Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Last Olympian

By                        : Rick Riordan

Publisher            : Hyperion

Publishing Date : May 5, 2009

All year the half-bloods have been preparing for battle against the Titans, knowing 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. In this momentous final book in the New York Times best-selling Percy Jackson and the Olympians series, the long-awaited prophecy surrounding Percy’s sixteenth birthday 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.

REVIEW

This is the best ending, beside Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows. Too bad, Percy’s adventures end here. Full action and battle sequences from the beginning to the end of the book. I really can’t put the book down. Sleepy or crammed neck and tired eyes, I don’t care. Percy Jackson, I follow you til the end.

Demigods that have minor role in previous books or new characters in this one, show up to defend Olympus and the world from Kronos. They die and many of them died in honor. Gods, as usual don’t too fond with human. They do as they like and I find it a little annoying. They are gods but they can’t see what they face – it’s kind of silly, isn’t it? A few surprises and twists were there although they were not as shocked as in previous books.

I’ve said character bearing the name of Luke is always a good character. But I – and you – know that’s an exception for Luke Castellan. I hate him for make Percy and Annabeth suffer. All I can think is “how could he?” – this is the effect of me too absorbed to the story and Riordan’s writing style affetcs mine, too. But believe me. After reading this book, everyone will change their mind to “oh, poor Luke”. And indeed, I am right: Luke is a good character in every book I know. Now, the number in hatred-o-meter decrease a little bit to “sympathy”.

Read all the series OR read it in turn with others?

Confused. That is the very first thing happen everytime I read one sequel after reading other books from other series. Much more difficult to regain all the story if i don’t read it at once.

I prefer read one book from one series then continue with other series. So as not to feel bored. Now I think that’s silly enough. I will have to remember all the story from the beginning before I read the next one. Sometimes, in some part of the book, I stop and collect the important things and connect the dots. That’s just wasting time.

What do you think of that? Is it much easier to finish the series before continue to other series? I’ve done that when I read Twilight saga. But that’s because I have only that series in my hand. Now I have plenty choices.

Let me know what you’re thinking, guys.

Maximum Ride: The Final Warning

By James Patterson

Publisher           : Little, Brown and Company

Published Date : March 17, 2008

Max returns in a chilling adventure unlike any other. Safe havens for the six highly-sought-after winged kids have become increasingly hard to find, so the flock takes refuge in Antarctica with a team of environmentalists studying the effects of global warming. In this remote wilderness--whether pursued by corrupt governments, bioengineered bad-guys, or the harsh forces of nature--survival of the fittest takes a new twist!

Global warming. That’s the main theme. It’s not thrilling like Max’s previous adventures. And no love sign from Max-Fang. Dang!

I thought this book is great. With Itex, the School - or whatever its name - gone, Max and her flock will face other enemies. But no. She just did help scientists taking a note of weather changings.

Blue Bloods: The Van Alen Legacy

By Melissa de la Cruz

Publisher Hyperion CH

Published Date Oct 6, 2009

The story told in three third point of views: Schuyler’s, Mimi’s and Bliss’. Schuyler, Bliss and Mimi have their chapters in turn. But it’s too short to absorb. For a whole book, their third point of view fill the story little by little.

I don’t like it when I left Schuyler’s part. It made me read faster so I can get past on Mimi’s and Bliss’ parts and back to Schuyler again. I don’t know why. Maybe because I like it when Oliver is around (the ending doesn’t happen as I expected). it can be said he is the main male character in book 4. And as other book, the main character ended with the one they love. Unfortunately, love doesn’t meet Oliver’s way. He becomes a wise grown up man. And that makes me love him more.

I hope to read great war between Abaddon and Azrael in the next book. It kindly to happen since Jack left his bonded twin to be with Schuyler, a nothing halfblood.

Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Battle of the Labyrinth

By Rick Riordan

Publisher: Hyperion Book CH

Publication Date: 2008-05-06

Time is running out as war between the Olympians and the evil Titan lord Kronos draws near. Camp Half-Blood grows more vulnerable as Kronos's army prepares to invade. To stop them, Percy and his demigod friends set out on a quest through the Labyrinth.

Review

Percy is back and this time he gets mortal companion to go inside the labyrinth. And love is finding its way between Percy and Annabeth. 

Unlike the first three books, Percy and his friends don’t travel across U.S on the land. I said “not on the land” because they are going underground. The famous Labyrinth, only without the Minotaur. They can go inside it from cave in Camp Half-Blood and pop up somewhere else. Note to read: time is undetectable there.

I used to love Luke before we know he betrayed Percy. Luke is not too strong here. From the first book to this forth, his personalities are the same. Full of hatred, cruel, an evil leader and he likely loves Annabeth, too. Percy, you got strong enemy.