The blood of Olympus - Review

The blood of Olympus by Rick Riordan

Heroes of Oylmpus book five.

Available now

penguin.co.uk 

What's it about?

Though the Greek and Roman crewmembers of the Argo II have made progress in their many quests, they still seem no closer to defeating the earth mother, Gaia. Her giants have risen—all of them, and they're stronger than ever. They must be stopped before the Feast of Spes, when Gaia plans to have two demigods sacrificed in Athens. She needs their blood—the blood of Olympus—in order to wake. The demigods are having more frequent visions of a terrible battle at Camp Half-Blood. The Roman legion from Camp Jupiter, led by Octavian, is almost within striking distance. Though it is tempting to take the Athena Parthenos to Athens to use as a secret weapon, the friends know that the huge statue belongs back on Long Island, where it might be able to stop a war between the two camps. The Athena Parthenos will go west; the Argo II will go east. The gods, still suffering from multiple personality disorder, are useless. How can a handful of young demigods hope to persevere against Gaia's army of powerful giants? As dangerous as it is to head to Athens, they have no other option. They have sacrificed too much already. And if Gaea wakes, it is game over.

My review

What I loved most about the Heroes of Olympus series was the closer connection we got with the characters during the series and really seeing them grow up, it was something I never realised was missing from the original Percy Jackson series until I read this. Each book is told from multiple narratives from all seven characters in turn, all of whom are very different but come together to make a perfect band of misfits discovering themselves and forging forever friendships.
As well as a great story, these books also teach the importance of friendship, relationships and being yourself which are always great lessons for younger children, and sometimes even adults!
Although The blood of Olympus wasn't quite the explosive ending I was expecting, I still really enjoyed it. Everything was wrapped up nicely and I was genuinely happy with everyone's endings, the ones that were expected and the ones that weren't. And perhaps I'm the only one that may think this but I would love to see Nico get his own series as I feel like we've still only scratched the surface with who he is.
I'm so sad to say goodbye to the gang but I can't wait for Riordan's new series based around Norse mythology to start later in the year and in the meantime, there's the new Percy Jackson/Carter Kane crossover to look forward to!

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The mark of Athena - Review

The mark of Athena by Rick Riordan

Heroes of Olympus book three.

Available now

www.penguin.co.uk 

What's it about?

Annabeth is terrified. Just when she's about to be reunited with Percy - after six months of being apart, thanks to Hera - it looks like Camp Jupiter is preparing for war. As Annabeth and her friends Jason, Piper, and Leo fly in on the Argo II, she can't blame the Roman demigods for thinking the ship is a Greek weapon. With its steaming bronze dragon figurehead, Leo's fantastical creation doesn't appear friendly. Annabeth hopes that the sight of their praetor Jason on deck will reassure the Romans that the visitors from Camp Half-Blood are coming in peace.

And that's only one of her worries. In her pocket, Annabeth carries a gift from her mother that came with an unnerving command: Follow the Mark of Athena. Avenge me. Annabeth already feels weighed down by the prophecy that will send seven demigods on a quest to find - and close - the Doors of Death. What more does Athena want from her?

Annabeth's biggest fear, though, is that Percy might have changed. What if he's now attached to Roman ways? Does he still need his old friends? As the daughter of the goddess of war and wisdom, Annabeth knows she was born to be a leader - but never again does she want to be without Seaweed Brain by her side.

My review

The mark of Athena is yet another great adventure set in the world of Percy Jackson. Full of mystery, action and monsters.
What I like about the Heroes of Olympus series is that each book is told by different characters, and whilst they do involve everyone, we get to the heart of different characters with each book and find out what makes them tick, it's a really great way to get to know everyone when there are so many main players in the series, without being overwhelmed. It was also great to see Percy and Annabeth taking front row again and how their relationship together has grown since the original series.
The story itself is also, once again, great! Rick Riordan does a brilliant job of bringing ancient myths into the present and mixing the two to create something unique, making the book difficult to put down.
If you've liked the rest of the books, then this latest in the series will not disappoint you, its just as fast paced, and there's never a dull moment in sight as all our heroes take on another great quest.

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The serpent's shadow - Review

The serpent's shadow by Rick Riordan

The Kane chronicles book three.
Available now.
www.penguin.co.uk

What's it about?  

Carter And Sadie Kane, descendants of the magical House of Life, are in pretty big trouble. Despite their bravest efforts, Apophis, the giant snake of Chaos, is still threatening to plunge the world into eternal darkness. Now the Kanes must do something no magician has ever managed - defeat Apophis himself. No pressure there then. Battling against the forces of Chaos, their only hope is an ancient spell - but the magic has been lost for a millennia. Will they find the serpent's shadow, or will they be led to their deaths in the depths of the Underworld?

My review

Once again Riordan has delivered another action packed book! If you're checking out this review, then you've likely read his other books and just want to know if this lives up to it's predecessors, well, it does. And if you haven't read any of his previous books, either in this series or his Greek mythology series', then where have you been?
The serpent's shadow is just full of constant action, exciting twists and turns and a great story, I really enjoyed it. It's wonderful watching both Sadie and Carter grow on their adventure and find love along the way, they're great heroes, I'd certainly call on them if I needed someone to save the world.
I've always loved what Riordan does with mytholgy, he stays true to it but modernises it at the same time which is what makes his books so unique, he makes it work really well and immerses the reader in his worlds.
And it's no different for his latest novel, being the third book in the series he's still managed to come up with lots of new ideas and keep the story going and I enjoyed the hints at what's coming next after the seemingly peaceful ending which never lasts long for our guys.
I'm seriously excited for the next book to find out what Sadie and Carters next adventure is.

My thoughts on the cover
At last! Sadie has made the cover. I really like Carter but I like Sadie to so I'm glad to see her make this fab cover, I love the big scary snake in the back and the red.

Favourite quotes

'She leaned over and kissed me.
I'd imagined this many times, but I was so unprepared I didn't act very cool about it. I dropped my protein bar and breathed in her cinnamon fragrance. When she pulled away, I was gaping like a fish. i said something like, 'Hum-uh-huh.''

'My eyes probably answered for me: No, please. Not ever. But I couldn't very well give him the satisfaction of my saying that out loud, could I? Boys can get so full of themselves.'

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Try it Tuesday (9)

'Try it Tuesday' is a weekly meme hosted here at Bookaholics where each week me and Ninfa take turns to recommend a book we think you should try and why.

This week’s pick is

The lightening thief by Rick Riordan

Percy Jackson and The Olypians book one.

Percy Jackson just discovered he is the half-mortal son of Poseidon, and he's wanted dead. Fighting to discover his true purpose in life, and to stay alive, Percy meets many obstacles, but also gains some friends. It all ends in a one-on-one match with Hades, god of the Underworld. Will Percy live to tell about it?

Why I’m choosing this book
As much as I love Harry Potter, after the fifth time reading it I wanted to find a similar series to get stuck into, so with the movie about to be released at the time I decided to try Percy Jackson and optimistically bought all five books in the series. I was so glad that I did because I really enjoyed them and the read the series back to back. The only way it's like Harry Potter is that it's aimed at the same age group and it follows a young boy.
It sparked a love of mythology in me that had me hitting the library for books about Greek mythology and eating up all the wonderful stories which eventually led me to reading The Odysey by Homer which I loved! I'm yet to read The Iliad but I will.

Five reasons I love this book
1. The use and wealth of Greek mythology is all woven together brilliantly.
2. Great humour that can keep adults giggling as well as younger readers.
3. Wonderful characters including a strong lead that young boys can look up to.
4. A wonderful, imaginative world.
5. It's full of action from start to finish.

Who I think will love this book
Definitely one for fans of Harry Potter and, though I haven't read them, I think fans of the Alex Rider series by Anthony Horowitz and H.I.V.E by Mark Walden would enjoy it. Though it's aimed at young boys I think people of all ages and genders would like it, and the rest of the series of course :p

I hope this inspires you to pick up the book, and if you do

Let me know what you think!

The son of Neptune - Review

The son of Neptune by Rick Riordan
Available now.
http://www.penguin.co.uk/

Whats it about?
Seven half-bloods shall answer the call,
To storm or fire the world must fall.
An oath to keep with a final breath,
And foes bear arms to the Doors of Death.

Percy is confused. When he awoke from his long sleep, he didn't know much more than his name. His brain fuzz is lingering, even after the wolf Lupa told him he is a demigod and trained him to fight with the pen/sword in his pocket. Somehow Percy manages to make it to a camp for half-bloods, despite the fact that he has to keep killing monsters along the way. But the camp doesn't ring and bells with him. The only thing he can recall from his past is another name: Annabeth

Hazel is supposed to be dead. When she lived before, she didn't do a very good job of it. Sure, she was an obedient daughter, even when her mother was possessed by greed. But that was the problem - when the Voice took over he mother and commanded Hazel to use her "gift" for and evil purpose, Hazel couldn't say no. Now because of her mistake, the future of the world is at risk. Hazel wished she could ride away from it all on the stallion that appears in her dreams.

Frank is a klutz. His grandmother says he is descended from heroes and can be anything he wants to be, but he doesn't see it. He doesn't even know who his father is. He keeps hoping Apollo will claim him, because the only thing he is good at is archery - although not good enough to win camp war games. His bulky physique makes him feel like an ox, especially in front of Hazel, his closest friend at camp. He trusts her completely - enough to share the secret he holds close to his heart.

Beginning at the "other" camp for half-bloods and extending as far as the land beyond the gods, this breathtaking second instalment of the Heroes of Olympus series introduces new demigods, revives fearsome monsters, and features other remarkable creatures, all destined to play a part in the Prophesy of Seven.

My review

Whilst I wouldn't call this my favourite in the Percy Jackson saga, I still loved it! I've noticed a formula with these books that's making them a little predictable for me but they're still superbly written and I just loved the infusion of Roman mythology in this one, there was some in The lost hero but there's tons in this one and the mixture of Greek and Roman mythology, and even a little Chinese has been put together seamlessly.
It was great to be reading Percy again, although the loss of memory part, although necessary to the story, was kind of annoying, we've already read the first book where Jason spent the better part of the book without his memory so it felt kind of repetative and also there were quite often things like 'Percy felt like he'd been here before' that were annoying to.
But otherwise a fabulous book, full of action and monsters, some new and some old and we meet a bunch more new characters.
And it was great to see Camp Jupiter and see how it compared to Camp Half-blood.
The other two viewpoints of the book are told from Hazel and Frank, the newest demigods to this series and they were both lovely, Hazel acted older than her years but its understandable with what she's been through and Frank was a great character to, it was lovely seeing the three embark on their quest and slowly start to trust each other with their secrets and the epic battle scene at the end was fabulous.
This is defintitly another winner in the series and I'm excited for the next book The mark of Athena, where the whole gang will be seen working together.

My thoughts on the cover
I really like the bright colours of this cover and the Gorgons are totally cool and the water being seperated by the boy, whom I guess to be Percy, is awesome, no less than Id expect from a son of Neptune!

Favourite quotes

'Looking down at the valley, Percy understood why she cared so much. Even though he was new at Camp Jupiter, he felt a fierce desire to protect the place. A safe haven where demigods could build their lives - he wanted that to be part of his future.'

'But its true. What do they call it these days - no pain, no gain? Same concept. You do the easy thing, the appealing thing, the peaceful thing, mostly it turns out sour at the end. But if you take the hard path - ah, that's how you reap the sweet rewards. Duty. Sacrifice. They mean something.' - Mars.

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Wednesdays Worldly covers - #36 and UK vs US #3

Wednesdays worldly covers is an original feature I made up, each week I share a book cover from around the world.

This is the Dutch cover for De Bliksemdief (The lightening thief) by Rick Riordan, or otherwise known as Percy Jackson and the lightening thief.

Mist: I do like this cover but I think it gives the book an older feel than it's aimed at. The colours though are appealing and I like the dragon (or Pegasus?) in the distance.

Ninfa: This cover is a little too futuristic for me and it doesn't quite match the feel of the book, which I've read and loved.
I don't get why Percy is standing on a sort of eagle head on a building either...a little off for me and I just don't seem to love it.

And here of course is the UK cover.

Mist: This one I prefer I think, I like the yellow, it stands out and I love the Minotaur, I think this appeals more to young heros :)

Ninfa: The UK version is very heroic and it makes me think of myths and legends and really encopassing the theme of the book. I love the metallic colours and the font of the title. A good cover that appeals easily to both teenagers and those of us who've left those years behind.

UK vs US is a feature done by a lot of blogs but I don't know where it originated.

Each a UK cover and a US cover of the same book battle it out.

UK                                                             US

Between by Jessica Warman.

Mist: I really like both of these covers for different reasons, I love the colours in the UK cover but I like the creepy feel that tells me that this is perhaps on ghost story on the US cover. I don't like the drunken font on the US cover though. I think I prefer the UK cover overall, it's easier on the eye even if it doesn't tell me what the book is about lol.

Ninfa: Really love the US cover. I like the way the girl has her feet in the clouds and how the ground is above her head,makes me think about the story and what exactly is going on with the girl...I haven't seen or read anything about it but it kinda makes me guess it's about the afterlife and makes me curious about the story. A really pretty cover.
The UK one is okay as well,but less intriguing for me, though the girl looks dead to me which makes it a little creepy...
...it's a US win for me on this one :)

Which do you prefer?