Tag Archives: Mythology

Wickedly Dangerous by Deborah Blake

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Overview

Wickedly Dangerous

Title: Wickedly Dangerous
Author: Deborah Blake
Series: Baba Yaga #1, Baba Yaga World #1
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Mythology, Paranormal romance, Witches
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: Berkley Sensation
Year: 2014
5th sentence, 74th page: No matter ow long she lived, she could never get used to the callous disregard with which so many humans treated the natural world.

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Synopsis

Known as the wicked witch of Russian fairy tales, Baba Yaga is not one woman, but rather a title carried by a chosen few. They keep the balance of nature and guard the borders of our world, but don’t make the mistake of crossing one of them…

Older than she looks and powerful beyond measure, Barbara Yager no longer has much in common with the mortal life she left behind long ago. Posing as an herbalist and researcher, she travels the country with her (mostly) faithful dragon-turned-dog in an enchanted Airstream, fulfilling her duties as a Baba Yaga and avoiding any possibility of human attachment.

But when she is summoned to find a missing child, Barbara suddenly finds herself caught up in a web of deceit and an unexpected attraction to the charming but frustrating Sheriff Liam McClellan.

Now, as Barbara fights both human enemies and Otherworld creatures to save the lives of three innocent children, she discovers that her most difficult battle may be with her own heart…

Thoughts

I love old mythologies and fairy tales. If you gave me a book about ancient mythologies, I would read it page to page before coming up for air. So, when I found out about a book that took the Russian fairy tale of Baba Yaga and gave it a modern twist, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on a copy. I love when authors are able to take a myth or spiritual understanding of the world that stems from the past and use it in today’s modern context, and Deborah Blake did this brilliantly well. She created a world and series that drew me in from the first moment, and I can’t wait until the next book comes out.

Admittedly, this is a paranormal romance. Aside from the witchcraft and Otherworld influence of the fae, it is very much a boy meets girl, girl meets boy, they fall in love story. Sometimes this can feel a little competitive, but not so in Wickedly Dangerous. Barbara is a prickly and unsociable heroine, Liam a damaged and confused man, both unwilling to commit to each other. And although you just know that they will eventually end up together, the trials and tribulations along the way kept me constantly turning the pages in an agony of fascination. There’s just something so satisfying about two completely damaged people finding happiness in one another.

Having said that, the romance really wasn’t the main part of the story. There was just enough heat between the main characters to raise the stakes, but not enough that the story became boring and irritatingly sappy. It was the mystery of the missing children and Barbara’s power and willingness to solve the puzzle that drives the story.

Even as someone who doesn’t have kids, the idea of missing children is horrifying. There’s something about preying upon the young and innocent in society that is particularly spine tingling. It’s the primal fear for us, we’re programmed to protect our young, and when they go missing or are stolen, we have done something drastically wrong. This, combined with the villain of the story (who was not in the least who I expected), created a fascinating retelling of the role of Baba Yaga in today’s society, and an amazing book to boot.

<- Dangerously Driven Review Wickedly Wonderful Review ->
Image source: Goodreads

Wickedly Magical by Deborah Blake

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Overview

wickedly-magical

Title: Wickedly Magical
Author: Deborah Blake
Series: Baba Yaga #0.5, Baba Yaga World #0.5
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Mythology, Paranormal romance, Witches
Pace: Medium
Format: Novella
Publisher: Berkley Sensation
Year: 2014
5th sentence, 74th page: Too busy playing footsie with Jonathan.

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Synopsis

Known as the wicked witch of Russian fairy tales, Baba Yaga is not one woman, but rather a title carried by a chosen few. They keep the balance of nature and guard the borders of our world, but don’t make the mistake of crossing one…

Barbara Yager loves being one of the most powerful witches in the world, but sometimes she’d rather kick back in her enchanted Airstream with a beer in her hand than work out how to grant the requests of the worthy few who seek her out.

But when a man appears with the token of a family debt of honor, Barbara must drop everything to satisfy the promise owed by her predecessor—and she isn’t above being a little wicked to make sure the debt is paid in full…

Thoughts

Reading this story left me with an amazingly warm and happy feeling. The bad guy is bested, there is a beautiful happy ending and the ending leads perfectly into the first Baba Yaga book. All in all, it is a beautiful novella that left a smile on my face long after I finished the last page.

This story investigates the relationship between the three Baba Yaga sisters in more depth. They are constantly in contact throughout the tale and Blake beautifully highlights the differences between these characters through their conversations. The kinship between the three practically jumps off the page, and I can only hope that people have this relationship with their own siblings, the ease and camaraderie of familiarity and friendship.

Barbara’s protective tendencies are further highlighted in her rage at the villain within the story. Although she is driven to justice throughout the Baba Yaga novels, her pure rage at the children’s mistreatment in this story is heart-warming. I love her temperamental nature and the fact that her fits of rage are driven by a sense of injustice and neglect.

 <- Dangerously Fierce Review Wickedly Dangerous Review ->
Image source: The Sunset Canyon Post

The Greek Gods by Rick Riordan

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Overview

Percy Jackson and the Greek Gods

Title: Percy Jackson and the Greek Gods
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: Penguin
Year: 2014
5th sentence, 74th page: The Titan Prometheus, who had made those little dudes out of clay, really felt sorry for them.

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Synopsis

IF YOU LIKE HORROR SHOWS, BLOODBATHS, LYING, STEALING, BACKSTABBING AND CANNIBALISM, THEN READ ON…

Who could tell the stories of the gods of Olympus better than a modern-day demigod?

In this action-packed tour of Greek mythology, Percy gives his hilarious personal views on the feuds, fights and love affairs of the Olympians.

Want to know how Zeus came to be top god? How many times Kronos ate one of his kids? How Athena literally burst out of another god’s head? It’s all here in black and white…

Thoughts

As with the rest of the books in the Percy Jackson Verse, Percy Jackson and the Greek Gods is a great adaptation of the Greek myths. Using a modern voice that makes them approachable to the today’s generation is not only a great way to retell ancient myths, but it also is a truly unique retelling that I thoroughly enjoyed.

Having said that, this is also the cleanest and most PG retelling of the Greek myths that I have ever had the pleasure of reading. The versions of the myths that I read involved a lot of rape, pillaging and incest. And although Riordan does mention that many of the Olympians are brother and sister, husband and wife, this eeew factor is glossed over and better explained. Which is probably a good thing considering that this is a book aimed at a young adult / teenage audience.

Reading this book was really pleasurable and easy. It had a quick, fast pace that gave you a brief overview of each of the twelve major Olympians and moved on. It provided a great glimpse into some of the really fascinating mythos of the Greek persuasion without getting bogged down in the details. Each chapter is a whole new story and this structure worked beautifully well – I finished the book in no time, not even realising that I had spent hours reading.

<- The Dark Prophecy Review The Greek Heroes Review ->
Image source: Joys of Bookworm

Subversive Spiritualities by Frederique Apffel-Marglin

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Overview

Subversive Spritualities

Title: Subversive Spiritualities: How Rituals Enact the World
Author: Frederique Apffel-Marglin
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Anthropology, Mythology, True stories, Non-fiction
Pace: Slow
Format: Ethnographic text
Publisher: Oxford University Press Inc
Year: 2012
5th sentence, 74th page: It goes much further than simply the health of an individual.

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Synopsis

Even in the twenty-first century, some two-thirds of the world’s peoples quietly live in non-modern, non-cosmopolitan places. In such places the multitudinous voices of the spirits, deities, and other denizens of the other-than-human world continue to be heard, continue to be loved or feared or both, continue to accompany human beings in all their activities. In Subversive Spiritualities, Frederique Apffel-Marglin draws on a lifetime of work with the indigenous peoples of Peru and India to support her argument that the beliefs, values, and practices of such traditional peoples are ”eco-metaphysically true.” In other words, they recognize that human beings are in communion with other beings in nature that have agency and are kinds of spiritual intelligences, with whom humans can be in relationship and communion.

Ritual is the medium for communicating, reciprocating, creating and working with the other-than-humans, who daily remind the humans that the world is not for humans’ exclusive use. Apffel-Marglin argues that when such relationships are appropriately robust, human lifeways are rich, rewarding and, in the contemporary jargon, environmentally sustainable. Her ultimate objective is to ”re-entangle” humans in nature, by promoting a spirituality and ecology of belonging and connection to nature, and an appreciation of animistic perception and ecologies. Along the way she offers provocative and poignant critiques of many assumptions: of the ”development” paradigm as benign (including feminist forms of development advocacy), of most anthropological and other social scientific understandings of indigenous religions, and of common views about peasant and indigenous agronomy. She concludes with a case study of the fair trade movement, illuminating both its shortcomings (how it echoes some of the assumptions in the development paradigms) and its promise as a way to rekindle community between humans as well as between humans and the other-than-human world.

Thoughts

This book was such a unique experience for me – it was an engaging and insightful look into phenomenological ethnography. For those of you who don’t know (as I didn’t when I started reading this book), phenomenology is the different ways in which we view the world. Our phenomenological understandings of our realities are shaped by culture, personal experience and spiritual considerations, amongst other things. Ethnographies, of which I have read a few, are anthropological texts. Ethnographies involve the author immersing themselves into another’s culture and life. Here they participate and observe at the same time, at once part of the group and separate.

I found this ethnography to be really theoretically engaging, and whilst I have read others, this is the one that left me thinking for a long time after I closed its pages. Not only did Apffel-Marglin open up a whole new realm of studies and theoretical points upon which to pursue my own research, it also introduced me to the world of agriculture in the Peruvian Andes. I loved the combination of scientific understandings and cultural knowledge in the care for these passionate people’s environment. And delving into such a wonderful blend of objective and subjective knowledges of the world struck a chord deep within me. So much so that I used this idea within my own Anthropological Honours thesis.

Not only was the subject matter of Subversive Spiritualties highly engaging, Apffel-Marglin’s writing style was incredibly engaging – you couldn’t help but be pulled into the world she so vividly describes. It was also highly appreciated that she was so aware of her own biases. It helped to highlight my own cultural biases and the ways in which our views of the world completely colour everything that we experience and see.

<- More non-fiction reviews More anthropology reviews ->
Image source: Amazon

The House of Hades by Rick Riordan

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Overview

The House of Hades

Title: The House of Hades
Author: Rick Riordan
Series: The Heroes of Olympus #4, Camp Half-Blood Chronicles #12
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading, Mythology, Urban Fantasy
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: Penguin
Year: 2013
5th sentence, 74th page: This one began leaping around the deck, stuffing things into a burlap bag – Piper’s dagger, Leo’s Wii controllers.

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Synopsis

A THOUSAND DEADLY MONSTERS. THREE BATTLING DEMIGODS. ONE FATAL DECISION.

Hazel looked behind Hecate at the middle gateway. She saw Percy and Annabeth sprawled helplessly before those black-and-silver doors. A massive dark shape, vaguely humanoid, now loomed over them, its foot raised as if to crush Percy.

‘What about them?’ Hazel asked, her voice ragged.
‘Percy and Annabeth?’
Hecate shrugged. ‘West, east or south… they die.’
‘Not an option,’ Hazel said.
‘Then you have only one path – and that’s the most dangerous of all…’

Thoughts

Riordan tried a new tack in this story – in that he split the storyline into two stories, running parallel in time. It effectively split the story into the well-known characters of Percy and Annabeth, and the new arrivals in the Percy-verse. This gave the story such a variety and flavour that it was hard not to continue to flip the pages late into the night.

Nico was so easy to relate to in the first books – at least for me. So having him take such a predominant place within The House of Hades was really exciting. It also made me feel like he finally had the potential to stop his wandering ways and find a home amongst the other Demigods. The feeling of Nico’s final acceptance is expanded when he finally reveals what has made him so removed from the others. It was a plot twist that I didn’t see coming – it took me completely by surprise. But, once I read the great reveal, I looked back on all of Nico’s past actions in a new light with a new understanding.

Although I love Annabeth and Percy’s journey, and thoroughly enjoy the fact that Nico seems to finally be finding his place amongst the others, it’s Frank’s journey that really pulls me in. His discomfort throughout the story at his identity as Ares’ / Mars’ son is tangible. His inability to understand how to take charge and fight throughout makes me think of a cuddly teddy bear. And this idea is reflected in the others’ views of him. But, his ability to harness his abilities and use his brain to fight the good fight were admirable. It is Frank that reminds me that brawn can be brains too. That the child of war can show the honourable side of such a battle.

<- The Mark of Athena Review The Blood of Olympus Review ->
Image source: Hypable

The Mark of Athena by Rick Riordan

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Overview

The Mark of Athena

Title: The Mark of Athena
Author: Rick Riordan
Series: The Heroes of Olympus #3, Camp Half-Blood Chronicles #11
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading, Mythology, Urban Fantasy
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: Penguin
Year: 2012
5th sentence, 74th page: Let’s go see what that means.

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Synopsis

ONE FATAL PROPHECY. SEVEN BRAVE DEMIGODS. A QUEST TO FIND – AND CLOSE – THE DOORS OF DEATH.

Annabeth and her friends Piper, Jason and Leo have landed at Camp Jupiter with one mission in mind. The time has come for Roman and Greek demigods to unite. With Percy Jackson, hazel and Frank by their side, they must combine forces to find – and close – the Doors of Death.

But Annabeth is hiding a secret – a command from her mother, the goddess of war and wisdom: ‘Follow the Mark of Athena. Avenge me.‘ Annabeth is already risking her life… What more does Athena want her daughter to do?

Now the seven demigods must begin their quest across land and sea to Rome, but what will they have to sacrifice this time – and what unspeakable horrors await?

Thoughts

For me, The Mark of Athena was Annabeth’s story. She first had to test her pride and courage in Percy Jackson and the Battle of the Labyrinth, but it was this journey that really tested all that she was. Not only was she forced to strike out on her own and rely completely on her own skills, but Annabeth had a huge choice to make. Honour her mother’s wishes or save the others (and in the meantime, the world).

Not only is Annabeth faced with difficult decision after difficult decision, but, she is also forced to face her greatest fears and toughest challenges. If I hadn’t guessed it from the previous books, Annabeth is an incredibly strong and powerful young woman. And I think that it is this journey that forges her in fire. She comes out much stronger and more confident in her own abilities than before. Annabeth’s character and plight are a great way to remind us all that wisdom is sometimes the most powerful weapon of all. At least, that has always been my belief (or hope).

The parting between Percy and Annabeth after their recent reunion was particularly painful. It was wonderful to see the childhood crush of the previous series bloom into love at the beginning of The Heroes of Olympus series. the way that Percy plans for their future together was maybe one of the sweeter and more realistic aspects of a relationship that I have read. His inability to tell her about it because he was scared – well, that was far more realistic than anything else in the series. It is this love and reluctance to be separated again that gives us the strongest cliff hanger in the series. Well, I was certainly holding my breath and longing for the next book!

<- The Son of Neptune Review The House of Hades Review ->
Image source: Penguin

The Son of Neptune by Rick Riordan

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Overview

The Son of Neptune

Title: The Son of Neptune
Author: Rick Riordan
Series: The Heroes of Olympus #2, Camp Half-Blood Chronicles #10
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading, Mythology, Urban Fantasy
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: Penguin
Year: 2011
5th sentence, 74th page: She didn’t really believe in charms or fortune telling or ghosts.

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Synopsis

ONE CURSED DEMIGOD. TWO NEW HEROES. A QUEST TO UNLEASH THE GOD OF DEATH…

Percy Jackson, son of Poseidon, God of the Sea, has woken from a very deep sleep and come face to face with two snake-haired ladies who refuse to die.

But they’re the least of his problems. Because Percy finds himself at a camp for half-bloods, which doesn’t ring any bells for him. There’s just one name he remembers from his past. Annabeth.

Only one thing is certain – Percy’s questing days aren’t over. He and fellow demigods Frank and hazel must face the most important quest of all: the Prophecy of Seven. If they fail, it’s not just their camp at risk. Percy’s old life, the gods and the entire world might be destroyed…

Thoughts

The Son of Neptune reintroduces yet another one of my favourite characters from the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series. Nico completely plucked at my heartstrings throughout his story and his inability to fit in (even with children who tend to be misfits) made me feel some kind of kinship with him. He is still very dark and unhappy and has a layer of mystery surrounding him – it’s hard to tell whether he is on the side of the heroes, or willing to let the world fall.

The Son of Neptune rounds out the seven heroes that are supposed to save the world. With the addition of Hazel and Frank, the group is complete – not only in numbers, but also in personalities. Hazel is the complete opposite of both Annabeth and Piper – she is meek and has a very dark and troubled past. Contrastingly, Frank is gangly and very unsure of himself and his powers. They’re the cutest of the demigods (at least in my opinion). Contrasted against the others’ confidence and amazing abilities, the insecurities and ways in which they are just slightly more withdrawn from the world not only makes me want to hug them, but also makes their journeys of discovery so much more potent.

Paralleling Hazel’s past with Frank, Percy and Hazel’s quest provided two enthralling storylines that pulled me in. One was fast paced and almost impossible to predict what was going to happen, while the other was laden with foreshadowing and provided you with glimpses into the heroine’s insecurities.

Without giving much away, the idea that Death could be chained was fascinating. I’m sure that everyone has wanted to stop Death in its tracks – losing someone you love is incredibly painful. But, the realities of this are driven home throughout the story. Yes, Death could be cheated, but then even those that wanted the peace of death may be forced to come back. It was a great reminder that the beauty and importance of life is highlighted through the darkness of death.

<- The Lost Hero Review The Mark of Athena Review ->
Image source: The Gold Journal

The Lost Hero by Rick Riordan

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Overview

The Lost Hero

Title: The Lost Hero
Author: Rick Riordan
Series: The Heroes of Olympus #1, Camp Half-Blood Chronicles #9
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading, Mythology, Urban Fantasy
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: Penguin
Year: 2010
5th sentence, 74th page: Beckendorf and Percy Jackson blew up a cruise ship full of monsters.

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Synopsis

OLD ENEMIES AWAKEN AS CAMP HALF-BLOOD’S NEW ARRIVALS PREPARE FOR WAR.

When Jason, Piper and Leo crash-land at Camp Half-Blood, they have no idea what to expect. Apparently this is the only safe place for children of the Greek gods – despite the monsters roaming the woods and demigods practising archery with flaming arrows and explosives.

But rumours of a terrible curse – and a missing hero – are flying around camp. It seems Jason, Piper and Leo are the chosen ones who must embark on a terrifying new quest, which must be completed by the winter solstice. In just four days’ time.

Can the trio succeed on this deadly mission – and what must they sacrifice in order to survive?

Thoughts

I loved delving into the world of Percy Jackson and Annabeth Chase again. For someone with an obsession with reading, Greek mythology and fantasy, this series is definitely one that has me coming back again and again – so the expansion of the Percy Jackson verse was kind of exciting. Plus, it begins a journey that is way more intense and epic than Percy Jackson and the Olympians.

The Lost Hero introduces three new key characters to the Percy Jackson verse – Piper, Leo and Jason. And, honestly, it is a tie between whether I love Piper or Annabeth more. Piper is the daughter of love and as such, feels kind of useless and insignificant. But, throughout the tale, she proves again and again and again the power of such an emotion. She isn’t the meek, vain girl that is expected, but a power in her own right. Her journey to discovering her own strength while helping her comrades was so nice, and again, Riordan helped to remind us that we all have our own strengths and weaknesses, and in embracing them we can discover who we truly are.

Adding a slightly violence crazed satyr to the mix of powerful piper, lost Leo and forgetful Jason helped to add more flavour and humour to the story. His habit of yelling die and taking swings at potential enemies with his baseball bat was such a stark contrast to Grover that I couldn’t help but giggling. It also had me rereading the book a few times, if only to giggle at the slightly more inopportune moments of his violent emotions.

The conclusion of this story brings to light the Roman-Greek crossover throughout this series. I had wondered about the Roman side of the Gods while reading Percy Jackson and the Olympians, so finding out that this had been considered throughout the writing process was fun and interesting. And, as with his adaptation of the Greek Gods, very well thought out and engaging.

<- The Crown of PtolemyThe Son of Neptune ->

Image source: Wikia

The Last Olympian by Rick Riordan

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Overview

Percy Jackson and the Last Olympian

Title: Percy Jackson and the Last Olympian
Author: Rick Riordan
Series: Percy Jackson and the Olympians #5, Camp Half-Blood Chronicles #5
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading, Mythology, Urban Fantasy
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: Penguin
Year: 2009
5th sentence, 74th page: They are honorary council members.

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Synopsis

MOST PEOPLE GET PRESENTS ON THEIR SIXTEENTH BIRTHDAY. I GET A PROPHECY THAT COULD SAVE OR DESTROY THE WORLD.

That’s how it is when you’re the son of Poseidon, God of the Sea. According to an ancient prophecy, bad things will happen when I turn sixteen – because I’m the one who gets to decide the fate of the entire world. But no pressure.

This is the one where Kronos, Lord of the Titans, is beginning his attack on New York City, where Mount Olympus stands virtually unguarded. Oh, and the dreaded (and not to mention enormous) monster Typhon is also heading our way. So it’s me and forty of my demigod friends versus untold evil…

CAN PERCY STOP THE RAMPAGE OF THE TITANS, TO SAVE OLYMPUS – AND HIMSELF?

Thoughts

All through the Percy Jackson and the Olympians books, I was waiting with baited breath to see if Percy was, in fact, the child of the prophecy. Alright, I was fairly certain he was (after all, he is the hero of the series), but first there as Thalia, and then Nico. So you couldn’t be sure. Then I started reading Percy Jackson and the Last Olympian, and the final battle begins. And what an epic final battle it was!

The slow build up throughout the series and, even the book itself just placed everyone in place for their parts for the battle against the Titans (and Cronus). I really enjoyed (and was saddened by the fact) that, in spite of my expectations, there was a heavy death-toll taken in those final scenes. Like the Harry Potter series, it didn’t glorify the process of war, but rather showed the loss and damage that it can cause. Although, none of my favourite characters were lost, so I didn’t want to hurl the book away in depression (like I did with both the sixth and seventh Harry Potter books).

The entire Percy Jackson and the Olympians series tested Percy’s courage. But it was this final story that really put it to the test. I mean, he went up against the father of the gods for crying out loud! It also highlighted how his hubris could mean his downfall. Putting one’s loved ones before all else is, in theory, an honourable and desirable trait in someone. But when that has the potential to end the world… well, it is an interesting thought. It also made me wonder what my hubris would be.

Not to give anything away, but the final scene when Percy either triumphs or fails is wonderful. All along, you believe that you understand how the story will play out. Percy will fight Kronos, Percy will win, everyone is saved and happy. But, it doesn’t turn out like this. And I loved this! It is so much more fun when a book holds the power to shock and astound you.

<- The Battle of the Labyrinth Review The Son of Sobek Review ->
Image source: Wikia

The Battle of the Labyrinth by Rick Riordan

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Overview

Percy Jackson and the Battle of the Labyrinth

Title: Percy Jackson and the Battle of the Labyrinth
Author: Rick Riordan
Series: Percy Jackson and the Olympians #4, Camp Half-Blood Chronicles #4
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading, Mythology, Urban Fantasy
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: Penguin
Year: 2008
5th sentence, 74th page: He handed me a little silver tube.

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Synopsis

HONESTLY, BLOWING UP ANOTHER SCHOOL WAS THE LAST THING I WANTED TO DO.

As the son of a Greek god, I’ve had my share of near-death disaster. This summer, I didn’t choose to battle the cheerleading squad, but when two hissing she-devils with fangs are heading straight for you, what’s a half-blood meant to do?

That was just the beginning. This is the one where my arch-enemy, Luke, is looking for a way to invade our camp via an ancient labyrinth. If he succeeds, thousands of bloodthirsty monsters will attack. So it’s goodbye sunshine, hello darkness as four of us descend into the terrifying underground and beyond…

CAN PERCY NAVIGATE HIS WAY OUT OF TROUBLE – BEFORE LUKE’S ARMY BRING MASS DESTRUCTION TO CAMP HALF-BLOOD?

Thoughts

Annabeth quickly became a well-loved character as I delved into the world of Percy Jackson, so the introduction of her polar opposite and the deterioration of some of her stubborn confidence was a great change. For me, Percy Jackson and the Battle of the Labyrinth was more about Annabeth than any of the preceding books. And finding more out about such a unique, smart and strong young woman was thoroughly enjoyable.

Rachel Dare, as Annabeth’s polar opposite helped to create friction in the developing relationship between Percy and Annabeth. This, combined with the fact that she is Annabeth’s polar opposite, makes her a very engaging and interesting character. Her slightly quirky character helped to further pull me towards her as a player within the unfolding journey of Percy and Annabeth.

The Minotaur, as a well-known Greek villain, was present within the first Percy Jackson tale. But this time, we were able to delve into the story of his creation and his imprisonment – the Labyrinth. When I first read the title of the book, I was confused as to how Riordan would create a modern version of such an archaic structure – a giant, underground maze in which people were ritually trapped and killed. His use of the streets and sewers of America was kind of a terrifying idea. And it worked brilliantly. Overlaying the two worlds onto one another is an amazing talent of Riordan’s, and there is only one other author that I truly appreciated for this ability.

The final discovery of Pan and the death of nature himself provided a powerful ecological message – we must take it within ourselves to care for nature and the world around us. Not only for its beauty, but also for its necessity within our own survival and health.

<- The Titan’s Curse Review The Last Olympian Review ->
Image source: Penguin