Tag Archives: Greek Mythology

The Lightning Thief ReRead by Rick Riordan

Book Review, , ,
Overview

Title: The Lightning Thief ReRead
Author: Rick Riordan
Series: Percy Jackson and the Olympians #1
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Greek mythology, Mythology
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2005

Thoughts

It’s been a while since I last read the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series, and I love that I’ve just randomly decided to dive into a reread. Some of the series that I read when I was younger haven’t aged as well now that I have children. But, that’s most definitely not the case with this series. In fact, I can’t wait to share these books with my children when they get older. Even though this was a reread, The Lightning Thief was just as brilliant and fun as I remembered.

I love that everything Riordan writes is about those who are neurodivergent or don’t quite fit the “normal mould”. Each and every one of these children have their own talents and powers, it’s a reminder that we all have super powers, we just need to figure out how to use them. Percy’s slow discovery of his own powers and that he’s not actually a troubled kid is a really nice journey. This is only the beginning of him finding out just who he is. But, it is such a reward to read about a kid that finally realises that being different doesn’t mean bad.

Even though I knew who the “bad guy” of this story was going to be, I still really enjoyed reading this story. Plus, it was fun to pick up on those extra hints throughout that I’ve missed before. Plus, it was easier to see just why the betrayal happened. Riordan creates some wonderfully scary villains in the Greek monsters, but also some sadly tragic and relatable ones in the humans and demigods that work with the Big Evil.

I can’t wait to dive in and reread the rest of the Percy Jackson series and beyond. This is such a phenomenal and enjoyable read that I just didn’t want to put down. You know that a book is good when you can’t put it down, even if it is your third read through. I can’t wait to share this story with my children in the future, and read it again and again. Plus, there are now a whole heap more books in the Riordan universe that I need to rearead, and read for the very first time!

<- More Rick RiordanThe Sea of Monsters ->

Image source: Penguin

Daphne by Dawn Raffel

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Image result for xo orpheus book cover

Title: Daphne
Author: Dawn Raffel
In: Xo Orpheus (Kate Bernheimer)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Feminism, Greek mythology, Retellings
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Penguin Books
Year: 2013

Thoughts

Daphne was an enjoyable and fun short story. Rather than focusing on the original tale of Daphne, it focuses on what happened after. After her initial gratefulness to escaping Apollo’s unwanted affections, she begins to feel resentment. And I mean, why not? Not only is his attempt at assault and not understanding no the reason why she was turned into a tree, she was then completely forgotten.

I love how Raffel uses a number of different techniques to tell this story. You really get a feel for Daphen’s emotions and her resentment. It also consistently and constantly mocks the men within the Greek pantheon. Describing them as arthritic and impotent at a number of points. Which, I for one found hilarious. Especially when compared with the freedom being older affords Daphne and the other women.

This didn’t quite end the way I anticipated – rather than being a happy ever after with a young and beautiful heroine, it was one in which age is embraced. The freedom that comes with no longer having to conform to a certain standard of beauty and age. I, for one, can’t wait to get to this point in my life!

<- The Last Flight of DaedalusDemeter ->

Image source: Goodreads

The Last Flight of Daedalus by Anthony Marra

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Image result for xo orpheus book cover

Title: The Last Flight of Daedalus
Author: Anthony Marra
In: Xo Orpheus (Kate Bernheimer)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Greek mythology, Mythology, Retellings
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: Penguin Books
Year: 2013

Thoughts

I love that this story is about what happens after Icarus dies. I mean, the grief of a father and the horrors of Daedalus witnessing his own boys’ death is horrible and one thing. But I’ve never really thought about what happens to Daedalus after it all. And Marra was able to answer that question wonderfully. I honestly loved this short story and thought it was incredibly clever.

Like the original myth, Marra’s short story has a fairly poetic ending. But still quite tragic. It was a little bit hard to read about the depths of Daedalus’ grief and the lengths that he will go to to find closure. Something that I think everyone will hunt for at times.

This is honestly a beautiful tale of a father’s love for his son. And the regret for the decisions that led to this moment. It is a wonderful story, and one that definitely hit hard at this point in my life.

<- LabyrinthDaphne ->

Image source: Goodreads

Fisher-Bird by T. Kingfisher

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Fisher-Bird
Author: T. Kingfisher
In: The Mythic Dream (Dominik Parisien & Navah Wolfe)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Greek mythology, Mythology, Retellings
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Short story
Year: 2019

Thoughts

I absolutely freaking loved this Hercules retelling, I mean I’m kind of programmed to like anything with Greek mythology anyway. And, because it’s an area that I absolutely love, I picked that this was a Hercules retelling pretty much from the get go. I love that, rather than retelling the whole myth, it takes one of the tasks and talks about how Hercules was helped.

I love that Fisher-Bird is told in the vein of other traditional myths – why the fisher-bird has a red belly. It’s from that animal perspective mythos, rather than the human. I love that it shifts the focus to why fisher-bird has a red belly, not how Hercules beat the Scythian Birds. Plus, Fisher-Bird as a fun narrator created a beautiful flow to the story that I just didn’t want to end!

After reading this, I really want more T. Kingfisher. Something about the flow and tone of this writing really spoke to me. And I absolutely adored this! Retellings are normally a big hit with me, and this was just even better and more beautiful than anticipated.

<- The JustifiedA Brief Lesson in Native American Astronomy ->

Image source: Simon & Schuster

The Crown of Ptolemy by Rick Riordan

Book Review, , , , , , ,
Overview

Title: The Crown of Ptolemy
Author: Rick Riordan
Series: Percy Jackson and the Kane Chronicles Crossover #3, Camp Half-Blood Chronicles #8
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading, Egyptian mythology, Greek mythology, Mythology, Young adult
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novella
Year: 2015

Thoughts

This was a nice way to end the Demigods and Magicians trilogy. It was a fun and kind of epic battle. A quick read. Something that I just found all around enjoyable. Plus, a quick read, which sometimes I just need to keep my brain firing happily.

I like that although this was a good, kind of epic battle, it still wasn’t intense and insane. It was just the perfect level of intensity to suit the length and tone of these novellas that I’ve been reading.

I love the voice of Percy Jackson, I always have in Riordan’s writing. The fact that he refers to the villain as a Elvis impersonator was just brilliant. It also somehow helps to diminish the scariness of the villains in Riordan’s writing that could otherwise be really scary.

<- The Staff of SerapisThe Lost Hero ->

amazon.com.au/Crown-Ptolemy-Demigods-Magicians-Book-ebook/dp/B00RUSH6SO

The Staff of Serapis by Rick Riordan

Book Review, , , , , , ,
Overview

Title: The Staff of Serapis
Author: Rick Riordan
Series: Percy Jackson and the Kane Chronicles Crossover #2, Camp Half-Blood Chronicles #7
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading, Egyptian mythology, Greek mythology, Mythology, Young adult
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novella
Year: 2014

Thoughts

I thought that Carter and Percy teaming up in The Son of Sobek was a wonderful moment that I thoroughly enjoyed. But I didn’t account for how amazing the teamwork of Annabeth and Sadie would be. Particularly their dialogue and interactions with one another. I mean, both are fiercely intelligent and independent young women, so their sass, wit and awesomeness left me feeling ridiculously happy.

This was a fantastic novella (aren’t they all by Riordan?) that made me want to dive right back into my collection all over again. I have that many other books to read at the moment that I probably shouldn’t… but man it is tempting after reading yet another wonderful story by this master craftsman.

I love that both The Staff of Serapis and The Son of Sobek are about the two counterparts of the duos meeting and fighting together. But it is ultimately about the great battle that we are about to enjoy in The Crown of Ptolemy. This mixing of Egyptian and Greek mythology alone is wonderful, but the fact that it’s about to end in an epic battle? I’m very, very excited.

<- The Son of SobekThe Crown of Ptolemy ->

Image source: Penguin Books Australia

The Son of Sobek by Rick Riordan

Book Review, , , , , , ,
Overview

Title: The Son of Sobek
Author: Rick Riordan
Series: Percy Jackson and the Kane Chronicles Crossover #1, Camp Half-Blood Chronicles #6
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading, Egyptian mythology, Greek mythology, Mythology, Young adult
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novella
Year: 2012

Thoughts

This is a very quick and easy read – maybe 90 pages. Since I haven’t read anything by Rick Riordan in quite a while, it was a wonderful return to his world. One that makes me want to pick up all of his books and do a reread… which I don’t exactly have time for, because there are also thousands of books I’ve never read yet…

I love that this is a story about Percy Jackson, but from Carter’s POV. It’s intriguing to see a Greek demigod through the lens of an Egyptian wizard. Also, the lunacy of just how quickly Percy is able to throw himself into situations is beautifully highlighted. Actually, the lunacy of any of the demigod battles is kind of highlighted. And its pretty damn humorous. Like I said, enough to make me want to jump into this world all over again.

This is literally one little chapter, one battle. But, it’s got hints of more dramas and stories to unfold in the future. Ones that I’m seriously looking forward to reading.

<- The Last OlympianThe Staff of Serapis ->

Image source: Penguin Books Australia

Mr Sandman by Sherri Browning Erwin

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview
Image result for the mammoth book of paranormal romance 2 book cover

Title: Mr Sandman
Author: Sherri Browning Erwin
In: The Mammoth Book of Paranormal Romance 2 (Trisha Telep)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Greek mythology, Mythology, Paranormal romance
Dates read: 11th May 2021
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2010
5th sentence, 74th page: Not just vultures, but also owls and woodpeckers.

Synopsis

After pulling a man from the surf and saving his life, her own life is about to change. Forever. She just has to have the guts to save her sandman.

Thoughts

It became obvious kind of early on that the man in this story was a Greek god. What I didn’t expect was which Greek god it was. And how the whole storyline was likely to play out. This took a serious departure from all of my normal expectations of paranormal romances and stories which feature mythology.

I like that this is kind of a story about rebuilding oneself. About Emma who has said goodbye to all she knows and found a way to start her life completely anew. As a feminist, I’m not completely keen on the fact that she creates her whole new life based around a man. But, as someone who just generally enjoys romances… it was cutesy.

There is something about the beach that seems to highlight new beginnings and hope. Or at least, that’s how it always feels for me. It’s like a recharging station. So it is the perfect setting for this romance, and it is that imagery that I can’t get out of my head as I’m writing this review… not the actual romance in and of itself.

<- The GetawayThe Sin-Eater’s Promise ->

Image source: Amazon

Argos by Joy Williams

Book Review, , ,
Overview
Image result for xo orpheus book cover

Title: Argos
Author: Joy Williams
In: Xo Orpheus (Kate Bernheimer)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Greek mythology, Mythology
Dates read: 28th February 2021
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Penguin Books
Year: 2013
5th sentence, 74th page: I was always Argos.

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Synopsis

Argos has always been loyal. But that doesn’t necessarily guarantee a happily ever after.

Thoughts

My heart broke a little as I read this story. Probably because it basically features a dog that has been abandoned.

Actually, this whole story is written from the point of view of the dog’s acceptance of his lot in life. I would hate for my puppies to feel that way.

This mostly was a quick, easy and pleasant read. But it did also make me want to read Homer – since Argos is featured in that.

<- Anthropogenesis, Or: How to Make a FamilyThe Sisters ->

Image source: Goodreads

The Nymph’s Labyrinth by Danica Winters

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
The Nymph's Labyrinth (Nymph #1) by Danica Winters

Title: The Nymph’s Labyrinth
Author: Danica Winters
Series: Nymph #1
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Greek mythology, Nymphs, Paranormal romance
Dates read: 26th June 2020
Pace: Slow
Format: Novel
Publisher: Crimson Romance
Year: 2012
5th sentence, 74th page: “I’m glad to see you are okay.”

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Synopsis

A world shrouded in mystery and intrigue, the Sisterhood of Epione must not be exposed.

Shape-shifting nymph Ariadne Papadakis is tasked with keeping the truth of the group’s existence and their ancient mysteries far out of reach of the American archaeologist, Beau Morris and his troublemaking son, Kaden. When forgotten and forbidden passions are awakened, Ariadne is forced to make a choice – fall in line and continue to be overrun and pushed down by the sisterhood, or follow her heart and put Beau and Kaden’s lives in danger.

Can she have the man she loves or will the pressure and secrets of her past keep her from her heart’s desire?

Thoughts

This was one of those cute, easy to read and quick little paranormal romances. Not only was it a great couple with a good paranormal spin. But there was also a great back story with the addition of the Greek mythology, a curse from Zeus and some seriously bitchy little power plays. Actually, it was the Greek mythology aspect that really and seriously drew me in…

This isn’t a hugely lustful and graphic romance. It does have some sex steams, but they’re really not steamy. More a kind of sweet, innocence that I don’t always get in a good paranormal romance. It was a nice change from many of the paranormal romances that sit on my shelves. It is also fantastic that not only is there a romance between Ariadne and Beau, but also between his son, Kade and another nymph. The young love helps to add an extra layer of innocence to the story.

I love that The Nymph’s Labyrinth isn’t just about one relationship. It’s also about Beau and Kade’s reuniting and figuring out how to be father and son again. Kade also gets to fall in love alongside Beau. And they both get to tackle a potentially horrible future and a mysterious illness together. And then, interwoven amongst all of this – stories of mythology and betrayal. Power plays and confusion. It all works together to make a very great, impossible to put down little romance that left me feeling very content and happy on a late Saturday night in the middle of winter.

Although the romance in this story is kind of great, I actually love the reminder that we should honour our sisters and the feeling of sisterhood. There are too many times when we tear each other down. And so a story in which this doesn’t happen, but is about not having power over one another. And just finding a way to all honour and respect each other… I think that we need many, many, many more stories like this.

<- More Danica WintersMontana Mustangs ->

Image source: Goodreads