Percy Jackson & the Olympians series ~Rick Riordan~

BASICALLY: When Karina was in junior high, she and all her friends read these “Percy Jackson books”. I had read a few of Rick Riordan’s other books like Heroes of Olympus and the Kane Chronicles (I know like, “You’ve read those but not Percy Jackson? Like did you understand anything at all?”) I assumed that Percy Jackson & the Olympians would not bring anything new to the stories. Upon reading it, I found it was similar; yet, it gave me a strong background and foundation for many of the other Rick Riordan books. I thoroughly enjoyed the series’ characters, humor, plot, and themes.

I love Rick Riordan’s writing: he has such a great sense of humor, and he has so much knowledge of Greek mythology. I won’t even try to count the number of tests I’ve aced on Greek mythology because of my prior knowledge due to Percy Jackson. (from the Sirens to Cyclops, fights between the gods to mythological methods of transportation//It’s all there.) Rick Riordan has an insane understanding of history, and he uses it to make his books great.

SIDE NOTE: I love Percy’s take on life. Bullies don’t get him down, his inabilities don’t hold him back, and he tends to see the good in others where others judge. Oh, and the plot is heartbreakingly real.

BONUS: I made some Percy Jackson cupcakes to celebrate my completion of the series.

Young Sherlock: Death Cloud ~Andy Lane~

Loving the intensity of the BBC program Sherlock, I assumed that the suspense and mystery of the book series written off of Sherlock’s supposed childhood would intrigue me as well. However I found the book drudgingly slow and very unrealistic. 

The predicaments Sherlock entangles himself in are, not only coincidental, but extremely impossible. Time after time, Sherlock is thrown into situations that are unrealistically horrible: he is almost killed in a fire, yet escapes; kidnapped at a fair, yet escapes; is attacked in a boat, yet escapes; meets an evil baron, yet escapes; attacked by two sinister apprentices of the baron, yet escapes; captured on a ship, yet escapes; and fights against the same baron, yet escapes. Too many narrow escapes for reality, even for Sherlock Holmes. 

Though the overall plot of the book was unsatisfying, I enjoyed understanding more of the great genius’ past, and the reasons for much of his bitterness. The author does a very good impersonation of the adult version of Sherlock, adding a childish rebellion, crush, and innocence.

Thanks to the kind friend who recommended it, for it taught me, one, how to read a book persistently even when I don’t love it, and two, that the books are not always truly better than the movies.

The Diamond of the Rockies series ~Kristen Heitzmann~

“To rise to higher joy is to risk a deeper sorrow. Do I dare reach for the sun?” (The Rose Legacy)

Carina Maria DiGratia, thirsting for adventure and betrayed by the ones she loved, embarks on a perilous journey through the Rocky Mountains. The Diamond of the Rockies series detail her adventures, her trials, and her path towards forgiving and loving.

Quillan Shephard, though strong outwardly, is buried inside by fear of love and vulnerability. The scars run deep. Unable to live dependently, he hides his soul, and bares a pirate face, warding off all who reach and endeavor to care.

Except one.

Carina.

“Ah, mia bella Carina.”

“I've always felt out of step. Like literally stumbling through my life.” (Eclipse) 

Bella Swan, quiet and discontent, knew not the loneliness that plagued her soul. Faces blurred in a crowd and no one stood out to her as unique. Monotony characterized her simple life, until she met her greatest adventure.

Edward Cullen, quiet and discontent, knew the loneliness that plagued his soul. Searching for her, he lived his life in seclusion, hiding his soul, and baring an angel’s face, warding off all who reached and endeavored to care. 

Except for one.

Bella.

“Plus que ma propre vie.”

Adventure. Beauty. Love. A life different than the one I have been dealt. 

Jessica Jansma, adventurous and discontent, knows the deepness of her soul, though others see the external detriments. Faces stand out in crowds, and she searches for ones who reach and endeavor to care. When will she find one who will never leave? When will she find contentment in her adventure? When will peace be enough?

Animal Farm ~George Orwell~

               My English teacher is notorious for his ability to give away the entire plot of a book before his class has even read it. Knowing this, I made it my goal to read as many of the books that I knew we were going to be required to read this summer, in order that no book endings would be revealed to me before I desired. Animal Farm was one of the books on that list.

                Animal Farm is an easy read and it’s intriguing too. Unfortunately, I didn’t understand the book as much as I wanted to, mainly due to the symbolism that I’m clueless on. Even though right now I only see the story, hopefully soon I will see the beautiful depth to the book.

Dave at Night ~Gail Carson Levine~

My little sister Olivia used to have a very different book taste than I did. She loved the Little House on the Prairie books, Faithgirlz, and A Dixie Morris Animal Adventure series. (None of which I liked very much.) As she’s grown, her book taste has matched mine more and more. Therefore when she asked me to read a book called Dave at Night, I was pretty confident that I would enjoy it. 

                This book exceeded my expectations by mountains! When I was a child, my siblings and I would play “orphans” for days and days. Our imaginations were spurred on by Little Orphan Annie, James and Cassandra from Little House on the Prairie, and the Boxcar Children. Dave at Night was quite identical to many of our orphan games---so much so that I found it easily relatable!  

          Dave at Night is about a boy who is orphaned at a young age and placed in an institute for orphan boys. The story describes his adventures escaping from the orphanage, making buddies, and learning how to accept love and appreciation. The most important lesson Dave learns is that, “A friend sticks closer than a brother.”

~

{a pic of me and my siblings in one of our “orphan” games.}