The Sword of Summer

The Sword of Summer is the first book in the Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard series by Rick Riordan. The book is slated to come out on October 6, 2015.

Development
Rick Riordan announced that the new Norse mythology series would be titled Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard on September 23rd, 2014 during a webcast. The title of the first book was revealed early when The Blood of Olympus leaked before its scheduled release date, October 7th, 2014. The title was officially confirmed on October 7th, 2014 when the The Blood of Olympus was released. Then, shortly afterwards, the book appeared on Amazon.

Synopsis
''Magnus Chase has always been a troubled kid. Since his mother's mysterious death, he's lived alone on the streets of Boston, surviving by his wits, keeping one step ahead of the police and the truant officers. One day, he's tracked down by an uncle he's never met - a man his mother claimed was dangerous. His uncle tells him an impossible secret: Magnus is the son of a Norse god. The Viking myths are true. The gods of Asgard are preparing for war. Trolls, giants and worse monsters are stirring for doomsday. To prevent Ragnarok, Magnus must search the Nine Worlds for a weapon that has been lost for thousands of years. When an attack by fire giants forces him to choose between his own safety and the lives of hundreds of innocents, Magnus makes a fatal decision.''

Sometimes, the only way to start a new life is to die...

Plot
While sleeping under a bridge, Magnus Chase is awoken by a bum called Blitz with the news that a middle-aged man and a teenage girl are looking for him. Packing his few things, Magnus also learns from Blitz that the man and the girl are expected to pass his way. Before disappearing, Blitz advises Magnus to see "Hearth" at Copley Square and cryptically states that "they're coming".

Soon, Magnus finds the man and his daughter walking around, whom he recognises as his uncle Frederick and cousin Annabeth. Having been estranged from his relatives for years even after his mother's death, Magnus decides to break into his uncle Randolph's house for answers as to why he had suddenly contacted Frederick and Annabeth.