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4.23 AVERAGE
4.23 AVERAGE
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
What a silly book.
At this point I think I've given up expecting to see anything new from Rick Riordan, and yet I'm going to keep reading his books, so I think I shall make a vow to not talk about how repetitive they are, and how he just keeps doing the same thing over and over again with variations. After that sentence I mean. In the future I shall call this The Riordan Factor and link back to this review as an explanation. It will go something like this:
Excepting The Riordan Factor, this book was actually pretty great. This is largely due to his sense of humor, and his supporting characters. Magnus is an engaging hero, and even though you can easily predict where this is going, even if you haven't read previous Riordan books, it's still fun getting there. I particularly love the elf and dwarf duo, Blitzen and Hearthstone, and the addition of new character, Alex Fierro, who I will say nothing more about so as to be mysterious.
If y'all haven't read any of Riordan's books yet, it would be okay if you started with this series, but I highly recommend starting with the original Percy Jackson series, because that is just straight up great, and if you like it enough, just know there's lots more where that came from, at only slightly more diminishing returns.
At this point I think I've given up expecting to see anything new from Rick Riordan, and yet I'm going to keep reading his books, so I think I shall make a vow to not talk about how repetitive they are, and how he just keeps doing the same thing over and over again with variations. After that sentence I mean. In the future I shall call this The Riordan Factor and link back to this review as an explanation. It will go something like this:
Excepting The Riordan Factor, this book was actually pretty great. This is largely due to his sense of humor, and his supporting characters. Magnus is an engaging hero, and even though you can easily predict where this is going, even if you haven't read previous Riordan books, it's still fun getting there. I particularly love the elf and dwarf duo, Blitzen and Hearthstone, and the addition of new character, Alex Fierro, who I will say nothing more about so as to be mysterious.
If y'all haven't read any of Riordan's books yet, it would be okay if you started with this series, but I highly recommend starting with the original Percy Jackson series, because that is just straight up great, and if you like it enough, just know there's lots more where that came from, at only slightly more diminishing returns.
This book was an improvement on the first. The first one seemed just to be about stopping Ragnarok, but this one showed that there are long term goals set and they were balancing multiple things at once. It made the story more interesting, and made me want to keep reading the series, where I was tempted to give up after the last book.
Of course, there is always Magnus's sassy voice and Rick Riordan's amazing writing style to look forward to. This is definitely on my recommending list!
Of course, there is always Magnus's sassy voice and Rick Riordan's amazing writing style to look forward to. This is definitely on my recommending list!
Quite The Novel Idea ~ Words from the Clouds
Yay, I really enjoyed this one! I loved the characters, the old ones from book 1, as well as the new ones introduced. I loved the story and the writing and the humor. But it was a tad long for me and sometimes the plot wandered. Actually just like in book 1, only here it bothered me a bit more. Still absolutely loved it. And I laughed A LOT. So if you loved the first book, go forth and read this one too.
Yay, I really enjoyed this one! I loved the characters, the old ones from book 1, as well as the new ones introduced. I loved the story and the writing and the humor. But it was a tad long for me and sometimes the plot wandered. Actually just like in book 1, only here it bothered me a bit more. Still absolutely loved it. And I laughed A LOT. So if you loved the first book, go forth and read this one too.
adventurous
emotional
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Deservedly has that Stonewall Book Award for Children's Literature- maybe the best example I've seen of a genderfluid character (who also simply states that his preference for either being male or female at any given moment doesn't mean that they/them is one of their pronouns, but that she doesn't speak for all genderfluid folks). And, for Magnus this is the <i>least</i> odd thing in his world. I think it's a great introduction to the concept for a middle grade reader.
A dangling plot hook from the first Magnus Chase comes to roost, along with an arranged marriage plot (but maybe not the one you're thinking of) and meeting more questionable parental figures. I'm very intrigued by the hints of Trials of Apollo given by Annabeth at the end buuuut we'll get there AFTER we finish Magnus in 17th shard book club.
A dangling plot hook from the first Magnus Chase comes to roost, along with an arranged marriage plot (but maybe not the one you're thinking of) and meeting more questionable parental figures. I'm very intrigued by the hints of Trials of Apollo given by Annabeth at the end buuuut we'll get there AFTER we finish Magnus in 17th shard book club.
adventurous
funny
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This book was amazing !
I liked and enjoyed this book for sure! But much less then The Sword of Summer. I think it's just because the book didn't really feel like it hit any kind of climax for me, although the story was pretty enjoyable. It's one of the weaker Riordan books for me.
Alas, I still enjoy the characters in this book, particularly the addition of the new Alex.
Old review here
This book was generally a great book and together with book 1 forming a solid enough impression on me to be one of my all-time favourite Rick Riordan series. The humour in this book is on point and so tied up with pop culture (this can also be seen as bad though, when this becomes outdated). The inclusion of a new character from one of the LGBTQA+ community is definitely a plus and comes as a form of representation. Although I feel that Rick is just suddenly adding all LGBTQA+ characters into all of his latest books for some reason. This book however felt a bit less plot driven - the plot wasn’t as fast paced as the Sword of Summer, it felt more like a character-driven book. All in all this series is becoming one of the most beloved for me and a lot of others, do pick it up. I will recommend reading both the Percy Jackson and the Olympians and the Heroes of Olympus series before this to avoid major spoilers.
Overall Rating: 93%
SPOILERY DISCUSSION
This mostly has my thoughts when I was reading the aforementioned book.
Sigh, Magnus just wants to help Samirah but she’d rather do it herself. Samirah is just so independent.
Alex’s Valkyrie vision was really kickass.
The way Mr Alderman treats Hearthstone is unacceptable, he’s your son too!
It’s not his fault he’s deaf, if anything, it’s yours!
The amount of care Hearthstone has for Blitzen though!!
Randolph just go kill yourself already. Getting into a contract with Loki? Bad idea.
Heimdall is so funny. I really like that Horn that turns into a phablet that he uses.
Sam vows to marry only Amir, which is daring, counting that Loki will manipulate her anyways.
Ring that Mr Alderman has; we will definitely have to come back to this in the next book, possibly redeeming him in the process.
Sam was so kickass! Throwing her axe at the giant baby and it was actually Fear all along?
Sif is a goddess? And Thor’s wife? I’m literally just thinking about Jane Foster (from the Thor Marvel Movies) now.
Sif is so great giving Rowan Runestones to Hearth.
Alex in a dress, something I did not expect.
Going to Loki cavern - they actually had to burrow through the earth to Loki.
Loki willing Sam and Alex to die? This was such a heartless moment, what the heck? Willing your children to die?
Can’t believe Loki didn’t detect Sam and Alex weren’t themselves
Samirah refusing to be taught by Alex is so infuriating. From what happened at Loki’s cavern, Samirah knows that Alex can resist Loki but she just doesn’t trust her own half sister.
Magnus confiding in Annabeth is so cute!!
We’re going to see Percy! again! (I feel this is just milking off the success of Percy as well as to further expand his storyline for Percy)
I feel a Magnus and Alex relationship blooming, eh eh. Malex - I feel this is going to obviously draw comparisions with Cassandra Clare’s Malec (counting both ships have parties who are probably part of the LGBTQA+ community.
That’s all I have to say. Feel free to approach me and talk to me !
Alas, I still enjoy the characters in this book, particularly the addition of the new Alex.
Old review here
This book was generally a great book and together with book 1 forming a solid enough impression on me to be one of my all-time favourite Rick Riordan series. The humour in this book is on point and so tied up with pop culture (this can also be seen as bad though, when this becomes outdated). The inclusion of a new character from one of the LGBTQA+ community is definitely a plus and comes as a form of representation. Although I feel that Rick is just suddenly adding all LGBTQA+ characters into all of his latest books for some reason. This book however felt a bit less plot driven - the plot wasn’t as fast paced as the Sword of Summer, it felt more like a character-driven book. All in all this series is becoming one of the most beloved for me and a lot of others, do pick it up. I will recommend reading both the Percy Jackson and the Olympians and the Heroes of Olympus series before this to avoid major spoilers.
Overall Rating: 93%
SPOILERY DISCUSSION
This mostly has my thoughts when I was reading the aforementioned book.
Spoiler
Alex is so interesting. I initially wondered if she’s just shapeshifting to look like Loki.Sigh, Magnus just wants to help Samirah but she’d rather do it herself. Samirah is just so independent.
Alex’s Valkyrie vision was really kickass.
The way Mr Alderman treats Hearthstone is unacceptable, he’s your son too!
It’s not his fault he’s deaf, if anything, it’s yours!
The amount of care Hearthstone has for Blitzen though!!
Randolph just go kill yourself already. Getting into a contract with Loki? Bad idea.
Heimdall is so funny. I really like that Horn that turns into a phablet that he uses.
Sam vows to marry only Amir, which is daring, counting that Loki will manipulate her anyways.
Ring that Mr Alderman has; we will definitely have to come back to this in the next book, possibly redeeming him in the process.
Sam was so kickass! Throwing her axe at the giant baby and it was actually Fear all along?
Sif is a goddess? And Thor’s wife? I’m literally just thinking about Jane Foster (from the Thor Marvel Movies) now.
Sif is so great giving Rowan Runestones to Hearth.
Alex in a dress, something I did not expect.
Going to Loki cavern - they actually had to burrow through the earth to Loki.
Loki willing Sam and Alex to die? This was such a heartless moment, what the heck? Willing your children to die?
Can’t believe Loki didn’t detect Sam and Alex weren’t themselves
Samirah refusing to be taught by Alex is so infuriating. From what happened at Loki’s cavern, Samirah knows that Alex can resist Loki but she just doesn’t trust her own half sister.
Magnus confiding in Annabeth is so cute!!
We’re going to see Percy! again! (I feel this is just milking off the success of Percy as well as to further expand his storyline for Percy)
I feel a Magnus and Alex relationship blooming, eh eh. Malex - I feel this is going to obviously draw comparisions with Cassandra Clare’s Malec (counting both ships have parties who are probably part of the LGBTQA+ community.
That’s all I have to say. Feel free to approach me and talk to me !
medium-paced
adventurous
emotional
funny
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No