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I included a few at top of this post but see the entire list at https://www.fictfact.com/BookReleaseCalendar by clicking on Tuesday, May 2.
Guess gearing up for spring vacations and summer reading?
I included a few at top of this post but see the entire list at https://www.fictfact.com/BookReleaseCalendar by clicking on Tuesday, May 2.
Guess gearing up for spring vacations and summer reading?
Back to my favourite old series (well not old – but I did like the original series that I read earlier in the year). However, this series begins completely different. Don’t read further into this paragraph if you don’t want to be spoilt. Instead of Percy Jackson being the main character, we’re led into a new world where Jason (son of Zeus/Jupiter) is the main character. There are also two new support characters for him, Piper (daughter of Aphrodite), and Leo (son of Hephaestus).
Now, for me, this was a jolt. I expected to be eased into this series with Percy Jackson. I rolled with it, however, because I thought, why not? Jason is not as fun as Percy was. I found the earlier series much more entertaining than this book. I don’t know yet if Jason deserves to be the main character, I found him too stiff (but that’s probably his training showing). The other two characters, Piper and Leo, are quite okay as support characters. We get to see a little bit of some of the last cast but only glimpses actually.
The story follows a similar arc as previous books by Rick Riordan. Jason, Piper, and Leo go on a quest to save the world. There are all sorts of obstacles put in the way, but you can predict the ending. The gods in the story are ever present and ever angry with their children. Story wise, I think it’s quite okay what followed.
So, summary time! I thought the book didn’t start off as well as the previous series. I don’t know if there was any hype, as I read this book years after it was published, but in my head, I thought it would be cooler. If you’re a fan of the Percy Jackson series, then please go ahead and read. You’ll eventually get to see the whole cast again.
This is a little different from the last book, as now we have switched back to our old friend, Percy Jackson. However, Annabeth, Percy’s girlfriend is not in this book. We have also switched camps to a tropical island (figuratively) for Heros. We’re now in New Rome, America. It’s sort of like this East vs. West America thing played out in a Rome vs. Greek world. This is a whole new civilisation that we discover and uncover in this book. It turns out they also did some things in the last books (that were never mentioned).
Now that Percy has swapped sides, he’s kind of mixed. He’s the son of Poseidon, but he’s also the son of Neptune (not really, the book will explain this). We also are introduced to two new support characters: Hazel (daughter of Hades/Pluto), and Frank (son of Aries/Mars). He’s lost his memory except for Annabeth (I mean, who would forget their girlfriend?).
As with the last book, the Giants are the enemies of the Gods and demigods alike. Percy, Hazel, and Frank go on a quest to destroy a giant and bring temporary peace to the world (until the next book). Again, with the last book, I think the new characters need warming up to.
If you liked the last book, I forsee you liking this book. But still, I feel this new series doesn’t live up to the old series. It feels slightly more serious, and I loved the goofiness that came with Percy Jackson.
So, I just finished this book the day before yesterday. It’s still quite fresh in my mind, unlike quite a few of my earlier reviews. I’m happy that I’m now halfway through the series but at the same time I’m taking a break and not reading the next two yet.
Why am I taking a break? Well, I feel that this series doesn’t have the same fun and excitement as the previous series. It took me (and there is a reason for this) three weeks (I think) to read this book. The reason is not that it was bad, but that I’m dedicating more time to writing rather than reading.
I guess this book kind of ends on a cliffhanger. I can’t reveal anything there without spoiling the story, so I’ll write a brief and general review.
This book follows all the heroes from the last two books. So, we finally get Percy and Annabeth back together. We also see the two camps collide and create one happy family (sort of). Seven are chosen (well pre-chosen) for the new quest in this book.
The heroes will eventually find themselves in the real Rome to complete their quests (there are a few this time, rather than one). I felt like this book had pace, but the characters didn’t have the same feel. As I have said in previous reviews, but maybe I’m looking back through rose-tinted glasses, Percy is not as fun as he used to be. I did like that Annabeth got quite a main quest, but I didn’t like the fact that she’s portrayed as powerless apart from her intellect.
There are some known gods and some unknown gods that appear in this book and, of course, heroes that have become gods. I thought one of the sacrifices made by the team was pretty funny and in league with the earlier books. That’s probably my favourite scene (you’ll know it when you read up to it).
I guess like my previous reviews of this series; you can loan this from your library. I still enjoy the series, but not as much as the last series. I really do like Rick Riordan’s writing, it just feels like it’s not as snappy (maybe also a product of the longer books). I’m still looking forward to completing this series.
Well, the two heroes that I like best are back (they get their storyline). They go through the depths of the evilest place in the world and happen to make a few friends while they’re at it also. The other heroes all go through their quests with their quirks and their powers beginning to show. We also learn of Nico and what is vital to him (why he does everything he does). It feels like there are too many characters in this series. I don’t know about you, but I’m getting exhausted switching between so many characters and trying to keep the stories intact.
I feel like I read this book ages ago. I’ve started writing again so my mornings for reading have gotten shorter. I read this on a plane from Munich to Edinburgh and back again. So, this book has travelled quite a bit with me. I find it nice to read on aeroplanes, it’s relaxing and gives you something to do for the shorter (1-4 hour) flights to do.
Now, I like to mention themes in all my new reviews. Obviously, since Percy and Annabeth survive in the worst place possible, through impossible odds, one theme I believe prevalent here is the idea of good v. evil. That there is inherently evil people in this world (monsters), and there are good people in this world (heroes). That good will overcome all obstacles. We almost see Percy turn evil at one point of the story, but Annabeth saves him from himself and talks Percy out of the act of evilness. I believe this also plays into the theme of good v. evil, but in another way, in that, there are good and bad sides to everyone. We also see this (spoiler alert) with one of the Titans, who should be an evil creation, but he turns out to be a really good guy.
I guess another theme in this book would also be courage. As with a lot of Riordan’s books in the Percy Saga, courage is something all heroes need. They need the courage to face their worst fears. They need the courage to overcome their greatest weakness. They need the courage to be a hero.
Well, I think if you have liked all the earlier books, you’ll definitely continue to like this book. There is quite a lot of character building in this book, but it still feels like I am watching too many characters in the spotlight. Riordan keeps track of the seven heroes throughout the story, but it can feel overwhelming at times.
