Book Review: The Mark of Athena by Rick Riordan

The Mark of Athena by Rick Riordan
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion
Publication date: October 2012
Pages: 608
Source: Library
For: Fun
Series: Heroes of Olympus, Book 3

Summary (from goodreads):

Annabeth is terrified. Just when she's about to be reunited with Percy—after six months of being apart, thanks to Hera—it looks like Camp Jupiter is preparing for war. As Annabeth and her friends Jason, Piper, and Leo fly in on the Argo II, she can’t blame the Roman demigods for thinking the ship is a Greek weapon. With its steaming bronze dragon masthead, Leo's fantastical creation doesn't appear friendly. Annabeth hopes that the sight of their praetor Jason on deck will reassure the Romans that the visitors from Camp Half-Blood are coming in peace.

And that's only one of her worries. In her pocket Annabeth carries a gift from her mother that came with an unnerving demand: Follow the Mark of Athena. Avenge me. Annabeth already feels weighed down by the prophecy that will send seven demigods on a quest to find—and close—the Doors of Death. What more does Athena want from her?

Annabeth's biggest fear, though, is that Percy might have changed. What if he's now attached to Roman ways? Does he still need his old friends? As the daughter of the goddess of war and wisdom, Annabeth knows she was born to be a leader, but never again does she want to be without Seaweed Brain by her side.

Things I Liked:
The stories in Riordan's books always keep me entertained.  I also like how his characters have a bit more depth than I used to see.  Percy is still the same arrogant guy, but I like how they all have to work together to get anywhere.  Also, things don't always work out the way you want or expect for the good guys.  Also, Riordan's books are just entertaining.

Things I Didn't Like:
It was a bit long.  I kept hoping they'd get moving on their adventures and they'd run into more monsters or problems.  Sometimes it feels like they play the same thing out over and over and over.  Almost formulaic at this point.  I'm ready for the end of this series, which I will, of course, read. Eventually. (I appear to be several years behind in my Riordan reading...)

Read-alikes:
Anything Rick Riordan (Percy Jackson to start)

BOOK CONTENT RATINGS:
s-factor: none

mrg-factor: none

v-factor:->->
plenty of monsters to battle

Overall rating: ***

If you buy through my Amazon linkage, I will get a very small percentage

Book Review: The Son of Neptune by Rick Riordan

The Son of Neptune by Rick Riordan
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion
Publication date: October 2011
Pages: 544
Source: Library
For: Fun
Series: Heroes of Olympus, Book 2

Summary from goodreads: *Spoilers are inevitable for the first book*

Seven half-bloods shall answer the call,
To storm or fire the world must fall.
An oath to keep with a final breath,
And foes bear arms to the Doors of Death.

Percy is confused. When he awoke from his long sleep, he didn't know much more than his name. His brain fuzz is lingering, even after the wolf Lupa told him he is a demigod and trained him to fight with the pen/sword in his pocket. Somehow Percy manages to make it to a camp for half-bloods, despite the fact that he has to keep killing monsters along the way. But the camp doesn't ring any bells with him. The only thing he can recall from his past is another name: Annabeth

Hazel is supposed to be dead. When she lived before, she didn't do a very good job of it. Sure, she was an obedient daughter, even when her mother was possessed by greed. But that was the problem — when the Voice took over her mother and commanded Hazel to use her "gift" for an evil purpose, Hazel couldn't say no. Now because of her mistake, the future of the world is at risk. Hazel wished she could ride away from it all on the stallion that appears in her dreams.

Frank is a klutz. His grandmother says he is descended from heroes and can be anything he wants to be, but he doesn't see it. He doesn't even know who his father is. He keeps hoping Apollo will claim him, because the only thing he is good at is archery — although not good enough to win camp war games. His bulky physique makes him feel like an ox, especially infront of Hazel, his closest friend at camp. He trusts her completely — enough to share the secret he holds close to his heart.

Beginning at the "other" camp for half-bloods and extending as far as the land beyond the gods, this breathtaking second installment of the Heroes of Olympus series introduces new demigods, revives fearsome monsters, and features other remarkable creatures, all destined to play a part in the Prophesy of Seven.

Things I Liked:
I started this once almost a year ago and had to return it unfinished.  Finally got around to checking it out again and finishing it.  I didn't start reading it all over again though, because I remembered most of the scenes that were important.  Riordan certainly has a way of creating very memorable scenes - with unusual things like the crazy burrito guy and all the birds circling him.  I love the new characters - Hazel and Frank.  There's a lot I don't remember from the previous book, so I'm right there with ya, Percy.  Still, lots of good stuff going on and I am amazed at how fresh Riordan's stories still are, even with all he's already written.

Things I Didn't Like:
Can't remember if there were things that bugged me or not.  Probably, but not strongly enough to recall now... :)

Read-alikes:
Percy Jackson series by Rick Riordan
Kane Chronicles series by Rick Riordan

BOOK CONTENT RATINGS:
s-factor: !
maybe a few

mrg-factor: none

v-factor: ->->
lots of battles

Overall rating: ****

If you buy through my Amazon linkage, I will get a very small percentage

Book Review: The Lost Hero by Rick Riordan

Posted as part of Tween Tuesday, hosted by GreenBeanTeenQueen.

The Lost Hero by Rick Riordan
Publisher: Hyperion Book
Publication date: October 2010
ISBN: 9781423113393
Source: Library

When Jason wakes up on a bus with no memory, he's in for a wild ride.  His girlfriend, Piper, and best friend, Leo, try to figure out why he can't remember them.  But when all three are attacked by some rogue wind spirits, they end up at Camp Half-Blood where morale is low.  Percy Jackson is missing and a new prophecy just might link the three of them to a new threat trying to destroy them all.  Piper has a secret, with nightmares disrupting her sleep and her father missing, she has to make a dangerous choice.  Leo feels comfortable with all the new tools he finds around himself, even if he still can't feel comfortable with his past.  The three heroes set out on a seemingly hopeless quest; will they be able to find and destroy this new threat before it is too late?

Things I Liked:
Another fantastic, spanking good time, action-packed and humor-laden new story.  I love the new characters we meet, especially Leo, who always has something funny to say and yet has a side of himself that he doesn't want to share with anyone else.  Piper rocks the beautiful tough girl persona and won me over quickly.  Jason was an intriguing mystery and kept me reading to figure out where his memory went.  Great fun, as I've come to expect from Riordan.  Here are some favorite parts:

"So...giants who can throw mountains.  Friendly wolves that will eat us if we show weakness.  Evil espresso drinks.  Gotcha.  Maybe this isn't the time to bring up my psycho babysitter." p 194

If you asked most kids, "Hey, you want to summon fire or lightning or magical makeup?" they'd think it sounded pretty cool.  But those powers went along with hard stuff, like sitting in a sewer in the middle of winter, running from monsters, losing your memory, watching your friends almost get cooked, and having dreams that warned you of your own death. p 288

A thousand years from now, when this quest was being told around a campfire, he figured people would talk about brave Jason, beautiful Piper, and their sidekick Flaming Valdez, who accompanied them with a bag of magic screwdrivers and occasionally fixed tofu burgers. p 384

Six guys who never bathed, with six armpits each.  Leo decided if he survived this day, he'd have to take a three-hour shower just to forget the stench. p 454

Things I Didn't Like:
I think what bothered me the most was that it was just too long.  The story just seemed to keep going and going and had a lot of sidelined plots that felt like just filler.  And the story was a bit predictable in places.  But, it's got lots of tween appeal - boys and girls, I think will devour this new series.

Read-alikes:
Percy Jackson series by Rick Riordan
The Red Pyramid by Rick Riordan

BOOK CONTENT RATINGS:
s-factor: !
a few

mrg-factor: none

v-factor: ->->
some fighting and scary stuff, not bad

Overall rating: ****

What do you think of this kind of mythology story? Like them or dislike them?

If you buy through my Amazon linkage, I will get a very small percentage