The Sword of Summer

The Sword of Summer by Rick Riordan, 2015 Disney-Hyperion Books

     On the streets of Boston, Magnus Chase and his two companions, Hearthstone and Blitzen, survive on their wits. After Magnus's mother mysteriously dies chased by otherworldly wolves, he fled from a questionable uncle, Randolph, and has survived two itinerant years. 

     On his sixteenth birthday, Magnus discovers his Uncle Randolph has set his cousin Annabeth and her father, Uncle Frederick, after him. Randolph catches his nephew and cryptically sends Magnus on a mission to find the Sword of Summer--a mythical and magical sword belonging to the Norse god Frey. A fire giant, Surt, arrives and demands the newly obtained sword from the young man. 

     Magnus awakens after his fight with Surt in Valhalla: the realm of heroes. Memories of wolves and fire seem to herald the end of days--the Norse Ragnarök. Magnus learns he is the son of the god Frey and the Sword of Summer is his birthright. The Valkyrie who brought Magnus to Valhalla, Sam, introduces him to his hall-mates: X, Thomas Jefferson Jr, and Halfborn. His friends Blitzen and Hearthstone reveal themselves to be a dwarf and elf, respectively. 

     While Magnus is happy to see his old friends his frustration rises as the various authorities threaten and cajole him, trying to get the Sword. Magnus, Blitz, and Hearth go searching for the sword--missing after the fight with Surt--and are joined by Sam whose participation hinges on obtaining the sword to regain her Valkyrie status, lost when she chose to bring Magnus into Valhalla. 

     The quartet travels through the realms as they gather item after item to trade in their quest for the Sword and to re-secure the Fenris Wolf. Loki and those who would encourage Ragnarök try to bargain with Magnus, but the young warrior has an over-developed sense of justice and will not back down from his plan to save the world. 

     Despite the ever-growing to-do list Magnus, Blitz, Hearth, and Sam continue to fight to prevent the end of the world. Readers who enjoyed Riordan's Percy Jackson series or the Blackwell Pages will enjoy this new look at the Norse myths. The story is written for middle-grade readers, with an eye toward modern social conventions and considerations.  The Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard trilogy ties back to Percy's adventures through his cousin, Annabeth Chase.  

Eragon

Eragon by Christopher Paolini, 2002 Knopf Books

     When a young boy hunting in the forest discovers a beautiful blue stone in a flash of light it begins an adventure which could save his nation. Eragon takes the blue stone home and discovers it is more than just a rock. His Uncle Garrow and cousin Roran suggest they sell it, but when the stone hatches into a small blue lizard with wings Eragon realizes he's discovered a dragon.
     Eragon forms a special bond with the creature. He and his new friend Saphira discover an ancient history of legend in their journey to understand what it means to be the last of the Dragon Riders. When the king's men come searching for the dragon egg and murder Eragon's uncle it is the village storyteller Brom who helps spirit Eragon and Saphira out of the mountains and toward freedom.
     In the south of Alagaesia are the Boer Mountains of the dwarves. Brom sets the trio on that path to evade the King Galbatorix's searchers and capture the creatures who murdered the only family Eragon has known. Along the way Brom teaches Eragon swordplay and magic and the history of the Dragon Riders. Eragon hopes to use his new skills to hunt the men who killed his uncle and destroyed his home - the Ra'zac. As they travel Saphira grows stronger, and larger. When she becomes large enough to easily carry Eragon they learn to fly.
     In their search for the Ra'zac and during Eragon's education the trio travels to Teirm where they seek any sign of the monsters. While searching the city Eragon meets herbalist Angela and her witch-familiar cat, Solembum. Something about the pair tingles against Eragon's enhanced senses and Saphira warns him they are likely to find the pair again.
     Brom continues to teach the fledgling pair until Eragon's thirst for revenge draws them to the Ra'zac hiding in Dras Leona. There they discover Arya, an elven noblewoman held captive and regularly tortured by the Shade Durza. In rescuing Arya the Ra'zac and shade discover Eragon and Brom. They are aided by a stranger, Murtagh who helps them escape, but Brom is gravely injured in the process.
     As Brom dies he reveals his history to Eragon, upon his death Saphira, in a feat of magic, turns his tomb to diamond. Murtagh decides to travel with the remaining group and they seek refuge with the rebellious Varden in the Boer Mountains. But their journey is far from complete - the King's forces, monstrous Urgals, the Ra'zac, and Durza follow to the gates of the dwarven kingdom, which the group may find sealed in their faces.
     Readers who enjoyed Tolkien's Middle Earth and Lewis's Narnia will enjoy the high fantasy of Paolini's Alagaesia. Magic and chivalry entice while evil stalks in the open and one boy with his dragon finds the way through to join a rebellion. Young adult readers may find the pacing varies, with some portions moving along at a quick clip and others catching in the scenery; overall readers of all ages can enjoy the fantasy.

Snow White and Rose Red

Snow White and Rose Red by Patricia C. Wrede, 2009 Firebird

   The Widow Arden and her two teen-aged daughters live on the edge of Mortlak between the mortal world and the Faerie Realms. They walk the fine line between two worlds and create medicines for their community to survive. When Blanche and Rosamund witness wizards stealing an essence of faerie they have no idea how deeply they will be immersed.
     Widow Arden has tried to keep her daughters from magic and anything that might hint at witchcraft. Their trips into Faerie and the widow's medicines are tenuous, but when the Queen's Astrologer lives in Mortlak and is regularly under suspicion for witchcraft any connection can be dangerous.
     When they meet a large black bear--formerly a half-faerie, half-mortal prince--Blanche and Rosamund do all they can to return him to his human form. They restore his sensibilities and draw his brother to their aid. John explains the transformation of his brother Hugh and the Arden women seek answers and a cure.
     Things become more and more dangerous when Hugh begins to revert to his bearish form and they discover the local wizards are none other than the Queen's Astrologer and his friend and compatriot. The two are trying to harness the powers of Faerie to increase their own magic, but their efforts bring them to the attentions of some unsavory characters in Faerie.
     The fear of witchcraft doesn't seem to stop the denizens of Mortlak from being fascinated by magic or working to practice it. When Faerie uses the mundane law system the attempt to return Hugh to his human form is nearly sabotaged. In the end, persistence and compassion save the Widow Arden and her family from the witch hunter's efforts and reward them in ways they could never imagine.
    Snow White and Rose Red is set in Renaissance England in an era of magic and skepticism. Wrede weaves a vibrant tale of two girls who use their forbidden learning to save friends who have been wronged; they are strong women in a world that refuses to allow women much beyond power over their husbands' household. Young adult readers will enjoy the subtle romance of the story, while readers of all ages can appreciate the fantasy.

The Two Towers

The Two Towers by J.R.R. Tolkien, 1954 George Allen & Unwin

     The Fellowship of the Ring has traveled beyond Rivendell and been separated. Merry and Pippin are taken by Orcs to their headquarters, but escape into the forest and meet the Ents (large tree-like creatures) and wage battle against the Orcs who have decimated the forests. Glimli, Legolas and Aragorn follow Merry and Pippin until they encounter the Riders of Rohan led by Éomer and are swept away to Gondor.
     Samwise Gamgee and Frodo Baggins separate from the rest of the Fellowship and sneak into Gondor to dispose of the Ring.
     Saruman, the corrupted wizard, rules the Orcs at Isengard and follows Aragon and his companions by magic. When Gandalf reappears to them as the White Rider, a white wizard resurrected from his death in The Fellowship of the Ring, he guides the companions to the Golden Hall of King Théoden where he points to the king's adviser as Saruman's spy.
     When they confront Saruman at Isengard Aragorn, Glimli, and Legolas are surprised to discover Merry and Pippin. The hobbits connect Gandalf with the Ents who want to help the fight against the Dark Lord Sauron. During the battle at Isengard King Théoden's cast out adviser attempts to kill Gandalf with a magic seeing-stone Pippin looks into the stone and gives Sauron the ability to follow him throughout Middle Earth.
     Sam and Frodo meet Gollum, the creature Bilbo stole the Ring from in The Hobbit, and force him to lead them through the marshland to the edge of Mordor. The trio encounters Boromir's brother Faramir and his men who offer to help their mission. Gollum leads Sam and Frodo into the lair of a giant spider, an encounter which ends with Frodo kidnapped by Orcs and Sam in possession of the Ring.
     The Two Towers bridges the re-emergence of the Ring and it's journey into Mordor. The break up of the Fellowship allows different factions of Middle Earth to become engaged in the struggle between submission under the Ring and the people of Middle Earth's freedom. Teens and adults alike will enjoy this classic.

The Fellowship of the Ring

The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkein, 1954 George Allen & Unwin

     Several decades after his mysterious and strange Uncle Bilbo returns from his journey to the Lonely Mountain Frodo Baggins is marked by Gandalf the Grey for another quest. This one is to escort the Ring Bilbo lifted from the creature in the goblin's cave to the fires of Mordor. The journey is an overarching plot through the separate books: The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, and The Return of the King.
     On his eleventy-first birthday, Bilbo disappears on an extended holiday, leaving his heir Frodo with the One Ring that he tricked out of Gollum in The Hobbit. Seventeen years later Gandalf returns and reveals the history of the ring: the Dark Lord Sauron forged it to subdue Middle Earth, but he was defeated in the Last War of Alliance by Gil-galad the Elven king and Elendil High King of Gondor and Arnor. Isildur, son of Elendil, kept the ring rather than destroy it and after much bloodshed it reached Smeagol. Smeagol carried the ring for centuries and became Gollum, from whom Bilbo obtained it and passed it to Frodo. Sauron has returned to Mordor and is searching for his ring to help him rule the world.
     Gandalf suggests the Shire is no longer the safe place for the ring and sends Frodo away. He and his companions, Samwise (Sam) Gamgee, Meriadoc (Merry) Brandybuck, and Peregrin (Pippin) Took prepare to leave the Shire, but Gandalf is called away and they decide to leave without him. The group is pursued by black-clad riders, Nazgul or Ringwraiths who are the servants of the Dark Lord, once great kings themselves. Frodo and his companions evade the Ringwraiths through the help of elves and several hobbits of the Shire. They travel to Bree and meet Strider, a Ranger and companion of Gandalf who will guide them to the Elven Rivendell.
     The companions reach Weathertop, where they are attacked by the Wraiths. Frodo is stabbed by their captain before Strider can drive them away with torches, but a part of the blade remains in the wound and he becomes more and more ill as they venture further toward Rivendell. Strider tells the company that unless they can treat the wound, Frodo will become a wraith himself.
     The group is met by Glorfindel, an Elven Lord and helps them reach the River Bruinen near Rivendell, but all nine of the Wraiths ambush them at the ford. Glorfindel and his horse outrace the nine with Frodo, and as they cross the river to safety a flood controlled by Elrond, Lord of Rivendell, sweeps them downstream.
     When Frodo awakens, he rests in the house of Elrond, has been healed by the Elven Lord, and Bilbo is waiting to see him. Frodo meets several strange, yet interesting, characters including Legolas, Prince of the Silvan Elves of Mirkwood, Gloin who joined Bilbo on his journey to the Lonely Mountain, and Boromir the son of the Steward of Gondor.
     Elrond calls together the Council of Elrond where the gathered travelers share their news. Gloin tells of the dwarves' attempts to find their lost homeland the kingdom of Moria, Balin and his expedition have not been heard from in years. Boromir reveals a dream both he and his brother, Foromir, had sending them to find "the Sword that Was Broken" and "Isildur's Bane" in Rivendell. Elrond has Frodo bring forth the ring, and labels it Isilidur's Bane.  Strider is revealed as Aragorn, the heir of Isildur, True King of Gondor and wielder of the Sword that Was Broken. Gandalf reveals he has been to see Saruman, the chief of Wizards, for advice, but Saruman turned against them and locked Gandalf in his tower Orthanc until he escaped. Saruman is not in Sauron's service and musters his own force of orcs to find the ring and master Middle Earth.
     The Council of Elrond concocts a plan to cast the ring into the fires of Mount Doom in Mordor--the fires from which it was fashioned--to destroy the ring and end Sauron's powers. Boromir argues that the ring be used to fight Sauron, but Elrond explains the ring's inherent evil cannot be turned for good.
     Frodo volunteers for the mission and is chosen as ring-bearer. He is joined by eight companions called the Fellowship of the Ring: Boromir and Aragorn, Legolas, Gandalf, Gimli son of Gloin, and the three hobbits Sam, Merry, and Pippin. Their journey south is foiled by heavy snows in the Misty Mountains, then by Wargs on the hunt for the ring in the West. They must travel under the mountains through the mines of Moria, where they discover Balin and his band have been killed by Orcs and other creatures who then attack the Company. During the ensuing battle Gandalf and the Balrog of Morgoth fall into the abyss of the mines.
     The rest of the troupe escape to the forest of Lothlorien. There they meet Galadriel and Celeborn and they gift the Company with goods that will prove to be useful in their later journeying. As they leave the forest and the elves, Frodo attempts to plan the remainder of their journey, but it attacked by Boromir who hopes to get the ring and use it to save Gondor. Frodo escapes, but while the rest of the Company searches for him he decides to travel to Mordor by himself. Sam insists on following him and the Company is broken.
     The first book of the Lord of the Rings trilogy is the beginning of the journey: Frodo learns to embrace the adventurous spirit his uncle Bilbo also held on to, he goes through trials and tribulations, but comes out the other end. Relationships are built and devolve under the power of the ring, and each character's base nature comes out with the temptation of ultimate power that comes to the ring's bearer. It is a chronicle of the battle between good and evil, and those who get caught along the way.
     The Fellowship of the Ring is more thoroughly enjoyed by an older audience, high school or older, who may catch the nuances of the story. There is significant violence and some suspense sprinkled through the tale; it pushes the story and the characters to their end.

The Hobbit

The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkein, 1937 Allen & Unwin Publishers

     Bilbo Baggins is a hobbit, not one of those hobbits that goes off and has adventures like the Tooks, even if he is a Took on his mother's side, but a respectable hobbit who keeps a respectable table and lives a respectable life in the Shire. At least he is until Gandalf the wizard arrives on his doorstep with a gaggle of dwarves and an adventure in search of a mountain, a dragon, and a treasure.
     The dwarves have had their mountain home, the Lonely Mountain, stolen from them by the dragon Smaug. An ancient prophecy's clues are coming true and the final object they need to collect is a "burglar" who they find in Bilbo. The group sets out, Gandalf, the dwarves, and Bilbo, traveling on ponies to find a way to read their map.
     The journey sends the travelers across the Misty Mountains toward  the city of the elves, but the troupe is waylaid by trolls. Through Bilbo's trickery, they survive and continue on their way. They enter the goblins' lands where Bilbo is separated from the rest of his group, answers a series of riddles for Gollum, and finds the One Ring (though he does not yet know what it is). His reputation is much improved when he rejoins the dwarves in one piece.
     Gandalf calls to an eyrie of Eagles when the goblins and strange, wolf-like wargs take chase. The fellowship takes refuge for a short time, but continue on their way through Murkwood where they encounter giant spiders. Bilbo saves them, only for the group to be captured by wood-elves and Bilbo must save them again. They escape downriver and make their way to Lake-town.
     In Lake-town the humans hope to be rescued from Smaug when the dwarves fulfill the prophecy. They aid the travelers in their quest as best they can. Gandalf's map helps Bilbo, Thorin, and the rest of the dwarves find the secret door. Bilbo is sent in and maps the plan of attack. In addition to finding the chink in Smaug's armor, Bilbo brings back a golden cup from the hoard sparking the dragon's vengeance on Lake-town. Through a twist of gossip, the town's defender and the King of the Dale's heir, Bard, manages to kill the dragon and the dwarves take back their ancient home.
     But the story is not over there. When the elves and humans demand compensation for their aid, Thorin Oakenshield, now king, refuses them and war becomes immanent. When Bilbo finds the Arkenstone (the heart of the mountain and dwarves' greatest treasure) he hands it over to the elves' leader in hopes of preventing the war, but Thorin banishes the hobbit and war becomes inevitable. Gandalf arrives with the news that an army of goblins and wargs is headed their way. The fighting races band together to fight their common enemy, and the Battle of Five Armies commences.
     The humanoids appear to be losing until the timely arrival the Eagles and Beorn, a shape-shifting bear-man, turn the tide. In the battle, Thorin is fatally injured, but reconciles with Bilbo before his death. The people of Lake-town rebuild, and the travelers are rewarded. Bilbo takes only a small portion of his reward, but still returns home a very wealthy hobbit.
     Bilbo's story encourages readers to look beyond what they believe is possible for themselves, to strive to be the best person they may be. Bilbo doesn't believe in himself, doesn't even join the journey until his honor is questioned and he demands that he can do what they expect of him, but after he has joined the troupe, it is Bilbo who saves them repeatedly from the dangers they face, not Gandalf (though he helps), not Thorin (he gets them into some of the scrapes): it is Bilbo Baggins of Bag End who is not one of those hobbits that goes off on adventures who saves the day.
     For this reason Tolkein's prequel to the Lord of the Rings Trilogy becomes a classic, just as the trilogy itself does. The story may not be appropriate for readers under the age of 10-years-old, and with each re-telling, older readers clean a new satisfaction from the familiar tale.