The Titan's Curse (Percy Jackson and the Olympians, #3) by Rick Riordan

The Titan's Curse (Percy Jackson and the Olympians, #3)

By: Rick Riordan

Published: 2007
Published By: Listening Library
Format Read: Audio-book
Genre: Middle-grade, adventure, fantasy
Date Read: July 4, 2016

Rating: 3.5/5

 Unlike the first two books in the Percy Jackson and the Olympian's series, The Titan's Curse begins in December, before the winter solstice. Not only has the Goddess Artemis gone missing, but Percy's good friend Annabeth has as well. It is up to him, Grover, Thalia and some newly introduced characters to save the day and the fate of Olympus too.

After being less satisfied with The Sea of Monsters, I was glad to welcome back my enthusiasm for this series again.

The winter time setting was a nice change from the usual summertime. I enjoyed learning more about Greek mythology with the addition of some more familiar names.

The way Rick Riordan weaves popular American landmarks and locations into his books make for great visualisations. I look forward to seeing where he will take Percy and his readers next.

Apart from my issues with the narration of these audio-books, I have one other slight annoyance. That is with Percy's lack of education about the Greek mythology that has consumed his life, ever since he discovered he is a half-blood. I would have thought he would want to better prepare himself after all that he has been through already. Hopefully the next book will bring some growth to this character.

Those two quips aside, I enjoyed The Titan's Curse and look forward to book 4. I would recommend this series to fans of middle-grade adventure stories.  

Percy Jackson and the Olympians Series by Rick Riordan 

1. The Lightning Thief (#1)

2. The Sea of Monsters (#2)

The Sea of Monsters (Percy Jackson and the Olympians, #2) by Rick Riordan

The Sea of Monsters (Percy Jackson and the Olympians, #2)

By: Rick Riordan

Published: June 2006
Published By: Listening Library
Format Read: Audio book, OverDrive
Genre: Middle-grade, Fantasy, Adventure
Date Read: June 4, 2016

Rating: 3/5

A year has passed since young Percy Jackson discovered that not only is he a demigod, but the son of Poseidon. After school lets out he returns to Camp Half-Blood, which is in a very different state than he left the first time around. A Golden Fleece must be found and brought back to the camp in order to save it from destruction. Also Percy's best friend Grover is being held captive by a Cyclops on an island in the Sea of Monsters. In Rick Riordan's sequel to the Olympian's series, Percy and his friends Annabeth and Tyson head out on a quest to rescue Grover and bring home the fleece.

In this instalment of the middle-grade adventure series, Percy is a year older and wiser than when readers were first introduced to him in The Lightning Thief. Incorporating tales of the mysterious Bermuda Triangle, Percy puts to use the special traits he inherited from his father the God of the sea.

I really enjoyed the way Percy used the abilities he didn't know he had. They came to him naturally, as if cementing the fact that he was indeed the son of Poseidon. I was touched by Percy's relationships with his friends, even though his loyalties were often put to the test.

Although my favourite character from the first book played a large role in the quest for this book, Grover wasn't as much of a prominent character. The parts that did focus on him, however were quite entertaining. In his absence a new character by the name of Tyson became my favourite. Where he lacked in brains he made up for in strength, heart and loyalty to Percy, which made him so endearing.

As with the first book, I listened to The Sea of Monsters in audio format. It was narrated once again by Jesse Bernstein. Unfortunately I am not a big fan of his narration of this series. Although I believe his impressions of the different characters voices may be more appealing to a younger audience.

For some reason I wasn't as excited and captivated by this book as I was with the first. I wonder if this was because of my annoyance with the narration and if my opinion would be different if I had read a physical copy.

Still I do plan to carry on with the third book as soon as possible and would recommend it to those who enjoy a fun adventure story.

(Click the link to see my review of the previous book in this series)

1. The Lightning Thief (Percy Jackson and the Olympians, #1)

The Lightning Thief (Percy Jackson and the Olympians #1) by Rick Riordan

Title: The Lightning Thief (Percy Jackson and the Olympians #1)
Author: Rick Riordan
Narrator: Jesse Bernstein
Published: June, 2005
Published By: Listening Library
Format Read: Audio book
Genre: Middle-grade, Fantasy, Adventure
Date Read: May 22, 2016
Rating: 4/5

At 12 years old Percy Jackson is just trying to make it through another school year without being expelled from another school. However strange things always seem to happen that lands him in trouble. Instead of a normal summer vacation, Percy is sent on the adventure of a lifetime when he learns that he is the son of the Greek god Poseidon and is sent on a quest to find and return Zeus’s master lightning bolt.

 As a book blogger, I have heard a lot about the Percy Jackson series and author Rick Riordan. I can’t say that I ever paid much attention to it though, because it doesn’t exactly fall into my genres of choice. Then one day my partner and I decided to listen to an audiobook together. I came across The Lightning Thief and decided to give it a try based on my partner’s interest in Greek Gods.

 And thank God’s (pun intended) I did give it a try because I absolutely loved it!

Although the basic story may be familiar to those who are already fans of Greek mythology, Rick Riordan has created a series that will captivate not only its intended target audience (middle graders), but book lovers of any age.

The Lightning Thief was exciting off the bat and continued at this pace throughout the story. Riordan weaved the tales of the Greek Gods into a story that was modern and clever. It is chalk full of colorful characters, adventure and humor.

I thought the narrator Jesse Bernstein really conveyed the excitement, however some of his voice impersonations were a bit cringe-worthy. Listening to the audio was fun, but I would still like to read and buy the physical copies of the Percy Jackson and the Olympian’s series.

Rick Riordan has created a character that will be treasured for generations to come. I would recommend this series to fans of middle-grade fantasy. 

Submerged (Alaskan Courage #1) by Dani Pettrey

Title: Submerged (Alaskan Courage #1)
Author: Dani Pettrey
Published: April 2012
Published By: Bethany House
Format Read: Kindle for PC
Genre: Christian Fiction, Contemporary, Mystery
Date Read: December 21 2015
Rating: 5/5

After a difficult upbringing and a lot of bad decisions made, Bailey Craig found her faith and turned her life around. Still returning home to Yancey, Alaska and facing those who knew of her past was the last thing on her mind. Then Bailey gets a phone call with some devastating news; her beloved Aunt has died in a plane crash. So she rushes north to say her final goodbyes and handle the affairs pertaining to her inheritance; a Russian-American Post and antique shop. Her intended short stay in Yancey is extended when the circumstances surrounding the plane crash are determined to be suspicious. 

Meanwhile deep-sea diver Cole McKenna (and Bailey’s old flame) heads up the team that discovers the wreckage. When the investigation leads to the discovery connecting Bailey’s Aunt with information regarding a Russian Icon, the two are thrown together to help the local authorities solve the mystery. Can they work together without letting their feelings and heartbreaks from the past get in the way? 

These are a few of my favourite things:
Russian history, Alaska and a good mystery are some of my favourite things to read about. Submerged had all three. 

Location, Location, Location:
The more books I read set in Alaska, the more I long to go there. Normally associated with harsh winters, this book was actually set in summertime. To be honest I didn’t realize how beautiful the weather could get during that season there. The McKenna family’s tour business really helped to give the reader an idea of all the things this small town had to offer. Not only did cruise ships dock there, but the outdoor activities including; diving, hiking, boating and more. The author did a great job of pairing this adventure story with its beautiful setting.

The History:
Having read the synopsis, I knew that this would have some sort of mystery to it, but I was pleasantly surprised to read of the Russian historical aspect of this book. Although a work of fiction, Pettrey used real facts to blend in and create a family connection to the characters. 

The Characters:
Submerged features a wonderful cast of characters with storylines that set the stage for future books. I loved reading about Cole and the McKenna family. Although Bailey and Cole are the main characters in this first installment, readers get an introduction to the rest of the family, an aspect of the story I found equally enjoyable. 

My Verdict:
I became so caught up in Submerged that I just wanted to keep reading and reading. It was an adventurous story from start to finish that kept me guessing. I can’t wait to read the next book in the Alaskan Courage series. I would recommend this series to people who enjoy reading adventurous Christian fiction.

The Hundred-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out of the Window and Disappeared by Jonas Jonasson

Title: The Hundred-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out of the Window and Disappeared
Author: Jonas Jonasson
First Published: 2009
Published By: HarperCollins
Format Read: Kobo Ebook
Genre: Contemporary, Historical Fiction, Adventure
Read: Jan 14 2015
Rating: 3.5/5

(Image from GoodReads) 

May 2, 2005 marked the 100^th birthday of Jonas Jonasson’s fictional protagonist Allan Karlsson. Born in Sweden in 1905, Karlsson lead an extraordinary life that indirectly played an important role in many of the major events that occurred in the 20^th century. Not only are readers taken on a journey around the world but we experience exactly what happens when he climbs out of the window and disappears from his Old People Home on his 100^th birthday. Originally published in Swedish, this book is part contemporary, part historical fiction, with a whole lot of adventure. 

When I first heard of this book I thought that it would be whimsically humorous. While I was correct to assume humorous, The 100-Year-Old-Man Who Climbed Out of the Window and Disappeared was more obscure than whimsical. This fact first came to my recognition early on when sterilization at an asylum was briefly mentioned. Needless to say this set the passive tone for the events yet to come. 

I was reminded of Forrest Gump as Allan influenced each of the world events in his own way. Only he was a very intelligent man, who very much enjoyed his vodka. I admired his respectful demeanor, even to the most notorious people. Jonasson did a great job of showing a human side to the leaders of the world, who are not normally portrayed in that light. Although he did so without coming right out and mocking or condemning them. Without changing the outcome of the past 100 years, the author give readers a fictional (and comically unrealistic) alternative to how they came about, simply as a result of one man. Allan’s goals in life seemed to be just helping out when he could and finding a good meal with a stiff drink. He does so while remaining a neutrality with a strong disinterest in anything relating to religion and politics. 

 The way the modern day (2005) adventure was written reminded me of a “Who Done It?” type novel. Although the readers do know how the story plays out, as we are along for the whole ride from different viewpoints. I really enjoyed Allan’s “Whatever will be, will be” attitude and it made me wonder if maybe that is one of the keys to a long life.

My rating for this book is 3.5 stars as I found certain parts of this book to be long winded. Going back in history or ahead in time often made me lose track of the current setting. It also made for a longer read than I expected.

I would recommend this book to those who enjoy adventures through history.