Book Review: The Blood of Olympus

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, Gaea. Her giants have risen—all of them—and they're stronger than ever. They must be stopped before the Feast of Spes, when Gaea 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 Gaea'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.   Quoted from Goodreads

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Loved it.

I was going to leave it at that.  I mean, if you've made it through the previous nine books, you have to be a fan of the series, but I'll be honest, I never would have thought I'd enjoy it as much as I have when I started reading the first book.  

This was the perfect ending to the series.  It's reminiscent of the first book, The Lost Hero, in that we get POV from Jason, Piper, and Leo (with Rayna and Nico thrown in, which made for a more complete story and a nice change).  It was an excellent way to end the series, but at the same time, that was probably my only complaint with the book.  I wanted to at least get a chapter or two from Percy's POV, maybe get a little bit of Annabeth thrown in there.  We still find out what happens to the characters, and see plenty of action with them, but we never get their POV specifically.  Granted, the arcs that Rick Riordan did choose to follow made sense and covered all the important parts of the story and what was happening.  It's just the selfish part of me that wanted a chapter or two from Percy.

As for action, this book, like all the others never lets up.  It's like Rick Riordan is trying to torture his readers.  Every chapter ends on a cliffhanger, and when he switches POVs, it's in the most inconvenient place ever.  There is always screaming or mortal peril involved.  Still, it keeps you turning pages, making the book next to impossible to put down.

As for the end?  I loved it.  It was perfect.  Really, besides my whole Percy rant, it was better than I could have expected.  I'm not going to go into details about who lives or dies and what happens after, but really, it was everything I wanted, and I'm perfectly satisfied with the way everything ended up.

If you're a fan of the series, pick up this book now.  It's got everything you might want in the story and wraps up the series nicely. I know I've been really vague about everything, but I don't want to give anything away. I'm giving The Blood of Olympus 4.5 amazing stars.  It's been a fun roller coaster ride and I'm sad to see it end.  Still, there's always his Norse mythology series that comes out next year . . .

Saturday Shorts: The Staff of Serapis

In this adventure, Annabeth encounters more oddities in the subway than usual, including a two-headed monster and a younger blond girl who reminds her a little of herself. This is the story fans have asked for, in which Annabeth Chase teams up with Sadie Kane. The demigod daughter of Athena and the young magician from Brooklyn House take on a larger-than-life foe from the ancient world. Perhaps even more disturbing than the power-hungry god they encounter is the revelation that he is being controlled by someone—someone all too familiar to Sadie.    Quoted from Goodreads

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I'm so thoroughly enjoying this crossover series.  I mean, what isn't there to love.  We get our favorite characters from two Rick Riordan series thrown together.  We get the clash of mythology and magic, new threats, and another fun adventure.

Let's be honest, these novellas are for the fans. While they are a fun adventure in and of themselves, they're designed to be read by people who have read both the Percy Jackson books (at least the first series) and the Kane Chronicles.  If you haven't, this is still a fun adventure, but you're missing about half of what makes it so great.  

I loved seeing Percy and Carter work together in The Son of Sobek, so I was thrilled when I saw we get our own Annabeth and Sadie adventure.  The Staff of Serapis didn't disappoint.  I enjoyed seeing the two mythologies combined and the way Annabeth and Sadie relate to each other. It highlights how different the two characters are and their magic/mythology systems.

The adventure is, as always, quirky and fun, hinting at one more crossover book, at least. This series also helps tie up one small loose end from the Kane Chronicles, so you can tell the author's been planning this for a while.  All in all, I'm giving this book a strong 4 stars.  It's fun, full of adventure, and an excellent chance to see some of your favorite characters in new and different situations.  So, if you've read at least one of Rick Riordan's series, you really need to pick this up.  

Saturday Shorts: Tiger's Promise

Before the curse, there was a promise. A prequel to the bestselling Tiger’s Curse series, this much anticipated novella recalls the beginning of Ren and Kishan’s story. Before Kelsey there was a girl, raised by a villain, whose love for a hero changed the course of history.
Trapped under the thumb of her abusive and powerful father Lokesh, Yesubai struggles to keep her own magical abilities secret while evading his dark powers. When Lokesh promises Yesubai to the prince of a neighboring kingdom, she becomes the central pawn in his plot to destroy the ruling family and take power for himself. Yesubai is trapped by her father’s threats and desperate to protect the man she comes to love, but she knows that any decision she makes will have dire consequences. As dark forces gather around her, Yesubai must decide if she’s willing to reveal that somewhere deep within her she has the power to change everything.  Quoted from Goodreads

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This was actually a bit of a surprise for me how much I liked it. Warning, I will be referencing a few things from the Tiger's Curse series, though I'll try to keep spoilers to a minimum. If you've read the Tiger's Curse series, you know how this ends, so it was a bit like going into Titanic.  The ship sinks.  However, I found I really enjoyed learning more about Yesubai's character; plus, we get a few twists I didn't expect that helped keep the story fresh.

To be honest,  Yesubai isn't really a character I was all that interested in. She's sort of this tragic figure who betrays the two brothers, and while you know she's a victim of Lokesh, she still betrays the brothers.  You never know how much she really loves Kishan and how much she was playing him. This book does a lot for her character.  Sure, it doesn't excuse her faults, but it does explain why she did what she did and how she felt.  It also gives you a chance to fall in love with Kishan again, while not secretly cheering on team Ren.  It doesn't excuse what they do or what happens, but it's nice seeing it from a different POV.

It's also interesting to see early Lokesh before everything with the curse happens. He's the same evil person, but at this point he's still on his rise to power.  His evil is also more personal since it's his only daughter.  Plus there are a few extras at the end of the novella, and if you think he's bad to Yesubai, wait till you read her mom's story.

So, yeah, the extras.  Possibly my favorite part of the book. They were a wonderful little surprise. I loved seeing Ren's first thoughts upon meeting Yesubai and the extend of their relationship.  Like I said before, we also get a very sad story from her mom's POV.  Finally, my favorite, we get a teaser chapter from Kishan's POV thats a sneak peek into Tiger's Dream!  I'd kind of given up on that book, so it's fun to see concrete evidence that Coleen Houck still working on it.

This is an excellent novella for fans of the series, and if you haven't read any of the Tiger's Curse books yet, this serves as a decent introduction (though I would probably read at least the first book before reading this).  I'm going to give it a strong 3.5 stars.  It probably would be more, but since I already sort of knew the plot (though, again, a few twists I didn't see coming) and I'm opposed to sad endings and my favorite parts were actually the extras in the end, I'm not going to give it the stronger 4 stars.  Still, it's an excellent addition to the series, and I'm delighted we have it.  

Book Review: Cruel Beauty

Graceling meets Beauty and the Beast in this sweeping fantasy about one girl's journey to fulfill her destiny and the monster who gets in her way-by stealing her heart.

Based on the classic fairy tale Beauty and the Beast, Cruel Beauty is a dazzling love story about our deepest desires and their power to change our destiny.

Since birth, Nyx has been betrothed to the evil ruler of her kingdom-all because of a foolish bargain struck by her father. And since birth, she has been in training to kill him.

With no choice but to fulfill her duty, Nyx resents her family for never trying to save her and hates herself for wanting to escape her fate. Still, on her seventeenth birthday, Nyx abandons everything she's ever known to marry the all-powerful, immortal Ignifex. Her plan? Seduce him, destroy his enchanted castle, and break the nine-hundred-year-old curse he put on her people.

But Ignifex is not at all what Nyx expected. The strangely charming lord beguiles her, and his castle-a shifting maze of magical rooms-enthralls her.
As Nyx searches for a way to free her homeland by uncovering Ignifex's secrets, she finds herself unwillingly drawn to him. Even if she could bring herself to love her sworn enemy, how can she refuse her duty to kill him? With time running out, Nyx must decide what is more important: the future of her kingdom, or the man she was never supposed to love.  Quoted from Goodreads

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Love this book.

Well, that pretty much covers it.  Beauty and the Beast is one of my all time favorite fairy tales.  Throw in Robin McKinley's Beauty and Disney's animated classic, and there's not a lot left for people to do that isn't embarrassingly derivative or just plane sub-par.  Still, between that amazing cover and the eternal hope of another classic take on the legend, and I was sold.

First off, the whole book just feels different.  The world is heavily based in Greek mythology (reminiscent of a Cupid and Psyche retelling instead of Beauty and the Beast), which lends a depth and texture to the world and the circumstances of Nyx's relationship with the Gentle Lord.  It's also not just purely Beauty and the Beast that the author taps into for her inspiration. We get shades of other, less well known fairy tales, such as Blue Beard, to round out the story.

What really helps distinguish this from other adaptions is Nyx herself.  To be perfectly blunt, she isn't all sweetness and goodness or even really gentle and kind.  She hates the bargain her father made, hates her sister for not taking her place, and hates herself for hating them.  At the same time, she's strong willed, brave, and selfless---the exact kind of character I love to read about.  She isn't timid or even really intimidated by her circumstances.  She makes things happen, and while she's not perfect by any stretch of the imagination, she's grounded and real.

And don't forget Ignifex (the Gentle Lord). He's evil incarnate in the beginning, so our "beast" isn't just a good person in an ugly body, but someone who actually does despicable things---but it isn't exactly as Nix is lead to believe.  I love Ignifex's  character.   He's charming and funny, witty and ruthless, full of broken pieces he doesn't even acknowledge.  To counterbalance this, we get Shade, Ignifex's shadow, who is everything Ignifex isn't but is full of his own desperate secrets. Yes, I'll admit, there is something resembling a love triangle for a small moment, but only for a moment . . . sort of.

So what this boils down to is this is not your basic fairy tale retelling. Yes, all the elements are there, but it never feels like a retelling.  This is a story whole and fresh in and of itself while sticking pretty faithfully to the Beauty and the Beast elements from the original fairy tale. So should you read it? Yes. Absolutely.  I'm giving it a strong 4.5 stars. It was everything I hoped for and more while being completely separate at the same time.  I can't wait to see what this debut author does next.

Book Review: The House of Hades

At the conclusion of The Mark of Athena, Annabeth and Percy tumble into a pit leading straight to the Underworld. The other five demigods have to put aside their grief and follow Percy’s instructions to find the mortal side of the Doors of Death. If they can fight their way through the Gaea’s forces, and Percy and Annabeth can survive the House of Hades, then the Seven will be able to seal the Doors both sides and prevent the giants from raising Gaea. But, Leo wonders, if the Doors are sealed, how will Percy and Annabeth be able to escape?

They have no choice. If the demigods don’t succeed, Gaea’s armies will never die. They have no time. In about a month, the Romans will march on Camp Half-Blood. The stakes are higher than ever in this adventure that dives into the depths of Tartarus.  Quoted from Goodreads

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Warning, this review will contain some spoilers for The Mark of Athena. Granted, even the summary on Goodreads contains some spoilers, so I'm in good company. Still, I'll try not to give anything away.

These books just keep getting better and better.  It's sort of how this whole Heroes of Olympus series is much better than the original Percy Jackson one.  Part of it, I'm sure, is just the author getting better at his craft, but I'll admit, it helps, at least for me, that the characters are a little bit older.  It's much easier to take a sixteen year old swinging a sword than an eleven year old.  Plus, I love the different points of view.  

Okay, we'll start with that.  For the first time ever in this series, we get everyone's POV!  Yep, all seven characters get their own screen time and character development, and I loved it.  It helps that we've had three books establishing these characters, which kept it from feeling disjointed.  Plus, as the end nears, each character has their own concerns and obstacles that they'll have to overcome, so it would be hard to skip them here.  Really, everyone sort of comes into their own. Sure, they all still have problems ahead, but each character made HUGE strides in this book, ensuring that they'll be the heroes they need to be for the next one.

This book is also exhausting.  Rick Riordan is great about giving his heroes a deadline---the world will end August 1st, that sort of thing---which really ups the tension. Plus with Percy and Annabeth in Tarterus, a place where the very air is literally trying to kill them, the clock is constantly ticking.  Percy and Annabeth have to escape, the other five have to rescue them, on top of that, their Greek and Roman friends are on the brink of war, all the giants have been freed, and Gaea is about to rise. Part of it goes back to getting everyone's POV.  We're always with the most exciting character, so the tension stays high, but still, there's a lot of crazy stuff packed into this book. 

Plus, we get some great plot twists.  Along with all that character growth I mentioned earlier, we get some great twists I totally didn't see coming but were absolutely justified. 

What else did I love?  Riordan brings back a lot of characters from his earlier series.  I'll admit, there are a few that I didn't really remember.  Percy's killed so many monsters it can be hard to keep track.  However, the ones he does bring back tend to be the most memorable, and I loved their continued character arc.  I won't say much more for spoilers, but I really did love some of the characters we got to see again, especially the ones involved with Percy, Annabeth, and Leo.

Finally, I adore Riordan's dedication page.  If you haven't read it yet, this is what he says, "To my wonderful readers: Sorry about that last cliff-hanger. Well, no, not really. HAHAHAHAHA. But seriously, I love you guys."  Isn't that great!  There are only a few dedications I've enjoyed as much.

If you love the series, this book will not disappoint.  It's everything you've come to expect from The Heroes of Olympus series and then some. Everything is bigger, harder, and more personal.  It's nonstop action with a serious dose of character development and some humor on the side. Everything is perfectly paced, keeping you turning pages until the end, and what a great ending! Honestly, this is a strong 5 star book, and I can't wait (but at the same time kind of dread, because that means the series is over) for the last book. If The House of Hades is any indication, it's going to be amazing.

Book Review: The Wicked Within

Her fate is not set in stone.

Having temporarily defeated Athena, Ari races to break the gorgon curse that has plagued the women in her family for centuries. Her one lead sends her on a quest for the Hands of Zeus, an ancient relic last seen in the charge of New 2’s ruling elite, the Novem. But if there is one thing that Athena desires as much as revenge, it’s the Hands of Zeus—and Athena always gets what she wants.
Before either can locate the Hands, the statue goes missing, and a trail of blood follows those who once protected the relic’s secrets. Ari knows that her city, her friends, Sebastian—her life—depend upon her finding the statue before Athena. And with rumors an ancient power is on the rise, that may not be her only concern . . . Quoted from Goodreads

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If you've already read the first two books in this series, this won't be a hard sell.  If you haven't, this might be one you need to pick up.  Individually, most of the elements of this story have been seen before.  Hodgepodge of mythological creatures? Check.  Tortured love interest whose inability to communicate causes angst? Check.  Tough as nails heroine, who also manages to be beautiful, while struggling with her own powers? Check.  New Orleans? Check. Evil villain? Check.  Mysterious side character who ends up being vital to the story? Check. Yep, all here---which could be a good thing or a bad thing, depending on your mood.  Still, Kelly Keaton throws everything together to form a compelling story, one with its own twist and turns and background that makes this series one definitely worth checking out.

First, I love, love love the whole Medusa angle.  We get Athena as the villain (poor Hera finally gets a break), and a 2500-year-old curse about to descend on our MC, Ari.   That's what drew me to the story in the first place.  Medusa is always portrayed as the villain, and Athena gets to be the benevolent  enlightened Greek god.  This turns that all on its head, giving the mythology a twist, and this last book is no exception.  

All the characters that you've grown to love over the series are back, along with some new ones.  I've loved watching Ari figure out who she is and her place in New 2 (I love what the author has done in creating this city/world).  Sebastian is dealing with what happened to him at the end of the last book, adding even more issues to their relationship.  We do, however, get a few chapters from his POV, and I loved that.  I loved seeing why he did certain things, and other things, well, Ari wasn't there, so it's nice not to hear major plot points second hand.

The action in this book is even better than the preceding two.  Of course, it's the end, so you kind of expect that, but it's not always guaranteed.  I though the ending was done really well.  Tension continues to build, and Athena proves she really is the goddess of war, manipulating events in a way you can't help but admire (all the while despising because she is the bad guy here).  I love good villains, and she is brilliant.  

Basically, this is an exciting, paranormal adventure. It's a solid 4 stars and a satisfying conclusion to a fast-paced series.  I should probably warn readers about the language, if that's an issue. At this point, I'm kind of sad to see the series end, but I'll admit, I'm kind of hoping there's a spin-off.  Everything wrapped up nicely, but there are enough unfulfilled prophecies and new characters that I could easily see another story.  I'm kind of hoping it's from Violet's POV, but we'll see.

Flashback Friday: Avalon High

To newcomer Ellie, Avalon High seems like a typical American high school, complete with jocks, nerds, cheerleaders, and even the obligatory senior class president, quarterback, and all-around good guy. But it doesn't take Ellie long to suspect that something weird is going on beneath the glossy surface of this tranquil hall of learning. As she pieces together the meaning of this unfolding drama, she begins to recognize some haunting Arthurian echoes, causing her to worry that she has become just a pawn in mythic history.   Quoted from Goodreads

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Do not judge this book by the horrible Disney movie of the same name. Seriously.  I read the book, then someone told me there was a made for TV movie based on it, so of course I checked it out.  Poor decision.  First, it changed just about everything from the book.  Second, it was painfully cheesy. Third, the ending made no sense. Granted, it was a made for TV movie, so that should have tipped me off right there, but stupid me, I still watched it.  Now it's up there with Ella Enchanted as the worst book adaptions of all  time.

Now on to the real review.  I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I've been a big Meg Cabot fan (well as big as you can be without having read her Princess Diaries series) for a while, and this book follows pretty much what you come to expect from her.  Strong heroine, cute romance, difficulties caused by some paranormal aspect. You know the drill.

First and foremost, I loved Ellie as a main character.  She's not as snarky or funny as some of Meg Cabot's other MCs, but she's completely relatable.  She's the kind of girl you want to be friends with.  I loved her confidence in herself and her refusal to be shoved into the roll everyone else wanted her to play.  

I  enjoyed the interpretation of the King Arthur myth.  I love Arthurian interpretations, and this was a simple, fun one.   Even if you don't know anything about Kind Arthur (besides his name) this would be an interesting adaption. If you do know something about the legend, this book is even better.  

I enjoyed the portrayal of teenagers. We aren't inundated with cliches and stereotypes.  The popular girls aren't all mean, the jocks aren't all dumb muscle, etc.  And it's not just because they're reincarnated legends from the past. You may hate Lancelot and Guenevere's roll in what happened, but they're sympathetic here.  As for  Arthur, well A. William or Will, he's an excellent modern King Arthur.  He's the sort of person you can see becoming someone great in the future, helping the world the way helped his high school.  Plus he's cute. And confident.  Always a plus.

All in all, if you're looking for a light, fun read, you should check this out.  It's a stand alone, so not a huge commitment.  Plus it's just fun. I love the whole Lady of Shallot thing going on, and that there were a lot of adults involved in their kids lives.  Really, it's a solid 4 stars for me.  Maybe because I have a soft spot for the legend, but mostly because the book was just fun.  

Book Review: Awaken

Death has her in his clutches. She doesn’t want him to let go.

Seventeen-year-old Pierce Oliviera knew by accepting the love of John Hayden, she’d be forced to live forever in the one place she’s always dreaded most: the Underworld. The sacrifice seemed worth it, though, because it meant she could be with the boy she loves.

But now her happiness — and safety — are threatened, all because the Furies have discovered that John has broken one of their strictest rules: He revived a human soul.

If the balance between life and death isn’t fixed, both the Underworld and Pierce’s home back on earth will be wiped away. But there’s only one way to restore order. Someone has to die. Quoted from Goodreads

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There's something delightful about Meg Cabot's writing, and Awaken is no exception.  It's fun and quirky, despite the more serious tone of this particular trilogy compared to some of her other work.  I thoroughly enjoyed this retelling/exploration of the Persephone myth, and am sad to see the series end.

What I liked best?  I'm not sure. Probably the way Pierce really steps up in this book.  Without giving any spoilers, things happen that force her to grow up and take charge for a good portion of the story.  I also enjoyed the way John softened as the trilogy progressed. In the beginning he was your basic tough-guy with occasional rage issues, but he's turned into a great character/love interest.  The part I think I enjoyed the very most, though, was how Pierce's parents reacted when they finally got to meet  him.  It totally cracked me up, especially how her father handles it.

As for everything else, it was fun.  I loved seeing a little bit more of the underworld and the way Pierce would be involved.   I loved the different reactions of the friends she brought down there ate the end of the second book, though one of them kind of bugged me. Basically if you loved the first two, you'll love this one.  It starts up with a bang right where the last one left off.

All in all, it was a nice conclusion to a really fun series.  All the loose ends were wrapped up nicely (except for one small detail even Pierce wonders about), and I love the direction most of the characters are headed. There was just enough of an ending after the climax to leave you satisfied but nothing too long so you're wondering when the book is actually planning on ending or if there's some kind of twist coming because all those extra pages need to serve some other purpose.  What I'm trying to say is basically the ending was perfect.

Thus ends another great series. Really, so many series are ending this year, I feel like I'm not reading enough new books to compensate. Still, I've loved so many of Meg Cabot's series (but for some reason not Princess Diaries), I can't wait to see what comes next. 

Book Review: Ink

On the heels of a family tragedy, the last thing Katie Greene wants to do is move halfway across the world. Stuck with her aunt in Shizuoka, Japan, Katie feels lost. Alone. She doesn’t know the language, she can barely hold a pair of chopsticks, and she can’t seem to get the hang of taking her shoes off whenever she enters a building.

Then there’s gorgeous but aloof Tomohiro, star of the school’s kendo team. How did he really get the scar on his arm? Katie isn’t prepared for the answer. But when she sees the things he draws start moving, there’s no denying the truth: Tomo has a connection to the ancient gods of Japan, and being near Katie is causing his abilities to spiral out of control. If the wrong people notice, they'll both be targets.

Katie never wanted to move to Japan—now she may not make it out of the country alive.  Quoted from Goodreads

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I'm a bit conflicted about this book. There were elements I absolutely adored and then certain aspects that bothered me. Still, overall, it's a fun read, one you should definitely check out if you love YA literature.  

First, things I love.  I thoroughly enjoyed all the Japanese culture references.  This book practically oozes Japanese lifestyle and traditions as see through Katie Green, the American transfer.  She made the perfect interpreter for everything that was going on because she was the outsider experiencing it for the first time.  But she wasn't exactly an ignorant outsider.  Her aunt lived there, she had friends, and she studied about the place where she was living, so she never came across as stupid or clueless, just a good interpreter.  Plus, the book is replete with phrases in Japanese (spelled out in English, obviously, not the characters) that you could look up in the back of the book.

I also really liked all the Japanese mythology the book is based on and how it was translated into the moder world. The magic system was fascinating, as were the characters it affected and what, exactly, it did to them. It also led to four very different, very separate problems (or villains).  I won't give them away, but I love when a book has pressure from more than one angle.  It sort of embodies the saying, "the enemy of my enemy is . . . my enemy."

So what's my hangup?  Well, despite the exotic location and subject matter, this book follows the stereotypical ya formula point for point.  Hot, mysterious, possibly dangerous boy who only the girl understands? Check.  Possible love triangle?  Check. The girl is special in some way that no one quite understands? Check. Insta-love? Check. Girl recently suffered an emotional trauma? Check.  The list goes on.  So if you're looking to mix the expected in a fabulous new location, look no further.  It's not that this book isn't good, but it follows a tried and true pattern that will probably work with a lot of people.  I just wish it didn't follow it so completely.

My second problem was with Katie.  Don't get me wrong, I mostly liked her character.  I thought she dealt with her change of location and the loss of her mother really, really well.  Seriously, for the most part she's a normal, well-adjusted teen dealing with a difficult situation that keeps getting worse. My one problem with her was her fascination with Tomohiro.  I get it's not normal to see a person's drawing move, but she pushed things too far.  He accuses her of being a stalker, and she totally was. She follows him on her bike (especially acquired for this purpose), joins the club he's in, etc. 

In the beginning, she believes he just cheated on his girlfriend and got another girl pregnant. He also acts like a jerk to her every single time she sees him, and she's still following him around?  As far as she knows, he's with his pregnant girlfriend. She even sees them hugging on the bridge, swollen belly and all, and she still stalks him! It just pushed things too far for me.  Even though the whole situation is explained away later, it seemed forced, and there were some chapters there that I really didn't like Katie at all.

After the whole mythology secret thing comes out the book gets a lot better.  The action picks up, the conflict really begins to happen. I just wish the author had chosen a better way for Katie and Tomohiro to end up together.  It was too insta-love/stalker fest for me.  

So would I recommend this book? Yes.  It has some great elements I really enjoyed.  Just know what you're getting into from the beginning and try not to judge Katie too harshly for those few chapters when you honestly can't understand what in the world she's thinking.  The villains and the mythology were fantastic, as was the setting.  For me, the end of this book was more of a 4 star thing with the stalker chapters averaging more of a 1.5, so I'm awarding this book 3 stars.  Still, I have really high expectations for the next one.  There is so much potential for this series, I'm hoping it lives up to it.

Saturday Shorts: Son of Sobek

In this e-book short story by Rick Riordan, Carter Kane is investigating rumored sightings of a monster on Long Island when he runs into something else: a mysterious boy named Percy Jackson. And their meeting isn't exactly friendly. . . . Includes a sneak peek chapter from HOUSE OF HADES, Book Four in the Heroes of Olympus series.  Quoted from Goodreads

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Such a fun short story.  There were all sorts of hints that Carter and Percy lived in the same world, albeit with different magical systems, but it's wonderful to see them interacting. I love seeing Percy from Carter's POV, and the different abilities they both bring to the battle. 

I also really enjoy how finding out about Greek mythology and demigods changes Carter's world.  It's one of those stories where it really doesn't change the outcome of either series, but it's a wonderful idea to play with.

While the story was short, there's plenty of action.  It's fun seeing Percy and Carter's different strengths   I also liked the way he involved the regular kids in the fight . . . well sort of. The battle they have to fight isn't earth-shattering like it is when you get a whole novel (more like one of the bumps along the way), but it's still an important fight, even if it's not on a global scale.  Plus there are hints of a greater issue going on that just makes the entire thing exciting. Honestly, I'd love to read another one, maybe even a series of novellas where Percy and Carter, or maybe Sadie and Annabeth work together.

My only complaint with the story is we only get it from Carter's POV. I would have liked to see what Percy thought of the whole situation and of Carter in particular.  I don't know if they ever will actually make a series when all of these different characters come together, but it would be fun.

 All in all, this is exactly what I'm looking for in a novella.  It's fun, action packed, and absolutely unputdownable.  If you want a quick fun read to hold you over until the House of Hades comes out in October, you need to check this out.  It's an amazing 4 stars for me and a must read for all Rick Riordan fans.  I'm just hoping there are more in the future.

Book Review: Goddess

After accidentally unleashing the gods from their captivity on Olympus, Helen must find a way to re-imprison them without starting a devastating war. But the gods are angry, and their thirst for blood already has a body count.

To make matters worse, the Oracle reveals that a diabolical Tyrant is lurking among them, which drives a wedge between the once-solid group of friends. As the gods use the Scions against one another, Lucas’s life hangs in the balance. Still unsure whether she loves him or Orion, Helen is forced to make a terrifying decision, for war is coming to her shores.In Josephine Angelini’s compelling conclusion to the masterfully woven Starcrossed trilogy, a goddess must rise above it all to change a destiny that’s been written in the stars. With worlds built just as fast as they crumble, love and war collide in an all-out battle that will leave no question unanswered and no heart untouched.  Quoted from Goodreads

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In Goddess, we have yet another great end to a fun trilogy--more than great. It absolutely exceeded my expectations.  Here's the thing. I liked Starcrossed, but I had some big hangups with it. Too often, at least in my opinion, the first book in the series is the best, and then the second and third sort of trail after on borrowed sparks.  Absolutely not the case with this series.  Each book has gotten better and better.  The first was good, but this last one is great.  I'm telling you, 2010 was a great year for series, and it's kind of sad that so many are ending.

What I liked best? The tragedy.  Don't get me wrong, the ending is happy, almost too perfect really, but there's also tragedy.  There's sacrifice, and some great characters die or give up the things they love. Things don't all automatically work out, and we even had a few broken hearts in the mix. Really, it's the tragedy that grounds this story so solidly in the greek mythology Josephine Angelini is drawing on.

Plus, everyone steps up. Helen comes into her own and embraces her abilities and purpose; Lucas, Orion, Hector, Daphne, etc. all have their moment in the sun (or shadow, depending on how you look at it). Daphne's lies are all explained, and everything that was hinted at in the second book is played out beautifully. I really enjoyed the way each of the characters plays a modern counterpart to their more famous/ancient doppelgangers. She also does a great job of bringing the greek gods to life.  Sure, the story focuses on Helen, but I loved (or hated, depending) so many of other characters as well, I couldn't really pick a favorite.

This story, more than any of the others, pulls from the Iliad   We get the parallels, the replay, etc. The mythology/world-building of the story really comes together, so you can actually see history playing out the way the author describes.  Plus, we get a lot more action.  I'm sorry to say, but I wasn't a huge fan of the romance in these books. I like Lucas and Orion, don't get me wrong, but the whole" starcrossed lovers" thing came across as artificial to me.  It was more like, lets manufacture a reason for Helen and Lucas not to be together, that came across as weak and forced.  This book avoids most of that.  It's much more about the action, the war, trying to avoid the repeated tragedies of the Trojan War that the fates keep replaying, and it makes for a much, much better book.

Okay, so now for the things that bugged me.  First, the whole Matt/Achilles thing.  Maybe it was the plan from the beginning, but I really didn't like that aspect.  His suddenly getting powers and becoming immersed in that world, didn't really fit with everything else and seemed kind of contrived to me.  I had a few other issues I won't go into, but that was the big one.

Still, This book was, by far, the best of the series.  It's one of those where I want to recommend people read this series just because the third book was so good. I've had a lot going on this week, but I found my self picking this up every free minute I had. It's absolutely 4 stars for me, and it assured that I'll be picking up whatever Josephine Angelini writes next.

Book Review: The Goddess Inheritance

Love or life.
Henry or their child.
The end of her family or the end of the world.
Kate must choose.

During nine months of captivity, Kate Winters has survived a jealous goddess, a vengeful Titan and a pregnancy she never asked for. Now the Queen of the Gods wants her unborn child, and Kate can't stop her--until Cronus offers a deal.

In exchange for her loyalty and devotion, the King of the Titans will spare humanity and let Kate keep her child. Yet even if Kate agrees, he'll destroy Henry, her mother and the rest of the council. And if she refuses, Cronus will tear the world apart until every last god and mortal is dead.

With the fate of everyone she loves resting on her shoulders, Kate must do the impossible: find a way to defeat the most powerful being in existence, even if it costs her everything.Even if it costs her eternity. Quoted from Goodreads

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First, there are a couple of things you need to do in order to really enjoy this series. Expand your suspension of disbelief and forget half of what you know about Greek mythology.  By all means, keep half of it, but that other half?  It sort of just gets in the way of the story.  Here's my example from the first book. Kate has to go through a bunch of tests that end up basically being the seven deadly sins.  My biggest problem with that is these are the Greek gods that are testing her, not the pope, pastor, bishop, reverend, or some other designation in Christianity.  These gods all (with one or two exceptions) didn't live by those rules themselves, ever. Even as they're testing Kate, they're sleeping around with each other, lying, murdering, full of pride, etc.  It comes across as extremely hypocritical, and really set my teeth on edge. 

Still, there are aspects of this series that I really enjoyed. Pore Hera (aka Calliope in this series) gets a bad rap in a lot of literature, but at least this series acknowledges all the crap she has to put up with from her family, Zeus (Walter) in particular.  I love the idea of Hades (Henry) as the good guy and the only one who is really eternal because though the world may end, the dead and the underworld will always be there, so some of the gods are kind of jealous of him.  It's a great take on the whole mythology and the gods being connected to their worshipers/things the gods are over.

Now for this book in particular, and I'm warning you, there will be a few spoilers from the first two books. It takes place 9 months after the end of book two and starts off Kate in prison and being watched over by Calliope and Cronus. Of course, Kate escapes rather quickly after her baby, Milo, is born, and the rest of the book deals with her trying to get him back and stopping Cronus from destroying the world.

I liked the amount of action involved in this book.  Aimee Carter really stepped up her game, and filled it full of twists, betrayals, battles, and catastrophes.  Plus, Kate and Henry finally seem to get over their insecurities about each other.  They are committed in their relationship, so the angst that  fueled the first two books is past.  Oh, there are still problems, like Kate's relationship with Ava, Cronus, and particularly Walter, but at least our main couple is solid.

I loved the contrast between Calliope and Cronus.  They are absolutely opposite types of villains, and they made an interesting combination. Calliope was vicious and emotional, while Cronus was almost spacey and evil in a cold, sort of detached way, like he really didn't care about anything.  

While Kate did spend a good amount of time crying in this book, I'm going to let that pass, since she just had a baby, then lost him. At least she never gave up trying to help. She never really became a powerful fighter (but what can you expect when you compare her to all the other gods who have been fighting for millennia), but she always tried to do her part.  I didn't always agree with what she did, and she absolutely needed to talk to her friends more about some of her plans, but her heart was in the right place the whole time.

Henry was sweet. Granted, he kept his share of secrets from Kate, as she did from him, but they worked that out by the end.  I liked seeing him with Milo and how he was finally able to get past all his insecurities about relationships.  I also love how he came for Kate in the very beginning.   

The ending was . . . interesting.  Don't get me wrong, it's full of emotional turmoil and sacrifice, but I'll admit, I was kind of hoping for a bit more of a battle. We kind of got to see Kate come into her own, but I wanted to see how the other gods were fighting Cronus.  It's implied, of course, but we don't get a lot of concrete action, and how everything was resolved?  Well, it was almost a little anticlimactic (but still heartbreaking).

There's still a few things I don't get, and some gaping plot holes I would like explained, but all in all it was a fun ending to an interesting series.   I'm rating it a solid 3 stars. It probably would have been more if there were a few things that really kind of bothered me and a few questions I had about the way things played out.

Book Review: Everbound

Nikki Beckett could only watch as her boyfriend, Jack, sacrificed himself to save her, taking her place in the Tunnels of the Everneath for eternity — a debt that should’ve been hers. She’s living a borrowed life, and she doesn’t know what to do with the guilt. And every night Jack appears in her dreams, lost and confused and wasting away.

Desperate for answers, Nikki turns to Cole, the immortal bad boy who wants to make her his queen — and the one person least likely to help. But his heart has been touched by everything about Nikki, and he agrees to assist her in the only way he can: by taking her to the Everneath himself.

Nikki and Cole descend into the Everneath, only to discover that their journey will be more difficult than they’d anticipated — and more deadly. But Nikki vows to stop at nothing to save Jack — even if it means making an incredible sacrifice of her own.

In this enthralling sequel to Everneath, Brodi Ashton tests the bonds of destiny and explores the lengths we’ll go to for the ones we love. Quoted from Goodreads

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There's a technique in writing, where when you don't know what to write, you just start writing words, thoughts, something, and suddenly you find that you kind of do know what to write.  I'm hoping this is true, because while I really liked this book I'm not quite sure what to say about it. First, I suppose, is how unique this series is.  Yes, there's a bit of a love triangle and otherworldly characters, but the entire premise is totally different from any other book I've read. 

Second, there's the action.  Everneath, while I really enjoyed it, was a bit more slow paced.  Nikki was so depressed/drained through most of it, the book really seemed to be more about getting her life together, uncovering what really happened to her (and how), and and finding a way to escape her fate.  Everbound is all about saving Jack.  In the Everbound, Nikki is exposed to all kinds of crazy landscapes and almost zombie-like creatures as she and Cole try and make their way to Jack. Plus, Jack is fading, so there's the constant worry pushing the story forward, "Will they make it in time?" Plus there's the irony that Cole is helping Nikki save Jack.

Ah, Cole and Jack.  Poor Jack doesn't make a huge appearance in this book in real time.  To compensate, we get a lot of flashbacks of Nikki's memories about how she fell in love with Jack.  It makes you fall in love with him more, because he was so sweet, but it can't quite makeup for the fact that it is a flashback and therefore happened two or three (or a hundred, if you're counting the time Nikki and Cole were in the feed) years ago.  Still, Jack is so consistently good, you have to cheer for him.

Then there's Cole.  You know from the first book that he is a little twisted, his moral compass is skewed, and he doesn't view things the way a normal person would.  Despite that, despite everything that happens in this book (and he does some crazy stuff) I absolutely enjoyed his character.  I love how much he loves Nikki, even though she takes a long time seeing it, and that he will do anything (and I do mean ANYTHING--even stuff that makes you want to hit him) to "help" her. He is a deliciously ambiguous, strangely devoted, and an absolute wild card, which, for me, made him the character I loved to read about most.

I also loved all the mythology that connects in this book, while at the same time, it never feels derivative.  Yes, certain Greek myths get mentioned a lot, but I don't ever feel that this is a modern retelling or, really, even a based on  Greek mythology at all.  It gives the whole story a slightly more epic/historical feel, while maintaining it's autonomy.

Then there's the ending!  I love, love, love this ending.  It had the ideal, happy moment, mixed with the betrayal/cliffhanger that satisfies while leaving you longing for more--exactly right for  a second book in a series.  It contained the perfect twist, that I half expected, but with layers I never saw coming. I can't wait for next year and the final book.

For me, this book is a wonderful 4 stars.  I loved the characters, the picked up pace, and the excellent ending.  It absolutely lived up to the promise of the first book, and did more than maintain the pace until the third, it add whole new layers of intrigue and conflict.  So, if you're in the mood for a fun, really unique adventure, check out this series.  It's totally worth it.

Book Review: Valkyrie Rising

Nothing ever happens in Norway. But at least Ellie knows what to expect when she visits her grandmother: a tranquil fishing village and long, slow summer days. And maybe she’ll finally get out from under the shadow of her way-too-perfect big brother, Graham, while she’s there. 

What Ellie doesn’t anticipate is Graham’s infuriating best friend, Tuck, tagging along for the trip. Nor did she imagine boys going missing amid rumors of impossible kidnappings. Least of all does she expect something powerful and ancient to awaken in her and that strange whispers would urge Ellie to claim her place among mythological warriors. Instead of peace and quiet, there’s suddenly a lot for a girl from L.A. to handle on a summer sojourn in Norway! And when Graham vanishes, it’s up to Ellie—and the ever-sarcastic, if undeniably alluring Tuck—to uncover the truth about all the disappearances and thwart the nefarious plan behind them.

Deadly legends, hidden identities, and tentative romance swirl together in one girl’s unexpectedly-epic coming of age. Quoted from Goodreads

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First of all, I have a horrible confession to make.  I can't help but picture Loki as anything other than Tom Hiddleston in The Avengers and Thor.  Usually I don't have a problem with this, and half the time Loki in Valkyrie Rising was his own, separate self.  But then the movie would pop back into my head.  Honestly, I don't know why.  Even books like Harry Potter and Anne of Green Gables are completely separate from their movie counterpart, but for some reason, Loki is always trying to look like Tom Hiddleston.

Okay, now on to the real review. Norway. Big plus. I love books that take you somewhere else, and Norway was fun, without being a character in the story.  Plus, I feel like the new setting was a big factor in Ellie's growth as a character.  It forced her to be someone separate from Graham's younger sister, at least for awhile, and helped her change.

Now, mythology.  Norse mythology isn't anything new, though it's a nice change from vampires and angels.  I've read dozens of books that draw from their legends, but here's the thing.  None of them have focused on the Valkyrie in particular.  Thor, Odin, the aforementioned Loki, absolutely, but not Valkyrie, and I thought that was a refreshing change. Plus I like how Ingrid Paulson portrayed the Valkyrie as the best and brightest of Odin's army, able to take on anyone or anything and look good doing it.

The thing I liked best about this book though, are the relationships.  I loved Ellie and Graham's relationship.  They are cute, realistic siblings.  They are devoted to each other, yet they fight.  They are protective, almost overly so, but happy to give each other space.  Then there's Tuck, Graham's best friend. And he felt like it. Too often the brother's "best friend" really seems to be closer to the love interest from the beginning, and it comes across almost like they were just using the sibling to get to their sister.  Not that case with Tuck.  In the beginning, he was absolutely Graham first.  It was only as their adventure progressed and he realized he was falling in love with Ellie, that he started to put her first.

And the romance! And the romance! (sorry, that's the thirteen-year-old inside me, coming out) It is absolutely adorable.  It is apparent from the beginning that it's going to happen, so no surprises, but it grew throughout the book, so when you finally get that first kiss, you're as in love with Tuck as Ellie is. 

Now there's the villain. I won't say too much about Astrid, but she was excellent.  Half the time I hated her, and kind of still hate her, but she wasn't just a one note character.  As the book progressed, she became much more dynamic and conflicted.  Maybe it's horrible, but I kind of liked having her beat up Ellie. Not that Ellie deserved it, but part of me was afraid that her new powers would make her the best with no practice or experience.  No dice.  Astrid kicked her butt every time they fought, which perversely makes me happy.  You have to have a strong villain that forces the protagonist step up. I won't give away the end, but it wasn't Ellie's kick-boxing prowess that saved the day, that's for sure.    

There were only one or two little problems I had with the book.  First, there's Hilda, oh, and Hilda. Don't get me wrong, she was a delightfully mysterious character, but I had a few issues. She claims that she was planning on telling Ellie about her heritage over the summer, but it bothers me when people keep secrets like that from a kid as they're growing up, especially with strange powers emerging. Why wouldn't you help the poor girl? From the beginning, even before she goes to Norway, Ellie is showing signs of Valkyrie abilities, but no one thought they should maybe mention that small detail to her? Even after she got there, when she had one week alone without Graham, Hilda doesn't say anything about her heritage and brushes her off when Ellie brings it up. Then Hilda doesn't do anything about all the missing boys until  things have escalated way beyond the point they should have and her grandson is captured.  While I love the story, in my opinion, Ellie should never have really been involved in the first place. Hilda should have stepped up a lot sooner, and knowing what was going on, she should never have let Graham into the country.

For me this book is probably a fun 3 stars. Why, you ask?  Here's the thing.  I liked almost everything about it: characters, setting, pacing, and romance. The problem is I finished it last Saturday.  That's three days, but it kind of feels like I read the book three weeks ago.  Don't get me wrong, I will absolutely read any sequel that comes out, and it was a fun adventure while it lasted, but it didn't stay with me much beyond the last page. Still, check it out.  I could easily see this one being someone's 5 star book.