Begin with Magnus's first quest
Start with The Sword of Summer and read all three novels before the Nine Worlds short stories.
Book Series · 3 Books
Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard Books
In order from The Sword of Summer to The Ship of the Dead.
Rick Riordan's Norse-mythology trilogy follows homeless teenager Magnus Chase from his surprising arrival in the warrior afterlife to a quest with a loyal, inclusive group of friends to prevent Ragnarök.
Reviewed by the Bookroo Editors Updated
Reading order
How to Read the Magnus Chase Books
Read the three main novels in order: The Sword of Summer, The Hammer of Thor, and The Ship of the Dead. Their quests and relationships form one continuous story.
Hotel Valhalla Guide to the Norse Worlds is an optional mythology guide that makes sense after book one. Save the short-story collection 9 from the Nine Worlds until after the trilogy because it assumes readers already know the full cast.
Sources: Rick Riordan's official Magnus Chase series page, Read Riordan's Magnus Chase book list.
For parents
What Parents Should Know
The funny narration sits on top of a dark premise: Magnus dies violently near the beginning and enters an afterlife for warriors. The trilogy includes recurring battles and deaths, monsters, decapitation and other injuries, apocalypse threats, homelessness, parental death, grief, and bullying or prejudice.
The cast includes a practicing Muslim Valkyrie and a gender-fluid character, and the books treat identity, friendship, and chosen family as important parts of the adventure. The violence is fast and fantastical, but death and the afterlife remain central throughout.
Where to start
Where Should a New Reader Start?
Where the story begins
First Book in the Series
Sale price
$958
Book #1 · Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2015
The Sword of Summer
By Rick Riordan
A homeless teen discovers he's a Norse god's son and must stop Ragnarok.
544 pages· 117,670 words· Est. 16.5 hour read
$9.99Save 4%
Paperback
Summary: Magnus Chase, a homeless teen in Boston, learns he's the son of a Norse god. As Asgard's gods prepare for war, he must find a lost weapon to prevent Ragnarok. Facing fire giants and impossible choices, Magnus's journey could mean sacrificing everything. Can he save the world and himself?
In reading order
Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard Series
3 books · Published 2015–2017
#1
Sale price
$958
The Sword of Summer
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2015
A homeless teen discovers he's a Norse god's son and must stop Ragnarok.
#2
Sale price
$958
The Hammer of Thor
Chapter Book · Ages 10–14 · 2016
Thor's hammer is lost to enemies. Can Magnus stop Ragnarok?
#3
Sale price
$958
The Ship of the Dead
Chapter Book · Ages 10–14 · 2017
Magnus must stop Loki's deadly ship from launching and prevent Ragnarok.
Optional guides and short stories
More from Magnus's Norse Worlds
2 books · Published 2016–2018
Hotel Valhalla is a mythology guide, while 9 from the Nine Worlds revisits Magnus's friends after the main trilogy. Neither is a fourth numbered novel.
Sale price
$958
Hotel Valhalla Guide to the Norse Worlds
Chapter Book · Ages 10–13 · 2016
Navigate Valhalla with this essential guide to Norse gods and mythical beings.
Sale price
$1398
9 From the Nine Worlds
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2018
Can Magnus's friends outwit giants and gods to delay Ragnarok?
Good to know
Common Questions
How many books are in the Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard series?
There are 3 books in the Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard series. It began with The Sword of Summer in 2015, and the newest book, The Ship of the Dead, was published in 2017.
What order should you read the Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard books in?
Start with The Sword of Summer and follow the series order — the books above are numbered #1 through #3.
What ages are the Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard books best for?
The series is best for ages 8–14, based on the age ranges of the individual books.
Which Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard book is the longest?
The Sword of Summer (Book #1) is the longest book in the series at 117,670 words (544 pages).
Which Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard book is the shortest?
The Ship of the Dead (Book #3) is the shortest at 100,480 words (464 pages).
The people
The Creative Behind the Books
The people who bring Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard to life.
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