Tag Archives: Rick Riordan

The Lightning Thief ReRead by Rick Riordan

March 10, 2025Book ReviewGreek Mythology, Mythology, Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Rick Riordanskyebjenner

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

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 Riordan

The Sea of Monsters ->

Image source: Penguin

The Crown of Ptolemy by Rick Riordan

August 25, 2023Book ReviewCamp Half-Blood Chronicles, Easy Reading, Egyptian mythology, Greek Mythology, Mythology, Percy Jackson and the Kane Chronicles Crossover, Rick Riordan, Young Adultskyebjenner

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

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 Serapis

The Lost Hero ->

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

The Staff of Serapis by Rick Riordan

June 3, 2023Book ReviewCamp Half-Blood Chronicles, Easy Reading, Egyptian mythology, Greek Mythology, Mythology, Percy Jackson and the Kane Chronicles Crossover, Rick Riordan, Young Adultskyebjenner

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

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 Sobek

The Crown of Ptolemy ->

Image source: Penguin Books Australia

The Son of Sobek by Rick Riordan

June 2, 2023Book ReviewCamp Half-Blood Chronicles, Easy Reading, Egyptian mythology, Greek Mythology, Mythology, Percy Jackson and the Kane Chronicles Crossover, Rick Riordan, Young Adultskyebjenner

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

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 Olympian

The Staff of Serapis ->

Image source: Penguin Books Australia

9 from the Nine Worlds by Rick Riordan

April 10, 2020Book ReviewEasy Reading, Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard, Norse Mythology, Rick Riordan, Urban Fantasyskyebjenner

Image result for book cover 9 from the nine worlds

Title: 9 from the Nine Worlds
Author: Rick Riordan
Series: Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard Companion
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading, Norse mythology, Urban fantasy
Dates read: 8th March 2020
Pace: Slow
Format: Collection
Publisher: Disney Hyperion
Year: 2018
5th sentence, 74th page: I faced the inside of the V so I could keep an eye on the harp and the giant.

How well do you know the nine Norse Realms?

Do you get all those heims mixed up? Well, this collection of rollicking short stories – each set in a different world and told by a different character from the Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard series – will help straighten you out. And even if it doesn’t, you’ll enjoy reading about how Alex saves Amir’s pants, Samirah plucks a giant’s harp, Mallory teaches a dragon how to throw down insults, and much more. Just watch out for Thor, who is running through the whole thing and raising quite a stink.

This was such a nice way to round out the end of the Magnus Chase series. It’s not the ending perse, just a way to revisit all of the characters after Magnus and Loki’s final, epic battle. You get to go on a journey through each of the nine worlds with nine different, well loved characters. As I said, a nice, easy way to round out the series.

This story kind of reads like a bit of an epilogue. It tells you of the adventures that the secondary characters all have after they’ve postponed Ragnarök. I like that although the end of the world has been postponed, these characters are still constantly fighting little battles. Finding a way to carve out a better reality for themselves as they live out their (mostly) immortal lives.

I think that one of the reasons I’ve loved the Magnus Chase series so thoroughly is the fact that it has a hugely diverse set of characters. They’re part of the LGBTQI community, or the Muslim community… or… well, there are a number of minorities represented in this story. And they’re actually the ones that feature within this book. Not the lead, but all of those fantastic secondary characters that are a great way to bring acceptance and understanding into peoples’ lives.

<- Hotel Valhalla

The Sword of Summer ->

Image source: Amazon

The Last Olympian: The Graphic Novel by Rick Riordan and Robert Venditti

March 30, 2020Book ReviewGraphic Novels, Greek Mythology, Percy Jackson and the Olympians - The Graphic Novels, Rick Riordan, Robert Venditti, Urban Fantasyskyebjenner

Image result for the last olympian graphic novel book cover

Title: The Last Olympian: The Graphic Novel
Author: Rick Riordan & Robert Venditti
Series: Percy Jackson and the Olympians – The Graphic Novels #5
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Graphic novels, Greek mythology, Urban fantasy
Dates read: 21st February 2020
Pace: Fast
Format: Graphic novel
Publisher: Disney Hyperion
Year: 2019
5th sentence, 74th page: The fire-stealer guy?

The end is near.

War is upon the half-bloods as they prepare for battle against the Titans, knowing that the odds of victory are grim. Kronos’s army is stronger than ever, and with every god and half-blood he recruits, the evil Titan’s power only grows.

While the Olympians struggle to contain the rampaging monster Typhon, Kronos begins his advance on New York City, where Mount Olympus stands virtually unguarded. Now it’s up to Percy Jackson and an army of young demigods to stop the Lord of Time.

Except Percy is running out of time as the long-awaited prophecy surrounding his sixteenth birthday finally unfolds. And as the battle for Western civilization rages on the streets of Manhattan, Percy faces a terrifying suspicion that he may be fighting against his own fate.

I already knew what was going to happen in this story – I’ve read the novel that it was based on. But it was still beautiful and stunning. Almost impossible to forget. There is just something so beautiful about this graphic novel. It’s a lot lighter than some of the graphic novels that I tend to read. It’s also great to see a graphic novel interpretation that actually envisions things like I did. It didn’t ruin my perceptions by being something so totally different.

Spending the night reading this graphic novel made me want to go to my shelves and grab yet another Rick Riordan novel. I kind of need to finish / start the Kane Chronicles, so it’s definitely something that is insanely tempting… but I probably need to finish some of the series that I have already started.

I found the Last Olympian novel a bit of a darker storyline than the rest of the series. Yet, somehow, this was quite a nice, light book. Both in the gorgeous colours and the way that the storyline is set out. The more horrible parts don’t take up a large portion of the storyline, but they do still feature. In a way that makes the tale a little more uplifting and bright than what I was expecting.

This was a great, easy finish to the graphic novel adaptations. It was a good way to spend an hour just drifting back into an amazing world that I’m not all that keen on leaving most of the time.

<- The Battle of the Labyrinth Review

The Lightning Thief Review ->

Image source: Riordan Wiki-Fandom

The Ship of the Dead by Rick Riordan

March 16, 2020Book ReviewEasy Reading, Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard, Norse Mythology, Rick Riordan, Urban Fantasyskyebjenner

Image result for book cover the ship of the dead

Title: Magnus Chase and the Ship of the Dead
Author: Rick Riordan
Series: Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard #3
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading, Norse mythology, Urban fantasy
Dates read: 3rd – 11th February 2020
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: Puffin Books
Year: 2017
5th sentence, 74th page: My ears still rang from the weird music.

My name is Magnus Chase. These days, I’m one of Odin’s immortal warriors, but that doesn’t stop people trying to kill me all the time.

Loki the trickster god is free from his chains. He’s put together a crew of giants and zombies to sail Naglfar, the Ship of the Dead, in a battle against the Norse gods. If he succeeds, the final battle of Ragnarok will extinguish all the worlds.

With help from Percy Jackson and my cousin Annabeth, and with friends by my side, I have to sail across the oceans to reach Naglfar before Midsummer’s Day. The only problems are the angry sea gods, hostile giants and evil fire-breathing dragon in the way.

But even if we survive the journey I’ll need more than just Jack, my talking sword, to beat Loki. I must find a magical elixir so deadly that it will either make me powerful enough to defeat Loki and put him back in chains for good… or destroy me entirely.

This is a great ending to a really good, fun series. I love that Riordan deals with outsiders in all of his series. But, in particular, I love that this series ends with a gender fluid person finding their happily ever after. Plus, it does explain a lot about the different “outsiders”, not just through Alex and their gender identity, but also with a great Muslim character who is devout, sweet and quite capable of kicking everyone’s butt.

Sam’s participation in Ramadan is a great storyline. There is so much fear and superstition against Muslims, so featuring a pretty major practice for this religion in a very well-loved character was brilliant. I actually wished more children’s books would feature people of different faiths, religions and identities. It’s definitely something I could have done more with as a child. And it’s a great way to help the next generation become far more accepting of differences.

Although this is the final, epic battle of the series. It really wasn’t the epic battle that I was expecting. I was expecting something with a lot of gunfire, violence and just plain, old insanity. It wasn’t like that. It was a much more entertaining, funny and unique way to stop the end of the world. All in the company of a giant boat coloured like a banana… something that had me laughing out loud repeatedly throughout this story.

The Ship of the Dead might be the conclusion to the Magnus Chase series, it’s not the end of this greater adventure that Riordan has been taking us all on. Actually, the end chapter of this dovetails perfectly into The Trials of Apollo and, luckily… that is sitting on my shelf. Just waiting to be picked up.

<- The Hammer of Thor

Hotel Valhalla ->

Image source: Toppsta

The Battle of the Labyrinth – the Graphic Novel by Rick Riordan & Robert Venditti

August 4, 2019Book ReviewGraphic Novels, Greek Mythology, Percy Jackson and the Olympians - The Graphic Novels, Rick Riordan, Robert Venditti, Urban Fantasyskyebjenner

Image result for the battle of the labyrinth graphic novel book cover

Title: The Battle of the Labyrinth – the Graphic Novel
Author: Rick Riordan & Robert Venditti
Series: Percy Jackson and the Olympians – the Graphic Novels #4
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Graphic novels, Greek mythology, Urban fantasy
Dates read: 28th June – 4th July 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Graphic novel
Publisher: Puffin
Year: 2018
5th sentence, 74th page: That’s why the Titans’ army is after it.

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 – and now my arch-enemy Luke wants to invade 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…

It took me a little longer to get into this graphic novel than the first three in the series. I don’t know if it’s maybe because I just didn’t originally like this storyline as much (it mostly just sets up the final battle), or if I picked it up at an inconvenient time. But, regardless, it took me a fair bit longer to read than a graphic novel usually would. Although, once I got past the first part / chapter, I didn’t stop.

There was a lot of information in the original novel, and a lot that was missed out in the graphic novel. But Venditti and Riordan managed to work this perfectly. I didn’t feel like important aspects were skipped out on, but rather, wondered why I enjoyed them so much in the novel. There was a great flow and pace to the storyline as you sink into the depths of the labyrinth and hope for the best with Percy and all his friends.

One of the parts of this graphic novel that stuck with me was the panels which showed Annabeth, Percy, Grover and Tyson walking through the labyrinth. Each panel has a different background to the characters and I thought that this showed the tricky, everchanging nature of the labyrinth perfectly.

<- The Titan’s Curse – The Graphic Novel Review

The Last Olympian – The Graphic Novel Review ->

Image source: Penguin NZ

Percy Jackson: The Ultimate Guide by Rick Riordan

July 17, 2019Book ReviewEasy Reading, Greek Mythology, Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Rick Riordan, Urban Fantasyskyebjenner

Image result for percy jackson the ultimate guide book cover

Title: Percy Jackson: The Ultimate Guide
Author: Rick Riordan
Series: Percy Jackson & the Olympians Companion
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading, Greek mythology, Urban fantasy
Dates read: 5th – 14th June 2019
Pace: Slow
Format: Collection
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion
Year: 2010
5th sentence, 74th page: The symbol of Hades is a helmet which helped him to stay invisible.

It’s the handbook no half-blood should be without: a fully illustrated, in-depth guide to gods, monsters, and all things Percy. This novelty companion to the best-selling series comes complete with trading cards, full-color diagrams, and maps, all packaged in a handy, “manual-size” POB with a crisp, magnetic flap enclosure.

This is a quick, easy read. A great little companion to the rest of the Percy Jackson series, but not one that I’m likely to want to pick up again and again. It was just a cute little overview of Greek mythology. And since I’ve read many other books on the Greek pathos, this was a little too PG for my tastes.

The pictures and fun little cards at the beginning of the book helped to completely immerse yourself in the world that Riordan wanted to take me to. I used to love books that acted as a how-to guides, ones that helped you think the storyline was real. That it was completely plausible and possible that these gods, beasts and creatures walk among us every day.

Although I really enjoyed reading this book, there really isn’t much to say about it. It’s one of those experiences that makes you smile, but you won’t remember forever. Which is good, because in years to come, I can pick this up again and enjoy the experience all over again.

<- The Demigods of Olympus Review

The Lightning Thief Review ->

Image source: Amazon

The Titan’s Curse – the Graphic Novel by Rick Riordan & Robert Venditti

July 7, 2019Book ReviewGraphic Novels, Greek Mythology, Percy Jackson and the Olympians - The Graphic Novels, Rick Riordan, Robert Venditti, Urban Fantasyskyebjenner

Image result for the titan's curse graphic novel book cover

Title: Percy Jackson and the Titan’s Curse – the Graphic Novel
Author: Rick Riordan & Robert Venditti
Series: Percy Jackson and the Olympians – the Graphic Novels #3
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Graphic novels, Greek mythology, Urban fantasy
Dates read: 27th May – 6th June 2019
Pace: Fast
Format: Graphic novel
Publisher: Puffin
Year: 2013
5th sentence, 74th page: Bianca is gone.

IT’S NOT EVERY DAY YOU FIND YOURSELF IN COMBAT WITH A HALF-LION, HALF-HUMAN.

But when you’re the son of a Greek god, it happens. And now my friend Annabeth is missing, a goddess is in chains and only five half-blood heroes can join the quest to defeat the doomsday monster.

Oh and guess what. The Oracle has predicted that not all of us will survive…

I felt like there was a little more information left out of this graphic novel adaptation than past ones. Although, since this is the book that really starts to set up the final battle, that really wasn’t very surprising. And, the parts that they left out and glossed over really didn’t affect the way in which the storyline actually moved forwards. Which, all in all, didn’t leave me feeling too disappointed.

Like the first two graphic novel adaptations, the drawings in this were exquisite. They showed almost exactly what I had picture in my mind’s eye. It really wasn’t hard to be swept away in the story all over again.

Although I have read the novel, I love the fact that there was a big enough gap between my readings that it almost felt like I was reading the story all over again. My only real disappointment was that it was over so quickly…

<- The Sea of Monsters – the Graphic Novel Review

The Battle of the Labyrinth – the Graphic Novel Review ->

Earth and Skye

The ramblings of a bibliophile.

Tag Archives: Rick Riordan

The Lightning Thief ReRead by Rick Riordan

The Crown of Ptolemy by Rick Riordan

The Staff of Serapis by Rick Riordan

The Son of Sobek by Rick Riordan

9 from the Nine Worlds by Rick Riordan

The Last Olympian: The Graphic Novel by Rick Riordan and Robert Venditti

The Ship of the Dead by Rick Riordan

The Battle of the Labyrinth – the Graphic Novel by Rick Riordan & Robert Venditti

Image source: Penguin NZ

Percy Jackson: The Ultimate Guide by Rick Riordan

Image source: Amazon

The Titan’s Curse – the Graphic Novel by Rick Riordan & Robert Venditti

Image source: Amazon