Magnus Chase & the Gods of Asgard
PERCY JACKSON & THE- I MEAN MAGNUS CHASE & THE GODS OF ASGARD
Percy Jackson was the first book series I ever read & it was what made me fall in love with books. Ever since then, I've bought pretty much every book Rick Riordan has released. I loved the Heroes of Olympus series, however I was not a big fan of the Kane Chronicles. I still haven't managed to finish the first book. The Trials of Apollo was also a disappointment to me. This made me hesitant to start another of Riordan's books. But BOY OH BOY, Magnus Chase was amazing! I did feel like it was pretty much the same story as Percy Jackson, just Norse mythology instead of Greek. Regardless, I loved it. It is exactly what I want from Riordan's stories. Before I begin, here is the synopsis–
Magnus Chase has seen his share of trouble. Ever since that terrible night two years ago when his mother told him to run, he has lived alone on the streets of Boston, surviving by his wits, staying one step ahead of the police and the truant officers.
One day, Magnus learns that someone else is trying to track him down—his uncle Randolph, a man his mother had always warned him about. When Magnus tries to outmaneuver his uncle, he falls right into his clutches. Randolph starts rambling about Norse history and Magnus's birthright: a weapon that has been lost for thousands of years.
The more Randolph talks, the more puzzle pieces fall into place. Stories about the gods of Asgard, wolves, and Doomsday bubble up from Magnus's memory. But he doesn't have time to consider it all before a fire giant attacks the city, forcing him to choose between his own safety and the lives of hundreds of innocents. . . .
Sometimes, the only way to start a new life is to die.
As soon as I stared reading I saw Percy Jackson in Magnus Chase. They are very much the same person. Now I know this might turn people away from it because its too similar, but I did recognize the differences in the story. However, if you read Percy Jackson & did not like it (are you crazy?), then I don't recommend you read this book.
WARNING: BOOK SPOILERS UP AHEAD-
Magnus Chase is Annabeth's cousin. While I like the connection between the two series it baffles me that in this one family, two siblings lucked out and had a child with a god from two different mythologies.
I wish I could say I was shocked when Magnus dies, but I wasn't. I mean look at the last line in the synopsis.
I loved our two 'sidekicks'- Blitz(en) & Hearth(stone). To me, they set this book apart from the Percy Jackson series. I also love that Riordan represented a disabled (deaf) man as a fantastic hero. He also made Blitz a person of color, and our third accomplice is Samirah al-Abbas, an Arab-American. Although Samirah (referred to as Sam) is a daughter of Loki, she does not let that define her. She is a Valkyrie before anything else. I have a lot of sympathy for Sam, as she talks about the way she was bullied for being a muslim when she was in middle school & as a Valkyrie she is disliked for being Loki's daughter. She was a very dynamic character and I love how she was developed. There also wasn't a romantic connection between them (unless it's developed in later books), & it surprises me to say this but I really enjoyed the fact that Magnus and Sam had more of a familial bond rather than a romantic one.
Norse mythology is much more confusing than Greek mythology but Riordan did an excellent job of explaining & I love that in the back of the book he has a description of the Nine Worlds, runes, the gods & other unfamiliar words.
Valhalla was amazing. The way it was described made me want to die a hero so that I could go there. It was so cool how his room was tailored to his likes & having a tree in the middle of his room where he can lay in a patch of grass and look up at the sky sounds awesome.
I would love to see a movie adaptation of this where Chris Hemsworth (Thor in Marvel movies) is Frey instead of Thor, as Frey is described as a "Hollywood Viking... looked more like Thor from the movies than Thor did" (Pg. 467). That part cracked me up, because I immediately pictured Chris Hemsworth glowing with the aura of Summer & his long hair flowing in the wind.
I liked that Magnus was not the son of the most popular god, it was refreshing that his father wasn't super powerful like Percy's or Jason Grace (from the Heroes of Olympus). I also really enjoyed his abilities that he inherited from his father, such as healing, unaffected by temperature, & disarming enemies. He wasn't a powerful warrior, but he was quick-witted & resourceful & that is what made him great hero.
One of my favorite parts of this book are how Riordan makes references to characters from his other stories. In one part Magnus is trying to make his sword turn into something more inconspicuous & suggests turning into a pen. To this, Jack (the sword) replies "A pen sword. That is the stupidest thing I've ever heard" (Pg. 244). Let me tell you, I almost SCREAMED at this part. I was cracking up all by myself looking like a crazy person. Then there is a chapter in which is name "Hearthstone Passes Out Even More than Jason Grace (Though I Have No Idea Who That IS)" (Ch. 48, pg 345). I absolutely loved it. I love how Rick Riordan names all of his chapters & makes them so funny. In the last chapter Magnus bets Annabeth that his life will make hers look "suburban" & that chapter is titled "I Lose a Bet"(Ch. 72, pg 485). I am interested to see how both Magnus & Annabeth react to each others lives. I hope to see Percy in later books.
Overall, I absolutely LOVED this book. I rate it 5 out 5 stars. I cannot wait to read the next one and see where Magnus's story leads. Let me know if you liked or disliked the book! Until next time,
M
Magnus Chase has seen his share of trouble. Ever since that terrible night two years ago when his mother told him to run, he has lived alone on the streets of Boston, surviving by his wits, staying one step ahead of the police and the truant officers.
One day, Magnus learns that someone else is trying to track him down—his uncle Randolph, a man his mother had always warned him about. When Magnus tries to outmaneuver his uncle, he falls right into his clutches. Randolph starts rambling about Norse history and Magnus's birthright: a weapon that has been lost for thousands of years.
The more Randolph talks, the more puzzle pieces fall into place. Stories about the gods of Asgard, wolves, and Doomsday bubble up from Magnus's memory. But he doesn't have time to consider it all before a fire giant attacks the city, forcing him to choose between his own safety and the lives of hundreds of innocents. . . .
Sometimes, the only way to start a new life is to die.
As soon as I stared reading I saw Percy Jackson in Magnus Chase. They are very much the same person. Now I know this might turn people away from it because its too similar, but I did recognize the differences in the story. However, if you read Percy Jackson & did not like it (are you crazy?), then I don't recommend you read this book.
WARNING: BOOK SPOILERS UP AHEAD-
Magnus Chase is Annabeth's cousin. While I like the connection between the two series it baffles me that in this one family, two siblings lucked out and had a child with a god from two different mythologies.
I wish I could say I was shocked when Magnus dies, but I wasn't. I mean look at the last line in the synopsis.
I loved our two 'sidekicks'- Blitz(en) & Hearth(stone). To me, they set this book apart from the Percy Jackson series. I also love that Riordan represented a disabled (deaf) man as a fantastic hero. He also made Blitz a person of color, and our third accomplice is Samirah al-Abbas, an Arab-American. Although Samirah (referred to as Sam) is a daughter of Loki, she does not let that define her. She is a Valkyrie before anything else. I have a lot of sympathy for Sam, as she talks about the way she was bullied for being a muslim when she was in middle school & as a Valkyrie she is disliked for being Loki's daughter. She was a very dynamic character and I love how she was developed. There also wasn't a romantic connection between them (unless it's developed in later books), & it surprises me to say this but I really enjoyed the fact that Magnus and Sam had more of a familial bond rather than a romantic one.
Norse mythology is much more confusing than Greek mythology but Riordan did an excellent job of explaining & I love that in the back of the book he has a description of the Nine Worlds, runes, the gods & other unfamiliar words.
Valhalla was amazing. The way it was described made me want to die a hero so that I could go there. It was so cool how his room was tailored to his likes & having a tree in the middle of his room where he can lay in a patch of grass and look up at the sky sounds awesome.
I would love to see a movie adaptation of this where Chris Hemsworth (Thor in Marvel movies) is Frey instead of Thor, as Frey is described as a "Hollywood Viking... looked more like Thor from the movies than Thor did" (Pg. 467). That part cracked me up, because I immediately pictured Chris Hemsworth glowing with the aura of Summer & his long hair flowing in the wind.
I liked that Magnus was not the son of the most popular god, it was refreshing that his father wasn't super powerful like Percy's or Jason Grace (from the Heroes of Olympus). I also really enjoyed his abilities that he inherited from his father, such as healing, unaffected by temperature, & disarming enemies. He wasn't a powerful warrior, but he was quick-witted & resourceful & that is what made him great hero.
One of my favorite parts of this book are how Riordan makes references to characters from his other stories. In one part Magnus is trying to make his sword turn into something more inconspicuous & suggests turning into a pen. To this, Jack (the sword) replies "A pen sword. That is the stupidest thing I've ever heard" (Pg. 244). Let me tell you, I almost SCREAMED at this part. I was cracking up all by myself looking like a crazy person. Then there is a chapter in which is name "Hearthstone Passes Out Even More than Jason Grace (Though I Have No Idea Who That IS)" (Ch. 48, pg 345). I absolutely loved it. I love how Rick Riordan names all of his chapters & makes them so funny. In the last chapter Magnus bets Annabeth that his life will make hers look "suburban" & that chapter is titled "I Lose a Bet"(Ch. 72, pg 485). I am interested to see how both Magnus & Annabeth react to each others lives. I hope to see Percy in later books.
Overall, I absolutely LOVED this book. I rate it 5 out 5 stars. I cannot wait to read the next one and see where Magnus's story leads. Let me know if you liked or disliked the book! Until next time,
M
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