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4.28 AVERAGE
4.28 AVERAGE
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Honestly this series just gets better and better. This book definitely took a darker turn, I'm talking about But I really, really liked it. Also even though bad things happen somehow I still feel hopeful because of the tone in which it's written.
Spoiler
the multiple character deaths.
This continues to be an enjoyable and compelling series. I look forward to finishing the last two books.
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
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
Reread: May 2020
Rating: 4/5
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More reviews like this one can be found on my blog, CoffeeCocktailsandBooks
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The Lightning Thief - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Sea of Monsters - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Review:
So far on the reread, this one has been my favorite, but I think that's because this book had so many characters that I forgot were introduced so early in the series. Specifically, we meet Nico and Bionca in this book. Y'all know how much I love the Trial of Apollo series and Nico has a minor role in that series. I also knew that Nico popped up a bunch throughout the series, I just didn't realize he was introduced so early. Oh, and Myth-o-Magic and Nico's love of it is the most precious thing.
I also like how this book took a bit of a dark turn. This book had some serious shit hit the fan and some tragic consequences. I love how the tone of the book was still light, but there were some seriously heartwrenching moments.
I can't explain why, but this book felt super different than the previous two. I don't know if it's due to the use of dreams or Percy joining the quest as late as he does (and arriving separately), but I didn't mind it. Riordan does a great job sticking to the formula he's set up, yet tweaking it just enough so it doesn't feel like the same story time and again.
This felt way more character-driven, especially with the complicated relationship between Zoë, Thalia, and Percy. Percy and Thalia are competing for this "top dog" role while both staring down the prophecy, Zoë is dealing with Artemis going missing and facing the truth of this new prophecy, and Percy struggles with Zoë refusing to take him on the quest. Honestly, these character relationships feel like the perfect level of complexity for a story based on Greek myth.
I also really liked how in the end Thalia decides to join the Hunters of Artemis to take herself out of the prophecy and not risk helping Kronos. I love how Riordan uses prophecy and the chosen one trope but manages to not make it feel convoluted. Each of the prophecies has a clear meaning, but the characters (and you, the reader), don't fully understand the pieces until after the quest is completed. It allows the characters to be conscious of the decisions they make, without only doing a self-fulfilling prophecy take.
I totally forgot that this was the book that gives us the queen that is Rachel Elizabeth Dare. I love her so much and her first interaction with Percy is just wonderful. She is so sassy and I can't wait for her to find out her truth. Ah, I love it so much.
Final Thoughts:
Yeah, I wish I had more to say about this book, but it's the ultimate middle child. It had a super interesting quest plotline and we got to meet Atlas, so that was pretty cool. I think this was the quest turning point of the series that everything is now focused on the big battle with Kronos (compared to the first books that were separate quests that unintentionally tied into the Kronos bit). I really enjoyed the character dynamics and I really liked how emotional this book got, especially with the Bionca storyline. Like if you don't feel all the feels for Nico, you're lying.
First read: September 2017
Rating: 4/5
Wasn't as good as the first two, but I'm hoping it sets up something good.
Rating: 4/5
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More reviews like this one can be found on my blog, CoffeeCocktailsandBooks
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The Lightning Thief - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Sea of Monsters - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Review:
“Love conquers all," Aphrodite promised. "Look at Helen and Paris. Did they let anything come between them?"
"Didn't they start the Trojan War and get thousands of people killed?"
"Pfft. That's not the point. Follow your heart.”
So far on the reread, this one has been my favorite, but I think that's because this book had so many characters that I forgot were introduced so early in the series. Specifically, we meet Nico and Bionca in this book. Y'all know how much I love the Trial of Apollo series and Nico has a minor role in that series. I also knew that Nico popped up a bunch throughout the series, I just didn't realize he was introduced so early. Oh, and Myth-o-Magic and Nico's love of it is the most precious thing.
I also like how this book took a bit of a dark turn. This book had some serious shit hit the fan and some tragic consequences. I love how the tone of the book was still light, but there were some seriously heartwrenching moments.
I can't explain why, but this book felt super different than the previous two. I don't know if it's due to the use of dreams or Percy joining the quest as late as he does (and arriving separately), but I didn't mind it. Riordan does a great job sticking to the formula he's set up, yet tweaking it just enough so it doesn't feel like the same story time and again.
This felt way more character-driven, especially with the complicated relationship between Zoë, Thalia, and Percy. Percy and Thalia are competing for this "top dog" role while both staring down the prophecy, Zoë is dealing with Artemis going missing and facing the truth of this new prophecy, and Percy struggles with Zoë refusing to take him on the quest. Honestly, these character relationships feel like the perfect level of complexity for a story based on Greek myth.
I also really liked how in the end Thalia decides to join the Hunters of Artemis to take herself out of the prophecy and not risk helping Kronos. I love how Riordan uses prophecy and the chosen one trope but manages to not make it feel convoluted. Each of the prophecies has a clear meaning, but the characters (and you, the reader), don't fully understand the pieces until after the quest is completed. It allows the characters to be conscious of the decisions they make, without only doing a self-fulfilling prophecy take.
I totally forgot that this was the book that gives us the queen that is Rachel Elizabeth Dare. I love her so much and her first interaction with Percy is just wonderful. She is so sassy and I can't wait for her to find out her truth. Ah, I love it so much.
Final Thoughts:
Yeah, I wish I had more to say about this book, but it's the ultimate middle child. It had a super interesting quest plotline and we got to meet Atlas, so that was pretty cool. I think this was the quest turning point of the series that everything is now focused on the big battle with Kronos (compared to the first books that were separate quests that unintentionally tied into the Kronos bit). I really enjoyed the character dynamics and I really liked how emotional this book got, especially with the Bionca storyline. Like if you don't feel all the feels for Nico, you're lying.
First read: September 2017
Rating: 4/5
Wasn't as good as the first two, but I'm hoping it sets up something good.
Things are getting much much more serious now and I'm interested to see how the prophecy plays out. I was reading this on and off for like a week and a half so maybe that's why I didn't enjoy this to the max but still, it was fun to read. Percy and Annabeth's relationship is developing and I'm honestly so excited about that. More characters are getting introduced and the character development is satisfying to read. Honestly, I don't have much to say about this. Hopefully, the angst is good(if there is any) in the future books, and the relationship development doesn't seem forced.
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Similar to the others, most of my points are coming from nostalgia. I enjoyed these books so much as a kid and I can see why. They kickstarted my love of mythology and I just think it’s a good kids series. Again, without nostalgia, I’m not sure how much an adult would enjoy these, but I definitely recommend them for kids.
adventurous
emotional
funny
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated