The Legend of Viking Thunder

By Author / Illustrator

M. G. Leonard, Manuel Sumberac

Genre

Mystery & Detective

Age range(s)

Publisher

Pan Macmillan

ISBN

9781035005987

Format

Paperback / softback

Published

11-09-2025

Synopsis

Sim's Uncle Emmett is missing and on the run from the ruthless Council of Keys. Sim and his cousin Jeopardy are determined to find him.

Their search takes them through a hidden door in time to Viking Norway and a desperate mission across land and sea to stop the legendary Gjallarhorn - said to herald Ragnaroek, the end of the world - from falling into the wrong hands.

The Legend of Viking Thunder can be read as a stand-alone novel, or enjoyed as part of the thrilling Time Keys series. Follow Sim and Jeopardy's adventures in the series in Hunt for the Golden Scarab and The Impossible Gladiator. Supports the key stage 2 curriculum. Illustrated throughout in black and white by Manuel Sumberac. Find out more about Hunt for the Golden Scarab from author MG Leonard.

Praise for the series: 'A complete triumph of imagination . . . readers are going to fall in love with this brilliant series.' - A. F. Steadman, bestselling author of Skandar. Action adventure meets the time travel of Doctor Who in the second title of this epic series by bestselling award-winner M. G. Leonard. Perfect for fans of Adventures on Trains. 'Classic and fresh - a breathtaking adventure.' - Eoin Colfer, bestselling author of Artemis Fowl. 'A spellbinding, seat-of-the-pants adventure . . . fabulous, fast-paced and thrilling.' - Jonathan Stroud. 'A note-perfect, time-travelling blockbuster.' - Jack Meggitt-Phillips, bestselling author of The Beast and the Bethany.

Reviews

Sue

With Uncle Emmett missing and on the run from the Council of Keys, Sim and Jeopardy are determined to find him. Their quest leads them to Viking Norway and a mission to prevent the mythical Gjallarhorn, believed to signal the coming of Ragnarök, from falling into the wrong hands.

I absolutely adored Hunt for the Golden Scarab, the first Time Keys adventure, and so The Legend of Viking Thunder didn’t even make it to the TBR pile, but was read immediately! A pacy, thoroughly enjoyable adventure, it is also rich in history and a love of music.

The idea of time 'doors' will make readers look at any ancient door they meet with new eyes and the story leads to some very specific locations which are described in tempting detail, showing that history is everywhere and that, although we might not all be able to pass through time, these links to the past can be easily found and investigated!

The level of historical detail woven into each story is incredible - Viking in this adventure, Egyptian in the last - effortlessly enriching knowledge of the period and piquing interest. I can't wait to see where they explore next - Italy from the sneak peak of the next book added at the end of this one!

Sim, Jeopardy and Nelson continue to work as an excellent team with the adults, Sim's mum, Calli, and Jeopardy's dad, Emmett, playing a main part in the action, unlike many children's books where grown-ups are killed off early! More is discovered about Jeopardy in this story - her relationship with her father and her skills as a time key - but we also learn more about Sim’s father and how he (Sim) differs from the others.

Full of action and adventure, this would make an excellent class story to engage and excite children. Although part of a series, this could be read in isolation as through a diary entry and a letter, information is given which sets the scene, filling the reader in on the previous events. Skilful writing, compelling story line, great illustrations- it's a brilliant read!

288 pages / Reviewed by Sue Wilsher, teacher