Rick Riordan

My Top Ten Auto-buy Authors

/ Riot @ Absidity Art - Sarah Fairbairn / 1 Comment

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Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly feature created by The Broke and the Bookish.

This week’s Top Ten Tuesday is Top Ten Of Your Auto-buy Authors.

 I’ve managed to read more books this year than ever before, but I could only come up with 6 authors. So far in my entire life I’ve read about 300 books. Some of you out there read that number in a year. I got into this game late, which is a mistake I will not let my son make. I’ve read over 100 of those 300 books this year! So yes I’m not all that “well read”, but I’m working on it furiously. I didn’t read much when I was younger, I didn’t do well in school, I didn’t play many video games, I just didn’t have the attention span for any of it. I couldn’t sit still. I’d get home from school, eat some food while watching some cartons, then I’d go to my room, turn my stereo up as loud as it would go and dance around my room until I was tired enough to sleep. You’ll still find me doing this on the weekends when I need to de-stress, my two year old son thinks it’s fantastic and joins in.

Ok so I got off topic there, but sometimes I feel more than a little unknowledgeable. But I guess we’ve all different in this community and we all bring something different to the table. Even though I can’t come up with the content for each weeks Top Ten every time, I still love reading all your Top Ten’s and finding new books to add to my ever growing TBR.

So without further ado here is my list.

Leigh Hutton(1) Leigh Hutton. I’d buy any of Leigh’s books regardless what it was about. I think Leigh is an awesome woman and have really enjoyed reading her Girl Power filled YA books.22031265

Rick Riordan

(2) Rick Riordan. Totally buy anything if it’s Percy Jackson related. I have actually got two of his adult books but haven’t got around to reading them yet.12127810
Lee Child

(3) Lee child. So far the only work I’ve come across of Child’s is his Jack Reacher series which I love. I’d be willing to give another series a go if Child ever runs out of Reacher content. The series is 24 books strong, but Reacher is getting on in years – so who knows.

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J.K. Rowling

(4) J.K. Rowling. Totally buy anything if it’s Harry Potter related. If she was to come up with another YA/MG world I would give it ago. I haven’t read any of her adult books, yet!22842001

Amanda Hocking

(5) Amanda Hocking. I have really enjoyed everything I’ve read by Amanda and If I haven’t read it, It is sitting on my self to be read.

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(6) LOCAL! I’m a proud Novocastrian (person from Newcastle). See we’re so special they have a name for us :-P. localsRecently I decided to start finding books by people from or living in Newie, Lake Mac, Hunter Valley and the central coast and buying their books. Obviously I’m only going to buy the ones that appeal to me, ones that I want to read.

These are the ones I’ve purchased so far. Trinity Doyle / Kaz Delaney / Lizzie Wilcock / Susan Whelan I have more on my list that I want to buy, but sadly I need to eat.

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Top Ten Authors I’ve Read The Most Books From

/ Riot @ Absidity Art - Sarah Fairbairn / 2 Comments

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Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly feature created by The Broke and the Bookish.

This week’s Top Ten Tuesday is: Top Ten Authors I’ve Read The Most Books From.

Rick Riordan

Thirteen books Read by Rick Riordan. All of them Percy Jackson related in some way :-).

John Marsden

Twelve books Read by John Marsden. Ten of those books related to Tomorrow When The War Begun (the original seven in the series and the spin off Ellie trilogy).

Amanda Hocking Eleven books Read by Amanda Hocking. Mainly her ten part graphic novel series. I’ve now completed my collection of her trilogies Trylle and Kanin Chronicles and am looking forward to reading them.

Lee Child

Ten books Read by Lee child. All Jack Reacher Novels. I’m looking forward to reading the other fourteen.

Robert Kirkman

Nine books Read by Robert Kirkman. I made it Nine books into the Walking dead. I enjoyed it. I think Kirkman is brilliant. But zombies really aren’t my thing.

J.K. Rowling

Eight books Read by J.K. Rowling. All Harry Potter related. Hands up who’d love a Young Padfoot or from Neville’s point of view spin off >ME<.

Stephenie Meyer

Seven books Read by Stephenie Meyer. You meanies can bag her out all you like, I LOVED The Host and I credit the Twilight Saga with getting me into reading again! So Bite Me!

C.S. Lewis

Seven books Read by C.S. Lewis. Narnia! Every cupboard or closet I open I still hope to find Narnia!

Katherine Applegate

Six-ish books read by Katherine Applegate. Animorphs, I know I read some as a kid, but I don’t know which ones. I’m in the process of reading the series from start to finish and am currently reading number Six.

Douglas Adams

Six books Read by Douglas Adams. Mainly the trilogy in five parts; The Hitchhikers Guide To The Galaxy. So long and thanks for all the fish.

The Blood of Olympus (The Heroes of Olympus #5) by Rick Riordan

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Synopsis:

Though the Greek and Roman crewmembers of the Argo II have made progress in their many quests, they still seem no closer to defeating the earth mother, Gaea. Her giants have risen—all of them—and they’re stronger than ever. They must be stopped before the Feast of Spes, when Gaea plans to have two demigods sacrificed in Athens. She needs their blood—the blood of Olympus—in order to wake.

The demigods are having more frequent visions of a terrible battle at Camp Half-Blood. The Roman legion from Camp Jupiter, led by Octavian, is almost within striking distance. Though it is tempting to take the Athena Parthenos to Athens to use as a secret weapon, the friends know that the huge statue belongs back on Long Island, where it “might” be able to stop a war between the two camps.

The Athena Parthenos will go west; the Argo II will go east. The gods, still suffering from multiple personality disorder, are useless. How can a handful of young demigods hope to persevere against Gaea’s army of powerful giants? As dangerous as it is to head to Athens, they have no other option. They have sacrificed too much already. And if Gaea wakes, it is game over.

 My Thoughts:

The seven demigods of the prophecy Percy, Annabeth, Jason, Leo, Piper, Hazel, and Frank are going on their final adventure to defeat Gaea, while Nico, Reyna and Coach Hedge attempt to bring the Athena Parthenos to Camp Half-Blood  – Ok, awesome high action and high-jinx to come – Right?

What I was hoping to get out of this final instalment, keeping in mind I’ve invested ten books worth of emotion into this world of Riordan’s:

  • More of Reyna.
  • Nico coming out.
  • Percy being awesome and he and Annabeth living happily ever after.
  • Leo recusing Calypso.
  • An Epic finale.
  • Camp Half-Blood and Camp Jupiter staying separate, but forming a truce and maybe even hinting at inter camp events later on.

The Blood of Olympus is the fifth and final book in The Heroes of Olympus series and the Tenth book if we look at it as one massive Percy Jackson Demigod Olympus saga, Which I Do.

The Blood of Olympus is fast paced and quick to get into the action. The last instalment definitely doesn’t disappoint on action and suspense. It has all the Riordan elements and style I have come to love, even if the Percy awesomeness is a little light (more on that later). We get monster battling and butt kicking, parental god drama, sibling rivalry, bromances and sister hoods forming.

In the five Percy Jackson and the Olympians books Percy was the viewpoint character, The Heroes of Olympus books swap chapter by chapter between the seven demigods of the prophecy. In Blood of Olympus the chapters are from the perspectives of Jason, Piper, Leo, Reyna and Nico, making this book the first time in the series that someone other than one of the seven demigods of the prophecy are the viewpoint character.

So whoop whoop we got plenty of Reyna as she was a viewpoint character – it was awesome I loved being in Reyna a Nico’s heads.

BUT I really missed Percy’s voice. It began with him and I wanted it to end with him. I was totally fine with another demigod saving the day (I love the others too), but I wanted to hear it or rather read it from Percy – major let down.

I was getting quite agitated at one stage when it felt like the book was turning into a bag-out-Percy-a-thon. I felt that maybe a few of Piper or Jason’s chapters could have been given to Percy and it would have made me love the book 100% – Like there was a really sweet scene between Percy and Annabeth, but it was from the perspective of Piper – Seriously, give me some insite into that Seaweed Brain.

Nico finds his place in the end and intends to stay on at Camp Half-Blood. He even opens up and tells Percy about the crush he had harboured for years. I was really nice to see Nico finally at peace with himself.

Leo, that adorable lil Latino and Festus his super-awesome-mechanical-bronze-save-the-day-dragon, Yes! Festus is back! And together they kick dirt mother butt (with help from Piper and Jason) and rescue Calypso from her island prison. Gods Yeah Leo!!!!

In the end a friendship is formed between Camp Half-blood and Camp Jupiter, where weekend visits and inter camp exchanges take place and they band together in times of need etc. So it’s a queasy-cheesy-happily-ever-after that all the demigods deserve.

It leaves me imagining old Percy and Annabeth in New Rome with grandkids running amuck as Percy stirs them up.

OR Leo and Calypso, exploring the world before returning to camp half-blood year’s later to accidently (and to everyone’s glee) gate crash Piper and Jason’s wedding.

4.5 stars because Leo is so Awesome, but it lost the 0.5 because there wasn’t enough Percy.

What I’ve Read So Far

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Here is a recap of the books I’ve managed to read and review so far this year 🙂

Books Read in 2014 =

January:

  1. The Last Olympian (Percy Jackson and the Olympians #5) by Rick Riordan (My Review http://wp.me/p431Gp-3x )
  2. The Demigod Diaries (The Heroes of Olympus) by Rick Riordan (My Review http://wp.me/p431Gp-44 )
  3. Tripwire (Jack Reacher #3) by Lee Child (My Review http://wp.me/p431Gp-4u )
  4. The Lost Hero (The Heroes of Olympus #1) by Rick Riordan (My Review http://wp.me/p431Gp-50 )
  5. The Visitor (Jack Reacher #4) by Lee Child (My Review http://wp.me/p431Gp-5U )
  6. The Son of Neptune (The Heroes of Olympus #2) by Rick Riordan (My Review http://wp.me/p431Gp-66 )
  7. The Son of Sobek (Percy Jackson & Kane Chronicles Crossover #1) by Rick Riordan (My Review http://wp.me/431Gp )

February:

  1. The Mark of Athena (The Heroes of Olympus #3) by Rick Riordan (My Review http://wp.me/p431Gp-6E )
  2. Midnight Sun (Twilight #1.5) by Stephenie Meyer (My Review http://wp.me/p431Gp-6y )
  3. The Enemy (Jack Reacher #8) by Lee Child (My Review http://wp.me/p431Gp-6R )
  4. Harry Potter – Three Short Stories by Bruce T Forbes
  5. Take Me To Your Reader: An Otherworld Anthology by Amy A. Bartol, Tammy Blackwell, Amanda Havard, Heather Hildenbrand, Tiffany King, C.A. Kunz, Sarah M. Ross, Raine Thomas (My Review http://wp.me/p431Gp-7b )
  6. Here Among The Ruins by Regina Puckett (my Review http://wp.me/p431Gp-6K )
  7. Day Trips to Narnia by Bruce T. Forbes
  8. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
  9. Mr. Darcy’s Diary by Amanda Grange (My Review http://wp.me/p431Gp-7F )

March:

  1. The House of Hades (The Heroes of Olympus #4) by Rick Riordan (My Review http://wp.me/p431Gp-7L )
  2. Casting Shadows Everywhere by L.T. Vargus (My Review http://wp.me/p431Gp-8d )
  3. Salvation by A.M.C. (My Review http://wp.me/p431Gp-8J )
  4. Smashwords Style Guide by Mark Coker
  5. Delta Force Vampire: Insurgency by Alex Shaw (My Review http://wp.me/p431Gp-9m )

April:

  1. Lust & Longing: A Collection of Erotic Shorts by Charity Parkerson
  2. Dementional by Tonya Cannariato (My Review http://wp.me/p431Gp-9z )
  3. Words by Robert Zimmermann
  4. Time Shifters by Shanna Lauffey (My Review http://wp.me/p431Gp-at )
  5. Vaempires: Revolution By Thomas Winship (My Review http://wp.me/p431Gp-aN )
  6. Fifty First Times: A New Adult Anthology
  7. Now You Shall Know – Newcastle Poetry Prize 2013 Anthology
  8. Thunderhead by Douglas Preston & Lincoln Child (My Review http://wp.me/p431Gp-bc )
  9. Speak of the Devil by Shawna Romkey (My Review http://wp.me/p431Gp-bz )

The House of Hades (Heroes of Olympus)

/ Riot @ Absidity Art - Sarah Fairbairn / 2 Comments

The House of Hades (Heroes of Olympus) by Rick Riordan

Goodreads Synopsis:

At the conclusion of The Mark of Athena, Annabeth and Percy tumble into a pit leading straight to the Underworld. The other five demigods have to put aside their grief and follow Percy’s instructions to find the mortal side of the Doors of Death. If they can fight their way through the Gaea’s forces, and Percy and Annabeth can survive the House of Hades, then the Seven will be able to seal the Doors both sides and prevent the giants from raising Gaea. But, Leo wonders, if the Doors are sealed, how will Percy and Annabeth be able to escape?

They have no choice. If the demigods don’t succeed, Gaea’s armies will never die. They have no time. In about a month, the Romans will march on Camp Half-Blood. The stakes are higher than ever in this adventure that dives into the depths of Tartarus.

My Thoughts as a Fangirl:

I LOOOOVED IT!!!! I finished reading this book a few days ago and haven’t been able to bring myself to review it. I don’t know how to do this book justice. This book is brilliant. Well done Mr Riordan, you are awesome. I was thrown into a state of emotional shock and haven’t been able to pick up another book and move on yet. In the Heroes of Olympus series this is the fourth book, but if you read the whole Percy Jackson Saga it’s the Ninth. Please Mr Riordan get that final book out as fast as you can, I NEED it. I think I’ll have to reread ‘house of hades’ a few times between now and August to hold myself together.

My Thoughts as an adult (with a son who will be introduced to these books when he is the right age):

Thank You. Thank you for giving us heroes who deserve to be heroes. Thank you for giving us heroes from different backgrounds. THANK YOU for giving us heroes who have been pigeonholed as naughty kids. Heroes that are dyslexic and have ADHD. And THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart for giving us a homosexual male hero, who is uncomfortable in his own skin and who feels he doesn’t fit it or belong. If more authors were to slip these things into their books, hidden so well the way you have the world would be a better place.

The story was full of action, adventure, love and accepting the truth. Enemies had to come together and new friends were made. There was comic relief in the form of Bob the titan and Little Bob the cat, which was needed after the intense maturing all the characters go through. A definite pleaser for teen or adult. There were struggles overcome and every one of the heroes shined and came into their own. Riordan has given us heroes to be proud of, all with different talents, all using them working together for the greater good.

Five Stars. Bring on the final instalment!

The Mark of Athena

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The Mark of Athena (Heroes of Olympus) by Rick Riordan

Goodreads Synopsis:

Annabeth is terrified. Just when she’s about to be reunited with Percy—after six months of being apart, thanks to Hera—it looks like Camp Jupiter is preparing for war. As Annabeth and her friends Jason, Piper, and Leo fly in on the Argo II, she can’t blame the Roman demigods for thinking the ship is a Greek weapon. With its steaming bronze dragon masthead, Leo’s fantastical creation doesn’t appear friendly. Annabeth hopes that the sight of their praetor Jason on deck will reassure the Romans that the visitors from Camp Half-Blood are coming in peace.

And that’s only one of her worries. In her pocket Annabeth carries a gift from her mother that came with an unnerving demand: Follow the Mark of Athena. Avenge me. Annabeth already feels weighed down by the prophecy that will send seven demigods on a quest to find—and close—the Doors of Death. What more does Athena want from her?

Annabeth’s biggest fear, though, is that Percy might have changed. What if he’s now attached to Roman ways? Does he still need his old friends? As the daughter of the goddess of war and wisdom, Annabeth knows she was born to be a leader, but never again does she want to be without Seaweed Brain by her side.

Narrated by four different demigods, The Mark of Athena is an unforgettable journey across land and sea to Rome, where important discoveries, surprising sacrifices, and unspeakable horrors await. Climb aboard the Argo II, if you dare….

My Thoughts:

You’d think what with four different demigods narrating the story it would get a bit confusing, but even though the story keeps jumping between the characters Riordan manages to make it flow so that you don’t get lost. I think if you weren’t familiar with the story and hadn’t followed the whole series you may find this the third instalment rather overwhelming with so much going on. The extreme pace and non-stop action of the story propels you forward, the story races over the pages. I’m only dropping it to Four stars instead of Five because in places I felt like some events got rushed as Riordan was trying to fit so much in. The hard work for our favourite demigods has only just begun! Unfortunately the story ends and the cliff-hanger with Percy and Annabeth will have you racing out to get the next book (the House of Hades).

I will add though that I really missed Tyson and Mrs O’Leary, their presence always warms my heart, I am rather hopping we will see them back again in the last book (The Blood of Olympus) for the final battle.

Four out of Five Stars – Bring on the House of Hades!!

The Son of Sobek

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The Son of Sobek by Rick Riordan

Goodreads Synopsis:

In this e-book short story, Carter Kane is investigating rumoured sightings of a monster on Long Island when he runs into something else: a mysterious boy named Percy Jackson. And their meeting isn’t exactly friendly. . . .

My Thoughts:

I haven’t read the three books in the Kane Chronicles but I am a Percy Jackson Fan. I found The Son of Sobek to be a Percy Jackson & Kane Chronicles short story mash up – which I quite liked. I needed a quick Percy fix and this did it, even though Carter was the narrator. It’s a fast paced, quick story to read and I would highly recommend it to any Carter Kane or Percy Jackson fan! Both Carter and Percy can tell that they are not from the same worlds but they come to an understudying, they come to a truce to fight a common foe (a monster) and at the end Riordan seems to be setting up what could be a very interesting and entertaining coming together of the Carter Kane and Percy Jackson worlds.

Four out of Five Stars.

The Son of Neptune (The Heroes of Olympus #2)

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The Son of Neptune (The Heroes of Olympus #2) by Rick Riordan

Goodreads Synopsis:

Seven half-bloods shall answer the call, To storm or fire the world must fall. An oath to keep with a final breath, And foes bear arms to the Doors of Death.

Percy is confused. When he awoke from his long sleep, he didn’t know much more than his name. His brain fuzz is lingering, even after the wolf Lupa told him he is a demigod and trained him to fight with the pen/sword in his pocket. Somehow Percy manages to make it to a camp for half-bloods, despite the fact that he has to keep killing monsters along the way. But the camp doesn’t ring any bells with him. The only thing he can recall from his past is another name: Annabeth

Hazel is supposed to be dead. When she lived before, she didn’t do a very good job of it. Sure, she was an obedient daughter, even when her mother was possessed by greed. But that was the problem — when the Voice took over her mother and commanded Hazel to use her “gift” for an evil purpose, Hazel couldn’t say no. Now because of her mistake, the future of the world is at risk. Hazel wished she could ride away from it all on the stallion that appears in her dreams.

Frank is a klutz. His grandmother says he is descended from heroes and can be anything he wants to be, but he doesn’t see it. He doesn’t even know who his father is. He keeps hoping Apollo will claim him, because the only thing he is good at is archery — although not good enough to win camp war games. His bulky physique makes him feel like an ox, especially in front of Hazel, his closest friend at camp. He trusts her completely — enough to share the secret he holds close to his heart.

Beginning at the “other” camp for half-bloods and extending as far as the land beyond the gods, this breathtaking second instalment of the Heroes of Olympus series introduces new demigods, revives fearsome monsters, and features other remarkable creatures, all destined to play a part in the Prophesy of Seven.

My Thoughts:

There was so much going on and so much happening in this book I’m not sure where to begin.

Non-stop action. More New Characters. Percy Jackson back and better than ever, even with the Hera brought on case of amnesia he has at the start of the book.

This book pulled me in and I couldn’t put it down. I’m hanging out to read the next one! These books really do keep getting better and better!!!

I actually shed a tear when Tyson & Mrs O’Leary re-enter the story, lovingly and longingly looking for Percy. My husband asked me what was wrong and I blurted out something along the lines of “Poor Tyson he keeps looking for Percy and whenever he manages to track him, by the time he gets there Percy gone, poor adorable sweet Tyson’’ my husband just stared at me so I gave up trying to explain. I’m sure any of you who’ve met Tyson in the previous books will totally understand why I got upset reading about the kind hearted Cyclopes distraught looking for his brother. I was so happy Tyson & Mrs O’Leary got to join in the fight to save Camp Jupiter. The image of Percy riding Mrs O’Leary into battle ready was fantastic.

The last pages see the ‘Greek’ warship Argo 2 descending into the ‘Roman’ Camp Jupiter and you just know that the next books going to be just as good if not better!!

Five out of Five Stars – Outstanding and Spellbinding!!

The Lost Hero (Heroes of Olympus)

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The Lost Hero (Heroes of Olympus) by Rick Riordan

Goodreads Synopsis:

Jason has a problem.

He doesn’t remember anything before waking up on a school bus holding hands with a girl. Apparently he has a girlfriend named Piper. His best friend is a kid named Leo, and they’re all students in the Wilderness School, a boarding school for “bad kids”, as Leo puts it. What he did to end up here, Jason has no idea—except that everything seems very wrong.

Piper has a secret.

Her father, a famous actor, has been missing for three days, and her vivid nightmares reveal that he’s in terrible danger. Now her boyfriend doesn’t recognize her, and when a freak storm and strange creatures attack during a school field trip, she, Jason, and Leo are whisked away to someplace called Camp Half-Blood. What is going on?

Leo has a way with tools.

His new cabin at Camp Half-Blood is filled with them. Seriously, the place beats Wilderness School hands down, with its weapons training, monsters, and fine-looking girls. What’s troubling is the curse everyone keeps talking about, and that a camper’s gone missing. Weirdest of all, his bunkmates insist they are all—including Leo—related to a god.

My thoughts:

I was found it really hard to decide between 4 or 5 stars – This book is fast paced and I found it really enjoyable.

I was hesitant to delve into the next Demigod Hero series by Riordan knowing that Percy Jackson wasn’t going to be that main character all the time. I’m glad I did. With every Percy Jackson book I got drawn into his world a little bit more and that continued with this book.

So it seems with this series we still get all our favourite characters from the Percy Jackson and the Olympian series, plus we get new demigod heroes.

In this book we get three new heroes and it really does open up endless possibilities and breathe new life into the world that Riordan has created. I really enjoyed this book, maybe even more than the Percy Jackson books, but they all tie in together and I think I really liked this book as much as I did because I already cared about the background characters, Percy, Annabeth, Chiron, Rachel etc.

In this the first of the ‘Heroes of Olympus’ series The Lost Hero (1 of 5), Riordan gives us four new characters you can’t help but like – Jason, Piper, Leo & Coach Hedge. “What about a compromise? I’ll kill them first, and if it turns out they were friendly, I’ll apologize.” (Coach Hedge) Rick Riordan, The Lost Hero.

It took me Four-Five books to fall in love with Percy, I liked him for the very start, but he really got me in the last two ‘The Battle of the Labyrinth’ and ‘The Last Olympian’. Just after this one book I’m already in love with Leo Valdez.  “Can we just call them storm spirits?” Leo asked. “Venti makes them sound like evil espresso drinks.” (Leo Valdez) Rick Riordan, The Lost Hero. Obviously when I say ‘in love’ I don’t mean romantically, just that I adore the Characters. I’m too old to romantically fall for the characters but I can see girls going crazy for them and I can imagine a younger version of myself going crazy for them!

The Demigod Diaries (Heroes of Olympus)

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The Demigod Diaries (Heroes of Olympus) by Rick Riordan

Goodreads Synopsis:

What dangers do runaway demigods Luke and Thalia face on their way to Camp Half-Blood? Are Percy and Annabeth up to the task of rescuing stolen goods from a fire-breathing giant who doesn’t take kindly to intruders? How exactly are Leo, Piper, and Jason supposed to find a runaway table, dodge a band of party-loving Maenads” (“who just might be a little psychotic), and stave off a massive explosion…all in one hour or less?

With his trademark wit and creativity, Rick Riordan answers these questions and more in three never-before-seen short stories that provide vital back-story to the Heroes of Olympus and Percy Jackson books. Original art, enlightening character interviews and profiles, puzzles, and a quiz add to the fun in this action-packed collection.

My thoughts:

I found it very cute the way Riordan set up and linked the short stories as a training manual for Demigods. While I only gave this three stars as an adult, I think if I were a young teen (the demographic that this books is aimed at) I would go crazy over this and have loved it.

In this book we get a story from Luke Castellan’s point of view, a first-person Percy Jackson story, a Leo Valdez story and a short story debut from Riordan’s sixteen year old son Haley.

I will add that the short story by Haley Riordan is quite good and I think he’ll be an emerging author to watch.