PRAISE FOR THE HOUSE OF HADES
"Adventure fans will relish the action as their heroes confront formidable foes, while readers who have come to love the characters will enjoy following the different individuals as they take the stage in scenes that are usually dramatic, often witty, and occasionally surprising. A satisfying, penultimate entry in the Heroes of Olympus series." —Booklist Online
PRAISE FOR PERCY JACKSON'S GREEK GODS
"The novel’s winning combination of high-voltage adventure and crackling wit is balanced with scenes in which human needs, fears, and ethical choices take center stage."—Booklist (starred review)
PRAISE FOR THE MARK OF ATHENA
"With a true storyteller’s sense of pacing, Riordan creates another compelling adventure, right down to the cliff-hanger at the end. Stay tuned for volume four."—Booklist
PRAISE FOR THE SON OF NEPTUNE
"Should pacing and wit continue unabated into the third volume, whose foretold European setting promises further freshness, fans will eagerly await numbers four and five."—Kirkus Reviews
PRAISE FOR THE HOUSE OF HADES
"In this adventure, victories are hard-won and the essence of bravery nuanced, making the journey as satisfying as it is entertaining."—Kirkus Reviews
PRAISE FOR THE LAST OLYMPIAN
"Riordan masterfully orchestrates the huge cast of characters and manages a coherent, powerful tale at once exciting, philosophical and tear-jerking. The bestselling series' legions of fans will cheer their heroes on and rejoice in such a compelling conclusion to the saga."—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
PRAISE FOR THE SWORD OF SUMMER
“The Sword of Summer combines the glory of Norse myth with the joy of Rick Riordan’s effervescent world-building. One of Riordan’s funniest books—everything from the chapter titles to the wry humor of Magnus Chase will have you chuckling, even as the plot races along at breakneck speed. Check me in to Hotel Valhalla, please. I’ll be staying.”—New York Times #1 best-selling author Cassandra Clare
PRAISE FOR THE SWORD OF SUMMER
“Rick Riordan’s new series is simply brilliant—maybe his best yet! I thought I knew Norse mythology, but now that I’ve read the gripping and hilarious Sword of Summer, I’ll never see Thor the same way again. Get ready to stay up all night reading!”—New York Times #1 best-selling author Harlan Coben
PRAISE FOR THE SWORD OF SUMMER
“The Sword of Summer is a propulsive, kinetic, witty rebooting of Norse mythology with all the charm of the Percy Jackson novels. Instantly likeable heroes! Insane action! Cool villains! A twisting, turning, always exciting story! Rick Riordan does it again, even better.”—New York Times best-selling author Michael Grant
PRAISE FOR THE LIGHTNING THIEF
“Perfectly paced, with electrifying moments chasing each other like heartbeats.”—New York Times Book Review
PRAISE FOR THE BATTLE OF THE LABYRINTH
*"The wit, rousing swordplay and breakneck pace will once again keep kids hooked."—Publishers Weekly (starred review)
PRAISE FOR THE SEA OF MONSTERS
* “In a feat worthy of his heroic subjects, Riordan crafts a sequel stronger than his compelling debut.”
—Publishers Weekly (starred review)
PRAISE FOR THE TITAN'S CURSE
“All in all, a winner of Olympic proportions.”—School Library Journal
PRAISE FOR PERCY JACKSON'S GREEK GODS
"The clash of modern and classical worlds is both exciting and entertaining."—The New York Times Book Review
PRAISE FOR THE MARK OF ATHENA
"With his now-trademark zero-to-60 acceleration, the author engineers a ghostly possession to set Greeks and Romans at odds and initiates the Prophecy of the Seven, hurtling Annabeth, Percy, Piper, Leo, Hazel, Frank and Jason into a pell-mell flight on the magical trireme Argo II. Here, Riordan’s infectious love for his subject matter really comes through, even as he takes some real risks with his characters. A literal cliffhanger leaves eager readers hanging; next stop: Greece—and Tartarus."—Kirkus Reviews
12/01/2015
Gr 5 Up—Fans of Percy Jackson and "Kane Chronicles" (both, Disney-Hyperion) books will not be disappointed in Riordan's newest series, which is based on Norse mythology. Magnus Chase, 16, has been an orphan living on the streets of Boston for the past two years. Ever since the mysterious death of his mother, he has tried to stay ahead of anyone who might be looking for him. When his Uncle Randolph tracks him down and begins talking about his birthright—an ancient sword—Magnus's world changes forever. But Randolph is not the only one searching for the sword. A Fire Giant destined to wield it as part of doomsday is hot on their trail. Dying and winding up at the Hotel Valhalla is only the beginning of this teen's (after)life. With an epic plot, engaging (and diverse) characters, and tons of wisecracking humor, Riordan's latest is a page-turner. Those new to the author's past series can jump right in; fans of his previous works will be happy to see clever nods and references to the other in-universe books. VERDICT Ravenous Riordan fans are likely to begin lining up for this on the publication date; be prepared for long holds lists on this one.—Patrick Tierney, Dr. Martin Luther King Elementary School, Providence, RI
2015-08-31
First there were the Greek gods, then the Egyptian gods, then the Roman gods—now Riordan takes on the Norse gods. On his 16th birthday, homeless Boston orphan Magnus Chase (daughter-of-Athena Annabeth's cousin) magically summon an ancient Norse sword, uses it against a fireball-throwing monster, drops the sword, and dies—but a girl in hijab on a flying horse grabs him and deposits him at the Hotel Valhalla for a new afterlife of perpetual preparation for Ragnarok. Turns out Ragnarok will come pretty soon unless he can retrieve the sword and somehow use it to rebind Fenris Wolf, who is about to slip the magical rope that's kept him bound for millennia. This will take some doing. Per established formula, narrator Magnus explores his fabulous new home, makes quirky new friends, acquires a bristly female companion, engages in a chain of adventures, and meets the Norse pantheon. Riordan consciously crafts a diverse cast, including a dark-skinned dwarf and a deaf elf. Muslim Valkyrie Samirah is a particularly interesting character. Though she does not come across as devout—she doesn't seem to take time out to pray, for example—Riordan's choice to make her happy with her future arranged marriage both honors her culture and allows her friendship with Magnus to develop blessedly free of romantic tension. A fast-paced, eventful, and largely successful pivot. (Fantasy. 10-14)