Suitabook

The Hammer of Thor

Rick Riordan

Reading: Read it after The Sword of Summer if possible, since the relationships and earlier events carry forward. Before starting, mention that the ending may leave major matters unresolved; afterwards, talk about how humour, mythology and personal identity work together.
Themes: Mythology, danger and responsibility: Magnus and his friends must recover Thor’s hammer before giants invade and Ragnarok begins. The Norse setting and the Thrym myth are presented through a comic fantasy adventure, while the threat remains consequential.
Gender identity and belonging: Alex Fierro is introduced as a gender-fluid child of Loki who becomes part of Magnus’s group. The book presents this as ordinary or accepted within its context.
Faith, family and expectations: Samirah’s Islamic faith, Valkyrie duties, arranged engagement and relationship with Loki are described as continuing character concerns; another character has painful family history. The book?s stance on this remains unclear.
Worth knowing: Expect fantasy peril, threats of invasion and world-ending destruction, plus fighting connected with magical enemies.