Content levels
Trigger warnings
Positive tags
Hero archetypes
Protagonist archetypes
Tropes
Themes
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.
Is The Sword of Summer appropriate for my child?
Suitable for most readers 10 and up.
Parents should know this book contains fantasy action violence including battles with monsters and giants, a protagonist who dies early in the story (but continues in the afterlife), and themes of homelessness and parental loss. Humor and heart balance the darker elements.
What to know going in
This book has moderate violence, no sexual content, and mild language. Content notes include death of parent, violence, and child abandonment (see the full list above).
Who'll love this
Kids will love the snarky humor, Norse mythology brought to life in modern Boston, and a homeless hero who discovers he's destined for greatness.