Tag Archives: Mythology

Percy Jackson and the Greek Heroes by Rick Riordan

Book Review, , , ,

Overview

The Greek HeroesTitle: Percy Jackson and the Greek Heroes
Author: Rick Riordan
Series: Percy Jackson and the Olympians Companion
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading, Mythology, Urban Fantasy
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: Puffin Books
Year: 2014
5th sentence, 74th page: ‘Yes,’ the eldest sister agreed, thinking, A much older, smellier husband.

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Synopsis

IF YOU LIKE MUTILATIONS, MURDERS AND FLESH-EATING FARMYARD ANIMALS, KEEP READING…

My name is Percy Jackson. I’m a modern-day demigod – the son of Poseidon. I’ve had some bad experiences in my time, but the heroes I’m going to tell you about were the original old-school hard-luck cases.

So get your flaming spear. Put on your lion-skin cape. Polish your shield and make sure you’ve got arrows in your quiver. We’re going back about four thousand years to decapitate monsters, shoot a few gods in the butt, raid the Underworld and steal loot from evil people.

Then, for dessert, we’ll die painful, tragic deaths.

Ready? Sweet. Let’s do this.

Thoughts

I’m fascinated by ancient mythology. And, as one of the most prevalent and well-known mythologies of the modern world, Greek mythology is normally at the top of my list. Which sometimes makes it a little difficult for me to read modern adaptations of the stories of Greek heroes. Especially in children’s books, as they have to be kind of PG, and I really like the originally, incredibly sleazy versions of the tales…

Having said that, I thought that Riordan did a great job of retelling twelve of the Greek myths. It’s a fine line between making it suitable for children and just twisting it out of all recognisable shape and form. Luckily for my enjoyment, and continued love of Riordan’s work, he toed this line perfectly. The stories were still PG, but tales like Hercules actually started with him going mad and killing his family. Unlike the Disney version which has him as an innocent child, forced to take on the mantle of hero. Don’t get me wrong, I love the Disney movie, but when you’re aware that this is probably a child’s first foray into the world of Greek Mythology… maybe sugar coating everything isn’t the way.

I loved the humour with which these tales are told. They’re Greek tragedies, not really any happy endings and generally pretty epic ways to die. So, being told by Percy’s persona throughout with such a healthy dose of humour made it a lot more enjoyable. And, somehow, a little less tragic.

<- The Greek Gods Review The Demigod Files Review ->
Image source: Penguin Books Australia

Dangerously Divine by Deborah Blake

Book Review, , , , ,

Overview

Dangerously DivineTitle: Dangerously Divine
Author: Deborah Blake
Series: Broken Riders #2, Baba Yaga World #5
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Fae, Mythology, Paranormal romance
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Publisher: Berkley Sensation
Year: 2017
5th sentence, 74th page: Even from halfway across the room, she could tell that something wasn’t right.

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Synopsis

The Riders: Three immortal brothers who kept the Baba Yagas safe, now stripped of their summons to protect. But fate is not finished with them – and their new callings are even more powerful…

Though his physical wounds have healed, Gregori Sun, the eldest of the Riders, reamins in spiritual turmoil. His search for his mother, the one person able to heal his soul and save his life, is failing – until he crosses paths with a beautiful and fascinating librarian who might be the key to his salvation…

Ciera Evans’s bookish ways are just a guise. The product of a difficult past, she has dedicated her life to saving lost teens – by any means necessary. She works alone, but when a dark, brooding stranger proposes they team up to solve both their problems, she is tempted – in more ways than one…

After Ciera and Sun’s plans are derailed by dangerous enemies, they find themselves entangled in an ungodly affair – one that will force them to find new strength together, or be forever haunted by their pasts alone.

Thoughts

I read this story in a day. Which is always a good indication that it was amazing and I loved it. Alright, I’ve basically done this with each of the stories set in the Baba Yaga universe, but there was something about Dangerously Divine that I especially loved. Maybe it was the fact that although there was still the aspect of the Otherworld throughout, it didn’t have as large a place in the storyline. Something a little different to the other tales in this series. There were no journeys into the Otherworld, and, although there are gods and goddesses throughout, the fact that the entire story is based in one city with some very mortal enemies was a great change of pace.

After meeting Gregori a little better in Dangerously Charming, it was hard to imagine what kind of woman he would end up with. Honestly, I had kind of imagined somebody who was immensely spiritual, and maybe a little bit of a hippy. Ciera is nothing like that. And her tragic past just make her all the more engaging as a heroine. I’ve loved every one of the women and characters throughout the Baba Yaga series, but the fact the Ciera was from such a troubled past, and battled her own inner demons as much as Sun does kind of made me lover her the most.

Ciera and Gregori’s battles collide in this great book, and, ultimately deal with a serious issue in our culture. Drugs, homelessness and violence collide with freak snow storms, mystical healing abilities and a sense of justice that prevails above all else. This intense collision is one that is going to stick with me for a long time. It was everything that I want in a good paranormal romance.

 <- Dangerously Charming Review Dangerously Fierce Review ->
Image source: Goodreads

Dangerously Charming by Deborah Blake

Book Review, , , , ,

Overview

Dangerously CharmingTitle: Dangerously Charming
Author: Deborah Blake
Series: Broken Riders #1, Baba Yaga World #4
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Fae, Mythology, Paranormal romance
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Publisher: Berkley Sensation
Year: 2016
5th sentence, 74th page: He leaned down to pocket the ball.

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Synopsis

The Riders are three immortal brothers who protect the mythical Baba Yagas. But their time serving the witches has ended – and their new destinies are just beginning…

Ever since a near-fatal mistake stripped Mikhail Day and his brothers of their calling to be Riders, Day has hidden from his shame and his new, mortal life in a remote cabin in the Adirondack Mountains. But when a desperate young woman appears on his doorstep, he cannot resist helping her – and cannot deny how strongly he’s drawn to her…

For generations, women in Jenna Quinlan’s fmaily have been cursed to give up their first born child to the vengeful faery Zilya. When Jenna finds herself unexpectedly pregnant, she is determined to break her family’s curse and keep her baby, even if it means teaming up with a mysterious and charismatic man with demons of his own…

To unravel the curse, Jenna and Day will have to travel deep into the Otherworld. But the biggest challenge of the journey might not be solving an ancient puzzle but learning to heal their own broken hearts…

Thoughts

I liked that the point of view was switched a little in this story. The Baba Yaga stories had a strong female lead who travelled around (and then eventually found their loved one). I loved this fact, but after three novels, a change was certainly needed. Dangerously Charming provided this, but kept me in the world that I have fallen madly in love with.

Following the first of the (now mortal) Riders, Dangerously Charming still has a strong female lead. It still has all of the paranormal and mythological aspects that I have fallen for. But, it has a differently damaged lead – a now mortal immortal. It also took someone who was damaged and trying to find a new way in life and helped them to find the way. Yes, this is still a paranormal romance. And it is still predictable that the main characters are going to fall for one another. But really, I don’t mind that kind of predictability. The ways in which they fall, and how they beat the baddy (in this case, a not-so-big, bad faery) are just murky enough that it is impossible to put the book down.

I liked Jenna’s spunk and vulnerability. Pregnancy makes most women emotional (or so I’m told), but somehow she manages to combine this with a strength and gumption that is completely unique. The Baba Yagas are supposed to be strong. And, quite frankly, are expected to be more than a little kick ass, but that’s not expected of a pregnant mortal. Yet, Blake takes these differences and gives Jenna a strength and independence all of her own. One that was actually all the more relatable for the increased vulnerability.

 <- Wickedly Spirited Review Dangerously Divine Review ->
Image source: Penguin Books Australia

Wickedly Spirited by Deborah Blake

Book Review, , , , ,

Overview

Wickedly SpiritedTitle: Wickedly Spirited
Author: Deborah Blake
Series: Baba Yaga #3.5, Baba Yaga World #4.5
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Mythology, Paranormal romance, Witches
Pace: Medium
Format: Novella
Publisher: InterMix
Year: 2017
5th sentence, 74th page: What if she wasn’t as powerful as they all said?

Buy The Book Now at The Book Depository, Free Delivery World WideSynopsis

Jazz, the powerfully magical teen first introduced in Wickedly Powerful, is now being trained as a Baba Yaga—and she’s determined to free the Broken Riders herself.

Jazz had a rough life before meeting her guardian, and she knows she’s lucky that Bella is training her to be a Baba Yaga. But the gifted young witch is frustrated by the slow pace of her lessons. Jazz knows she’s capable of even greater magic, and she wants nothing more than to find a spell that will give the Riders back the immortality they lost.

With the reluctant assistance of Bella’s dragon-turned-cat Koshka, Jazz travels to the Otherworld to get the necessary ingredients to perform the spell. A willful young witch, dangerous magic, and one powerful wish—what could possibly go wrong?

Thoughts

Jazz was a fun introduction in Wickedly Powerful. She’s sassy, powerful and full of energy. The fact that there is a novella available that features her was kind of a welcome surprise. Although, it really wasn’t what I expected, and sadly, I read it before Dangerously Charming, which was kind of a mistake – after all, the acts in this take place after Mikhail Day’s story and it kind of had some spoilers.

Teenagers never do what they’re told – or at least, I know that I rarely did. If I was given an order, I needed to understand why, otherwise I’d merely take it as a suggestion. Which is kind of like Jazz. She is told not to play with higher powers again and again. But, because she doesn’t understand why Bella says these things, she’s a little more fluid in her adherence to the rulings. Which is why you can see that she’s going to get into trouble from a mile off. The trouble that she finds herself in is completely unexpected though. Actually, I was quite taken back by the results of her rebellion and I can’t wait to see how this factors into the greater series…

 <- Wickedly Powerful Review Dangerously Charming Review ->
Image source: Penguin Random House

Rise of the Blood by Lucienne Diver

Book Review, , , , , ,
Overview
Rise of the Blood

Title: Rise of the Blood
Author: Lucienne Diver
Series: The Latter-Day Olympians #3
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading, Mythology, Paranormal fantasy, Strong women
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Publisher: Samhain Publishing
Year: 2013
5th sentence, 74th page: If they (or an agent for them, since I hadn’t yet been struck by lightning or another freak storm) were behind the note, what was the purpose?

Synopsis

Weddings can be war.

Great. Tori Karacis’s face is on the front of yet another tabloid “news”paper, linked to Hollywood hottie Apollo Demas. It was ONE dinner, and she was pissed with him at the time. But that’s the least of her worries. Just before leaving for her cousin’s destination wedding in Delphi, she learns that her arch nemeses, Zeus and Poseidon, have escaped police custody.

Despite looking forward to seeing Detective Nick Armani in a tux, her bad pre-flight jitters are confirmed when Apollo, with his sexy new co-star on his arm, boards the same plane. A plane that a freak storm nearly tears out of the sky.

What awaits them atop Mount Parnassus is even more deadly. A prophecy, a kidnapping, and a bloodletting that stirs up the mother of all trouble—literally. Rhea is awakened, and she’s none too happy with her offspring for losing their usurped dominion over the Earth.

The Olympians have fallen. It’s time for the Titans to rise again. Which means it’ll be a bad day for anyone standing in their way.

Product Warnings
Bloodbath or blissful union…either way, the stakes are high in this destination Delphi wedding high atop the peaks of Mount Parnassus. Passions will flare, Titans will rise, monsters will awake, blood will boil and some will spill.

Thoughts

Every time I open one of the Latter-Day Olympians stories, I know that Tori has managed to find herself in trouble. Of some kind. Again.

Normally that trouble starts of pretty minor, but very quickly expands into a cacophony of danger that she is trying to escape. While working on her relationship with Nick. And ignoring her attraction to Apollo. And being a good bridesmaid to her cousin. Gaea’s attempt at revenge and rising not only tends to put a bit of a spanner into these plans, but it is also the catalyst for a very large change in Tori’s life. One that is going to be really interesting to follow in Battle for the Blood.

Rise of the Blood also helps to reveal a little more about Tori’s ancestral history. We know that she is a descendant of one of the Gorgons, but it turns out that she’s also a descendant of Pan. Which explains so much about her brother, although, it is obvious Tori inherited her many interesting traits from her other ancestor. I love the total chaos that Tori’s family creates. Not just in her life, but the insanity of their love and roles in life. Tori is still very much the outcast, but you can see where she gets her crisis handling from. After all, the only family that is more chaotic than Tori’s is the Olympians themselves. Something that is a huge driver in the final battle of the story.

Although this novel does sort of end with an epic battle, it also ends with Tori finally making a decision about who she is going to choose. Nick or Apollo. It’s the very last scene of the story, so whether it sticks or not will be seen in the next novel. But, it’s definitely a tale that I’m looking forward to reading.

 <- The ParlorBattle for the Blood ->

Image source: Goodreads

The Demigods of Olympus: An Interactive Guide by Rick Riordan

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
The Demigods of Olympus - An Interactive Guide

Title: The Demigods of Olympus: An Interactive Guide
Author: Rick Riordan
Series: Percy Jackson and the Olympians Companion
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading, Mythology, Urban Fantasy
Pace: Medium
Format: Choose-Your-Own-Adventure
Publisher: Puffin Books
Year: 2015
5th sentence, 74th page: ‘The little paper cups flew everywhere.

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Synopsis

You are the demigod, and your quest begins! Use your skills in this interactive and customizable e-book. Combining four short stories, “The Two-Headed Guidance Counselor,” “The Library of Deadly Weapons,” “My Demon Satyr Tea Party,” and “My Personal Zombie Apocalypse,” your choices will have consequences in this demigod adventure.

Thoughts

I love choose-your-own-adventure stories. I can remember reading a lot of them when I was younger, there is something nice about being able to read a story that you have control of. And the fact that this choose-your-own-adventure was placed within a fantasy world that I love just made it all the more enjoyable!

Although I can’t wait to go on another journey with Zane, every choice that I was able to make led me to a slightly different outcome. This choose-your-own-adventure fits beautifully into the world of Percy Jackson, but it was also different enough that it was difficult to predict where the storyline would go.

<- The Demigod Diaries ReviewThe Ultimate Guide Review ->
Image source: YA Interrobang

Snakeskin by Rob Thurman

Book Review, , , , , ,
Overview
Kicking It

Title: Snakeskin
Author: Rob Thurman
Series: Trickster #0.5
In: Kicking It (Faith Hunter & Kalayna Price)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading, Mythology, Tricksters, Urban fantasy
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: Roc
Year: 2013
5th sentence, 74th page: Billionaires are a special breed, and an old horny billionaire is going to want a young thing with tits done by Dr. Double D and the only lines on her skin the ones shown by her Brazilian wax.

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Synopsis

Trixa agrees to help a woman deal with her very rich husband. But, when she is double crossed, things take an interesting turn.

Thoughts

I love stories about Tricksters – they are completely amoral, always entertaining and beautifully symbolic of the balance between good and evil. Plus, where they travel, chaos follows. Which is always entertaining, and provides great conflict in and of itself. The introduction to Thurman’s Trickster series is no different.

Trixa is the very embodiment of chaos – she is neither good nor evil and, while straddling both realities, she is able to help keep the balance. The playful light and twisted humour within which she tells the story drew me in from the first point, and I was never quite sure what game she was playing. Until the very end that is. The tone of the piece perfectly reflects the chaotic and perverse way in which Trixa deals with the world and those around her.

<- More Rob ThurmanTrick of the Light ->

Image source: Penguin

The Parlor by Lucienne Diver

Book Review, , , , , ,

Overview

Kicking ItTitle: The Parlor
Author: Lucienne Diver
Series: The Latter-Day Olympians #3.5
In: Kicking It (Faith Hunter & Kalayna Price)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading, Mythology, Paranormal fantasy, Strong women
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: Roc
Year: 2013
5th sentence, 74th page: I’d find out soon enough.

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Synopsis

Tori takes what she thinks is going to be a simple job, and runs up against another member of the Olympian family.

Thoughts

I love to read about mythologies reimagined for the modern day, and this was an excellent way in which it was done. Where Riordan takes Greek mythology and spins it so that teenagers have a place in the world, Diver gives the tales of Olympus a much more adult and sensual twist. A tale of Apollo, Arachne and gladiators, there really isn’t much more that you could ask for in a short story inspired by the Gods of Olympus.

There were a lot of great things in this story, and I loved the heroine, she was tough, able to say no to a God, and wanted to do the good thing. However, the part of this story that I can’t get out of my head is the silver, reflective hot pants and knee-high boot get up that Tori is forced to wear when she goes undercover. Reflective hot pants. A thought to leave you with for the day.

<- Crazy in the Blood Review Rise of the Blood Review ->
Image source: Penguin

Huntress by Tamora Pierce

Book Review, , , ,

Overview

tortall-and-other-landsTitle: Huntress
Author: Tamora Pierce
In: Tortall and Other Lands: A Collection (Tamora Pierce)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading, Mythology, Strong women
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: Bluefire
Year: 2010
5th sentence, 74th page: Run – get –

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Synopsis

It follows a girl named Corey as she attends a fictitious prestigious prep school called Christopher Academy. She becomes a major athlete in the track team, and meets Felix and other kids in track. When Felix turns violent and begins hunting Corey through Central Park, the family patron goddess, known vaguely as the Hunt Goddess appears and punishes those responsible in the hunt.

Thoughts

It is hard enough growing up, finding your place in high school and just generally not making too much of a fool of yourself when puberty strikes. Now, imagine doing this with a family that believes in witchcraft. A family that is not quite what everyone else would consider as normal. Pierce uses this extreme to remind us to not only stay true to ourselves, but how truly difficult it can be to come of age in today’s world and society.

The Goddess features so often in spiritual and belief systems – it is something / someone that I myself believe in. And although she is often alluded to, or even used in stories about medieval times, it is rare to picture her in today’s society. I loved that this story, unlike many of Tamora Pierce’s, was set in the present day, but still pulled on themes and ideas that are more often seen in medieval stories.

The idea of struggling to fit in ensures that this short story will be appealing to all but the most discerning of people. We all know, in one way or another, what it is like to feel left out, not quite one of the pride. But, to what extent should we try to amalgamate to those we admire? Where is the line? Corey helps us to understand that there is, truly a line that we all must draw, even when we are trying to fit in with ours peers.

<- Mimic Review Testing Review ->
Image source: Tamora Pierce Wiki

The Demigod Files by Rick Riordan

Book Review, , , , , ,

Overview

the-demigod-files

Title: The Demigod Files
Author: Rick Riordan
Series: Percy Jackson and the Olympians Companion
Rating Out of 5: 3.5 (Liked this)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading, Mythology, Urban Fantasy
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: Puffin Books
Year: 2009
5th sentence, 74th page: ‘Uh-huh,’ said another Athena guy, clearly unimpressed.

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Synopsis

IF YOU’RE READING THIS BOOK, YOUR LIFE IS ABOUT TO GET A LOT MORE DANGEROUS.

In these top-secret files, Rick Riordan, Camp Half-Blood’s senior scribe, gives you an inside look at the world of demigods that NO regular human child is allowed to see.

These highly classified archives include three of Percy Jackson’s most perilous adventures, a Spotter’s Guide to Monsters, a Who’s Who in Greek mythology, Percy’s Summer Camp report and much more.

SO IF YOU’RE ARMED WITH THIS BOOK, YOU’LL HAVE EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW TO KEEP YOU ALIVE IN YOUR TRAINING. YOU OWN ADVENTURES HAVE JUST BEGUN…

Thoughts

This is a really nice companion book to the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series. It is a little quirky and different in its layout, but it really brings the world of Camp Half-blood to life. Interviews, short stories and profiles all morph together to create this short and lively book that are well worth reading if you have become as obsessed with the writings of Rick Riordan as I have.

Although this book was written between The Battle of the Labyrinth and The Last Olympian, it isn’t strictly necessary to read it then. However, if you want to understand who Bob is and what happened to him in The Heroes of Olympus series, then it is definitely worth reading one of the shorts within this collection.

<- The Greek Heroes Review The Demigod Diaries Review ->
Image source: Puffin Books Australia