Reviews with content warning for Ableism - The Sea of Monsters

Trigger warnings: ableist slurs, violence, bullying, ableism.

I read the first Percy Jackson book several years ago and then promptly forgot to keep going. Better late than never? I listened to the audiobook and while it was fun, I feel like I would have enjoyed the print version more for some reason. It's a fast-paced story full of action, and I enjoyed how much it included the traditional myths and legends of Greece in a new and exciting way.

Look, this series is never going to be a favourite for me because I'm old as dirt and clearly not the intended audience. But every once in a while, it's fun to dip my toe into the waters of a Rick Riordan book.

Content Warnings

onalark's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous funny lighthearted

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

Content Warnings

sofipitch's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous funny fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

Rereading this series has felt like unlocking some memory I didn't know I still had. I know back when I was younger I had this series basically memorized.

I really like how the descriptions of camp halfblood develop more in this book. In the first book the only campers mentioned by name are Annabeth, Luke, and Clarisse. Now we're getting for familiar faces that will be important as the series continues.

Also a bit of foreshadowing of the finale is in Percy and Hermes conversation about Luke.

I noticed how Rick connected the end of the Olympians to the end of "the West". This series was published in the early 2000s, I wonder if these sentiments about the villain trying to destroy "the West" has to do with 911. It's just a thought that occured to me. I mean considering how Luke is mostly justified in his dislike of the Olympians and how the series gets resolved I'm at least glad it's tasteful and not wastefully patriotic.

Also IDK how Tyson is supposed to be perceived. I always read him as someone with intellectual disabilities, especially with how he is treated by others (bullying, warning for R slur once) and society (homelessness). There is a slight in-universe explanation. So for diversity I put it's complicated, but he can definitely be read as a neurodivergent character.

My review is similar to that of TLT, this series is still funny and entertaining as an adult. I've been stressed lately so reading something easy and comforting is nice.

Content Warnings

jayranks13's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous funny fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? N/A
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

3.75

Listening to the audiobooks for the first time - don’t have much to say because this one is just okay but Rick does have Percy say the R-word which was shocking to hear the narrator read out loud.

Content Warnings

melplays9000's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous lighthearted mysterious fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

This book was okay all things considered, but it definitely had a case of second book syndrome. The cast of characters, although not drastically different, was one I connected less with. I appreciate Tyson and the neurodivergent rep he provided but everything just happened so quickly and I didn’t really feel I had time to connect with him. Also, this book felt like it should not have been the second in the series. I feel we should have had a few more books to establish a connection with the camp better before it was put into peril so we as readers felt more desperation to save it. And also before Percy declared it his “Favorite place ever”.

I still liked the characters that carried over from the first book. I also felt I had more appreciation for the one chapter problems they encountered along the way. I’m still loving the world that had been created and how these aspects of greek myth I only vaguely know about have been tied in so seamlessly and make the story flow very naturally.

Overall I feel this book was a little bit rushed. It was over before I had a chance to get in the grove and I hope that this was just because it was the second book and that it only gets better from here. 3 stars.

Content Warnings

sassqcat's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny lighthearted tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

5.0

great book i love tyson and clarrisse is annoying idc about her character development

Content Warnings

sofiemoensted's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous lighthearted fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.25

hele min personlighed i 4.-6.-klasse var at læse de her bøger. Nostalgi manner.

Content Warnings

More...