Novel Review: Percy Jackson and the Olympians - The Sea of Monsters by Rick Riordan

            Have I mentioned lately that the Percy Jackson movie was crap? No? Let me say it again, then. I hate that movie.

            It’s crap.

            There.

            Now, onward with the review.

            I said in my last post that I loved the first Percy Jackson book. It sets the stage in a five-book saga that really grabs you and won’t let go. Ever heard of OMC Syndrome? One More Chapter Syndrome hits all of us, mostly at night when we want to sleep, but the book makes us diseased—our hands are attached to it, eyes glued, and we can’t put it down. We have to have one more chapter….

            Anyway, when I started Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Sea of Monsters, I had no idea what to expect, really, and I had a bit of a hesitation as much as I love the series. Would the debut lead into a strong sophomore novel? Or would it fall flat and leave us wanting? I needed to find out. So in I delved.

            I was not disappointed.

            The characters were as strong as ever, and with Percy’s new family secret revealed, you see other sides of him that are at first not-so-likeable, then his noble hero qualities come out and you like him even more. And Annabeth? Man, she’s BA. That girl kicks butt. Luke was a jerkbag, as usual, only more so in this book. The tie-in with Grover’s quest was also really innovative. We weren’t left hanging wondering what happened to our dear satyr friend.

            I liked how the other Halfbloods were incorporated more in this one, too. And the Sea of Monsters’ location? I smiled, and getting me to show any emotion while reading is difficult. Props to you, Rick Riordan. Your sophomore Percy Jackson book was full-blooded and a kicker. I can’t say you punched me in the face, but you certainly gave the first book a run for its money. Eight flipped pages out of Ten.

Novel Review: Percy Jackson and the Olympians - The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan

            How many of you have heard, by way of cinema, the name Percy Jackson? Raise your hands. That many? Thought so. Now; how many of you associate this “good movie” with a book you will probably never read? Yeah, thought so.

            Okay, let me start off by writing off the movie ENTIRELY. That piece of pig vomit is nothing compared to Rick Riordan’s creative and innovative work entitled Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief. I read the book not knowing what to expect. The crap movie gives you high expectations, and I’m not saying they weren’t met. By far, they were. But these expectations are schnozzle compared to the deal you get with the first Percy Jackson installment.

            First, let me start off by saying the narrative and voice is incredibly entertaining. You laugh as much as you frown from tension. Percy’s a clever kid, and Riordan gives him a relatable, warm voice you could listen to for hours. All the characters in the book are great, and I love how Annabeth is such a strong female figure in it. You’d think they’d make her the damsel in distress Percy has to save time and again, like in Greek mythology, but she’s far from that. Sure, spiders freak her out, but who isn’t freaked out by spiders? My older brother pretty much dies every time he sees one. (For me, it’s earwigs, but hey. I’m weird.)

            The ways Riordan incorporates Greek mythology into the modern day is really fascinating, as well. The monsters are great and oft times pop up in unexpected places. And the short, punch-packing explanations of the monster origins save us a long-winded Greek epic that needs to be explained. They’re common knowledge and you can recognize them off the bat once the heroes that previously fought the monsters are mentioned.

            I didn’t know what to expect coming into the book, but I really enjoyed it once I delved in. I can’t wait to pick up the rest of them. And believe me, they’re going on my keeper shelf. Eight flipped pages out of Ten.