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4.42 AVERAGE
4.42 AVERAGE
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
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:
No
You know, I think that all of the situations in the Percy Jackson books could be easily remedied if the Greek gods would just learn how to use condoms. But apparently after millenias of life, they never attended a single basic high school sex-ed class.
As I wrote in my review of The Son of Neptune, I don't like Riordan's Heroes of Olympus series nearly as much as the first five Percy Jackson books. Here, he retires his sharp wit for tired pop-culture references, feeling more dull and obligatory this time around.
Also, I didn't feel the stakes were as high- Percy was all by himself and still discovering his powers in the last series. Now he has six super powered friends, and most of the time it feels silly to think that they won't make it out of the newest death trap. While we're on characters, I have to mention that too- we're not as involved anymore because we've met all of them. One of Riordan's strong points is that he can take his characters, unsure, awkward and adolescent, and have them grow before our eyes- particularly Frank. But now his plot takes center-stage and it's a tarp without enough tent poles.
As I also mentioned in my review of the last book, Riordan's writing doesn't feel as engaging because of his transition to third-person narrative. It's usually not a big deal for most writers, but the end result is that his writing feels... less sophisticated? I thought the writing was like that because he was trying to cater to younger audiences, but more likely it's the extra characters giving him less leg room in this 600 page novel.
My last squabble is a small one. Riordan's old characters, Percy and Annabeth, don't feel like Percy and Annabeth. Percy feels like a wooden, jock-like character. Annabeth is stereotypical girl-in-love, creating an uncomfortable amount of mush. The tension is lost, and so the edge that made their relationship so interesting is gone. Same with the other characters- what are these guys, like 16, 17 now? Riordan separates them all into boy-girl does-he-like-me relationships that grow groan-worthy- there is nothing wrong with chastity in a children's novel, but J.K. Rowling captured the blooming lust and maturity of adolescent relationships without a single dirty word. Again, I feel like Riordan is tailoring his novels for a larger age group this time.
All that said, Riordan constructs yet another whirlwind, action-packed, mythology-infused adventure. The first 70% had me leaning towards three stars (see above)- but that ending. Riordan proves the necessity of having eight central characters, all of whom face conflict that is navigated with the hands of a master plotter. Annabeth's was definitely the most satisfying, meriting the fact that Riordan pushes ten chapters in between her start and finish.
It's satisfying for a bit, but with Riordan, you knew it was coming- cliffhanger.
Weaker in its weaknesses but more potent in its strengths, Riordan crafts another installment that will have fans clamoring for more.
As I wrote in my review of The Son of Neptune, I don't like Riordan's Heroes of Olympus series nearly as much as the first five Percy Jackson books. Here, he retires his sharp wit for tired pop-culture references, feeling more dull and obligatory this time around.
Also, I didn't feel the stakes were as high- Percy was all by himself and still discovering his powers in the last series. Now he has six super powered friends, and most of the time it feels silly to think that they won't make it out of the newest death trap. While we're on characters, I have to mention that too- we're not as involved anymore because we've met all of them. One of Riordan's strong points is that he can take his characters, unsure, awkward and adolescent, and have them grow before our eyes- particularly Frank. But now his plot takes center-stage and it's a tarp without enough tent poles.
As I also mentioned in my review of the last book, Riordan's writing doesn't feel as engaging because of his transition to third-person narrative. It's usually not a big deal for most writers, but the end result is that his writing feels... less sophisticated? I thought the writing was like that because he was trying to cater to younger audiences, but more likely it's the extra characters giving him less leg room in this 600 page novel.
My last squabble is a small one. Riordan's old characters, Percy and Annabeth, don't feel like Percy and Annabeth. Percy feels like a wooden, jock-like character. Annabeth is stereotypical girl-in-love, creating an uncomfortable amount of mush. The tension is lost, and so the edge that made their relationship so interesting is gone. Same with the other characters- what are these guys, like 16, 17 now? Riordan separates them all into boy-girl does-he-like-me relationships that grow groan-worthy- there is nothing wrong with chastity in a children's novel, but J.K. Rowling captured the blooming lust and maturity of adolescent relationships without a single dirty word. Again, I feel like Riordan is tailoring his novels for a larger age group this time.
All that said, Riordan constructs yet another whirlwind, action-packed, mythology-infused adventure. The first 70% had me leaning towards three stars (see above)- but that ending. Riordan proves the necessity of having eight central characters, all of whom face conflict that is navigated with the hands of a master plotter. Annabeth's was definitely the most satisfying, meriting the fact that Riordan pushes ten chapters in between her start and finish.
It's satisfying for a bit, but with Riordan, you knew it was coming- cliffhanger.
Weaker in its weaknesses but more potent in its strengths, Riordan crafts another installment that will have fans clamoring for more.
I didn't have as much feels as i had expected since i have read too many spoilers. Even so the book was still amazing!
oh, and that cliff-hanger.
oh, and that cliff-hanger.
A-M-A-Z-I-N-G! From start to finish this book had me on the EDGE of my seat. Definitely the best PJO-HoO book so far (or at least tied with BoTL), however House of Hades is also so so good! This reread is so much fun and i can't wait to continue!
//////////////
Observations i've made during my reread of Mark of Athena:
* One of the highlights of HoO (if not THE highlight) are the AMAZING backstories to each character.
* Piper is so quirky and different it's IRRITATING.
* Brason makes me giggle so much.
* Annabeths reactions are so FUNNY.
* HOW DOES ANNABETH HAVE A BELLY BUTTON??? I NEED AN EXPLANATION SOON MR RIORDAN
* Echo is SUCH an amazing character.
* Hazels power is so INCONSISTENT. One minute she can move whole crates of metal but the next she can't move a slab of celestial bronze??
* THE HOT STUFF TATTOO
//////////////
Observations i've made during my reread of Mark of Athena:
* One of the highlights of HoO (if not THE highlight) are the AMAZING backstories to each character.
* Piper is so quirky and different it's IRRITATING.
* Brason makes me giggle so much.
* Annabeths reactions are so FUNNY.
* HOW DOES ANNABETH HAVE A BELLY BUTTON??? I NEED AN EXPLANATION SOON MR RIORDAN
* Echo is SUCH an amazing character.
* Hazels power is so INCONSISTENT. One minute she can move whole crates of metal but the next she can't move a slab of celestial bronze??
* THE HOT STUFF TATTOO
(4.5 stars)
My favourite of the series so far!
I really enjoyed seeing all of the demigods together and the Percabeth reunion was amazing.
It was also great to see the story from Annabeth’s point of view as that was something we never experienced in Percy Jackson and I love her character.
That cliffhanger though! :/
My favourite of the series so far!
I really enjoyed seeing all of the demigods together and the Percabeth reunion was amazing.
It was also great to see the story from Annabeth’s point of view as that was something we never experienced in Percy Jackson and I love her character.
That cliffhanger though! :/
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
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:
Complicated
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This has definitely been the weakest so far. Funny considering this used to be my favourite as a kid.
I think balancing 7 characters that are somewhat all together the whole way through really detracts from developing the characters properly. Hazel, Leo and Frank are reduced to a love triangle that isn't actually very convincing. Jason is just a blank slate. Piper is essentially reduced to her relationship with Jason and her confidence, getting rid of all her intellect and other values developed in The Lost Hero. Annabeth and Percy don't really have their full dimensions either.
Its unfortunate, but oh well.
I think balancing 7 characters that are somewhat all together the whole way through really detracts from developing the characters properly. Hazel, Leo and Frank are reduced to a love triangle that isn't actually very convincing. Jason is just a blank slate. Piper is essentially reduced to her relationship with Jason and her confidence, getting rid of all her intellect and other values developed in The Lost Hero. Annabeth and Percy don't really have their full dimensions either.
Its unfortunate, but oh well.
Ese final me dejó en shock, tengo miedo de lo que viene pero también me emociona.
Hasta ahora mi favorito de los tres que llevo de esta saga.
Hasta ahora mi favorito de los tres que llevo de esta saga.
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated