well, up to the final battle! (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 61-73
(view spoiler)[The final battle against Fenris wolf was nice. Nothing that blew me away, but I appreciate that Magnus isn’t a mega offensive character, but one about peace and healing. Which make him a little odd compared to the rest of the warriors. And people died! I’m not really surprised that Odin suddenly showed up, seeing as someone had to explain the prophecy (which I can’t remember for the life of me). The epilogue was a bit weird, and I didn’t realise why until I read that it was written in third POV. I wasn’t surprised though. (hide spoiler)]

[Mara]

Chapter 1-8
(view spoiler)[ The book starts pretty strong with a silly scene between Magnus and Otis in incognito, as Otis. For a hot minute, I thought Alex was the goat assassin, but that would have made very little sense. So, we’re ready for the next doomsday. In five days, Sam has to marry someone, arranged by Loki. Clearly, Sam has forgotten to mention that. I like the addition of Alex (though I already feel major love interest vibes). But hey, nothing beats a good first impression that being decapitated! All in all, a pretty enjoyable start of the series and I can’t wait how they find the hammer of Thor, stop Ragnarok from happening and make sure that Sam doesn’t marry whoever Loki intends her to marry. (hide spoiler)]