The Son of Neptune

Background

The Son of Neptune is the 2nd book in The Heroes of Olympus series by Rick Riordan. It was published in 2011 and follows The Lost Hero. This story follows Percy as he is dropped off in the Roman camp. He’s memory is gone with the exception of his love interest Annabeth. Yet, there is another threat he will have to face.

The Son of Neptune
The Son of Neptune

My Thoughts

Mr. Riordan does a good job to make his characters likeable. Percy has a lot of power and is a natural leader. Somehow, he bumbles his way to be the best in camp. He later becomes the hero of the demigods. However, somehow Mr. Riordan takes you through the journey without every thinking, “Hey, this Percy guy is too powerful and arrogant.” That’s fairly impressive.

Recommendation

It’s a great series. Worth the read.

Abhorsen

Background

Abhorsen is the 3rd and final book in the Old Kingdom Series by Garth Nix. It is the conclusion of the story put forth in Lirael and is need to put closure to that book. Lirael discovers she will be the next Abhorsen, the guardian who puts the dead back where they belong.

Abhorsen
Abhorsen

My Thoughts

This continued on the series and left plenty of room to make more additions to the world of the old kingdom. I enjoyed the surprises of the dog and Moggot and thought it wrapped up nicely.

Recommendation

A must read if you read the book before it.

Lirael

Background

Lirael is the 2nd book in the Old Kingdom series by Garth Nix. Lirael is the name of the main character who was raised by the Clayr. A group of seers who are all descended from the first Clayr. Their power is deluded now but Lirael has never been able to “see”. Her destiny lies down a different path.

Lirael
Lirael

My Thoughts

Lirael was a good example of a book that was able to move on to other characters rather than stay with the same developed in the first book. Those characters were still there but were not central to the story or how it moved forward. I liked the dog in particular.

Recommendation

It was a good read. One could pick up this book and move forward with it without reading the first. However, why would you do that?

Sabriel

Background

Sabriel is book one of Garth Nix’s “the Old Kingdom” series. Published in 1995, it finds a young woman, trained as a necromancer since she was just a child, has lost her father. Her father was the Abhorsen, the protector of the living from the dead. Now he is trapped in death and his daughter must find him if she is to find her way forward.

Sabriel
Sabriel

My Thoughts

I stumbled across this series because Tim Curry did the narration. I wasn’t disapointed. This was an interesting spin on the usual magic novel. The main character goes through the usual hero’s journey and somehow makes it out the other side. However, it is the dead tracking her. This made for an unusual and interesting enemy. The book was fun but I found the romantic touch to be a little forced.

Recommendation

A little different but a good read.

The Ruins of Gorlan

Background

The Ruins of Gorlan is the first book of the Ranger’s Apprentice series written by Australian author John Flanagan. It follows the story of Will who is a 15 year old orphan who is has to choose his profession. He wants to become a warrior but ends up apprenticed to one of the enigmatic rangers.

The Ruins of Gorlan
The Ruins of Gorlan

My Thoughts

This book was given to me by a friend of mine and it’s taken me forever to just sit down and read it. I can thank this book for a sleepless Father’s Day morning. It was a good book with a good story behind it. I enjoyed it.

Recommendation

A good read.

Good Omens

Background

The book Good Omens apparently became a mini-series which aired a couple of months ago. The book details the end of the world and is seen through the eyes of an angel and a devil. These two have been around since the beginning. The literal beginning…

Good Omens
Good Omens

My Thoughts

Even though it has “Now a Prime Original Series” I had no idea it was on. Apparently, it aired a couple months back which makes more sense of why it was a popular book. I miss out on so much not watching TV…

The book was funny. It read a lot like the Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy in some of the dry humored ridiculous events. I very much enjoyed it.

Recommendations

It’s a good read. I would recommend it.

The Lost Hero

Background

The Lost Hero is the continuation of the original Percy Jackson and the Olympians Series. This time there was an exchange of leadership between Camp Half-blood and the heretofore unknown Roman camp for demigods. Jason, Piper, and Leo take the lead as they fight against mother nature herself.

The Lost Hero
The Lost Hero

My Thoughts

Another enjoyable easy read from Rick Riordan. The book read a lot like spin off it is by giving us just enough of the old story to keep the fans interested and giving new characters to keep the new story ark going.

Recommendation

Great for the young fantasy reader

Inheritance

Background

Inheritance is the 4th book in the Inheritance Cycle. It wraps up the tale of Eragon and the dragons.

Inheritance
Inheritance

My Thoughts

While still a good book and a must read for anyone who is going through the series, I thought it had everything wrapped up in too neat and tidy of a bow. I didn’t like that Arya became a rider AND the queen of the elves. Seriously, it should have been one or the other.

Recommendations

I had to get through it but I’m glad I didn’t quit.

Brisingr

Background

Brisingr is the 3rd book in the Inheritance Cycle following Eldest and Eragon. Written in 2008, we learn more about the nature of magic and of dragons. The war continues to go on and Galvatorix continues to reign supreme.

Brisingr
Brisingr

My Thoughts

Christopher Paolini has an easy way of writing which helps the story bring you along. At over eight hundred pages, the book seems daunting but it went by in the flash.

Recommendation

I really enjoyed it. I would recommend it to anyone who likes these type of books.

Eldest

Background

Published in 2005, “Eldest” is the 2nd novel in the inheritance cycle by Christopher Paolini. In this book, Eragon visits the elves and learns the nature of magic. He becomes part of the dwarven family of Hothgar and meets another rider…

Eldest
Eldest

My Thoughts

I did enjoy the book but so many things happen so fast it taxes my already suspended reality. The character of Eragon is likable and wants to do the best he can. However, he blunders through just about everything. Still, I’m excited to start the next book.

Recommendations

If you read the first, you have to read the second.