Riordan is the author of several fantasy series incorporating world mythologies, and all of them are set in the same story universe. The Magnus Chase series integrates Norse myth into modern-day settings and takes place during the events of other series. Percy Jackson and the Olympians is Riordan’s first series, and it sets the tone for both how Riordan deals with myth and the modern-day influence on each group of deities. Magnus Chase takes place after the events of Percy Jackson and the Olympians and during the events of Riordan’s two other series involving the Greek gods—The Heroes of Olympus and The Trials of Apollo. Specifically, The Hammer of Thor takes place during The Trials of Apollo, as referenced in the final chapter when Annabeth describes a Greek god who’s fallen to Earth as a mortal. Annabeth believes her current troubles will be dealt with by Midsummer (when Magnus and his friends will battle Loki), suggesting that the third book in the Magnus Chase series will take place after one or both of the Greek gods series have wrapped up.

Riordan brings a contemporary feel to ancient myths through humor and by mystically transporting the godly realms to different cities in the United States.