Son of Neptune

Son of Neptune by Rick Riordan

Yes, it's finally here! and we have a couple of copies, and our first folks on the holds list are fast readers, so your turn will arrive quickly (I hope?).

Here's the cover summary.

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

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 for him. The only thing he can recall from his past is another name: Annabeth.

Book trailer.

Graphic novel blitz

Stickman Odyssey: an epic doodle by Christopher Ford

Well, this one by far was my favourite read in my Graphic Novel Blitz. There is something about stickmen cartooning that I think is endearing for all of us. It somehow puts us all on a level playing field- that is because we can all draw a stickman, and with a few added lines or bendy lines suddenly our stickman is running. Ta da! Now when you're good at the stickman all you need is a story - no, an epic story. And your on your way. That's how I imagine Christopher Ford got his start, and he just ran with it.

Of course this is a retelling of a very classic story, - The Odyssey. For those of you who have never heard of it, well, it's gonna cross your path someday. But I'm pretty sure some of you will recognise the retelling of these ancient Greek stories. This was laugh out loud funny in places. I really, really liked it.

Summary:

When Zozimos is banished by an evil witch (his stepmother) from the kingdom of Sticatha- the kingdom he was next in line to rule - he trains at battle ( if you can call chasing butterflies training), travels across stormy seas (thanks for that Poseidon), slays golems and monsters (with a lot of help), charms beautiful women (not really) and somehow (despite his own ineptitude) survives quest after quest. By the love of Zeus, though, none of it brings him closer to home!

It does however, make for one quirky, original, giggle provoking graphic novel sure to appeal to any kid interested in Greek Mythology, or mearly looking for an entertaining read.

Loved it.

READ ON

The Throne of Fire

The Throne of Fire by Rick Riordan - The Kane Chronicles Book 2

Ever sine the gods of Ancient Egypt were unleashed in the modern world, Carter Kane and his sister, Sadie, have been in trouble. As descendants of the House of Life, the Kanes have some powers at their command; but the devious gods haven't given them time to master thier skills at Brooklyn House, a training gound for young magicians. And now their most threatening enemy yet - the Chaos snake, Apophis  - is rising. If they don't prevent him form breaking free ina few days' time, the world will end. In other Words, it's a typical week for the Kane family.
To Have any chance of battling the forces of Chaos, the Kanes must revive the sun god, Ra. But that would be a feat more difficulet than any magician has ever accomplished. First they have to search the world for the Book of Ra, then they have to learn how to chant its spells. Oh- and did we mention that no one knows where Ra is, exactly?
Narrated by two different wisecracking voices, featuring a large cast of new and unforgettable characters, and with adventures spanning the globe, this second installment of the Kane Chronicles is nothing short of a thrill ride.

Avalon High

Avalon High by Meg Cabot

From the cover:

Avalon High, I was starting to think, might not be so bad afterall.

Maybe it's not where Ellie wants to be, but if you have to start at a new school, Avalon High is typical enough: There's Lance, the jock. Jennifer, the cheerleader. And Will, senior class president, quaterback and all around good guy.

But not everyone at Avalon High is who they appear to be... not even, Ellie is about to discover - herself. As a bizarre drama begins to unfold, Ellie has to wonder what part she has to play in all of this? Do the coincidences she's piecing together really mean - as in King Arthur's court - that tragedy is fast approaching her new friends?

Ellie doesn't know if she can do anything to stop the coming trouble. But somehow, she know's she has to try.

Here's the movie trailer.

I'll be curious if any of you have seen or heard about this one.
Read On.

Rick Riordan

One of my current favourite authors is Rick Riordan. His Percy Jackson and the Olympians series has to be one of the hottest tickets in our library. fun, action-packed, humorous and trilling all at once - who can resist a book that has all that , well not many of you. I'm not sure that one of his books remains on the shelf and we're talking multiple copies, my friends.

So just to pump you up for some more of his great writing here's a little write up for The Red Pyramid and the upcoming Lost Heroes (release date Oct. 12, 2010).

The Red Pyramid by Rick Riordan

Since their mother's death, Carter and Sadie have become near strangers. While Sadie has lived with their grandparents in London, her brother has traveled the world with their father, the brilliant Egyptologist, Dr. Julius Kane. One night, Dr. Kane brings the siblings together for a "research experiment" at the British Museum, where he hopes to set things right for his family. Instead he unleases the Egyptian God - Set, who banishes him to oblivion and forces the children to flee for their lives. Soon, Sadie and Carter discover that the gods of Eygpt are waking, and the worst of them - Set - has his sights set on the Kanes. To stop him, the siblings embark on a dangerous journey across the globe- a quest that brings them closer to the truth about their family and their links to a secret order that has existed since the time of pharhoahs.
Here's the book trailer.



And now here's a trailer for the upcoming series Lost Heroes of Olympus (which I can hardly wait for).

Percy Jackson

Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Demigod Files by Rick Riordan

Hey just read this sweet little addition to the Percy Jackson stories. It includes three short stories or should I say further adventures of Percy and friends, interviews with your favourite characters, a map of camp half-blood and some fun puzzles and word searches at the end of the book.

If you can't get enough of Percy Jackson or you need a primer before seeing the movie this one will be perfect (it's only 151 pages!)

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Archer's quest

Archer's quest by Linda Sue Park

From the back cover -Twelve-year-old Kevin, a Korean American math whiz, is shocked beyond belief when a young man carrying a bow and arrows crash-lands in his bedroom. And that's jsut the beginning. The man, called Skillful Archer, claims to be a legendary ruler from ancient Korea. While Kevin tries to explain contemporary life to the man he nicknames Archie, Archie teaches Kevin how to focus his thoughts in an attempt to help the young ruler return to his kingdom. There's not a moment to lose as Kevin uses Korean history and folktales, math, and the Chinese zodiac to help his friend travel back through time. If Archie can't get home before the Year of Tiger ends, history will be forever changed.

I enjoyed this time-travel story, and how Kevin presented realistic questions about how and why the crazy event happened and mostly how to get the Archer back in time before his parents get home. I also liked the part of the book where Kevin gets the Archer to be less serious by saying "in the outhouse" after reading the fortunes from their fortune cookies. The Archer imparts practical knowledge and also gives Kevin reasons to see himself in a new light.

"to contribute to a great mission. The most ordinary among us have it within ourselves to be extraordinary, should we so choose."

Read On.

Percy Jackson and the Olympians

Hi, I know I just recently wrote about Percy Jackson and the Olympians - now here's the movie trailer for the first book in the series: The Lightning Thief.


But really read the book first!!!!

The Lightning Thief

The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan

I know many of you have already read this book, but for some unknown reason it had not made it onto my bedside pile of books till now. And now I'm kicking myself that I hadn't read it sooner cause it was awesome!!

Percy Jackson our protagonist, starts out as an unlikely hero, he's the kid that can sit still in class, ADHD and dyslexia are code words when grownups talk about him. This and the fact that he has been kicked-out of just about every school he's ever set foot in make him seem like he's the kid that trouble just follows for some unknown reason. Once we learn that Percy is a half-blood (born of a mortal mother and a Greek God father) we see why Percy has been plagued with trouble. The Gods aren't too pleased with him. And worse than that Zeus's mast lightning bolt has been stolen and Percy is the prime suspect.

There is only one way Percy can clear his name - that's by finding out who really stole the lightning bolt , the trouble is he only has 10 days to do it. With him on his quest are Annabeth another half-blood and his best friend Grover (a satyr). There are plenty of monsters and Gods that will make this the hardest adventure of Percy life.

I thought this was a great action/adventure book, I wish it would have been around when I was a kid cause I was totally into Greek mythology. If your looking for your next fast-paced, exciting read this should definately be one of your choices.

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