I didn't get the minor inappropriate references fully, but I got the general idea enough so it didn't take away from the story. I read this book a couple times, the first when I was in second grade, then once in fifth grade, then more recently in late sixth grade. People generally make it seem worse than it is because a lot of it was LGBT. The uses of 'hell' was actually 'Hel' or 'Helheim', as in the Norse goddess/underworld. Younger kids also probably won't know what this word means. This book did imply the n-word, but it was not said explicitly and it was also said that saying that word is EXTREMELY bad, which is 100% true. And in terms of Alex's gender fluidity, according to some people 'distracting from the story'.well, Norse Myths had a strong connection to gender fluidity so in a way it actually strengthened the story, on top of giving good representation. Also, all of the LGBT characters have other defining traits so it isn't like that's the whole thing that makes them them. I love how the main character is pansexual (meaning you like all genders equally without a preference), since so many YA books only have background gay characters that are often not written well. Characters in this book have diverse backgrounds, and include characters of color, varying religions, a deaf character, two formerly homeless characters, and LGBTQIA+ characters. But this book (and the prior two) kind of break that pattern.

I'm a huge fan of the Rick Riordan books, but I admit that some of the later series do decrease in quality as they go on.

The book is also hilarious, so none of it is depicted as dark. Just the right amount of violence for it to be entertaining but not hard to read. One of my favorite books of all time! There is some violence and gore, but nothing emotionally disturbing.

Magnus chase and the ship of dead