Really enjoyed this one, which isn't honestly that surprising since I'm a sucker for worldbuilding. And the world here is very cool. It was fun to staReally enjoyed this one, which isn't honestly that surprising since I'm a sucker for worldbuilding. And the world here is very cool. It was fun to start with a character actually rejecting her "yer a wizard, Harry" moment. The story has as similar feel to Shadowshaper, but I actually think I liked Labyrinth Lost better-- the family dynamics were more compelling, I think.
It definitely helps that I speak fair Spanish, so I could translate most of the names and bits of cantos at the tops of chapters, but I don't think it's necessary to enjoy the book....more
Better than PJO in my opinion, but didn't work for me the way Magnus Chase did. I do think it's interesting that Riordan attempted a series based on EBetter than PJO in my opinion, but didn't work for me the way Magnus Chase did. I do think it's interesting that Riordan attempted a series based on Egyptian myths, when there's far less historical consensus on those stories-- the sheer variety of versions of each story and character would make it basically impossible to do a PJO style story. I like how Riordan adapted that characteristic of Egyptian history to this story, rather than choosing a single version of each god to be a parent to each character and rehash PJO again.
That said, this story didn't particularly grab me and it was a bit of a slog to finish at times. I probably won't force the rest of the series just yet but maybe someday. Perhaps my kids will take a liking in a few years and we can read together? Who knows....more
4 stars bumped to 4.5 by the climax which was amazing and wonderful and [insert current internet expression for wholesome i.e. "my crops are watered" 4 stars bumped to 4.5 by the climax which was amazing and wonderful and [insert current internet expression for wholesome i.e. "my crops are watered" etc].
I am all about this series and hope to see the characters again soon. It all just makes me so happy....more
I saw this at the second hand book shop and figured it was time to give Riordan another try. So far, only Magnus Chase has really grabbed me, and thisI saw this at the second hand book shop and figured it was time to give Riordan another try. So far, only Magnus Chase has really grabbed me, and this book didn't change that pattern unfortunately. I liked both Piper and Leo, and the premise is interesting (if not terribly developed in this volume), but Jason-- like Percy before him-- just wasn't interesting enough for me to get invested in the mystery of who he is and why he's here. There's plenty of good action and adventure here-- it's a little surreal that our very own local Mt Diablo features prominently, but I'm into it-- but I'm not in a hurry to read more of the series just now....more
Better than the previous books for sure, and a good end for the series.
I wanted to like this installment but one thing just got under my skin. I've mBetter than the previous books for sure, and a good end for the series.
I wanted to like this installment but one thing just got under my skin. I've mentioned that I wasn't fond of the trick in previous books where half-finished conversations are used to ramp up tension ("I should have asked about...." or interrupted chats about plot development). This book stepped way over the line when the first-person narrator decided not to let us in on the plot. Twice. Like, he knew what he was doing but refused to tell us. It felt cheap to me, and not exactly respectful of me as a reader.
Oh well. Rachel Elizabeth Dare continues to be the best ever, and the gods are only the second-worst ever, and Blackjack saves the day and dents Priuses. There was a surprisingly high body count, given how this series seems to be pitched a little younger than, say, Harry Potter. I might have liked to spend a little more time on the repercussions of all that death, though they are treated respectfully (just a bit as an afterthought), but for a youngish YA it did a decent job. I suppose the implication that there's a known afterlife changes things a bit, and it's just my own feelings about death and afterlife that are bringing it down.
Anyway, I'm glad I've read the series, since I can definitely see my now-four-year-olds getting pretty into this stuff when they're a little older and now I'm prepared. I'd still recommend D'Aulaire's mythology books way before Percy Jackson, but then again I've been known to be a fuddy duddy in my time. Kids these days, etc....more
An improvement in the series for sure. New characters are a welcome addition, particularly Nico. There's still a fair bit of literal deus ex machina, An improvement in the series for sure. New characters are a welcome addition, particularly Nico. There's still a fair bit of literal deus ex machina, which I've mostly learned to live with and be amused by, and more of the "I'll start to say something important and then just stop because Reasons" stuff that gets on my nerves because it feels like artificial anticipation-building. But the Big Plot is moving forward and that's good to see. Not like I'm going to stop now, anyway, right?...more
Expands on the universe from the first with some awesome new characters. The mythological stuff is as bonkers as usual, but the interpersonal stuff isExpands on the universe from the first with some awesome new characters. The mythological stuff is as bonkers as usual, but the interpersonal stuff is where this book (and series) really shine.
Though apparently I'm going to need to go back and read like 7+ previous books before the third Magnus book comes out. Not super thrilled about that, but I'm hoping the crossover will pay off.
The narrator on this audiobook was quite good as well....more
Another audiobook for me, so I'll admit the experience is likely different than if I'd read it on paper/screen.
That being said, wow. A couple books inAnother audiobook for me, so I'll admit the experience is likely different than if I'd read it on paper/screen.
That being said, wow. A couple books into Percy Jackson and I was mostly just coasting on inertia and the knowledge that my kids will likely be interested in that sort of book some day. They're functional for what they are, but didn't really grab me. Magnus Chase, on the other hand? I'm all in.
Maybe it's because I know much more about Greek mythology so much of Percy Jackson plots feel obvious and telegraphed. But I know a fair bit about Norse myths and didn't have that problem here. My three main hypotheses for the difference are that a) Riordan has really hit his stride at this point, or b) the characters are older to begin with, or c) the darker tone (which I feel is pretty true to the Norse source material). Probably a combination of all three.
I loved Sam, and Magnus was much less of a "mediocre kid but OMGCHOSEN" than Percy. And Hearth and Blitz! And [spoiler redacted]!
I just dug the whole thing. Sure, the Percy tie-in was a little tenuous but maybe it'll have payoff sometime? Otherwise why would they bring it up more than once? I mean, if it was just to snag Percy readers, the link would just have been in the first couple chapters and then forgotten, right?
Don't answer that. I'm excited to see where this goes. Though I note I've once again gotten myself into a series that isn't complete yet... boo....more
2.5 stars. I liked the story better than the first, but it still has a case of not-meant-for-me. Mostly mediocre protagonist who gets to be hero for u2.5 stars. I liked the story better than the first, but it still has a case of not-meant-for-me. Mostly mediocre protagonist who gets to be hero for unspecified reasons, and a fair bit of deus ex machina (though perhaps the latter is to be expected given the setting). I'm sure it'll be great when my kids are older, but I'm pretty meh on the series so far. Entertaining enough for listening to while running or knitting though.
Note on the audiobook: the reader was not really my style. I didn't really agree with the voice characterizations on several characters, and he tends to end sentences as if they're all questions and/or he's incredulous about what he's saying. Again, perhaps a function of it not being For Me (or perhaps because I'm imagining reading the book out loud to the kiddos someday and thinking of how I'd do it differently...)...more
Was there any chance I wouldn't grab this when I noticed it at Target? No, there was not. It's a quick read, though I'd be willing to read entire RussWas there any chance I wouldn't grab this when I noticed it at Target? No, there was not. It's a quick read, though I'd be willing to read entire Russian grand novels of Baze and Chirrut snarking at each other like the old married couple they are. There's not much time in the story for development of other characters, so none of them particularly stood out to me, but again, it's a bonus bit of Baze and Chirrut for those of us who are disappointed we won't see them post-Rogue-One.
Basically, I think I would have preferred a novel-length version of this story (more worldbuilding details about Jedha and the temple guardians, for instance, perhaps give Saw a little more dimensionality, that sort of thing) but it was a fun and relatively light read.
And I finished just in time to realize that R1 is up on Netflix so I can just watch that anyway!...more
Thoroughly entertaining Shakespeare spinoff. I grabbed it because the show got cancelled, and they're similar enough (obviously, same basic premise) tThoroughly entertaining Shakespeare spinoff. I grabbed it because the show got cancelled, and they're similar enough (obviously, same basic premise) to be satisfying but different enough to not feel like a spoiler. I enjoyed the cheeky little (and sometimes not-so-little) references to other plays, because that's exactly what I would be doing if I were Melinda Taub. A light, quick summer read....more
I am not at all sure this series should be classified as YA or younger. There is some very heavy stuff here. I'm sorry, that last chapter just punchedI am not at all sure this series should be classified as YA or younger. There is some very heavy stuff here. I'm sorry, that last chapter just punched me in the gut and I may not be thinking straight....more
Probably more like 3.5 but rounded up because quality writing and world building trump my personal squickedness.
I first read this book around 2007 or Probably more like 3.5 but rounded up because quality writing and world building trump my personal squickedness.
I first read this book around 2007 or so, give or take a year. Point being: I was in grad school, still relatively newly-married, and child free. I finished reading it out of sheer stubbornness, pushing past how deeply upsetting I found the activities of the Oblation Board. I was a kid who took excellent care of each stuffed animal, and did everything I could to not hurt their feelings in any way. So... yeah, even as an adult, the gobblers were *terrifying*.
Fast forward to this re-reading. Now I'm a parent. Intercission is just as upsetting, if not moreso because I find I have even more protective feelings toward the children in the book. Not to mention how much rage I have toward the adults in question.
So yeah, welcome to my baggage. I'm planning on pushing through the rest of the series, but I might need a bit of a breather first. The writing is top notch and I love Lyra's world. I also enjoy that Pullman lets the world develop naturally without too much ponderous exposition. I feel that some of the characters were shortchanged a bit (Lee Scoresby, Serafina Pekkala) but I get that there's only so much space in the narrative. Also obviously there are more books so.......more
4.5 or more stars. Love the art and the writing, though I think volume 1 was a little better. I also read this as if it was a hamburger and I was star4.5 or more stars. Love the art and the writing, though I think volume 1 was a little better. I also read this as if it was a hamburger and I was starving, so maybe I need to savor it a little more on a second read.......more
Very cool world and well-developed characters. I rather selfishly wish it was not YA so this installment could have been longer and more detailed, butVery cool world and well-developed characters. I rather selfishly wish it was not YA so this installment could have been longer and more detailed, but I'm also happy it exists for The Youths now. I'm a sucker for a fresh magic system and this book definitely delivered on that point. ...more