"I'm gender fluid and transgender, idiot."
The publication of "The Hammer of Thor" coincided with Donald Trump's running for the presidency. Rick Riordan's political correctness was visible once more, and it happened before I reached Chapter 10. Alex Fierro had conflicted feelings towards Valhalla, as the gender lines weren't blurred at all. She was the daughter of Loki, THE villain in the Viking world. But she made it clear that her father would think little of her. On the other hand, Trump revealed his true feelings about beauty queens.
Riordan managed to walk on the thin line separating political correctness and surreal comedy. In the case of his latest novel, Taylor Swift might be surprised to learn about her new fans among the warmongers, only to be tempered by the author's respect towards the LGBT community. He was a high school teacher, who witnessed bullying many times. I wouldn't be surprised if this was the reason behind his introduction of Alex Fierro. Then again, actors like Ellen Page would be lucky to find a career in Hollywood. In Riordan's (teenage) world, there would be a place for everyone. It happened to be the world of myths.
Chapter 15 described how a certain Prince Gellir conferred with his twelve mummies on the fate of Magnus Chase and his companions. It was a fatal end, but there must be a deliberation. This was an ancient custom of Norse men, which inspired the idea of a parliament. There might not be an irony behind it, as stranger things happened in real life. And the fearsome description of Vikings turned out to be a romantic idea of authors who wanted an adventure of a Magnus-like magnitude.
My uncle gets some backup singers
Riordan's love of mythology could spill into the Mesoamerican culture, and Leo Valdez might make a guest appearance. The Aztecs were mentioned in an early chapter, and this won't be a coincidence.
Magnus Chase may not find his way to the big screen, but he might be Riordan's most grounded (lead) character so far. He wasn't the son of a major deity (in Norse mythology), and no one expected him to postpone the Ragnarok. Riordan would illustrate how friendship could come in different forms and sizes. (It could be a decapitated god in a bath tub.) Buddies could also be one's backups during perilous times, but there won't be any Motown tune on tough times and the resilient human spirit.
The premise behind "The Hammer of Thor" was a bit too outrageous, of how Loki charmed Sam's (foster) parents and forced them to agree on an arranged union between their daughter and a certain giant named Thrym, He may have a lead on their whereabouts of the Mjolnir, Thor's prized possession. Riordan's best trait would be found in the subplots, and the sum could be Magnus's ticket to fame and fortune. But he was a teenager. He terribly missed his mother. His sword would show what he was missing in his social life. It won't be a new version of "Shake It Off". (Cheese graters gonna grate, grate, grate, grate, grate.)
What do you think?
