I remember really liking Chalice of the Gods, but if I think back on it now I barely remember what happened in it. I think I mostly really enjoyed seeI remember really liking Chalice of the Gods, but if I think back on it now I barely remember what happened in it. I think I mostly really enjoyed seeing Percy, Grover and Annabeth together again after so many years. But now that I'm used to that, I think the trilogy is a little disappointingThis book was amusing and still written in the fun Rick Riordan style, but the lack of real stakes is starting to get to me. I just had a lot of trouble getting invested in the story, even if I really enjoy the main characters.
It's fun and silly but nothing close to the original PJO books. ...more
As a fan of PJO and the entire extended universe, I had to get my hands on this book as soon as possible. I read it in a bit more than a day, it was sAs a fan of PJO and the entire extended universe, I had to get my hands on this book as soon as possible. I read it in a bit more than a day, it was such a fun ride! It was nice to be back with the original trio, seeing Percy, Grover and Annabeth again was so nostalgic and fun. I loved the themes in the story about growing up/getting older and what that meant for Percy. It felt really fitting
It didn't quite feel the same as the original PJO books had, mostly because the stakes were a lot lower and sillier. I do think it was a good idea to keep this book light, especially as the most recent Apollo series got pretty dark at times. Still, I heard there will be at least one more book and who knows where that one will go.
All in all, a recommendation for Percy Jackson fans who enjoy the light/funny tone of the early books. It's a solid 4 star for me....more
As someone who loves Percy Jackson and everything set in this universe, I had really been looking forward to this book. Especially because Nico di AngAs someone who loves Percy Jackson and everything set in this universe, I had really been looking forward to this book. Especially because Nico di Angelo is probably my favorite character in this fictional universe. Seeing him get his own story was amazing. I've also been a big fan of Mark Oshiro for a long time, as I used to follow their website where they reacted to popular books and series, before they even became an author. So seeing their name on this book was very exciting as well. I need to check out their other books.
I picked up this book as soon as it came out and read it in one day. I liked it a lot, but I couldn't quite give it 5 stars. I liked Nico's journey a lot, and I loved seeing his growth and his relationship with Will evolve. I loved how explicitly queer this story was too, and how more backstory is given for Nico and Will's relationship. I think that's always been missing a bit for me. I never quite cared for them as much as some fans because I just didn't feel like their relationship had a lot of depth. This story does a lot to make that better, even though I am still pretty lukewarm about them and Will in general. They're okay, just not my favorites.
It was a good book, I just think I miss some of the bigger buildup that happens when a book is part of a series. I wish Nico had gotten his own series, honestly. The overall message of this book is excellent, though. I loved reading it and will probably reread it at some point. ...more
I like Greek Mythology but it's not something I'm incredibly well-versed in. I knew vaguely of Ariadne and her story, but I did look into it more befoI like Greek Mythology but it's not something I'm incredibly well-versed in. I knew vaguely of Ariadne and her story, but I did look into it more before reading this book. Perhaps I shouldn't have, but I don't think it lessened my enjoyment any. I really enjoyed this book, the writing was beautiful and I liked the considerationt he author gave to side characters like Ariadne's mother. I did enjoy the first half a lot more than the second, though, and found the ending a bit disappointing. But I suppose I should take that up with the ancient Greeks. ...more
I think the marketing of Percy Jackson x Hunger Games is pretty accurate, but this book still manages to stand entirely on itsWoooo I loved this book!
I think the marketing of Percy Jackson x Hunger Games is pretty accurate, but this book still manages to stand entirely on its own. I've never read a book by this author before, and this one really makes me want to try the others ASAP.
It's definitely a YA book, but that was part of what I enjoyed so much about it. It was fun, easy to read, yet still compelling. The worldbuilding was also excellent.
I loved this series and I'm sad it's over. The finale was really great, everything I could have hoped for. It was just the right amount of bittersweetI loved this series and I'm sad it's over. The finale was really great, everything I could have hoped for. It was just the right amount of bittersweet, while still adding a big dose of Aru Shah humor. I felt very proud of her as a main character, thinking of how much she had grown throughout this series.
Definitely keeping an eye out for future releases by this author....more
I admit I bought this book 99% because of the beautiful cover, but thankfully I really enjoyed the story as well.
The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea feeI admit I bought this book 99% because of the beautiful cover, but thankfully I really enjoyed the story as well.
The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea feels like a fairy-tale. The book has an absolutely beautiful atmosphere and feels very much like a ghibli movie. It is a bit vague and dreamy, so if you don't like that in your fantasy books I wouldn't recommend this one, but it was beautifully written and very compelling. It was sometimes a bit tricky for me to follow exactly what was going on, especially early on, but the more I read the better I grasped the story.
A truly beautiful book, both inside and out. A high 4 star for me....more
I gave this book 5 stars last time, and I did it again this time. This book is such a great ending to the series, it's almost perfect. I loved the whoI gave this book 5 stars last time, and I did it again this time. This book is such a great ending to the series, it's almost perfect. I loved the whole thing.
I used to think Heroes of Olympus was a better series but re-reading this, I think this one works slightly better. I like the characters in Heroes of Olympus, but remember being disappointed by how it ended. Though I'll probably re-read that series sometime next year. ...more
Still continuing my re-read, I'm kind of hoping to finish it this year. I loved this book, I think I like it even more than The Titan's Curse, these bStill continuing my re-read, I'm kind of hoping to finish it this year. I loved this book, I think I like it even more than The Titan's Curse, these books really keep getting better. I wonder if I'll feel the same about the Heroes of Olympus books, I always remember liking those better than the original PJ books, but now that I'm rereading I realize how good these are.
I loved seeing more of Nico, loved the story of the labyrinth, and really loved seeing the relationship between Percy and Annabeth develop. I can't wait to get to the final book, I'm very excited to finish the series. ...more
Rereading this book really made me appreciate it. It feels like a jump ahead from The Sea of Monsters in stakes and character growth. You really feel Rereading this book really made me appreciate it. It feels like a jump ahead from The Sea of Monsters in stakes and character growth. You really feel Percy growing up in this one and I really like it.
I'm enjoying this reread a lot and can't wait to read the next one....more
First time re-reading this book and it was a lot of fun. It was a bit of an impulsive decision, but it was a fun and easy reread. I feel like I want tFirst time re-reading this book and it was a lot of fun. It was a bit of an impulsive decision, but it was a fun and easy reread. I feel like I want to read the whole series before the new TV show comes out....more
This book was alright, but it didn't really meet my expectations. The interesting premise and beautiful cover intrigued me, but the pacing of the storThis book was alright, but it didn't really meet my expectations. The interesting premise and beautiful cover intrigued me, but the pacing of the story threw me off from completely enjoying it. It felt like it was going on too long by the end, I was getting tired of the story. I also feel like the romance took over a bit at some point, but for people who love more of a romance-focused fantasy I think that could be a plus. I did enjoy it, but not enough to pick up the sequel as well. ...more
These books are so fun, I keep forgetting how much I enjoy them until I read the next one. It was a fun ride with interesting plot developments. I do These books are so fun, I keep forgetting how much I enjoy them until I read the next one. It was a fun ride with interesting plot developments. I do think the adventures aren't always that memorable, as it is a bit difficult to remember what happened in the last book when I pick up a new one, but once I'm back into the world it's easy to get invested quickly again. And Aru is a delightful main character you just have to root for.
I can't wait to see how the story wraps up in the final book! ...more
I have to admit, I had forgotten a lot about the second book when I started this one. And it did take me a while to get back into everything, which waI have to admit, I had forgotten a lot about the second book when I started this one. And it did take me a while to get back into everything, which was a little frustrating. But once I remembered the characters again and was familiar with the dynamics, I had a fun time with this book.
While this series definitely has its own personality and character, it gives me the same sort of joy the original Percy Jackson series did. It's just... fun and action packed, with mythology to learn about mixed in. I love Aru, and really liked all the other characters too.
This continues to be a fun and vibrant series, and I'm very curious to see where it will go for the final books. That ending had me very intrigued....more
I think my rating was influenced a little bit by nostalgia, but that's not unusual with these books. I love how Rick Riordan keeps the same old Percy I think my rating was influenced a little bit by nostalgia, but that's not unusual with these books. I love how Rick Riordan keeps the same old Percy Jackson feeling in books set in this universe, without it ever becoming stale or boring. I loved the end of Apollo's journey, and was very touched by how it all went and the overall message. I think this is probably the strongest series set in this universe to date, and would recommend it to all fans of the Percy Jackson or Heroes of Olympus series....more
This book had a very unique feel to me. It was certainly very interesting, and unlike any other YA book I've read so far. I really liked the mythologyThis book had a very unique feel to me. It was certainly very interesting, and unlike any other YA book I've read so far. I really liked the mythology that was present in this story, and really liked the way it tied into modern day.
The characters and their dynamic were very refreshing for me as well. I really liked both Miyoung and Jihoon and their dynamic, as well as all the side characters. There was a point between halfway and 2/3 through the book where I got a bit bored and confused by what was happening, but the ending turned it all around again. The last few chapters were intense and I could not stop reading.
It was a bit startling how short the chapters were, but I got used to it quickly enough. All in all, I really liked this book. It feels like a complete story to me, but I still want to see what a sequel will bring. ...more
I feel like my expectations for this book were perhaps a bit too high. It didn't really fit with what I had in my head, and I was a little disappointeI feel like my expectations for this book were perhaps a bit too high. It didn't really fit with what I had in my head, and I was a little disappointed with it.
What bothered me most about The Bear and the Nightingale was the pacing. It was just a very slow book to me, where not a lot happened for long stretches of time. It was beautifully written and the characters were developed and explored very thoroughly, but there was just not enough actually happening on the page to keep my attention. I enjoy reading about characters, but I do need a bit of plot to focus on as well. Of course there was a plot, but it didn't really manage to capture my interest the whole time.
I do think it's a very well-written book with a few interesting conflicts and characters. The Russian folklore was a very nice addition. The setting really made sense for the story.
I was debating whether or not to read the next one, but since I heard it has a bit more action than this one I think I probably will give it a go. That depends a bit on if the characters stick with me or not....more
Just as much fun as the first one! I continue to really appreciate Aru as a main character. She's so funny to read about, but also feels so real. I reJust as much fun as the first one! I continue to really appreciate Aru as a main character. She's so funny to read about, but also feels so real. I really like how much she actually acts like her age, without the author falling into traps of making her do really silly things just because she's young.
I enjoyed how much this book expanded the world and how it introduced new characters. The way friendships developed over time was really well done, and I look forward to seeing how future books expand on this. The mythology woven into the plot is very nicely done, and I definitely recommend this series to anyone who likes the Percy Jackson books. ...more
This book was action filled and vibrant as always. I enjoyed reading about the continuing adventures of Apollo as a human teenager, and I love how mucThis book was action filled and vibrant as always. I enjoyed reading about the continuing adventures of Apollo as a human teenager, and I love how much he is growing through each of these books. The conflict was fairly similar to what it has been so far, but it was nice to see Camp Jupiter again and see what happened to many of the characters that we haven't seen in a while. I really like how these books continue the journeys of many characters while still focusing on Apollo.
The last book took a darker turn, changing the tone of the series and raising the stakes. I felt genuinely concerned for everyone in this book, which made me more invested. I really enjoyed this read as usual, and can't wait to see how this series is wrapped up next year....more