93. The Battle of the Labyrinth

The Battle of the Labyrinth. (Percy Jackson and the Olympians #4) Rick Riordan. 2008. 361 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: The last thing I wanted to do on my summer break was blow up another school.

Premise/plot: Camp Half-blood is in trouble again. To be fair, it's more like destroying Camp Half-blood is step one on the bad guy's to do list. [I suppose you could argue that it isn't a bad guy so much as bad god.] Annabeth, Tyson, Percy, and Grover are teaming up again on a quest. They'll be going underground into the labyrinth. It's super-super dangerous. Those that do manage to come out again are rarely the same. The last person to come out has gone mad--they aren't quite sure how to cure him. But the world's only hope [so we're led to believe] is hidden within the labyrinth. It's a race--who will discover it, acquire it, use it...first. 

My thoughts: All the books are so closely connected. It is definitely best to read them all together. The tension does keep building and building. There is rarely a satisfying moment in the book in terms of suspense and tension. None of the books have that YES moment of success and completion. All the books are leading to the ultimate showdown. Book four still doesn't take readers to that final, ultimate BIG battle between good and evil. I would say book four offers less humor and more intensity. Looking back, The Lightning Thief now has such low stakes--but oh at the time, it felt like such a big quest. 

I do recommend the series. I am rereading the series this summer. 

© 2022 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

88. The Titan's Curse

The Titan's Curse. (Percy Jackson and the Olympians #3) Rick Riordan. 2007. 320 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: The Friday before winter break, my mom packed me an overnight bag and a few deadly weapons and took me to a new boarding school. We picked up my friends Annabeth and Thalia on the way.
It was an eight-hour drive from New York to Bar Harbor, Maine. Sleet and snow pounded the highway. Annabeth, Thalia, and I hadn't seen each other in months, but between the blizzard and the thought of what we were about to do, we were too nervous to talk much. Except for my mom. She talks more when she's nervous. By the time we finally got to Westover hall, it was getting dark, and she'd told Annabeth and Thalia every embarrassing baby story there was to tell about me.
Thalia wiped the fog off the car window and peered outside. "Oh yeah. This'll be fun."
Westover Hall looked like an evil knight's castle. It was all black stone, with towers and slit windows and a big set of wooden double doors. It stood on a snowy cliff overlooking this big frosty forest on one side and the gray churning ocean on the other.
"Are you sure you don't want me to wait?" my mother asked.
"No, thanks, Mom," I said. "I don't know how long it will take. We'll be okay."
"But how will you get back? I'm worried, Percy."
I hoped I wasn't blushing. It was bad enough I had to depend on my mom to drive me to my battles.

Premise/plot:  The stakes have never been higher in the third adventure in the Percy Jackson fantasy series by Rick Riordan. The quest(s) in this third book make the other quests [in books one and two] seem easy-breezy. 

While The Titan's Curse certainly stars some of our well-known and well-loved cast [from previous books], plenty of new characters--both demi-god, god, and monster--are introduced and play integral roles. Like Bianca and Nico. This is also the first book where readers get a chance to learn about the newly resurrected from the dead, Thalia. [She was technically a tree for all of book one and most of book two.] 

Like the previous two books, this one mainly occurs outside of Camp Half-blood and involves a quest....or should that be quests. Because the stakes have never been higher, there will be BIG consequences if the quest goes anything like the prophecy foretells. And Percy, well, he may have to live with the fall out....

My thoughts: I really enjoyed this one! I did. The only one in the series that I am super familiar with is the first book, The Lightning Thief. Reading book two and three is like reading them again for the very first time. And that is such a delight. I think there are pros and cons to waiting so very long to reread a series you've adored in the past. I am loving the characters. I am enjoying the action. I am remembering all the reasons why I made my mom read this series with me.

© 2022 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

81. The Lightning Thief

The Lightning Thief. Rick Riordan. 2005. 377 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Look I didn't want to be a half-blood. If you're reading this because you think you might be one, my advice is: close this book right now. Believe whatever lie your mom or dad told you about your birth, and try to lead a normal life. Being a half-blood is dangerous. It's scary. Most of the time, it gets you killed in painful, nasty ways. If you're a normal kid, reading this because you think it's fiction, great. Read on. I envy you for being able to believe that none of this ever happened. But if you recognize yourself in these pages--if you feel something stirring inside--stop reading immediately. You might be one of us. And once you know that, it's only a matter of time before they sense it too, and they'll come for you. Don't say I didn't warn you.

Premise/plot: Percy Jackson, our hero, is about to be thrown into quite the adventure. It will be quite the fight for survival. Though he doesn't know it at the start, he's a half-blood. His mother is mortal and his father is a god, one of the big three gods, POSEIDON. And well, his very existence is upsetting the order of things. (You see, the big three had a pact that they would not have any more children with mortals. Things get messy when they did.) Soon after the novel opens, he finds himself at camp with others like himself--other halfbloods. He'll be making some great friends--like Grover and Annabeth. Camp may be interesting, but, not nearly as interesting as the quest he's soon given. Percy and his friends have quite an undertaking before them...an undertaking that may even take them to the underworld....and hopefully back again. 

My thoughts: I would have thought I'd have so many reviews of this up on my blog. I guess I haven't reread it nearly as much as I thought I had. That being said, it was so familiar. Each chapter was like an old friend. I have vivid memories of a handful of scenes (like the casino, for example). I also remembered *who* at camp was going to end up fulfilling a certain prophecy that the oracle gave Percy. So a few of the twists and turns and surprises were no longer twisty-turny. But that's a small sacrifice to make for revisiting with such good friends.

I don't think I've reread the others nearly as much. 

 

© 2022 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

Solstice (2013)

Solstice by P.J. Hoover. 2013. Tor. 384 pages. [Source: Review Copy]

Solstice hints at being a dystopian novel, but, in truth it is a retelling of a Greek myth. It is set in the future in a devastated world, a world with endless summer and no changing seasons. For eighteen years, the world has suffered tremendously, Piper, our heroine, has never known the world to be any different.

Solstice won't please every reader. Some readers find romance-driven dystopias to be sickening--especially when there are two men madly in love with the same young woman, when it appears that she cannot make up her mind. I can see why Piper might annoy some readers. The author offers readers an excuse, some might see it as completely valid, others might dismiss it.

The two men in Piper's life are Reese and Shayne. Reese is the son of a councilmen. He encourages Piper to break the rules set by her mother, and the two share a memorable first date. Piper has a busy night, however, for that is also her first date with Shayne, a classmate. She finds both men completely irresistible. Though she never really has a second date with Reese, he's never out of influence.

Shayne fascinates Piper, and she loves seeing where he lives...how he lives...though some of what she learns she finds unsettling at times.

Greek mythology is at the heart of this YA romance. It worked for me at times, though not ever  perfectly.   

© 2013 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

The Son of Neptune (Heroes of Olympus #2)

The Son of Neptune (Heroes of Olympus #2). Rick Riordan. 2011. Hyperion. 525 pages.

The snake-haired ladies were starting to annoy Percy. They should have died three days ago when he dropped a crate of bowling balls on them at the Napa Bargain Mart. They should have died two days ago when he ran over them with a police car in Martinez. They definitely should have died this morning when he cut off their heads in Tilden Park.  

I loved this book. I just LOVED, LOVED, LOVED this book. The Son of Neptune is the sequel to The Lost Hero. In the first book, a new hero, Jason Grace, is introduced to readers. He with two other newbies (Piper and Leo) are trying to reach the relative safety of the Camp Half Blood, the Greek camp. They arrive, of course, meet everyone--including some characters that we know and love--and are sent on a big, big, big mission of their own.

The second book stars Percy Jackson. He is trying to make his way to camp--but not the Greek camp that is his home away from home. No, when readers meet Percy he can't remember who he is--not really. Though he has a very strong but very vague memory of Annabeth. No, he's on his way to the Roman camp for demi-gods.

This book is all about Roman mythology. We see how the sons and daughters of Roman gods and goddesses do things. Is this Roman camp anything like Camp Half-Blood?! Percy becomes close with two campers in particular Frank and Hazel. In fact, the story is told in alternating perspectives of the three.

I really, really, really loved reading all three perspectives. I loved the new characters, the new mythologies, the new stories. I loved the action and adventure of it. I thought it was an exciting read. It was just a great, great book!

I would definitely recommend this one. But I'd start with the first book of the first series, The Lightning Thief, and go from there.

© 2011 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

The Lost Hero (MG)

The Lost Hero by Rick Riordan (#1 Heroes of Olympus) 2010. Hyperion. 576 pages.


Even before he got electrocuted, Jason was having a rotten day.

I had my doubts. Even though it's Rick Riordan, I had my doubts. How could The Lost Hero hope to compete with The Lightning Thief. It could be good, it could even be really good. But how could it really compare with such a great book?! For me, that was THE best book, the one that was the best of them all. Yes, the series as a whole was a good adventure, but the first one? Well it was OH-SO-MAGICAL!

I was surprised by how much I loved this one. I thought it was a great read. Compelling, exciting, and magical!!! It has multiple narrators. Now practically every book with multiple narrators has me sharing with you how much I really don't like that element in books, but with this one it WORKED and worked well. It didn't feel awkward or silly like it does in Rick Riordan's other series--The Kane Chronicles, The Red Pyramid and The Throne of Fire.

Our narrators, our heroes and heroines, are Jason, Piper, and Leo. Two have been under the protection of Coach Hedge, the third appears out of nowhere on a school field trip. The mist effecting everyone's memories--even Piper and Leo. (Piper just KNOWS that Jason has been her boyfriend for weeks. She can almost remember every moment they've ever shared.) But trouble is coming and the three will have to fight to survive long enough to reach the safety of Camp Half-blood. To complicate matters, Jason has NO MEMORY at all of who he is or where he came from.

So the book does feature a quest, and it is EXCITING. I won't go into the details of this one. Chances are if you're familiar with Percy Jackson and his series, then you'll want to read this new series anyway. And if you haven't read Percy Jackson yet, if you've yet to discover the joys of The Lightning Thief, then this is NOT the place to start your journey with Rick Riordan.

© 2011 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

The Penelopiad

The Penelopiad: The Myth of Penelope and Odysseus. Margaret Atwood. 2005. 220 pages.

Now that I'm dead I know everything. This is what I wished would happen, but like so many of my wishes it failed to come true. I know only a few factoids that I didn't know before. It's much too high a price to pay for the satisfaction of curiosity, needless to say. Since being dead -- since achieving this state of bonelessness, liplessness, breastlessness -- I've learned some things I would rather not know, as one does when listening at windows or opening other people's letters. You think you'd like to read minds? Think again. Down here everyone arrives with a sack, like the sacks used to keep the winds in, but each of these sacks is full of words -- words you've spoken, words you've heard, words that have been said about you. Some sacks are very small, others large; my own is of a reasonable size, though a lot of the words in it concern my eminent husband. What a fool he made of me, some say. He got away with everything, which was another of his specialties: getting away. He was always so plausible...

The Penelopiad is a novel retelling of the Greek myth of Penelope and Odysseus. The story is told essentially from thirteen points-of-view. That is if you count each of the twelve maids as a person, an individual. In alternating chapters, we hear from Penelope, the faithful wife of Odysseus, and from Penelope's twelve maids, beautiful young women who were raped and harassed by Penelope's suitors while her husband was missing in action. While Penelope's voice stays the same throughout the novel, the narration by the maids varies throughout. Almost like a kaleidoscope. These twelve voices are united together as one; they are a chorus begging to be heard, and a chorus demanding justice. I found these chapters to be the most creative. Not that I didn't enjoy Penelope's side of things. I did. How perhaps only in her death did she begin to realize what a jerk Odysseus was. How he had a way of spinning things always to his advantage, a way to make himself appear to be the hero no matter the facts.

I thought The Penelopiad was well-written. It was creative, compelling, and  easy to read. (I'm not so sure you'd even need to be all that familiar with the original myth.) I liked it. I'm very glad I read it. It was definitely an enjoyable way to spend an afternoon. But I'm not sure that I loved it.

© 2011 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

The Immortal Fire (MG)

Ursu, Anne. 2009. The Immortal Fire. Simon and Schuster. 510 pages.

Phil is back, and he's got his sights on the Big Guy--Zeus, himself. The Immortal Fire is the third book in Anne Ursu's Cronus Chronicles. (The first being, The Shadow Thieves, and the second being, The Siren Song. In the first one, Phil has set his sights on Hades; in the second, he has set his sights on Poseidon.) In each novel, we've got two heroes: Charlotte and her British cousin Zachary (or "Zee" or "Zero") who are thrown into the action and adventure. Phil really, really comes to hate them--especially Charlotte.

At the cradle of civilization, close to the belly button of the world, there is a sea like no other on Earth.

The world needs Charlotte and Zee. Desperately. Since Poseidon lost his battle with Phil--lost his trident--the sea and all its creatures (monsters) have unleashed chaos on the mortal world. Phil loves it. Seeing all these "freakish" acts of "nature" destroy humanity and civilization. Only Charlotte and Zee know the real truth. And with a little help from their former teacher, Mr. Metos, these two want to help restore the world to order, to stop Phil's evil plan--of course they don't know what his plan is exactly--but they know him, and they know he's up to something! But this is their biggest challenge--most dangerous adventure--yet. To save the world might require the biggest sacrifice of all.

What did I like about this one? More gods and goddesses than ever before. I liked getting to know these new characters. And it was great to see one character return and play a big role in this one.

I also enjoyed the humor and style of this one. (It was very similar to the first two in that way. Conversational. Light. Fun.)

For much of the last year, Charlotte felt like she had been living in a book--one of those where ordinary kids are unwittingly plunged into an extraordinary world where they must struggle against unimaginable evil to save the world, not to mention themselves, except usually in those books the kids discovered they had super-special top secret powers perfectly suited to thwart that particular evil. Or at the very least the kids had been Chosen somehow, they're fated to save the world. Charlotte had no powers of any kind and was not fated to do anything except, perhaps, get a C in math. (190)

While I enjoyed this one, I had some problems with the pacing. But overall, I enjoyed it.

© Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

Siren Song (MG)

Ursu, Anne. 2007. The Siren Song. Simon & Schuster. 435 pages.

Once, not so long ago, inside an ordinary middle school in an ordinary city in an ordinary state in the middle of an ordinary country, a small redheaded eighth grader was doing something very ordinary indeed. Charlotte Mielswetzski (Say it with me: Meals-wet-ski. Got it? If not, say it again: Meals. Wet. Ski.) was in the school office calling her mother. And lest you think she was calling her mother for some interesting reason, let me assure you she most certainly was not.

It's been months since Charlotte and her cousin, Zee, saved the Underworld from Phil. But the consequences of their actions are still being felt. For one, Charlotte's parents--especially her mother--have not forgotten. Charlotte is still ultra-grounded. For another, Phil has not forgotten either. And Philonecron isn't going to be forgetting anytime soon. He's bent on revenge. He wants Charlotte to suffer...and then some. How's a guy like Phil go about taking revenge? By trying to enlist some help from his grandfather, Poseidon, of course. He certainly can't expect to win all on his own, now can he? Not when he got beat so badly by an eighth grader.

Charlotte and Zee are in danger. Though Charlotte is the one he hates above all, Zee is still part of Phil's evil plans and schemes. So both are definitely in danger...though neither realizes it in time to save themselves some trouble.

Action. Adventure. Greek mythology come to life in the modern world. While the first book explored Hades and the underworld, this one explores Poseidon's realm or kingdom--the sea.


© Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

The Shadow Thieves (MG)

Ursu, Anne. 2006. The Shadow Thieves. 420 pages.

Pay attention. Watch carefully, now. Look at the sidewalk, there. See that girl--the one with the bright red hair, overstuffed backpack, and aura of grumpiness? That's Charlotte Mielswetzski. (Say it with me: Meals-wet-ski. Got it? If not, say it again: Meals. Wets. Ski. There. You thought your name was bad?) And something extraordinary is about to happen to her.

The book begins by listing why all the obvious clues (such as a the oddly pale, strangely thin, freakishly tall, yellow-eyed, bald-headed man in the tuxedo) have nothing to do with the 'extraordinary' event coming her way, instead it has everything to do with the ordinary-looking stray kitten that meows her way into the story (3).

Written in a light-hearted conversational style, this fantasy-filled adventure features two heroes: Charlotte Mielswetzki and her cousin Zee (Zachary) Miller. If grumpy, prickly, and independent are adjectives for Charlotte. Her cousin Zee could easily be described as polite, shy, and a bit on the weird side. No it has nothing to do with his personality, the reader learns. But this young teen has had too many close encounters of the freakish variety. And it is these encounters that lead to his sudden move from England to America.

What's happening? Is Zee really the cause? Yes and no. It's true that people around Zee (and now Charlotte) are becoming mysteriously ill. But they've become agents for evil. Unknowingly of course. It all starts back in England with Zee's grandmother's death. Someone is there at the death scene that shouldn't be. Someone who has escaped from Hades (the place, not the god). His name is Phil. (Okay, his full name is Philonecron.) And with the use of Zee's blood--somehow or other with his army-made-of-clay--he is stealing children's shadows. He hopes to build a shadow-army so that he can overthrow Hades (the god, not the place) and rule over the kingdom of the dead himself.

Can Charlotte and Zee (and a mysterious English teacher) save the day?

When I first read this one back in 2006, I was underwhelmed. You see, 2006 was the year of shadow-stealing. This was one of four young adult fantasy novels that year featuring shadow stealing and/or shadow armies. And I thought--at the time--it was the least entertaining of the bunch. But with the release of two more books in Anne Ursu's series, I thought it was time to give this one another go.) I thought I could definitely use a refresher course before picking up the others.)

What did I think this time? I liked it. I really, really liked it. I thought it was funny and clever. I liked the conversational narration.

This Frank was not a pleasant sort. He had a black heart, and black teeth to match. He scowled and grumbled at every man, woman, girl, boy, baby, dog, and kitten that he saw. All Frank loved on Earth were his tomato plants, to which he murmured and sang like he had just given birth to them.

Now, Frank had very nice tomato plants, and they made lovely tomatoes, juicy and plump, but really...isn't there more in life? Should one really devote every morsel of one's love, to the exclusion of the rest of the world, to something that can't even decide if it's a vegetable or a fruit?

No matter. Frank will not trouble us for long.

© Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

The Navel of the World (MG)

Hoover, PJ. 2009. (October). The Navel of the World. CBay Books. 296 pages.

As soon as the elevator passed by, Benjamin Holt jumped; and then he started falling--straight down the shaft. Sure, he'd planned to levitate himself, but seeing as how he was out of practice, he dropped a good two hundred floors before he finally got the whole levitation thing under control.

The Navel of the World continues the quest first begun in The Emerald Tablet. The problem...I don't know how to discuss this second book without spoiling the first one. So be warned...

In the first book, Benjamin discovered some shocking truths about himself--his past, his family. His parents aren't his biological parents. His biological father is evil. Oh, and he's one of three, a triplet. He needs to find his brothers in order to protect the world and complete his mission...

But finding his brothers may not be so easy. He enlists the help of his friends. He tries to follow the few clues he has, but this quest may send him shuffling back and forth in time.

The book is full of adventure, risk, and danger. It begins when Benjamin and Andy are working at his dad's office in Wondersky City over Spring Break. That's where they receive a new clue. But most of this one takes place over the summer as everyone returns to summer school. It is the second year for Benjamin and his close friends--Andy, Gary, Iva, Heidi, and Jack.

What did I enjoy about this one? I loved the use of mythology. I loved the adventure. I loved the humor. And most of all I loved the time travel.

© Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

Radiant Darkness (MG, YA)

Whitman, Emily. 2009. Radiant Darkness. HarperCollins.

"Persephone, Daughter of Demeter, the harvest goddess. Kidnapped and forced to--"
Wrong! In every book of myths, the same; in every book, wrong!
Oh, I know it all got complicated because of the choices I made. I'm not trying to pretend I'm blameless. Still, after thousands of years, I wish people knew what really happened when I walked in my mother's flowering vale and the black horses landed, crushing flowers and filling the air with heady perfume. Just once I'd like to set the record straight.

Persephone narrates Radiant Darkness telling her version of how events went down. How she came to be the Queen of the Underworld. What can I say about this one? If you like Greek mythology--novelizations and retellings of mythology--then I think you'll enjoy this one. It's a tell of rebellion and frustration. Perspephone is the daughter of a goddess. And she's tired of it. Tired of her mother alternating between being domineering and controlling and being neglectful. Her mother is always off being worshipped. Off to this or that festival. Persephone feels the time has come. She's ready to be a woman. Ready to be accepted as one. The problem? Her mother treats her like she's six.

So when Persephone meets a tall, dark, handsome stranger, she's all for love. True, she doesn't know his name. True, he's mysterious. But he represents everything that is missing in her life. So she continues meeting him. Again and again. Until one day she learns the truth. He's a god. (Not a big surprise there, after all, her mother is a goddess.) But he's the god of the underworld. If she chooses him, she'll be leaving everything behind. Is she ready to make that choice? To live with her consequences?

© Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews
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The Last Olympian

Riordan, Rick. 2009. The Last Olympian. (Percy Jackson & The Olympians #5) Disney/Hyperion. 381 pages.

The end of the world started when a pegasus landed on the hood of my car. Up until then, I was having a great afternoon.

Percy Jackson's sixteenth birthday is approaching--and fast--soon the Great Prophecy will be fulfilled. Not understanding just what his destiny holds, Percy and his friends are fighting with all their might to save the world as they know it. To save Olympus--a.k.a. Manhattan--from the Titans--led by Kronus--who would destroy it. Percy, in case you're just getting caught up, is a demi-god. He's got an all-too-mortal mother and a god of a father--Poseidon. He's not alone. There are plenty of other demi-gods (on both sides of the war I might add) with various gods (and goddesses) as parents. All with different strengths and weaknesses. Different temptations. Percy and his closest friends--Annabeth especially--face some difficult choices in this final book of the series.

For those that need a refresher course, the first four books are The Lightning Thief, Sea of Monsters, The Titan's Curse, and The Battle of the Labyrinth.

Why I love this series:

They're funny.
They're clever.
They're action-and-adventure packed.
They're also packed with mythology. In a fun way. An inviting way.
They're addictive.
They're unputdownable.
They're just as fun to reread as they are the first time around. (How many books can you really and truly say that about?!)


© Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews
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Travel the World: UK: The Birth of A Warrior

Ford, Michael. 2008. Birth of a Warrior. Walker Books. 262 pages.

Birth of a Warrior is the second in the Spartan Quest series by Michael Ford. Lysander, a former slave, is continuing his warrior training. The grandson of an important Spartan warrior-leader, he still faces some scorn because of his mixed heritage (half Helot, half Spartan). No doubt about it, Lysander faces his toughest challenges yet within the pages of Birth of a Warrior. For one, he'll be facing the Ordeal. He--along with another warrior-in-training--will under the tutelage of another young warrior (older but not necessarily wiser) be led out into the Wild to see if they can survive. Extremely limited food and water. No cloaks or blankets to shield from the weather. No weapons. Can they survive living off the wild? Can they survive the challenges their guide has for them? Yet as difficult as this Ordeal is, it is almost nothing compared to what's coming. For on the last day, Lysander sees an enemy--the Persians--approaching. He knows this means war. He knows this means death. Not just for the Spartans who seem to welcome both but for the slaves--the Helots--as well.

Lysander has had difficulty in the past getting along with Demaratos. But as they face this Ordeal together--and the coming war--he learns that there are so many more important things to worry about than "liking" the soldier you're fighting besides. Warriors need to trust one another. And Lysander is finally reaching a place--as is Demaratos--where he can.

This is an action-and-adventure-packed book rich--but not too rich that it's inaccessible--in detail.

© Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews
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The Demigod Files

Riordan, Rick. 2009. The Demigod Files. Disney/Hyperion. 151 pages.

Part of me feels like a complete traitor for saying this, but, I am so very thankful I checked this one out of the library and didn't spend my money on it. Does that make me evil? Maybe. Slightly. But I think it makes me honest as well. And honesty is key. I think the readers who enjoy The Demigod Files are the readers who are so head-over-heels enthralled with Percy Jackson that they just can't wait until the next installment is released in May. These are the readers who probably have a countdown of days going. (May 5th according to Amazon.)

Don't get me wrong. I'm a BIG BIG BIG fan of Percy Jackson. But I can also recognize fluff when I see it. What this book does offer is three short stories about Percy. The rest comes up a bit short in my humble opinion.

What Riordan succeeds at in his writing is the ever-important first line. Most authors, I believe, aim to have that one magical first line to draw the reader in from the start. What Riordan does is offer that one magical first line in each and every chapter. And for the most part, he's a master. I wouldn't have trouble crowning him king or champion when it comes to that. He knows the importance of keeping them hooked, keeping them reading.

"I was in fifth-period science class when I heard these noises outside. Scrawk! Ow! Screech! Hiya!"

"One dragon can ruin your whole day. Trust me, as a demigod I've had my share of bad experiences."

"Christmas in the Underworld was NOT my idea."

The book also offers a sneak peak at the fifth and final installment: The Last Olympian. We get the first chapter I believe. Here is the first line of that one:

"The end of the world started when a pegasus landed on the hood of my car."

© Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews
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The Fire of Ares

Ford, Michael. 2008. The Fire of Ares. Walker. 245 pages.

'That's fifty. Stop now!' Lysander heard from behind.

Set in Ancient Greece, The Fire of Ares is the often-ruthless story of a young boy (former slave) named Lysander who discovers--quite by chance--his true parentage (he's half-Spartan) and that discovery leads him down a different path. He begins training (though the typical age to begin is seven and he is already twelve or thirteen) to become a Spartan warrior. Lysander's most precious possession--and it's "illegal" for him to "own" anything by the way--is a jewel, a pendant necklace. The so-called Fire of Ares. This gem has been passed from father-to-son for many generations--if the legend is to be believed--since before the fall of Troy. This necklace is legendary for protecting its wearer and giving strength and courage as well. And then there is the ever-mysterious prophecy.

Though Lysander has inherited this necklace from his mother--his father died in battle before he was born--the necklace soon is lost to him. A few chapters into the book, the reader witnesses the theft of the gem and the brutal beating of the boy.

This is an action-oriented novel full of adventure and mystery and above all else violence. It was a bit too violent for my liking. But I suppose it's true to the culture. They are Spartans after all. So if you can get past the brutality of it--the blood and gore of it--then you'll find yourself an interesting story about a boy with a few choices to make about his Destiny.

© Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews
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Oh. My. Gods.

Childs, Tera Lynn. 2008. Oh. My. Gods.

Oh. My. Gods. is a light and mostly refreshing read. Our heroine, Phoebe, is a soon-to-be senior whose life seems to be going according just to her plans. Until. (There's always an until...) Until her mother returns from a family reunion in Greece engaged. Surprise! Phoebe is going to have a stepfather! Surprise! Phoebe is going to have a stepsister! Surprise! The family is going to live in Greece! Forced into saying goodbye to her friends and her high school, Phoebe goes to Greece only to discover quite another BIG surprise is waiting for her.

While this news wouldn't shock many fiction-fans these days, it shocks her something fierce. The Greek gods are alive and doing well. They're real. And she'll be going to school with their children, their descendants.

The premise of this one is fun in spirit. The characters could use a bit more developing; the premise a bit more working out, but overall it's an enjoyable read.


© Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

Gods Misbehaving Badly

Phillips, Marie. 2007. Gods Behaving Badly.

For those that can't get enough Greek gods and goddesses, Marie Phillips' gods behaving badly may be a fun treat. However, it's not a book for everyone. It's an adult book of an adult nature. In other words the gods and goddesses haven't changed much in all of the centuries. Not all of them, but most of them would classify as being immoral in addition to being immortal. Aphrodite, for example, is a phone sex operator. And it's got a tone that would definitely be irreverent to those of the Christian persuasion. (Believers be warned, in other words. Though chances are they couldn't stick with it long enough to get to those passages.)

Alice and Neil are two humans, two mortals, that are about to get up close and personal with the gods whether they want to or not. Alice is a cleaner. She's hired to clean. Not realizing that she's working for Artemis and family, she doesn't quite know the danger she's in. Eros, doing his mother's bidding of course, shoots an arrow at Apollo who then falls madly in love with Alice. This happens before she's hired by the way. Neil is Alice's almost-nearly boyfriend. Alice isn't really "into" Apollo, and when she turns him down....well, it isn't pretty.

Alice is just about to tell Neil what happened that frightened her so when she's struck by lightning. Yes, lightning. Could someone have been telling stories to Zeus??? You'll just have to read and see for yourself.

This book is fun. As I said, it's not for everyone. (I won't be recommending it to mom anytime soon.) But for plenty of readers, I'm sure, it will be a delightful and light-hearted read. Not a clean read, but a fun one.

First sentence: One morning, when Artemis was out walking the dogs, she saw a tree where no tree should be.

292 pages

NY Times review



© Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

The Battle of the Labyrinth

Riordan, Rick. 2008. The Battle of the Labyrinth.

Oh my. Trust me it's good. Really really good. The Battle of the Labyrinth is the fourth novel in the Percy Jackson series, a contemporary fantasy series built around the premise that the Greek gods are alive and well and living in modern-day America. The others include The Lightning Thief, Sea of Monsters, and The Titan's Curse. Rick Riordan is one of my favorite authors. His Percy Jackson novels in a way illustrate the ultimate when it comes to the can't-put-downability experience. Once you start, you really can't stop. They're just that good, that suspenseful, that magical.

What can I say about The Battle of the Labyrinth? It's good. It's intense. It's very intense. There really isn't a calm or dull moment in its 361 pages. The story? The plot? Well, I won't be spilling that here. For one, I don't think you'll need the incentive to go and read this one if you've read the other three. You'd read it no matter what I said. You might already have a copy in hand or on order. If you haven't read any of the Percy Jackson books yet, you really need to correct that...and soon! It's fun and educational. The weaving of Greek mythology into a modern-day adventure story starring unforgettable characters...is just brilliant. Each novel adds more depth, more substance, more meaning into the story. New characters, new plot twists, new ways of making this series oh-so-magical.

First sentence: The last thing I wanted to do on my summer break was blow up another school.
Last sentence: "Come inside for cake and ice cream," I said. "It sounds like we've got a lot to talk about."

© Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

Iris, Messenger

Deming, Sarah. 2007. Iris, Messenger.

The main difference between school and prison is that prisons release you early for good behavior. School lasts about thirteen years no matter how good you are. Also, prison has better food. (1)

When Iris Greenwold turns twelve and receives a copy of Bulfinch's mythology, her world changes dramatically. Imagine going from black and white to technicolor. Clue #1? The book was delivered by a strange boy on a skateboard. (Not your typical UPS or mail man.) Clue #2? The book has a strange and mysterious note. To Iris, on the occasion of her twelfth birthday. Knowledge is power and then Didn't you ever wonder, Iris, what happens to gods when people stop worshipping them? Where do they go? What do they do? (11, 13). Iris attends Erebus Middle School, a place where the teachers are weird and the punishments cruel and unusual. And while typically Iris is a bit of a dreamer--always on the verge of getting detention, she is still your average middle schooler. But Iris is about to witness the incredible as she discovers the wonderfully awful truth about herself. The Greek gods and goddesses? Not dead. The gods and goddesses are alive and living in a small town in Pennsylvania... Sad and prone to melancholy, yes. But far from dead. Her brief encounters with each god and goddess is an opportunity to listen, to learn, to appreciate the stories in a whole new way. For example, Apollo, he's a jazz musician. The loss of his son, Phaethon, has him singing the blues. Well, acting as muse as Iris makes her unexpected debut on stage. Each story is unique. And Deming gets the voices of these gods and goddesses just right.

Iris is a great heroine. She's a daydreamer. She may not have a lot of friends her own age, but she has her own unique way of seeing the world, and a gift for listening and understanding. Deming's writing style is charming and enjoyable through and through. There are so many great lines--observations that ring so true--but I don't want to spoil the plot by quoting them here. (You're just going to have to trust me on this one!)

I really loved this one and I am very happy that Sarah Deming agreed to be interviewed! My interview with her will be posted tomorrow, Monday, October 29th. I think you will enjoy it as she sheds light on Iris, Messenger. So be sure to come back tomorrow and read it!

Another review of Iris, Messenger. (Bookshelves of Doom)