Hammer of Thor by Rick Riordan

"Hammer of Thor" by Rick Riordan. This book is published by Penguin in 2016 and has 512 pages. This is Book 2 of Magnus Chase series. 

Hammer of Thor is missing. It's a secret to be kept from Giants, otherwise they will attack and it will be Ragnarök. Sam, the Valkyrie, asks Magnus and his friends to undertake a quest to recover it quietly. Loki wants to marry of Sameera to an earth giant. Alex, a gender fluid warrior, enters Valhalla. Harth - the Elf and Blitz - the dwarf, who have gone missing, are reunited with Magnus.

Can they find Hammer of Thor? Why does Loki arrange the wedding? What is his ultimate plan? What role will Alex play? Will there be a Ragnarök?

The story is decently paced and keeps you mildly interested. Something is happening all the time. This book too contains Rick Riordan's signature puns and punches. 

Once again the Norse Gods are depicted as powerful but comic figures. All the Gods are quirky. They all have modern fascinations and hobbies. Thor is addicted to TV shows and Heimdall is busy in taking selfies etc. 

The mission only partly success. The failure part being the seed for next book. However towards the very end author brings in (only in reference) his favorite hero Percy Jackson, through Annabeth, cousin of Magnus. They will meet in next book. 

It appears that author needs support of Percy to perk up the story and keep the readers interested. Is he cashing in too much on Percy? Now, however, he has made the next book interesting. But I think it's only going to be a guest appearance. 

Why did I read this book? Rick Riordan. 

What I didn't like? Necessity to use the crutches of Percy. 

What did I like? Entertainment. 

Read it if you plan to read the series.