113. Standoff (Kidnapped from Ukraine #2)

113. Kidnapped From Ukraine #2 Standoff. Marsha Forchuk Skrypuch. 2025. 288 pages. [Source: Library] [realistic fiction, family, drama, war] [5 stars]

First sentence: The bed moved. I squinched my eyes shut and flipped to my side. Smack. Something hit my head. Was Dariia doing one of her silly tricks again? I reached over to push her away, but her side of the bed was empty.

Premise/plot: Standoff is the companion novel to Under Attack. Under Attack was the story of what happened to Dariia (and her mom). Standoff is the story of what happened to Rada (and her dad). The focus of both books is primarily on these twin sisters--Dariia and Rada. This family is literally torn apart, separated by the sudden onset of war. Since Rada's father is fighting in the resistance or army, she's in the care of neighbors at the shelter  at the Azovstal plant. Many have taken shelter, but, it's a hard, desperate struggle to survive. So many unknowns. Each day a struggle to survive--for food, for water, for warmth, for health. Will these sisters ever find one another again?!

My thoughts: Both books are intense and compelling. I do recommend both books. They are companion books. I think they could be read as stand alone books. I think they could be read out of order.

© 2025 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

27. One Wrong Step

   

27. One Wrong Step. Jennifer A. Nielsen. 2025. 336 pages. [Source: Library] [5 stars, mg historical, mg action, mg survival, mg fiction]

First sentence:  It's been almost three years since my dad and I climbed Kings Peak, but I still think about the summer of 1936 every single day.

Atlas, our hero, loves climbing mountains--first with his parents, then with just his dad. However his relationship with his father has been strained of late since his mother's death. The novel is set on Mount Everest in 1939: the world is on the verge of war AND the mountain is on the verge of an avalanche.

Atlas and his new friend, Maddie, are left behind at Advanced Base Camp. Maddie has little to no experience climbing mountains--she is just along with her dad. Atlas has some climbing experience, but at 14 he's not deemed "reliable" and "wise" enough to include in the quest for the summit. For perspective, however, consider that in 1939, NO HUMAN BEING--male or female--had reached the summit. So it makes all the sense in the world why the leader--Atlas' dad--would decide NO. 

The book's adventure truly begins when they hear an AVALANCHE above them knowing that the group--including both their fathers--will be in great danger. After their sherpa, Chodak, is greatly injured, these two head out on their own to rescue the team. Against advice--mind you--but the very young do not always do what they are told...

My thoughts: This is an action-packed historical survival-themed coming of age story. I never set out to read a moderate amount of books about mountain climbing. It just happened throughout the years. This one was compelling. It was action-packed yet it had a lot of substance and depth. Atlas is going through a lot--emotionally, mentally, physically. This time on the mountain may just change how he sees everything.

 

© 2025 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

77. Harry Potter and the Order of Phoenix

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. J.K. Rowling. 2003. 912 pages. [Source: Library] [4 stars] [mg fiction; mg fantasy; series book]

First sentence: The hottest day of the summer so far was drawing to a close and a drowsy silence lay over the large, square houses of Privet Drive.

Premise/plot: Harry Potter and his friends struggle to keep things together as a new year at Hogwarts begins. Lord You-Know-Who has returned. But the Ministry of Magic (among others) are determined to bury their heads in the sand. (Perhaps because they are more involved with You-Know-Who than they'd like to admit. Perhaps because they would rather believe that Harry Potter (and company, the Order of the Phoenix) is lying than that HE has returned. You could argue either.) The staff and students are on high alert--namely from Dolores Umbridge (and those whom she represents as High Inquisitor). The year won't be easy. The foundation of Hogwarts is being shaken about. 

Meanwhile, Harry Potter is continuing to have dreams and visions. His scar is still bothering him. He's beginning to realize that he and You-Know-Who share an unbreakable bond. 

My thoughts: It is so easy to feel overwhelmed by the weight of the books in these series. The pacing is all over the place for me. On the one hand, the books never fail to have about one hundred pages of the most intense, fast-paced, action-packed DRAMA. On the other hand, so much time is spent getting to that point. Like you've got eight plus months of more mundane chronicling of school life--always taking a chapter or two for the Christmas holidays--and then BOOM end of school year, BIG show down. In the middle of the book, I'm always am I sure I want to keep reading. At the end of the book, it's like this is why I do keep reading. 

Lighter moments are definitely getting harder to come by.

ETA: I am rereading the series. I definitely appreciated this one MUCH more the second time around. I have all the feels for the ending of this one. The last half of the book is SO intense and emotional. Sirius Black is one of my favorite characters. This one does feature some big reveals--for those reading it the first time around. 

© 2024 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

108. A Vanishing of Griffins

A Vanishing of Griffins. (Songs of Magic) S.A. Patrick. 2021/2023. 400 pages. [Source: Library] [Link to cover image] [Middle Grade]

First sentence: Erner woke, as he did every morning, from a nightmare: being pushed off the back of a dracogriff, into a cold lake far below.

 Premise/plot: A Vanishing of Griffins is the second book in a trilogy of MG fantasy inspired by the Piper of Hamelyn. (Darkening of Dragons was the first book in this trilogy.) The first third of this one wraps up some of the drama from book one. (Erner is reunited with his former friends/companions. Wren is no longer cursed. One of the leaders (I forgot his name) has been healed.) The remainder of the book is essentially a new action-adventure fantasy story. New characters. New main story. Big battle. Huge battle. Way more action than character development. (They are facing off against the same villain.)

My thoughts: I really LOVED A Darkening of Dragons. Or at least I remember really, really liking it. I don't recall off hand if it was four stars or five stars.) I loved the storytelling, the characterization. Everything I loved about the first novel in the series seems to be absent in the second. It might be mostly me. It might not be either. I did read the first third of the book in one sitting. Took one day off of the book. Came back and discovered that there were a thousand and one new characters and a big shift in story. It might just be that I blanked out on the transition and some key moments where those new characters are introduced. This one has a LOT of action. At least twice the action. So for readers who enjoy action-packed fantasy, this one may appeal. I like a little more characterization. (Which I got for the first third.)

© 2023 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

103. A Darkening of Dragons

A Darkening of Dragons. (Songs of Magic #1) S.A. Patrick. 2018/2020/2022/2023. 400 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: The screams of the children brought the villagers running. 

Premise/plot: A Darkening of Dragons is the first in a fantasy trilogy that is an adapted twist on the Piper of Hamelyn tale. Patch Brightwater, our hero soon to be on a quest, isn't your typical hero. In fact, he soon lands himself in prison. The prisoner next door is legendary, and, obviously not in a good way: the evil Piper of Hamelyn. He's wearing an iron mask to prevent him from mischief, doomed to repeat the last word he said before the mask was attached. Wren, a girl with big dreams, has been cursed and turned into a rat. Wren and Patch become great friends. When an opportunity for escape presents itself (this scene reminded me of Pirates of the Caribbean), Patch and Wren make a run for it. Soon they are joined by Barver, a dracogriff (dragon/griffin). Thus begins their bigger adventures...

My thoughts: The world building in this fantasy novel is great. The characterization is there--it's substantive. I never thought I would get so attached to Wren and Barver. (But I did.) The quest doesn't begin on page one, there's lots of build-up. There were twists and turns along the way....and, of course, it ends on a cliffhanger. 

I can't wait to start the second book!

 

© 2023 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

47. Among the Hidden

Among the Hidden. Margaret Peterson Haddix. 1998. 153 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: He saw the first tree shudder and fall, far off in the distance. Then he heard his mother call out the kitchen window: "Luke! Inside. Now." He had never disobeyed the order to hide. 

ETA: I really love, love, love Margaret Peterson Haddix. I enjoy rereading her books every now and then. I don't know that my library still has in its collection the whole series. But I'm going to try to read more of her books (again, again) this year.

Premise/plot: Among the Hidden is the first book in Margaret Peterson Haddix's fast-paced futuristic middle grade series. Luke Garner is a shadow child, an illegal third child; his parents are farmers in a rural community which gave him small doses of freedom--if freedom means breathing fresh air outside--now and then. But when the woods around his house are bulldozed to make room for more houses--or apartments--even that small bit of liberty is lost. Luke "lives" his life in the attic and on the stairs. His family fears the Population Police so much that they don't even allow Luke to eat with them in the kitchen. Things seem to be getting progressively worse; so much so that his mother decides to get a job--in a factory, I believe--leaving Luke alone in the house. One day Luke notices that one of the neighbor's has his lights on when no one is supposed to be home. Then he sees a face; could Luke have found another hidden child? Could this child be his friend? Only if Luke dares to disobey his parents and go outside. Is there life outside the attic?

My thoughts: I remember discovering this series a few years after I first started blogging. It was LOVE. I remember that it was winter. While I had the first two or three checked out at the same time, I finished them all in one day and a snowstorm kept me from getting the rest of the series right when I wanted them, no, NEEDED them. Long story short, CHECK OUT ALL THE TITLES AT ONCE. That's my advice to you. I found the series to be fast-paced, compelling, thoughtful. I really loved Luke and his new friend, Jen.
 

 

© 2023 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

38. The Swifts

The Swifts: A Dictionary of Scoundrels. Beth Lincoln. 2023. 352 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: It was a bright, well-dressed morning in early May and the Swifts were in the middle of a funeral. The House looked very fine. The lawns had been swept clean of leaves, the hedge maze had been trimmed, and the statues had been scrubbed behind the ears. The Family had spent the morning practicing their eulogies in front of a mirror, and now they walked in slow procession through the cemetery, faces professionally grim.

Premise/plot: The Swifts are something else. Shenanigan Swift, our narrator, has a LARGE, bizarre, odd, quirky, whimsical, one-of-a-kind family. And they're all coming--well the living ones--to a Reunion. Some may choose to partake in an actual treasure hunt--a Vile relation, literally named Vile Swift--hid treasure on the property way back when that has yet to be discovered. He lived up to his name. Supposedly, all Swifts lift up their names. But do they? Maybe. Maybe not. Shenanigan has spent much of her time mapping out the LARGE equally bizarre, quirky, one-of-a-kind house and looking for secret tunnels, secret rooms, secret hiding places, etc. She may not be the matriarch or the archivist, but, she's accumulating knowledge in her spare time--knowledge that may just prove useful once this family reunion turns deadly.

This whimsical mystery packed with dark humor is unique. There are dozens of characters--or suspects, or victims--and dozens of clues. There's plenty of twists and turns. 

My thoughts: I liked many things about this one. It was a little crazy--for better or worse. And by crazy I don't make an allusion to anything regarding mental health or well-being. I mean zany, topsy-turvy, out-there, bizarre, whimsical, quirky. It was a little OVER the top. So over the top that it goes right past "realistic fiction." Imagine if Roald Dahl ever wrote a family reunion with a treasure hunt. It isn't so much about in-depth characterization and believable story as it is just a roller coaster ride of whimsy. 

Erf. I personally am not a fan. I think giving them an actual name beyond "Erf" would go a long way. I can get--or try to get--why they would want to choose a new name for themself that wouldn't be the one on their birth certificate. But why Erf? And is Erf a new name? a nickname? an-in-between name? Is a better sounding name coming? I'm glad that Shenanigan makes a friend. But still...

 

© 2023 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

179. Futureland: Battle for the Park

Futureland: Battle for the Park. H.D. Hunter. 2022. [November] 320 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Look, you'd probably think I was the luckiest kid in the world...because I live on top of it. No, seriously. Literally. Well...more like above it, if I'm being precise--vocabulary word!

Premise/plot: Cam Walker, our protagonist, lives IN an amusement park, part time at least. Futureland is unlike any other amusement park. The year is 2048. And Futureland is a traveling amusement park. For the first time, however, it will be remain above Atlanta for an extended period of time. Cam's parents thinks its important--for once--that Cam attend a regular public school. He'll also be getting to know one of his grandmothers. Futureland is due to open very soon...after the novel opens...but not all is going smoothly. Some of the technology, well, it's glitching. And as Cam discovers, these glitches [or mishaps] aren't accidental but intentional. Can Cam figure out the mystery behind these bizarre and dangerous events??? Perhaps with a few real-life friends he can.

My thoughts: I read this in one sitting. It was packed with action and adventure. It's set in the future. And not just the future...but an amusement park celebrating THE FUTURE. It also had plenty of suspense and mystery. There's definitely something sinister going on...and the creepy vibes are front and center. 

I enjoyed this one so much. It kept me hooked into the now of reading the book. I wasn't questioning much about the plot or the characters or the relationships. Just had to keep turning pages.

 

© 2022 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

178. Alcatraz Versus the Knights of Crystallia

Alcatraz Versus the Knights of Crystallia. Brandon Sanderson. 2009. 299 pages. [Source: Library]
 

First sentence: So there I was, hanging upside down underneath a gigantic glass bird, speeding along at a hundred miles an hour above the ocean, in no danger whatsoever.

Premise/plot: This is the third book in the Alcatraz fantasy series. IN this one, Alcatraz and company arrive at last in the Free Kingdoms, in Nalhalla. Alcatraz wrestles with fame and ego in this one. Though raised in the Hushlands in a Librarian-controlled nation, he's FAMOUS in Nalhalla already, even starring in his own book series. (The book series being written by the Prince himself). Open up one of his books, and his theme music plays. You don't really get more famous than Alcatraz Smedry, of course, it's not really, truly HIM that is famous, more an idea of him. Also in this one, Bastille is put on trial. Will she be stripped of knighthood? How long will her punishment last? I should also not forget to mention that the LIBRARIANS want to come to peaceful terms and end the war at last. But Alcatraz and his friends suspect the WORST. But so many people want peace that they seem willing to give the Librarians the benefit of the doubt....

My thoughts: This one is an action-packed read full of fun and humor. I love this series. And I think I enjoyed this third book even more than the first two books. Folsom was a great new character to introduce--loved his talent, by the way. And it was nice to meet a librarian who wasn't evil for a change!!!

ETA: I reread this one in December 2022. I've reread the first three books in the series. I am enjoying the reread so much. The last time I read this book was 2016. It's been just long enough that there is so much that is 'new' to me. These books are holding up well, in my opinion.

© 2022 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

156. The Dark Prophecy

The Dark Prophecy (The Trials of Apollo #2) Rick Riordan. 2017. 414 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: When our dragon declared war on Indiana, I knew it was going to be a bad day.

Premise/plot: The Dark Prophecy is the second book in the Trials of Apollo series by Rick Riordan. Apollo, the god, has been punished with mortality. He has lost all his powers and is semi-reliant on demi-gods (half-gods) for help. Apollo is joined on his semi-quest (no oracles means no official quests) by Leo and Calypso. (Characters we met in a previous series). These three are still trying to figure out which three emperors (well, Nero plus two others) are out to take over the world. 

My thoughts: I think my patience is wearing thin at this point. I don't remember disliking Lester/Apollo quite this much in the first book? Or maybe a little goes a long way? I don't know. It just seems so same-old, same-old, same-old and pointless. The quests always have a surface-level intensity that turns to nothing. Because no matter what, there's a small-ish victory at the end of each book--a brief pause of the action--and then the next book introduces a new "bigger" threat. It's never-ending.

Has anyone read all five books in the series? Does it improve?

 

© 2022 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

128. The Blood of Olympus

The Blood of Olympus (The Heroes of Olympus #5) Rick Riordan. 2014. 516 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Jason hated being old. His joints hurt. His legs shook. As he tried to climb the hill, his lungs rattled like a box of rocks.

Premise/plot: The Blood of Olympus is the fifth and final book in the Heroes of Olympus series. It has nine narrators--nine! Reyna and Nico join the seven in narrating duties: Jason, Percy, Annabeth, Piper, Frank, Leo, Hazel. (Though to be fair, I'm not a thousand percent sure that Hazel and Frank have chapters???? They definitely have roles to play in the action though.) The demigods are running out of time. The earth mother, Gaia, is rising--which means TROUBLE for almost everyone. The Greek demigods and the Roman demigods must find a way to work together and brainstorm a way to defeat her. (Something easier said than done). Each demigod has his or her own strengths and weaknesses.

My thoughts: The resolution worked for me. I want this resolution to stick. I don't want another series of books starring Percy and Annabeth that undoes this happy-ish ending. Overall, I enjoyed the characters. All the books in the series are LONG, LONG, SUPER LONG. I am glad I read this second series of books.

 

© 2022 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

125. The House of Hades

The House of Hades. (The Heroes of Olympus #4) Rick Riordan. 2013. 597 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: During the third attack, Hazel almost ate a boulder. She was peering into the fog, wondering how it could be so difficult to fly across one stupid mountain range, when the ship's alarm bells sounded.

Premise/plot: The fourth book in the series, The House of Hades, is action-packed (finally). Readers follow eight characters--Jason, Percy, Annabeth, Hazel, Piper, Leo, Frank, and Nico. (I think Nico is the only character whose point of view we do not get). In the last book, Percy and Annabeth plummeted to Tartarus. From the underworld side, they will be fighting their way to the Doors of Death. On this side, the other six characters are fighting their way to the Doors of Death. Plenty of battles, plenty of enemies, plenty of action. 

My thoughts: I struggled with the earlier books in this series. Or at least the third book in the series. I don't remember books one and two dragging out and being pointless. (That is my opinion, and it could be a matter of timing.) I was engaged with this one from cover to cover. It was such a happy thing to be so engaged in a book that I actually want to keep turning pages. Especially since the third book felt like it had a million pages and no end in sight. 

Because this is a SERIES book, it's hard to talk about the premise and plot and my thoughts on the premise and plot--namely the characters and story--without spoiling earlier books. And sometimes my thoughts--in order to make sense--would require me to unpack multiple books. It is just easier to keep things brief and vague.

 

© 2022 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

119. Daybreak on Raven Island

Daybreak on Raven Island. Fleur T. Bradley. 2022. [January] 256 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Raven Island was a forgotten place. Sure, you could see the massive rock from the Pacific coast. On a clearer day, you may get a glimpse of the prison, or the empty dock that used to welcome boats and ferries. You could even see the lighthouse, once proud and bright but now extinguished. Forgotten. The ravens were perfectly fine with this situation.

Premise/plot: Seventh grade field trip gone horribly wrong--this is the premise of Fleur T. Bradley's Daybreak on Raven Island. This action thriller OR mystery/suspense novel--for middle graders--is narrated by three seventh graders: Tori, Marvin, and Noah. These three were not friends before the field trip, but the good old "buddy system" assignments has brought them together (ultimately to be terrified). So the seventh grade class is visiting an old (long, abandoned) prison thought to be haunted. This will be the first time any outsider has visited the island in decades. But on this special occasion, a seventh grade class and a film crew (for a ghost-hunting show) are on the island. Some hoping to avoid ghosts; some hoping to see ghosts. For three students (and the film crew) the adventure awaits at night... 

Tori, Marvin, and Noah miss the ferry back home and have to remain on the island overnight....where danger awaits.

My thoughts: This isn't my typical kind of read, but, I do occasionally push myself to read outside my normal comfort zone. This one offers mystery, suspense, action, adventure...and plenty of secrets. I do think this one has plenty of appeal to the thrill-seeking kid. It offers a bit of spookiness with just the tiniest dose of didactic "nutrition." I am not saying that to be mean, I'm not. A book about a prison is certainly an opportunity to talk about the justice system--past and present. 

Without a doubt this one is premise driven and not character driven. If the premise sounds good to you, likely you'll enjoy it. 

 

© 2022 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

118. Frances and the Monster

Frances and the Monster. Refe Tuma. 2022. [August] 352 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: August 29, 1939, was a Tuesday. Under normal circumstances, Frances had little reason to keep track of the days of the week. Or the months of the year, for that matter. Calendars were for marking dates and times, for meeting people and going places. Frances never went anywhere and rarely saw anyone. With no comings or goings to punctuate her existence, she lived in a peculiar flatness of time unique to those who never leave the house.

Premise/plot: Frances Stenzel has not left her house in years--not since a car accident left her scarred for life. The choice has been made by her parents, not Frances. She doesn't really remember a time "before." But as she is getting older, she believes she should be allowed more freedom and independence--including traveling with her parents to an international scientific symposium. (True, there is a world war going on...but....Frances doesn't see the danger in that. Current events have little to no effect on her day to day life--to say the least.) 

Essentially, the plot gets started once her parents leave...with a robot, Hobbes, in charge as her tutor. Frances rebels--again and again and again and again. And that rebellious I-know-better-than-anyone-else leads to some drama.

Her choices--for better or worse--unleash a MONSTER, a literal monster, on her home town. (Also some family secrets, but that is a secondary matter perhaps.) As Frances leaves the house (for essentially the first time in her recollection) she encounters the world....and the world encounters her. It will be quite an action-packed adventure. 

My thoughts: I loved the cover. I liked the premise. I do love the novel Frankenstein. The idea of a middle grade novel being inspired by Frankenstein, well, it intrigued me. The setting of World War II also initially intrigued me. However, I think the setting had very little to do with the novel. It could have been set any time, any place--almost. I wanted more of the times to influence the novel. (I would say the Great Depression has more of an impact than the war itself.) 

What I liked most was how Frances started forming relationships and attachments with others once she started leaving the house. True, these were partly formed by trauma and were certainly packed with drama, but, I still enjoyed seeing Frances world widen. 

This one has two or perhaps three twists in it. I saw the BIG twist coming from a mile away. I'm not sure a child would see it coming. Perhaps not. But I started seeing warning signs and guessed the big reveal way too early. 

 

© 2022 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

110. I.Q.: Independence Hall (Book #1)

I.Q., Independence Hall (Book one in I.Q series). Roland Smith. 2008. 293 pages. [Source: Library]

 First sentence: From a window across the street, Eben Lavi watched the couple and the two children leave their loft and climb into the back of a white limousine. It pulled away from teh curb and started down the street.

Premise/plot: I.Q. is an action packed spy thriller starring two kids. Angela (whose mom was a secret service agent) and Quest are step-siblings. Their parents have literally just gotten married. Together they are MATCH a newly formed (relatively newly formed?) musical group who have gone viral. Their honeymoon will take place (with kids) on the tour bus as they make their way to Philadelphia. The tour is coming and will be HUGE. The kids will be out of school--well, school, school. They will be homeschooling on the bus for the tour. And getting to know each other...and as it turns out...fighting to survive.

My thoughts: Mysteries. Secrets. Politics. Action. This one has a little bit of everything. And it all unfolds in a satisfying way. Not too fast. Not too slow. The pacing was just about right. It was just the kind of book I was needing. I was reading this at the same time as Map of Flames. Unfortunately, I think my impressions of Map of Flames suffered a bit because this one was so very good. Both are action-packed. This is an older title. I'm not even sure it's still in print? 

© 2022 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

109. The Forgotten Five #1: Map of Flames

Map of Flames (Forgotten Five #1) Lisa McMann. 2022. 384 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Birdie Golden's fingers were still stained with dirt from digging her father's grave. Tears smudged her cheeks.

Premise/plot: Map of Flames is a premise-driven, action-adventure driven super-hero MG novel. The premise sounds amazing. Eight super-villains hide in the ultimate tropical jungle hide-out. Their five children (between the eight) have never known the larger 'outside' world. Many (if not all) have superpowers just like their parents. Now the children are on their own without any of the parents. And some of them (soon all of them) are going to be going on their first mission ever...and leaving the only place they've ever lived.

My thoughts: The premise sounds all kinds of amazing. And perhaps for the majority of readers it holds up well to that premise. It is packed with action and adventure. Never a dull or slow moment. But. For me, an adult reader who loves character-driven novels that have some depth and substance and heart...this was just an almost for me. I kept reading because I wanted there to be a moment when it all fell into place and there was great reward...for me. Again, maybe the majority of readers think this book is absolutely awesome.

 

© 2022 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

106. The Mark of Athena

The Mark of Athena (Heroes of Olympus #3). Rick Riordan. 2012. 586 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Until she met the exploding statue, Annabeth thought she was prepared for anything.

Premise/plot: At last all seven of the demigods are united and gathering to face all odds and do ultimate battle. Percy, Jason, Piper, Hazel, Annabeth, Frank, Leo. We spent the first two books in the series getting to know these characters--three at a time. These seven are heading to the ancient homelands--ancient Rome/ancient Greece. The odds are not in their favor. And along the way, they'll have to win approval of some gods at least if they are to stand a chance. For it is only when heroes and gods work together that victory is even possible. 

My thoughts: So much going on. So many characters. All of them claiming to be "ultimate." The book, to me, felt wearisome. I did not feel as invested in all seven of the heroes as I should have been. I think it's not that I don't care at all. I do. It's just hard to care about all seven at the same time. And there comes a time when quests--even super-ultimate-this-is-really-it quests--are just tiresome to get invested in. This is book three out of five. You know wherever, however this one ends...it's not really close to "the end."

That being said, this is perhaps the first chance that Annabeth gets to truly shine on her own. Not as part of a group or duo, but on her own. This book had interesting/intriguing moments/scenes. I just had a hard time staying that way cover to cover. 

© 2022 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

105. The Son of Neptune

The Son of Neptune. Rick Riordan. 2011. 521 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: The snake-haired ladies were starting to annoy Percy.

Premise/plot: Percy Jackson, who has lost his memory (mostly), is a demigod (son of Poseidon/Neptune) who is spending time at a Roman camp for half-bloods. He doesn't recall most of his time at Camp Halfblood (the Greek camp), but he does remember Annabeth. He knows that she is out there somewhere looking for him. But meanwhile, there are bad guys to fight, quests to fulfill, and new friends to make.

This one is narrated by Percy, Hazel, and Frank. Hazel and Frank's stories are revealed slowly but surely--as are the identities of their godly parents. This one continues to set up a new ultimate this-is-it-we-mean-it end-of-the-world scenario.

My thoughts: I liked getting to know Hazel and Frank (for the most part). And I am glad that Percy is "back" and that he has been "found." I like the idea that the Greeks and Romans have been hidden from each other for decades/centuries. I do like how this one ends with the Greeks and Romans getting ready to meet up as possible-possible-possible allies.

But knowing that this is book two in a five book series that is setting up yet another final-final-ultimate-super-ultimate battle, it is just wearisome. In my opinion. So much investment knowing that there isn't going to be much satisfaction until the last book. (And only then if Rick Riordan leaves the characters in peace.)

 

© 2022 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

104. The Lost Hero

The Lost Hero. (Heroes of Olympus #1) Rick Riordan. 2010. 553 pages. [Source: Library]

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

Premise/plot: Percy Jackson has gone missing. Annabeth discovers three demigods--Jason, Leo, and Piper--while she is searching for Percy. The three soon find themselves at Camp Halfblood. Strange things are afoot (once again). A quest is coming...danger abounds...you now, same old same old. Piper, Leo, and Jason along with a mechanical dragon named Festus (think steampunk) soon find themselves searching for a missing goddess all the while battling giants...

My thoughts: Instead of following one narrator from start to finish, this one alternates between the three protagonists: Jason (who has lost his memory), Leo (who is keeping a secret about fire) and Piper (who is keeping a secret about her dad). The three will have to listen to one another--and work together--if they are to save the world. To be fair, this is only preliminary saving the world, but it is important nonetheless. 

Even though I've read this one before (back in 2011), I have absolutely no memory of it. Reading my review, I apparently loved it. I can't say that my thoughts are gushy now. It was solid enough for what it was--another mythology based quest featuring struggling  kids. I don't know if it is longer than the books in the Percy Jackson series, but it surely felt like it. Having a book with fifty-two chapters is intimidating. I know the other books didn't have that many chapters, though perhaps they just had longer chapters? Either way, I felt this one dragged a bit here and there. I cared about what happened. But I wanted to get there faster.

© 2022 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

95. Glitch

Glitch. Laura Martin. 2020. 384 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: April 14, 1865. Gosh, I was sick of that date, and it wasn't just because that is when our sixteenth president was assassinated. Nope. I was sick of April 14, 1865, because I kept getting sent back to it for training purposes.

Premise/plot: Glitch is a middle grade time travel novel. For some readers, that alone might make you seek this one out. (It would me.) There are two protagonists: Regan Fitz and Elliot Mason. These two are glitchers--or at the very least glitchers in training. They've been raised by the Academy since birth--their genes having revealed the 'glitch.' They will be able to travel through time. Glitchers carry out missions to preserve history. PRESERVE being the key word. They seek out "butterflies" those from a rival time-traveling group who are out to change history. 

When the novel opens, Regan and Elliot are both STUDENTS in training. All of their missions are simulations. But everything changes when they--well, Regan, really--receive a COCOON, a message from the future. This cocoon means that at some point in the future one of them--or both of them--will become BUTTERFLIES. 

Thus begins an exciting, action-packed time traveling adventure.

My thoughts: I loved, loved, loved, loved this one. I have a BIG weakness for time travel books. I do. This one most reminded me of the oh-so-sadly short-lived TIMELESS tv show. I crazy-loved that show. If it had been up to me, it would have had at least three to five seasons. The premise was AWESOME and I loved (most) of the cast. So much potential---ultimately wasted. 

I hope this becomes a book series. I would read every single one. I promise. 

 

© 2022 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews