This book is amazing. Yes, it is a bit like the Percy Jackson series, with a boy related to gods, a quest, good friends and ancient myths. However, it does have its differences. For a start, the narrator, Magnus Chase, dies at the beginning of the book and tells the story in Valhalla (the home of dead, brave Viking warriors). As he travels through the Viking worlds, we learn about old myths and legends.
Magnus Chase (yes – he is Annabeth’s cousin!) must find a rope to bind the Fenris wolf – a beast that can harm the gods – otherwise Doomsday will arrive. There will be war and the world will be destroyed and return to the black depths from which it came. The Fenris wolf is the son of Loki, the god of mischief, so it won’t be easy.
Magnus sets off on the quest and is helped by various companions – Blitzer the dwarf, Hearthstone the elf, a Valkyrie called Samirah and his cousin Annabeth Chase. Most important is Jack the Sword – a hovering sword that talks and flies up giants’ noses!
The writing is fast-paced and the plot is well planned, you don’t know what’s going to happen next. I liked the character of Magnus. He is funny and handles problems well. As every challenge comes, he finds a solution, and though this does get rid of some of the tension, the book is so well written, it made up for it as the story was exciting and adventurous enough.
I really like the way that every time Rick Riordan writes a new book he easily embraces the myths and legends of his subject and makes them fit his stories. The characters are believable even though they come from myths, and the humans are realistic.
This is definitely for fans of Percy Jackson, and it does help if you have read those books when Annabeth is in the story. I would recommend this to anyone 9 years old or above.
- Buy this book at the Guardian Bookshop
