39. The Sea Of Monsters

Book #39: The Sea Of Monsters
Author: Rick Riordan
Published: April 1, 2006
279 Pages
4 Gold Stars

(summary from Goodreads)

After a summer spent trying to prevent a catastrophic war among the Greek gods, Percy Jackson is finding his seventh-grade school year unnervingly quiet. His biggest problem is dealing with his new friend, Tyson, a six-foot-three, mentally challenged homeless kid who follows Percy everywhere, making it hard for Percy to have any normal friends. But things don't stay quiet for long. 

Percy soon discovers there is trouble at Camp Half-Blood: the magical borders that protect Half-Blood Hill have been poisoned by a mysterious enemy, and the only safe haven for demigods is on the verge of being overrun by mythological monsters. To save the camp, Percy needs the help of his best friend, Grover, who has been taken prisoner on an island somewhere in the Sea of Monsters, the dangerous waters Greek heroes have sailed for millennia. Only today, the Sea of Monsters goes by a new name: The Bermuda Triangle.

Together with his friends, Percy must retrieve the Golden Fleece from the Island of the Cyclopes or Camp Half-Blood will be destroyed. But first, Percy will learn a stunning new secret about his family, one that makes him question whether being claimed as Poseidon's son is an honor or simply a cruel joke.

There's nothing else to say right but this: Riordan has created a perfect retelling of greek myths that gets the attention of both children and adults alike. Percy Jackson is the perfect hero. He has his flaws, but he will do whatever it takes to save the ones he loves. His heroism takes centre stage once again in the second book of the five book series. The Sea Of Monsters explores even more myths than the first one, introducing us to cyclopes, sirens and other deadly foes. Upon returning to Camp Half-Blood after a year away at school, Percy finds it in rough shape. The magic keeping out enemies is dwindling as the tree protecting the camp has been poisoned. The only thing that can save the camp is The Golden Fleece, and Percy has discovered it near where his friend Grover has been captured.

Everything he knows is tested. He questions his relationship with his father, Poseidon, once he discovers a hard truth about one of his friends. He travels with her good friend, Annabeth, her wisdom and strength holding him together. The adventures they go on keep the book rom being dull. Each adventure tests a different skill that each of the demigods posess. Annabeth is tempted by sirens, Tyson is played against his own kind, and Percy discovers new powers in the sea. The story flows perfectly, each line bringing a piece of the puzzle together with a hint of sarcasm or humour.

I've fallen in love with these charcters. I already hold them close to my heart and I have only read two of the books so far. I can't wait to read more about their adventures and manoeuvring through the madness that is the United States behind the mist. The world Riordan has created continues to wow me and I can't wait to see what else he has in mind for Percy and his friends. I'm sure friendships will be tested and new enemies will join the ranks, and I can't wait to see Percy succeed in the end.

36. The Lightning Thief

Book #36: Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief
Author: Rick Riordan
Published: April 1, 2006
377 Pages
5 Gold Stars

(summary from Goodreads)

Percy Jackson is about to be kicked out of boarding school... again. And that's the least of his troubles. Lately, mythological monsters and the gods of Mount Olympus seem to be walking straight out of the pages of Percy's Greek mythology textbook and into his life. And worse, he's angered a few of them. Zeus' master lightning bolt has been stolen, and Percy is the prime suspect.

Now Percy and his friends have just ten days to find and return Zeus' stolen property and bring peace to a warring Mount Olympus. But to succeed on his quest, Percy will have to do more than catch the true thief: he must come to terms with the father who abandoned him; solve the riddle of the Oracle, which warns him of betrayal by a friend; and unravel a treachery more powerful than the gods themselves.

I watched the movie when it came out a few years ago. I'm the kind of person who can't really get into a book after seeing the movie. This has happened many times where I've bought the book, tried to read it, and failed. So when I finally picked up the first Percy Jackson book, I was nervous about whether I'd be able to do it. Within the first chapter, I already knew the book was going to stand on its own with the movie. And let me just say this, the book is so much better than the movie (yes I know, we say that all the time, but like I said I usually read the book first)

Percy Jackson has had issues in school for as long as he knows. He gets in trouble easier and strange things seem to follow him through different schools. He's been expelled more times than not, so when the class goes on a field trip to a museum, Percy is eager to not get in trouble. Easier said than done. When one of his teachers turns into a Fury, a Greek monster, Percy knows there's something wrong. And when his other teacher throws him a pen that turns into a knife, he thinks that's the strangest thing that will happen. Boy is he wrong. After battling a Minotaur and discovering too much about his life, Percy ends up at Camp Half-Blood, a camp for those child born to one mortal parent and one God. Oh ya, Percy, you're the son of a Greek God. Percy continues his struggles at camp, bullied and tormented as usually. But when Zeus' lightning bolt is stolen and Percy is sent out on a quest to retrieve it, things may be looking up for the kid.

With two friends at his side, Grover and Annabeth, Percy sets out to find the Underworld, thinking Hades has taken the bolt. The novel is so action packed that you don't realize you've read 100 pages until you notice how far along you are. An adventure awaits every corner for the young Half-bloods. They meet other Gods along the way that may or may not be what they seem. They travel into strange places and risk death more times than not. Riordan writes in simple language, which is good since the narrator, Percy, is only twelve. Percy has been through a lot in his life and is still trying to take in everything that's happening around him. Yet he stays strong and does not stir from his mission.

Greek mythology is a key component to this series. It flows perfectly through the novel, never stirring from sight. Riordan shows that the world is under a mist and that there is so much behind that curtain that we don't know. It all sees very plausible. I've been a fan of mythology all my life, so reading about Gods and Olympus brought a smile to my face. The world Riordan takes us to is full of magic, love, hope, and heroes. And Percy fits right in - finally.


“Go on with what your heart tells you, or you will lose all.” 


“If my life is going to mean anything, I have to live it myself.”