Posts Tagged ‘mythology’

The Blood of Olympus by Rick Riordan

blood of olympusThe final days are counting down for the prophecy of seven. The young demigods have split up to save the world one (hopefully) last time. Reyna, Nico, and Coach Hedge are shadow jumping with the Athena Parthenos, hoping to deliver it to Camp Halfblood before the Roman legion attacks. Will they get there before it’s too late? Only if Nico can find the strength to master the shadows before they overcome him, and only if the mighty hunter Orion doesn’t track them down first.

The rest of the crew–Percy, Annabeth, Jason, Piper, Hazel, Frank, and Leo–are on board the Argo II. They are traveling through the ancient lands of Rome and Greece to stop Gaia from rising. The prophecy says one will go down in storm and fire, but which one will it be? Is there anything they can do to keep them all alive and prevent Gaia from destroying the world?

My daughter has been hounding me to read this last installment by Rick Riordan ever since she bought it for our Kindles. I was determined to finish Les Miserables before I started any other book on Kindle, so it’s taken me a while to get to it. Once I started, thought, I raced through the digital pages of The Blood of Olympus (Disney-Hyperion 2014). I found it a satisfying conclusion to the series.

Like the previous installments, our heroes have no rest in their quest to save the world. Every page brings a new monster to face or a new problem to solve. The fast action makes this hefty book a quick read as does the shifting viewpoints. I know some readers miss the focus on Percy and the original cast of demigods, but I have enjoyed getting to know the new heroes. Some of my favorite storyines are the ones in which the less confident heroes–Hazel, Frank, Piper, Leo–grow into their own strengths. Throughout the series, the Greeks and Romans have had to overcome their distrust of each other, and it this last book, they truly come together.

I don’t want to spoil the ending for those of you who haven’t read it yet. (You mean I’m not the last one!) But this ending is the most satisfying–no cliffhanger to leave me desperate for the next book. I especially like the future outlook for Leo and Nico. I’ve been pulling for these underdogs/outcasts since I first met them, and I loved seeing them rise to the occasion throughout this book. The ending ties up the loose ends nicely, but it also leaves enough room to wonder and dream about what might come next.

Now that Riordan has explored Greek, Roman, and Egyptian mythologies, I’m excited to see what he will do with his upcoming series based on Norse mythology in the modern world.

More Olympians from George O’Connor

Thanks to the popularity of Rick Riordan’s Percy Jackson series, Greek mythology is a hot topic in my middle school.  Once students start reading about Percy’s adventure with the Greek gods in the modern world, they are ready to learn more about the original myths.  George O’Connor’s series of graphic novels about the twelve Olympians is the perfect source for more information about the Greek gods and the myths that surround them.

Each book focuses on one of the twelve major Greek gods and goddesses and explores the connections between them.  You can read about the first four books (Zeus: King of the Gods, Athena: Grey-Eyed Goddess, Hera: The Goddess and Her Glory; and Hades: Lord of the Dead) here.   The next two Olympians are Poseidon and Aphrodite.

Poseidon:  Earth Shaker (First Second 2013)

imagePoseidon may have thoughts as deep and as unsearchable as the oceans he rules, but O’Connor gives us a glimpse into this mysterious god with first person narration. That’s right, Poseidon gets to tell his own story from his conflict with Athena to his obsessions with the heroes Odysseus and Theseus.  Even though Poseidon chose the perfect realm for him to rule, he is never quite satisfied.  And what is the deal with his affinity for horses?  I appreciate the author’s note where O’Connor shares the difficulty he had in writing about Poseidon and the revisions he made in choices of point-of-view.  Poseidon has always been one of my favorites (right up there with Athena).  Now I understand his story even more.

Aphrodite:  Goddess of Love (First Second 2014)

imageThe goddess of love sure causes a lot of conflict among both gods and mortals alike.  After springing forth from the ocean foam, Aphrodite stirs love (and its attendant jealousy) wherever she goes.  Her adoring attendants, Aglaia, Euphrosyne, and Thalia, tell Aphrodite’s story as they wait on her with grace, beauty, and adornment.  Of course, you can’t talk about Aphrodite without including her husband Hephaistos, the sculptor Pygmalion, her mischievous son Eros, and the golden aapple that led to the Trojan War.  Clever drawings reference other stories of Aphrodite from Adonis to Narcissus.  And you thought she was just another pretty face.

As always in this series, the reference pages at the end are just as fascinating as the story.  I love the Author’s Note, were O’Connor explains the joys and challenges of writing the book along with the choices he made in doing so.  One page fact sheets on the major players give essential information at a glance, including modern references to the myths.  For those who want to learn more, a bibliography points readers to additional resources.  I can’t wait to learn about the next six Olympians.

House of Hades

imageAfter the cliff-hanger ending in Mark of Athena, I was ready to strangle Rick Riordan.  How could he do that and then make us wait for an entire year to see what happens?  Now that I’ve read House of Hades (Disney-Hyperion 2013), I may have to admit it was worth the wait.  I do think this one is my favorite Riordan book yet.

House of Hades picks up the story with Hazel and Frank and Jason and Leo and Piper and Nico and Coach Hedge back on the Argo II, trying to return the statue of Athena to its rightful place and fulfill the prophecy and reach the Doors of Death.  All they want to do is go after Percy and Annabeth, but all they can do is hope the two survived their fall and meet them on the other side of the Doors of Death at the right time.  How many things can go wrong with that plan?

One of the things I loved best about this book was seeing the transformations in Hazel, Frank, Leo, and even Piper.  Each of them must confront their own monsters and their own fears in order to embrace their unique strengths.  As they do, the demigods from the two camps learn to trust each other and work as a team.

Don’t worry.  We do hear from Percy and Annabeth as they make their way through Tartarus to reach the Doors of Death.  Along the way they meet some unexpected friends and receive help from monsters who just might not be monstrous.  One of my favorite scenes in the book comes when one of those monsters comes riding up (on the back of another monster, of course) once he decides he can change his fate after all.  All through the book demigods and gods realize that they do have the power to change their fates.

While there is still one more book to come, at least Riordan ended this one with a little breathing room while we wait for The Blood of Olympus.

Here come the Gorgons!

I bet you think you know the Gorgons–Medusa and her sisters.  They are snake-haired monsters who can turn you to stone with a single glance, right?  Not so fast.  Greek mythology gave these girls a bad rap.  Now Tera Lynn Childs is here to set the story straight.  They are not monsters. They are the guardians of humanity, charged with sending monsters back to the abyss.

sweet venomFirst came Sweet Venom.  Grace, Gretchen and Greer meet and learn they are triplets and descendants of Medusa.  Once they reunite, they must fulfill an ancient prophecy and take up their legacy in a world filled with monsters.

sweet shadows

 

Next came Sweet Shadows.  Grace, Gretchen and Greer can barely keep ahead of the flood of monsters coming their way.  Not only are there monsters everywhere, but some of the gods and goddesses are determined to keep them from their destiny.  Who can they trust except each other?

 

Finally, it is time for Sweet Legacy.   I can’t wait to find out how these three monster-fighting, sword-swinging triplets take on monsters and gods in this exciting end to the Medusa Girls trilogy.  Will Grace, Gretchen, and Greer be able to find the lost door between the realms and solve the mysteries of their past and present before it is too late?  Here’s the official blurb and the gorgeous cover:

SweetLegacyHC1

Greer has always known she was privileged, though she had no idea how special her second sight made her, even among her triplet monster-fighting sisters. But when a god starts playing with her mind, can Greer step up in her pretty high heels to prevent anything from stopping her sisters’ mission?

Grace loves her adopted brother, Thane, but now that he’s back and has joined her sisters’ team, it’s clear his past is full of dark mysteries. She wants to trust him, but will Thane’s secret put the girls in even more danger?

Gretchen knows she can rely on her sisters to help her stop the monsters. But after getting to know some of the beasties in the abyss, she finds her role as a huntress comes with more responsibility than she ever imagined. How can she know what her birthright demands of her now?

The girls cannot hesitate as they seek the location of the lost door between the realms, even as monsters and gods descend on San Francisco in battle-ready droves. In this exciting conclusion to the Sweet Venom trilogy, these teenage heirs of Medusa must seek the truth, answer the ancient riddles, and claim their immortal legacy.

 

I am thrilled to be part of a blog blitz today to introduce this last book to the world.  And I have some exciting news to share with you.

First, I was able to ask Grace some questions.  She is my favorite of the triplets.  Here are my questions and her answers:

1. How is your family dealing with the monsters in your life now that they know about them?
They’re being amazing, as always. It’s such a huge relief to be able to tell them! My brother Thane is being especially supportive. Can you believe he volunteered to go into the monster abyss to help us get the gorgons back? Talk about loyalty.
2. Prophecies can be tricky, even misleading.  What do you think the prophecy means for you and your sisters?
I’ve only known about his world for a few weeks, and even I know the gods like to play tricks on unsuspecting players in their not-so-little games. Mostly I just hope we can get the gorgons back and get through this whole thing in tact. Keep your fingers crossed.
3. What is the deal with Milo?  Can you really trust him?
Of course I trust Milo. Why wouldn’t I? Wait, do you know something I don’t know. Please tell me he isn’t secretly a part of this crazy world too? I don’t think I could take it. I really don’t. (Seriously. You would tell me, right?)
I think I’m keeping my eye on Milo, just in case.
If you can’t wait to find out what happens, here is where you can order your very own copy:

If you want to learn more about Tera Lynn Childs and her other fabulous books, check out these links:

  • website http://teralynnchilds.com/
  • twitter http://twitter.com/teralynnchilds
  • facebook http://facebook.com/authortlc
  • Sweet Legacy http://teralynnchilds.com/books/sweet-legacy/

And there’s more!  Tera Lynn is offering a giveaway with this latest release.  Just fill out the Rafflecoptor form to enter.  This giveaway is open only the the United States and Canada.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I’m doing double duty today with the blog blitz and Slice of Life.

imageLife Challenge sponsored by Ruth and Stacey over at Two Writing Teachers, where teachers write and share each Tuesday. Join in yourself or head over to check out what’s happening with other slicers. If you’re taking part in the SOL, leave a link to your post. I’d love to read it.

Modern Mythology

I have always loved mythology.  Even more, I love when writers bring ancient mythology into the modern world.  Yes, that means I snatch up any book by Susan Cooper (myths or legends of King Arthur) Rick Riordan (Greek, Roman, and Egyptian mythology), or Tera Lynn Childs (more Greek mythology).  Now I’ve discovered two more writers who explore different mythology in the modern world.

Of Poseidon (Fiewel and Friends 2012) by Anna Banks

imageFirst, I have to confess that I haven’t actually finished this one.  I downloaded the audio book, and neither my computer nor my iPod will play the last 2-3  minutes of the book.  I will be finding a hard copy to read the last few pages because I’m dying to know the reaction of the undersea kingdoms to the revelation that was just being revealed.  Arrg!

Galen, a prince of the Syrena, has been sent to land as an ambassador to humans.  He is looking for someone with the gift of Poseidon–the ability to communicate with sea animals. He thinks that Emma just might be the one he is looking for, but she doesn’t have a clue about the Syrena or that she is one.  After the shock of losing her best friend, the attention of Galen and the news of the Syrena is a bit much for Emma to take in.

The story alternates between Galen (told in third person) and Emma (told in first person.  At first I liked the chapters from Galen better.  Emma had way too much swooning going on, but once she got over that, I enjoyed her spunk and humor as much as I did Galen’s loyalty to his people.  Galen’s sister Raina also keeps things interesting with her temper and curiosity. In spite of the interrupted ending (I hear it’s a cliff-hanger anyway), I’m looking forward to the second book in the series, Of Triton.

Valkyrie Rising (Harper Teen 2012) by Ingrid Paulson

imageI actually won an ARC of this title from a giveaway by Tera Lynn Childs.  It’s been sitting on my TBR stack until summer reading. I just wish I had found time to read it sooner because I know I had students who would love this story that combines kick-butt fighting, family secrets, and forbidden romance.

When Ellie spends the summer with her grandmother in Norway, she just hopes to get out from under the gaze of her protective older brother.  But soon, it is her older brother Graham and his best friend Tucker who need protecting as boys start disappearing amid rumors of kidnapping.  Ellie is confused by the sudden suspicions of the villagers and the secrets of her grandmother.  Then there are the strange abilities and powerful urges that Ellie herself experiences.  Will she answer the call to join the Valkyries or stand against them?

I hope there will be more books from Ingrid Paulson to come.

Graphic Novel Roundup

 

I’m taking part in the Slice of Life Challenge sponsored by Ruth and Stacey over at Two Writing Teachers. I hope to write every day for the month of March and then continue weekly each Tuesday. Join in yourself or head over to check out what’s happening with other slices. If you’re taking part in the SOL, leave a link to your post. I’d love to read it.

 

Nonfiction is one of the book gaps I have been trying to fill this year.  Graphic novels are another gap.  It has been harder for me to fill this book gap.  It’s not because there aren’t quality graphic novels out there.  There many, with more coming every day.  It’s not that my students don’t read them.  They do, especially the groups I have this year.  My graphic novel shelf is usually empty, or nearly so.  No, the problem is with me as a reader.  I forget to slow down and look at the pictures.  Since half the story is told through the pictures in a graphic novel, I miss a lot until I remember, “Look at the pictures before you go to the next frame.”  I wonder if that’s how some of my students feel when reading a text novel if they haven’t learned to visualize while reading.  No wonder they don’t enjoy it.

During spring break, I’m catching up on graphic novels that I can take back to share with my students.  They are going to love these even more than I did.

The Red Pyramid Graphic Novel (Disney Hyperion 2012) by Rick Riordan, adapted by Orpheus Collar

 

I loved The Red Pyramid by Rick Riordan, but it’s hefty page count can be intimidating to some readers.  This graphic novel version will pull in those readers looking for lots of action and danger.  New dangers wait for Sadie and Carter Kane around every corner as they discover secrets of their family’s past and seek to reawaken the paths of the gods, the Egyptian gods.  Along the way they have to rescue their uncle and stop Set from destroying the world in chaos.  Did I mention the magicians who are trying to kill them, too?  I enjoyed the vivid pictures and fast-moving panels, but I missed the voices of Sadie and Carter, who alternate telling the tale in the original.

I love George O’Connor’s Olympians series.  So far I have four of them, and I just saw on GoodReads that the fifth one is out.  There goes more money to a bookstore.  Even though each book focuses on one of the Olympians, the stories include so much more that help draw connections between the Greek myths.  A chart in the beginning of each outlines the family tree of Greek gods and goddesses.  The author’s note in the back explains how O’Connnor chose his retelling.  Each book also includes discussion questions and a fact sheet on each god or goddess.  I like the modern connections given on each.  The vivid drawings and fast-moving panels show these gods and goddesses as the first superheroes

Zeus:  King of the Gods (First Second 2010)

Zeus’s story begins before his birth with the existence of Kaos, Gaea, and Ouranos.   It continues with the birth of the Titans and the eventual battle between the Titans and the Olympians.  Don’t worry, Zeus reappears many times in the later books as well.

 

 

Hera:  The Goddess and Her Glory (First Second 2011)

Hera not only claims her place as queen beside Zeus, she is the only one who has any chance of keeping him in line.  Her story is interwoven with that of Heracles, or “the glory of Hera.”  Why would a goddess intent on punishing a human charge him with challenges that would lead to his immortality?  Heracles and Hera may not have liked each other, but their stories are forever linked.

Hades:  Lord of the Dead (First Second 2012)

The story of Hades cannot be complete without the story of Demeter and Persephone.  I like O’Connor’s take on these stories.  Maybe Hades is not completely a bad guy (even if he does rule over the dead).  Maybe Persephone found good reason to remain in the Underworld for part of the year.

 

 

Athena:  Grey-Eyed Goddess (First Second 2010)

Not only is Athena my favorite goddess, but this is my favorite book so far.  The three fates oor Furies take turns telling stories of Athena, from her birth to her exploits as a warrior. Athena is smart, strong, and cool under fire.  Not only all that, but we get to admire the hero Perseus as well, as he seeks to find and behead Medusa.

 

Just for Fins by Tera Lynn Childs

Tera Lynn Childs creates a satisfying ending to the trilogy of books about Lily Sanderson, a secret mermaid princess learning about life on land as a high school student.  Just for Fins (Katherine Tegen Books 2012) is my favorite in this series because Lily has grown into her own person with grace and courage.

No longer is Lily plagued with deciding what is right for herself (Brody or Quinn?  Princess or not?).  Instead she is ready to take on the responsibilities that are her birthright–and not a moment to soon.  Trouble is brewing under the waves as multiple kingdoms are threatened by a changing climate and increasing pollution from humans.  The leaders of the seven seas come at Lily’s invitation, but they do not respond favorably to her pleas for help.  Many have secretly decided to take matters into their own hands, threatening the secrecy that protects the mer kingdoms.  Can Princess WaterLily uncover and stop the plot. before it is too late?  Meanwhile, an ancient mer-law threatens to separate Lily and Quinn, this time forever.  Quinn must pass three tests of his physical, mental, and emotional endurance without any help from anyone.

I really liked how the characters grow through this series.  Not only does Lily grow into a leader, but Quinn also changes through his quests.  He might even make a believable merman by the end.  The biggest change, though comes with Dosinia and Brody.  No longer a spoiled brat rebelling against everything, Dosinia becomes Lily’s staunchest ally.

This trilogy has been very popular in my classroom, and I think my readers will enjoy this final installment.  Of course, they may be begging for more!

Sweet Shadows by Tera Lynn Childs

Sweet Shadows (Katherine Tegen Books 2012), the second book in the Medusa Girls trilogy by Tera Lynn Childs, explodes from the first page with more monsters and more trouble for Gretchen, Grace and Greer.  Now that three sisters have reunited, can they fulfill the Key Prophecy Ian’s restore balance before it’s too late?  Not only are more and more monsters pouring from the Abyss looking to collect the bounty for killing a huntress, butch the gods and goddesses have taken sides, too.  Half of them want to kill the three sisters before they can reopen the door between the Abyss and Earth.  Half want to kill them after they open the door.  Oh yes, the only people who might help them, the remaining two Gorgon sisters have been captured by monsters.

Each of the three sisters gets a turn to tell her part of the story.  Gretchen is just as tough as ever, but we do get to see some vulnerability as she questions whether she should trust the mysterious Nick.  He is definitely more than he seems.  Grace is as sweet as ever, but she learns that she is tough enough to take out a monster in one of my favorite scenes.  I am glad to hear more from Greer, who is not quite as aloof as she was when we first met her in Sweet Venom.  She still wants to be in complete control of everything, but as her two worlds collide, she must accept help from her sisters.

There is much more packed into these pages: romance, betrayal, mystery, secrets.  The only thing I didn’t like is that the end leaves me hanging for the next book.

The Serpent’s Shadow by Rick Riordan

Sadie and Carter Kane have one last book to save the world from the Egyptian god of chaos, Apophis.  Just like the previous two books, The Serpent’s Shadow (Disney/Hyperion Books 2012) by Rick Riordan is packed with zany humor, eccentric gods, and nonstop action.  If anything can go wrong with their quest to save the world, it does go wrong.  The only way they can save the world is to do the impossible–and do it on a deadline in three day’s time.

Sadie and Carter take turns telling the story.  I enjoy their digs at each other and the opportunity to experience all the action from their different perspectives.  Some of my favorite characters are back.  Sadie is still torn between Anubis, the god of death, and Walt, the cursed & and dying magician.  Ra, the Sun-god, is still off his rocker.  Zia (the real one) is drawn to caring for Ra.  Carter, of course, is still attracted to Zia if he can just get up the nerve to do something about it.  Bast still puts out her claws if anyone threatens her kits.  Bes and Tawaret might even make it out of their eternal nursing home, if all goes according to plan.

I love the new characters Riordan introduces as well.  Sadie and Walt must survive their encounter with Neith, the goddess of the hunt.  I will never quite look at Jelly Babies the same way again.  My favorite, though, would have to be Setne, the ghost magician.  This dude is not only evil, he is the only one who can lead Sadie and Carter to the secret to defeating Apophis.  Setne has a history of escaping justice after death, and he just might do it again.  He might lead Sadie and Carter to where he hid his book of spells, or he might kill them along the way.  Even if he tells only lies, it is always a good story.

This is supposed to be the last book for the Kanes, but Riordan leaves hints that Sadie and Carter won’t necessarily live happily ever after.  New magic and new problems are sure to appear along side the work of rebuilding all that was lost while Apophis grew stronger.  After reading this series, I just wish I knew more about Egyptian mythology.  Somehow I neglected the gods of the pyramids on my mythology kick back in my younger days.

Now I just have to wait until fall for the release of the Mark of Athena, the third book in the Heroes of Olympus series.

The Red Pyramid by Rick Riordan

I know many of you enjoyed the Percy Jackson series by Rick Riordan.  So did I.  Now it’s time for Percy, Anabeth and Glover to step aside and make room for Carter and Sadie in The Red Pyramid.  It turns out that the Greek gods are not the only ancient gods trying to survive the modern world.

Carter and Sadie have been kept seperated since their mother’s death six years ago.  Carter has traveled the world with his archeaologist father (specializing in ancient Egypt) while Sadie lived with their grandparents in London.  After a terrible accident on Christmas day releases the Egyptian gods from their banishment in the Duat (and imprisons their father), Carter and Sadie discover that they are from a long line of Egyptian magicians and the only ones who can make things right.  It won’t be easy.  The god Set (who brings chaos) is hunting them down with vicious monsters.  On the other side, the magicians of the House of Life are also hunting them down to kill them because they believe Carter and Sadie to be powerful and dangerous.  Will they succeed, or will chaos overtake the world?

I like how Riordan explores chaos as the opposite of good.  Carter and Sadie must also learn to see the good hidden within even the most unlikable characters.  Both of these ideas remind me of themes raised in Madeleine L’Engle’s Time Quartet, especially A Wind in the Door.  What can stop the seemingly random acts of violence that plague our world? 

After reading The Red Pyramid, I definitely want to learn more about Egyptian mythology.  Somehow I missed out on it during my childhood explorations of mythology.  Any good recommendations to get me started?

If you have already devoured everything Riordan has written, check out his recommendations based on his favorites and those of his sons here.