(Scroll down to the post below to see part 1 of the two part post)
Me: Goodreads, why are your summaries so long?
Goodreads: All to make your posts better, my dear.
Me: MOM! IT TALKS!
Anyway, Percy Jackson and the Olympians started my book reading eternal kick, so without Percy Jackson and Rick Riordan, this blog would be nonexistent. So thanks, Rick! I would be miserable without your books!
The Book:
**** Four Stars
The Lightning Thief is one of my favorite books, but this is only the first book in the five book series. It gets better with each book, and I think the awesomeness peak is at The Battle of The Labyrinth. The beginning is awesome, and Percy is just telling us not to read the book. And I'm like, I feel something stirring inside me. I am SO reading this. So, I suggest, whether you feel something stirring inside or not, read this book.
The Movie:
** Two Stars
Now you have probably noticed that the movie is half the score of the book. The movie has a similar plot, hint the word similar. Percy's mom was taken by the minotuar. In the movie, Percy escapes camp to rescue his mom from the clutches of Hades, and that happens in the book too, but Percy is given a prophecy and is guided out of camp with Chiron and his two companions, Grover Underwood and Annabeth Chase. The movie takes you through a cross country trip to find three pearls, but in the book, the pearls are given to Percy in Santa Monica by a nereid. I suggest reading the book before you watch the movie, and as much as the movie is different from the book, I still love the movie and have watched it a total times of eight. (I know all the lines, and can recite my favorite part)
My favorite part you ask?
Annabeth: "My mother is the goddess of wisdom and battle strategy. Do you know what that means? I never lose."
Percy: "And I always lose. Maybe we're both wrong."
This point I'm like, Percy, kick some Athena butt!
See you next week for a new book that has been created by an author that also has awesomesauce in his pantry.
Sunday, August 31, 2014
And I Thought the Force of Vacuums Would Never Apply To Percy Jackson Part 1
Last week was my annual week off deform blogging. Well, I think that's how it's going to play out, but this year is a bit unpredictable with my new schedule with school right now. But I'm trying to pull out the computer every week for you guys.
I thought I'd bust out some awesomesauce this week and try something new. So instead of just reviewing a book this week, I'm going to review the book and its movie. And when I think of that, I think of Percy Jackson. Then I think, HOLY CRUD! I HAVEN'T REVIEWED PERCY JACKSON YET!
The reason I didn't review it yet, is because I'm obsessed. So if I did that first, it would be biased. If i had tried to write it, it would have played out like this:
[typing noise in computer room. Computer reads, PERCY JACKSON ROCKS MY SOCKS!]
[Nerdy me walks in]
Nerdy Me: Your survey is invalid.
Me: I'm not taking a survey.
Nerdy Me: But you're being biased--
Me: Shut up.
[Five minutes later...]
Nerdy Me: You're not writing this post. [grabs computer monitor and I grab the wireless mouse]
Me: OK...
I think you're smelling what I'm selling. We'll have a summary from Goodreads, to make this a wee bit shorter, and then book review, and movie review.
The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan
Percy Jackson is about to be kicked out of boarding school... again. And that's the least of his troubles. Lately, mythological monsters and the gods of Mount Olympus seem to be walking straight out of the pages of Percy's Greek mythology textbook and into his life. And worse, he's angered a few of them. Zeus' master lightning bolt has been stolen, and Percy is the prime suspect.
Now Percy and his friends have just ten days to find and return Zeus' stolen property and bring peace to a warring Mount Olympus. But to succeed on his quest, Percy will have to do more than catch the true thief: he must come to terms with the father who abandoned him; solve the riddle of the Oracle, which warns him of betrayal by a friend; and unravel a treachery more powerful than the gods themselves.
I thought I'd bust out some awesomesauce this week and try something new. So instead of just reviewing a book this week, I'm going to review the book and its movie. And when I think of that, I think of Percy Jackson. Then I think, HOLY CRUD! I HAVEN'T REVIEWED PERCY JACKSON YET!
The reason I didn't review it yet, is because I'm obsessed. So if I did that first, it would be biased. If i had tried to write it, it would have played out like this:
[typing noise in computer room. Computer reads, PERCY JACKSON ROCKS MY SOCKS!]
[Nerdy me walks in]
Nerdy Me: Your survey is invalid.
Me: I'm not taking a survey.
Nerdy Me: But you're being biased--
Me: Shut up.
[Five minutes later...]
Nerdy Me: You're not writing this post. [grabs computer monitor and I grab the wireless mouse]
Me: OK...
I think you're smelling what I'm selling. We'll have a summary from Goodreads, to make this a wee bit shorter, and then book review, and movie review.
The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan
Percy Jackson is about to be kicked out of boarding school... again. And that's the least of his troubles. Lately, mythological monsters and the gods of Mount Olympus seem to be walking straight out of the pages of Percy's Greek mythology textbook and into his life. And worse, he's angered a few of them. Zeus' master lightning bolt has been stolen, and Percy is the prime suspect.
Now Percy and his friends have just ten days to find and return Zeus' stolen property and bring peace to a warring Mount Olympus. But to succeed on his quest, Percy will have to do more than catch the true thief: he must come to terms with the father who abandoned him; solve the riddle of the Oracle, which warns him of betrayal by a friend; and unravel a treachery more powerful than the gods themselves.
Sunday, August 17, 2014
It's A New Week And I Have Cupcakes
I've been telling myself a lot of things this week. First of all, to stop giving out six stars on every single review, because if I could I would. But I can't so I shan't. And also to not eat that cupcake sandwich with strawberries in the middle. It's not that good Annabeth, step AWAY from the plate.
Anyway, it's been a busy week for me over here. There's school, writing AND reading books, them it's like "Holy poop!! It's Sunday!!!!" Then you know, scramble to the computer to write this post. So I'm trying to sound somewhat composed as I find out something to ramble about. So first let me do the weekly search for a decent book in my bookshelf to review.
Aha!! The Colossus Rises by Peter Lerangis!
Right now, you probably think you're normal. Well, so did I. I'm Jack McKinley. Relatively normal kid who is destined to die in six months. I have the G7W, a gene that makes you have seriously awesome super powers. Cool, I know. But there's a catch. If you don't find the cure made of 7 Loculuses in the 7 Wonders of the Ancient World, I die. And that task, by the way, is pretty much impossible.
Peter's book is through Jack's POV, like the summary above. I love the way he wrote it, really forming each character's personality. You really get to know Jack throughout the book, and in the second book too. (I'm in the middle of reading it, an it's one of those rare sequels that are better than the first book.) If you liked Percy Jackson and the Olympians you're probably going to like this book. That's why THE COLOSSUS RISES has made it to *** three stars!! The only problem I had with this book is that it wasn't relatable for me. I mean Peter had a challenge here. He was doing a concept that has never been done before, and is not relatable. Partly because we know it's not going to happen sometime in the future. Some of the characters you can relate to, but what they feel, I cannot. But you do sometimes feel bad for the characters. Jack went through a lot of hard adventures, and in the end, I hope it gets better, because then, after all that, there might just be cupcakes!!
Anyway, it's been a busy week for me over here. There's school, writing AND reading books, them it's like "Holy poop!! It's Sunday!!!!" Then you know, scramble to the computer to write this post. So I'm trying to sound somewhat composed as I find out something to ramble about. So first let me do the weekly search for a decent book in my bookshelf to review.
Aha!! The Colossus Rises by Peter Lerangis!
Right now, you probably think you're normal. Well, so did I. I'm Jack McKinley. Relatively normal kid who is destined to die in six months. I have the G7W, a gene that makes you have seriously awesome super powers. Cool, I know. But there's a catch. If you don't find the cure made of 7 Loculuses in the 7 Wonders of the Ancient World, I die. And that task, by the way, is pretty much impossible.
Peter's book is through Jack's POV, like the summary above. I love the way he wrote it, really forming each character's personality. You really get to know Jack throughout the book, and in the second book too. (I'm in the middle of reading it, an it's one of those rare sequels that are better than the first book.) If you liked Percy Jackson and the Olympians you're probably going to like this book. That's why THE COLOSSUS RISES has made it to *** three stars!! The only problem I had with this book is that it wasn't relatable for me. I mean Peter had a challenge here. He was doing a concept that has never been done before, and is not relatable. Partly because we know it's not going to happen sometime in the future. Some of the characters you can relate to, but what they feel, I cannot. But you do sometimes feel bad for the characters. Jack went through a lot of hard adventures, and in the end, I hope it gets better, because then, after all that, there might just be cupcakes!!
Sunday, August 10, 2014
Flop de Flop (I don't know what it really means, but it sounds cool.)
If we have a roller coaster of blog posts, last week and this week are a big part of it. First we're going up the hill with WONDER, then it's like, "NEEEERRRR...KERSPLAT!!!!!!!" with this week's post. Long story short, we have another Flop on our hands. Flop #2 goes to...
Out of the Dust by Karen Heese
The sound of the piano. That is all that matters to Billie Jo anymore. Her mother has died. Her father is a stubborn man who's only goal in life is to grow wheat. Her home--what's left of it anyway--is a dust landfill, one of many during the Dust Bowl. Almost everyone is leaving to the legend land of California, except Billie Jo and her father. How much longer can she live with the raging dust and her quiet father? The only hope is in her hands and heart, the same hands that used to play quick tunes and the heart that used to be happy and in love. Before all the dust storms.
I had to read this one for school, and I didn't have very high expectations for it, because most of the books we are required to read are AWFUL. (With the exception of Turtle in Paradise by Jennifer L. Holm.) This book is written in free verse poem, a style I didn't enjoy. I mean, if you're going to write a book, I would prefer if you wrote it like a normal person, please. There was a lot of action, but the author didn't deliver the action scenes well. And in the end, that is not good. This book was also a Newberry Medal winner, and probably for the historical accuracy. I found this book rather depressing. It didn't-- how do old people say it? Ah, yes-- tickle my fancy. (I'm kidding, I say that occasionally...so does that make me an old person?) So this book met my expectations at:
** Two Stars.
Have a good week guys! :{D
Out of the Dust by Karen Heese
The sound of the piano. That is all that matters to Billie Jo anymore. Her mother has died. Her father is a stubborn man who's only goal in life is to grow wheat. Her home--what's left of it anyway--is a dust landfill, one of many during the Dust Bowl. Almost everyone is leaving to the legend land of California, except Billie Jo and her father. How much longer can she live with the raging dust and her quiet father? The only hope is in her hands and heart, the same hands that used to play quick tunes and the heart that used to be happy and in love. Before all the dust storms.
I had to read this one for school, and I didn't have very high expectations for it, because most of the books we are required to read are AWFUL. (With the exception of Turtle in Paradise by Jennifer L. Holm.) This book is written in free verse poem, a style I didn't enjoy. I mean, if you're going to write a book, I would prefer if you wrote it like a normal person, please. There was a lot of action, but the author didn't deliver the action scenes well. And in the end, that is not good. This book was also a Newberry Medal winner, and probably for the historical accuracy. I found this book rather depressing. It didn't-- how do old people say it? Ah, yes-- tickle my fancy. (I'm kidding, I say that occasionally...so does that make me an old person?) So this book met my expectations at:
** Two Stars.
Have a good week guys! :{D
Monday, August 4, 2014
If There's Anything Better Than Sliced Bread, It's Unicorns. But If There's Anything Better Than That, It's This Book.
So now I have brought to you the bestest book in the universe. (If aliens had a better book, I want it--NOW.) And this book is...
Drum roll please!!!
(OK guys, that's just wimpy. Now give me a REAL drum roll...)
WONDER BY R.J. PALACIO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Guys, this book is like Because of Mr.Terupt on steroids. If there were six stars, Wonder would get seven stars. I cannot scream this from the top of the Empire State Building enough times. (You think I'm kidding.) So I guess I should stop ranting, because I'm pretty sure you don't want to read a whole post of ranting and ramblings.
Most people think they have it bad. Like, "Oh No!I don't know what to wear!" Well you don't know the definition of having it bad. If you look it up in the dictionary, August Pullman's picture is next to it. Auggie has a face deformity that had been "..caused by a recessive mutation in the TCOF1 gene..." that makes kids run and scream and other kids make fun of him. He's been home-schooled by his mother because of that. And then middle school comes along.
August goes to Beecher Prep, a private school near his home in New York. He's welcomed by Mr.Tushman and three students, Charlotte, the nice and smart kid, Julian, the bully, and Jack Will, Auggie's new friend. Really, sending August to middle school is like sending "...a lamb to the slaughter...", and according to Google, that isn't good for August.
I think I already gave you a preview of what Wonder will get this week. So now we get to the suspense...
****** The Never Before Seen Six Stars!!!!! OK, if a tornado with sharks in it is possible (in a movie), than this is possible. Wonder is a moving book sure to touch the hearts of manys. I may sound like a buisness person, but I'm not kidding. I sobbed during this book. (Maybe it was with the help of the dramatic music I was playing, but that doesn't matter.) Wonder rocks my socks. This book is for anyone older than 10 years old, and for everyone, no matter what genre you like. Wonder is realistic fiction with action and heartfelt moments. Wonder is the whole package!
My favorite quote from the book: "Everyone needs a standing ovation at least once in their life, because we all overcometh the world." -August Pullman
(It's my official motto) :)
Drum roll please!!!
(OK guys, that's just wimpy. Now give me a REAL drum roll...)
WONDER BY R.J. PALACIO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Guys, this book is like Because of Mr.Terupt on steroids. If there were six stars, Wonder would get seven stars. I cannot scream this from the top of the Empire State Building enough times. (You think I'm kidding.) So I guess I should stop ranting, because I'm pretty sure you don't want to read a whole post of ranting and ramblings.
Most people think they have it bad. Like, "Oh No!I don't know what to wear!" Well you don't know the definition of having it bad. If you look it up in the dictionary, August Pullman's picture is next to it. Auggie has a face deformity that had been "..caused by a recessive mutation in the TCOF1 gene..." that makes kids run and scream and other kids make fun of him. He's been home-schooled by his mother because of that. And then middle school comes along.
August goes to Beecher Prep, a private school near his home in New York. He's welcomed by Mr.Tushman and three students, Charlotte, the nice and smart kid, Julian, the bully, and Jack Will, Auggie's new friend. Really, sending August to middle school is like sending "...a lamb to the slaughter...", and according to Google, that isn't good for August.
I think I already gave you a preview of what Wonder will get this week. So now we get to the suspense...
****** The Never Before Seen Six Stars!!!!! OK, if a tornado with sharks in it is possible (in a movie), than this is possible. Wonder is a moving book sure to touch the hearts of manys. I may sound like a buisness person, but I'm not kidding. I sobbed during this book. (Maybe it was with the help of the dramatic music I was playing, but that doesn't matter.) Wonder rocks my socks. This book is for anyone older than 10 years old, and for everyone, no matter what genre you like. Wonder is realistic fiction with action and heartfelt moments. Wonder is the whole package!
My favorite quote from the book: "Everyone needs a standing ovation at least once in their life, because we all overcometh the world." -August Pullman
(It's my official motto) :)
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