Entries Tagged 'P-R' ↓
March 11th, 2010 — 3.5-4 Treasure Chests, Action & Adventure, Audio Book Review, Coming of Age, Fantasy, Guest Review, P-R, YA Genre
by First Mate Keira, guest reviewer
Title: The Last Olympian
Author: Rick Riordan
Narrator: Jesse Bernstein
Format: Audio Book
# CDs + Minutes: 9 CDs (11 hours, 01 minutes)
Grade Reading Level: 6 – 8 Grade.
Summary: The final showdown has begun and it’s time for Percy Jackson to hear the prophecy in full. The Titans are warring on several fronts and the forces of the Olympian gods are split. Mortals know something is up and are suitably terrified. There is a spy in the midst of the Half-Blood camp and the Ares cabin refuses to join the plans Percy and the rest of the camp are organizing. Which so much fraction and friction, is there even hope that the good guys can win especially when it all hangs in the balance of one 16 year old’s hands?
Why I Started This Book:
It’s the last in the series and I wanted to know the ending of course!
Likes:
- Riordan cuts to the chase and starts with action immediately. No running around pointlessly in the forests (Deathly Hallows) for Percy and his friends.
- Morpheus’ role in the war. He puts the mortals to sleep in New York to protect them or at the very least if so charitable a notion is impossible to believe, keep them out of the way.
- Hestia, the ‘last Olympian’ on Mt. Olympus because at home is where the last hope is kept.
- Again Hades is the first to do the right thing and join the campers in the guarding of the Empire State building, followed very closely by Poseidon providing the much needed relief against Typhon the Titan.
- The final battle on in the throne room against Kronos/Luke and the trio: Percy, Annabeth, and Grover. Very, very good!
Dislikes:
- The constant back to back skirmishes, fighting, and battles. It will certainly be an action packed with no time for breathing sequence in the movie companion that is for sure. At times it was a little overmuch, but I think that might be because I listened to it versus reading it. It seemed to drag on, especially when everyone and I do mean everyone not aligned with the Titans is involved.
- Luke’s mom and the back flashes. Creepy and weird.
- Rachel becoming the next Oracle of Delphi.
Last Minute Thoughts: Percy’s huge decision is one of two things, either: A) He trusts Luke to do the right thing. Very meh. B) His wish of the gods. There is some potential in the second. What do you think?
Buy: The Last Olympian (Audio Book)
, The Last Olympian (Hardback)
, Percy Jackson and the Olympians Hardcover Boxed Set (Books 1 - 5)
Book Rating: 4 Treasure Chests.
Keira runs a book review blog for readers by readers on romance novels entitled Love Romance Passion. She’s been reading romance since she was in her teens and began blogging about romance so she could share her passion for her favorite genre. She loves reading paranormal, Regency, historical America, and highlander most of all and completely adores blind and wounded heroes.
Originally posted 2009-11-10 03:16:50.
March 5th, 2010 — 3.5-4 Treasure Chests, Action & Adventure, Audio Book Review, Fantasy, Guest Review, P-R, YA Genre
by First Mate Keira, guest reviewer
Title: The Battle of the Labyrinth
Author: Rick Riordan
Narrator: Jesse Bernstein
Format: Audio Book
# CDs + Minutes: 9 CDs (10 hours, 33 minutes)
Grade Reading Level: 6 – 8 Grade.
Summary: Annabeth finally gets her own quest and she’s breaking all the rules. If 3 is a powerful number, surely 4 is better? Tyson, Percy, Grover and Annabeth are off to find Daedalus in the Labyrinth. They need to ensure his aid of Camp Half-Blood as Luke is gathering more forces to march on the demigod camp. Can they avoid an epic battle?
Why I Started This Book:
Because it’s book four in the series, of course. I’m very glad I got this audio book and the next (final) one from the library at the same time. No waiting! Pure back-to-back enjoyment.
Likes:
- That Annabeth, Percy, Tyson, and Grover all go on a quest together. I really liked seeing the gang head off to fight and conquer together. Nobody was lost and needed rescuing (e.g. Grover book 2, Annabeth book 3.)
- The Labyrinth. It’s very cool and beats Harry Potter’s maze in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
hands down. You have dirt floors, underground sewers, aqueducts, great marble halls, skylights, and more. The maze is living and growing how it pleases.
- The Telchines, while being particularly loathsome monsters are the ones that made Poseidon’s trident. That’s pretty cool. I looked them up on Wikipedia and they’re said to be “excellent metallurgists” and to have raised Poseidon. I wonder if they’ll be an important part of the final book. Maybe be redeemed, as they were exiled in the first place for turning against the Olympian gods.
- There’s a really sweet sequence with Calypso on the island of Ogygia. She’s important in Greek mythology for trying to waylay Odysseus on his way home and by wanting to marry him. Anyway, she’s a nice (Titan?) person and falls in love with Percy. I really liked what Percy said about her as he said goodbye, calling her his biggest what if.
- Kronos/Chronus and Luke. I’m not telling, but it’s pretty darn wicked and a bit scary. I liked it a lot and I wonder how Luke is going to mess things up for Kronos in the end or if he will pull a Draco Malfoy.
Dislikes:
- Hera. Honestly, no wonder Zeus is not a god of marriage. She’s all about her perfect little family and is not happy to have anything or anyone not fit in just so.
- How many times this novel had someone say to the questing kids “you know the answers… just think about it.” Really irksome.
- Ethan – Evan – whoever he is, Jesse Bernstein does this super awesome voice for the guy but the character’s a nimrod. He’s the son of the god Nemesis and literality is the last piece of the puzzle.
- The Triple G Ranch pit-stop on the way to find Hephaestus' workshop. Flesh eating horses and manure clean-up? Yummy.
Last Minute Thoughts: Nico di Angelo is growing up but at times he can be trying. I do think his powers are pretty fantastic and I feel sorry that because he’s the son of Hades he isn’t likely to be accepted by anyone. I hope he and Percy somehow cement a strong friendship.
Buy: The Battle of the Labyrinth (Audio Book)
, The Battle of the Labyrinth (Paperback)
, Percy Jackson and the Olympians Hardcover Boxed Set (Books 1 - 5)
Book Rating: 4 Treasure Chests.
Keira runs a book review blog for readers by readers on romance novels entitled Love Romance Passion. She’s been reading romance since she was in her teens and began blogging about romance so she could share her passion for her favorite genre. She loves reading paranormal, Regency, historical America, and highlander most of all and completely adores blind and wounded heroes.
Originally posted 2009-11-04 03:51:44.
February 24th, 2010 — 3.5-4 Treasure Chests, Action & Adventure, Audio Book Review, Fantasy, Guest Review, P-R, YA Genre
by First Mate Keira, guest reviewer
Title: The Titan’s Curse
Author: Rick Riordan
Narrator: Jesse Bernstein
Format: Unabridged Audio Compact Discs
# CDs + Minutes: 7 CDs (8 hours, 48 minutes)
Grade Reading Level: Ages 9-12
Summary: When saving two Half-Bloods from a monster, Annabeth is captured. The goddess Artemis goes off and also gets captured. The days are ticking down to the winter solstice, but there’s nothing Percy can do as his question to the oracle was left unanswered. However, the oracle prophesizes to one of Artemis’ Hunters and a new quest with new and greater dangers is undergone. Will they be able to rescue Annabeth and Artemis in time?
Why I Started This Book:
The Titan’s Curse is the third book in the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series and having read the first two, it only made sense to keep going.
Likes:
- All the “A-list” gods are in this one: Artemis, Apollo, Athena, Aphrodite, and Ares.
- Apollo is a hunk who likes fast cars (no chariots for him) and is always randomly spouting off terrible poetry.
- Aphrodite’s maneuvering to get Percy on the quest. It’s hilarious when you get to how she did it and why.
- Hades’ kids come to play, but not in a way you would expect. Percy will explain as he figures it out and understands before the others do.
Dislikes:
- Jesse Bernstein missed the mark on several voices. Dionysus sounds different to me in this novel than in the previous editions. His voice is more like Tyson than Dionysus. Actually a few of the characters who were periphery to the quest and bad guys also sounded like Tyson. It was weird and I didn’t like it.
Last minute thoughts: I do hope the others on the library waiting list hurry up and get done with the next couple of books so I can get all caught up and soon!
Buy: The Titan's Curse (Audio Book)
, The Titan's Curse (Paperback)
, Percy Jackson and the Olympians Paperback Boxed Set (Books 1-3)
, Percy Jackson and the Olympians Hardcover Boxed Set (Books 1 - 5)
Book Rating: 4 Treasure Chests
Keira runs a book review blog for readers by readers on romance novels entitled Love Romance Passion. She’s been reading romance since she was in her teens and began blogging about romance so she could share her passion for her favorite genre. She loves reading paranormal, Regency, historical America, and highlander most of all and completely adores blind and wounded heroes.
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Originally posted 2009-10-26 03:26:08.
February 13th, 2010 — 3.5-4 Treasure Chests, Action & Adventure, Audio Book Review, Fantasy, Guest Review, P-R, YA Genre
by First Mate Keira, guest reviewer
Title: The Sea of Monsters
Author: Rick Riordan
Narrator: Jesse Berns
Format: Unabridged Audio Cassette
# Cassettes / Minutes : 5 Cassettes (7 hours, 56 minutes)
Grade Reading Level: Ages 9-14
Audio Preview: Download Clip (Right click, save as.)
Summary: This is book two of Percy Jackson and the Olympians series. Poseidon's 13-year-old demigod son Percy Jackson gets expelled from his new prep school and is trying to get to camp. The old cast and crew is back with an addition of a new member: Tyson, a baby Cyclops. At Camp Half-Blood, there’s lots of trouble: Chiron is dismissed, Thalia’s tree is poisoned, and monsters are crossing the borders. A new quest is issued and it’s given to the unlikeliest of campers.
Why I Started This Book:
I’m not really sure why I decided to pick this book up when I was disappointed with the first book. I suppose I began this book because I am certain that the upcoming movie of The Lightning Thief is just the start of a new movie franchise and I like midnight premieres.
Likes:
- The Siren sequence in the novel is very interesting. Annabeth learns what her fatal flaw is and now must come to terms with it before it can destroy her.
- Percy Jackson learning to accept and love his half-brother Tyson.
- Tyson is a terrific character. He’s so full of love and kindness. Not something you’d expect from a Cyclops monster.
- Hermes is a very good uncle to Percy in this book through help and guidance. He’s very father-like as he helps explain to Percy about Poseidon’s motives and actions.
- Clarisse La Rue has become a pitiable character. It’s good to see the other side of bullies.
Dislikes:
- The Hydra and Monster Donuts or chain stores explanation is just too weird for me. I like my fast food to stay monster free thanks!
- Tantalus is just awful, which I suppose fits well with his mythological character.
- Dionysus is a boor. Honestly he’s the worst partier ever.
- Speaking of parties… the Party Ponies. Wow. Just wow… they’re like drunk frat boys crossed with stoners and nerds.
- I’m iffy about Circe’s role in the novel. It wasn’t my favorite sequence but it was far better than the Medusa scene in the previous novel.
Last minute thoughts: Sea of Monsters is much, much better than The Lightning Thief. I will be continuing this series while anticipating the movies.
Buy: The Sea of Monsters (CD Audio Book)
, The Sea of Monsters (Paperback)
, Percy Jackson and the Olympians Paperback Boxed Set (Books 1-3)
Book Rating: 4 Stars
Keira runs a book review blog for readers by readers on romance novels entitled Love Romance Passion. She’s been reading romance since she was in her teens and began blogging about romance so she could share her passion for her favorite genre. She loves reading paranormal, Regency, historical America, and highlander most of all and completely adores blind and wounded heroes.
Originally posted 2009-10-13 03:07:46.
February 5th, 2010 — 2.5-3 Treasure Chests, 3.5-4 Treasure Chests, Action & Adventure, Audio Book Review, Coming of Age, Fantasy, Guest Review, P-R, YA Genre
by First Mate Keira, guest reviewer.
Title: The Lightning Thief
Author: Rick Riordan
Narrator: Jesse Bernstein
# CDs / Minutes: 8 CDs (10 hours, 12 minutes)
Format: Unabridged Audio CDs
Grade Reading Level: Ages 9-12
Audio Preview: Download Clip (Right click, save as.)
Summary: Percy Jackson is your average kid, except as he’s about to find out, he’s the son of a Greek god. This would explain his dyslexia and ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder). It’s a sign of his heritage. All offspring of the gods are marked by it, their natural language being ancient Greek. If finding out he’s a demigod isn’t strange enough, Percy discovers he’s been setup to take the blame of stealing Zeus’ master lightning bolt. The only way to prove his innocence is to go on a quest and retrieve it. The odds don’t look so good for Percy.
Why I Started This Book:
I’ve been seeing the title of this book in many places and decided what better way to be introduced to it officially than by audio cd? I knew nothing going into the book.
Likes:
- Percy is average. His learning disabilities apply to the English language but come in handy in other ways.
- If you want a way to learn about Greek mythology that’s fun and easy to understand, Percy Jackson and his quest to discover the lightning thief, is a good way to go. No need to remember the “uses.”
- The Greek gods will exist as long as Western culture exists. They are not meant to be metaphysical God. They are simply humanlike immortals.
- Jesse Bernstein, the reader, sounds exactly like how I imagine a 12 year old boy like to sound. He has excellent kid voices.
Dislikes:
- I’m coming from finishing Artemis Fowl, boy genius, and I can’t help but cringe at some of the inane questions/comments/concerns Percy brings up.
- I am definitely too old to enjoy this book fully. This series is designed to teach children about the Greek mythology which I already know quite a bit about having learned about them in high school. It really struck a nerve when Percy had a semester if not a year in real school studying the myths and he didn't recognize Medusa when he stumbled upon her statue warehouse! Grr…
- I was able to figure out the Oracle’s prophecy within a chapter of having heard it. I had two ideas and the first was right.
- The only voice Jesse Bernstein narrated that gave me any pause was his voice for Zeus. It was very weird. I was not a fan.
Buy: The Lightning Thief (audio book)
, The Lightning Thief (paperback)
, Lightning Thief (Deluxe Edition)
, Percy Jackson and the Olympians Paperback Boxed Set (Books 1-3)
Book Rating: 2.5 Treasure Chests for anyone over the age of fourteen. 4 Treasure Chests for those under fourteen.
Keira runs a book review blog for readers by readers on romance novels entitled Love Romance Passion. She’s been reading romance since she was in her teens and began blogging about romance so she could share her passion for her favorite genre. She loves reading paranormal, Regency, historical America, and highlander most of all and completely adores blind and wounded heroes.
Originally posted 2009-09-29 03:10:51.
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