Review: Percy Jackson and the Greek Gods

Title: Percy Jackson and the Greek Gods (Percy Jackson and The Olympians Companion Book)
Author: Rick Riordan
Publisher: Puffin
Genres: Fantasy, Mythology, YA
Release Date: August 19th 2014
Pages: 388
Where Acquired: Amazon
Buy at Amazon Here 
- Best Book Price: £7.32 Kindle Price: £8.15 (as of when posted) 

UK Cover: 


A Cover From Elsewhere (Italy): 


Goodreads Description: 
Who could tell the origin stories of the gods of Olympus better than a modern-day demigod? Percy Jackson provides an insider's view with plenty of 'tude in this illustrated collection.

So begins Percy Jackson's Greek Gods, in which the son of Poseidon adds his own magic--and sarcastic asides--to the classics. He explains how the world was created, then gives readers his personal take on a who's who of ancients, from Apollo to Zeus. Percy does not hold back. "If you like horror shows, blood baths, lying, stealing, backstabbing, and cannibalism, then read on, because it definitely was a Golden Age for all that.

My Review: 
Full of typical Riordan sass and humour and it still ostounds me how an adult like Rick can write so convincingly as a Teenager that you don't even come close to doubting that this hasn't been written by Percy himself. I love greek mythology and know quite a few of the stories anyway but this book gave me many more I hadn't heard of and put a great new twist on the ones I had read before. The little sarky comments had me in stitches and I love the fear expressed about Percy not wanting to anger the gods. What got me laughing the most however were the comments in brackets reminding the kids who read the book that alcahol is bad and to not do drugs. This book is a masterpiece of educational writing and I can't wait for Greek Heroes to come out this Summer! This book gets 5 stars not just because I am biast - which I am when it comes to Riordan - but because I couldn't stop laughing the whole time and couldn't stop reading until it was finished. 

Quotes: 

“So Aphrodite married Hephaestus and the celebrity ship Aphrophaestus completely dominated Olympian tabloid news for like a thousand years. Did they live happily ever after? HAHAHAHAHA. No.”

"Hermes played a little Mozart and some One Direction, and Apollo cried, ‘I must have it! The girls will go wild for that!”

 “ZEUS SUX and TYPHOEUS WUZ HERE.”

Rating: 

3 Similar Books You May Enjoy (Goodreads): 

Have You Read This Book? How Did You Find It?

Why Don't You Leave Me A Comment, Or a Link To Your Own Blog?

I Would Love To Hear Your Views! 

-The Reading Rose

Review: Twilight

Title: Twilight (Twilight #1)
Author: Stephenie Meyer
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company
Genres: YA, Paranormal Romance, Fantasy
Release Date: September 6th 2006
Pages: 498
Where Acquired: Amazon
Buy at Amazon Here 
- Best Book Price: £1.91 Kindle Price: £3.95 (as of when posted) 

UK Cover: 


A Cover From Elsewhere (German): 


Goodreads Description: 
About three things I was absolutely positive:

First, Edward was a vampire.

Second, there was a part of him - and I didn't know how dominant that part might be - that thirsted for my blood.

And third, I was unconditionally and irrevocably in love with him.

When Bella Swan moves to the gloomy town of Forks and meets Edward Cullen, her life takes a thrilling and terrifying turn. With his porcelain skin, golden eyes, mesmerizing voice, and supernatural gifts, Edward is both irresistible and impenetrable. Up until now, he has managed to keep his true identity hidden, but Bella is determined to uncover his dark secret.

What Bella doesn't realize is the closer she gets to him, the more she is putting herself and those around her at risk. And it might be too late to turn back...

My Review: 
I began Twilight years ago on my cruise but the cruise ended before I could finish it and it was part of the Ship's library so I couldn't take it home. I baught the book when I got back home but It has been sitting on my shelf for nearly 5 years now. The first thing I noticed was how weired it was that the first time I read this the characters were older then me and now they are 17 - the same age as my younger brother. It made me feel old. I did turn into a little bit of an old woman though as I was outraging the whole time that 'Your too young to be in Love!' and 'How do you understand what love is at 17!'.
However I did enjoy the book, it's epic romance and actions scenes had me hooked and I love a good vampire novel - even if these ones do sparkle (nope, Like many people, I can't get over that either). In the films I always loved Alice and Jasper and that didn't change after reading the book. However my attitude on Bella changed dramaticly. I hate Bella in the early films - I only began to like her in Breaking Dawn - she just didn't seem to do anything, she was just so miserable all the time. However in the book she has so much more depth, she is sassy and happy most of the time. I loved this Bella and now see that they really didn't do the character justice in the movies. Jacob's age shocked me a little, he was just so young in this book! nothing like the film version of the character! I minused two stars for the predicableness of the book and for the annoying expressions of Love at first sight (see my top ten tuesday on annoying romance traits)

Quotes: 

“And so the lion fell in love with the lamb…" he murmured. I looked away, hiding my eyes as I thrilled to the word.
"What a stupid lamb," I sighed.
"What a sick, masochistic lion.”

"I had never meant to love him. One thing I truly knew - knew it in the pit of my stomach, in the center of my bones, knew it from the crown of my head to the soles of my feet, knew it deep in my empty chest - was how love gave someone the power to break you”

Rating: 

3 Similar Books You May Enjoy (Goodreads): 

Have You Read This Book? How Did You Find It?

Why Don't You Leave Me A Comment, Or a Link To Your Own Blog?

I Would Love To Hear Your Views! 

-The Reading Rose

Interview With Ian Thomas Malone

Ian Thomas Malone
A Trip Down Reality Lane

Goodreads Description: 

College life can be tough…
For a junior pursuing a degree in English with no plans for his future, living in the present is far better than the alternative.
One morning he wakes up and embarks on an acid trip to the Boston Museum of Fine Arts with two of his friends.
A step outside reality might be the best way to come back down to earth…
Along the way, the three friends discover what matters most to them, and more importantly, that life is not so much about answers as it is about the exploration of the questions.When the real world doesn't quite cut it, take a journey down the rabbit hole.

Interview 

1. Hello, Can you tell us more about your book please?

A Trip Down Reality Lane is a psychedelic coming of age story about a boy who explores what his purpose in life might be while he’s on an acid trip with two of his friends.

2. Out of all the characters, who was the most fun to write and why?

James. He isn’t the main character, but he supplies much of the comedic relief. His scenes were the most fun to write.

3. How did you come up with the idea of the book?

I wanted to do something that was both completely absurd and deeply philosophical. An adventure story about acid and youthful indecisiveness felt like a match made in heaven.

4. What tips would you give to any of my readers who are aspiring to be authors?

Perseverance is everything. Writing a book is a marathon, not a sprint. You need determination more than anything else. Well, maybe not more than tea. I can’t write without tea. Once you finish the manuscript, you can work out the kinks. Unless you’re writing erotica, then you probably want to keep the kinks in.

5. What projects do you have planned for the next year?

I have two more releases on the docket so far and have a lot in the works. My next book, Five More College Dialogues is coming out next month, which is very exciting. I also have a play titled Dead Batteries Tell No Tales coming out sometime in the summer. I just finished the first draft of another manuscript. Things are pretty busy.

6. If you were on a desert island which 3 book characters from any series would you want with you?

Gandalf the Grey so he could call his eagles to come pick us up off the island. Also Kilgore Trout and Tyrion Lannister so I could watch them debate each other.

7. What is your favourite childhood book and why?

Without a doubt, Winnie the Pooh. Those stories have values in them that anyone can appreciate. I still enjoy a good Pooh adventure.

8. What inspired you to become an author? 

I’ve told stories all my life and have been writing online since I was eleven. You do what you love. I love writing.

9. What do you like to do in your free time?

I like to read, swim, and practice yoga. I’m a certified yoga teacher. Beyond that, I like to spend way too much time in coffee shops chatting.

10. What inspired your book cover and what do you love most about it?

I think the cover perfectly captures the essence of the book. It was one of those rare instances where something turns out exactly as you wanted it. I love every bit of it. 

Buy it on Amazon Here

Top Ten Badass Heroines

This is a weekly Meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish Where Fellow Book Bloggers Share Their Top Ten of The Given Subject.

Top Ten Badass Heronines

This post will be a mixture of Book, Film and TV Heroines but I am going to do 10 for each catagory as there are too many awesome females out there! They are all in no perticular order and I do not own any of the images.

Book

1. Hermionie Granger Harry Potter
 
2. Annabeth Chase Percy Jackson/Heroes of Olympus

3. Tris Prior Divergent

4. Isabelle Lightwood Mortal Instruments
 
5. Elizabeth Bennett Pride and Prejudice

6. America Singer The Selection

7. Laurel Sewell Wings

8. Chidi Salted (This is the closest gif I could get)

9. Sadie Kane Kane Chronicles
 
10. Piper Mclean Heroes of Olympus


Film
1. Katniss Everdeen The Hunger Games

2. Mathilda Leon: The Proffesional

3. Merida Brave

4. Astrid How to Train Your Dragon

5. Rapunzel Tangled 

6. Wanderer The Host

7. Mystique XMen

8. Malificent Malificent

9. Snow White Snow White and the Huntsman

10. Helen Parr The Incredibles


Television
1. Clarke Griffin The 100
 
2. Octavia Blake The 100

3. Charlie Matheson Revolution
 
4. Arya Stark Game of Thrones

5. Brienne of Tarth Game of Thrones

6. Daenerys Targaryen Game of Thrones

7. Theresa Rubel 'Trubel' Grimm

8. Donna Noble Doctor Who

9. Joan Watson Elementary 

10. Belle French Once Upon a Time

Top Ten Bookish Problems I Have

This is a weekly Meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish Where Fellow Book Bloggers Share Their Top Ten of The Given Subject.

Top Ten Bookish Problems I Have

This post will be a mixture of problems I have being a book addict and problems I have with Books.

Problems with Being a Book Addict

1. I Have to Read Everything In Order
If someone (or sometimes accidently myself) buys me a book and I havn't read the ones before it then I will not read it until I have. They even have a special space on my bookshelf.
2. My Books make me antisocialIf someone forces me to stop reading a good book I get very, very, Grumpy. I'm even worse if I was in the middle of a good part.
Books also cause me to zone out and stop listinging, not speaking to anyone around me lost in my own world. So I miss things going on around me and look antisocial, doesn't help with making friends much. If I have just finished an incredible Book and have fallen in a Book Coma just before I go out anywhere or have to be social. I don't really speak to anyone and sit there depressed and silent Until I am distracted from the Book's hold on me.
3. I love a real book but Kindles are just so comfortable...
Books have a lovely smell and you can't beat getting lost in paper. But they are so uncomfetable to read if you are laying on your back or in bed. You get achy hands but don't want to stop reading even if it hurts. Kindles are light and soooo comfortable so I love my kindle a little too much...
4. No Space.. At all...
I had to reluctantly buy a kindle (even though as I said above I love it now) just because I run out of space in my room. I had a new bookshelf added and now have a whole wall of books nearly and I have already filled it up. And I Kind of have books in my cupboard, under my bed, in the loft.... I can't wait to get my own house - who needs a spare bedroom/dining room etc I'm having a book room!
5. I can't stop buying books.
I have 170 books I havn't read yet (thanks for reminding me of that constantly Goodreads.. Not) But I still can't help going out and getting more all the time... 
6. I hate being seperated from my Books
If I forget to take a book with me when I go out for a long time I feel lost...
7. I ALWAYS compare the movie to the Book and Get Furious at the Differences.
 
Problems with Books

8. Waking Up Confused
So many books have the protagonist waking up confused... Am I the only person who wakes up with a complete account of where I am and what happened the night before? Or am I just unusual?
9. The characters are younger than me.
I read books when I was younger and was like 'I want to be like them when I grow up' and now I am older than a lot of those characters. It makes me feel so old...
10. Rubbish Endings
I hate books that are incredible and then you get to the end and just go 'oh' there is no lingering awe or book coma just 'oh..' (yes i'm looking at you Under The Dome)

Interview With Tig Carson

Tig Carson

A Space Story:

The Journal of a Bald Little Alien Named Dean Kilmer

Goodreads Description: 

When a bald little alien named Dean
goes in search of Earth, he's shocked
to discover he's not the only one
looking for a way there.

Follow Dean as he befriends the most feared creature in the galaxy, gets hunted by killer monsters, reveals ancient mysteries, and eats way too much fake bacon.

Interview 

1. Hello, Can you tell us more about your book please?
My book is about a bald little alien named Dean who heads out in search of Earth, but is shocked to discover he's not the only one looking for a way there. Dean befriends the most feared creature in the galaxy, gets hunted by killer monsters, reveals ancient mysteries, and eats way too much fake bacon. The book itself is actually Deans journal. He uses it to document his adventures, and make some rough sketches along the way.
 
2. Out of all the characters, who was the most fun to write and why?
My favorite character to write was Rusty the Robot. He is a billion+ robot with a tricycle for a lower body. I loved writing his dialogue because he is both childlike and, because of his age, very wise. It was a lot of fun getting inside his head. He's the robotic friend I would have loved to have as a child. :)


3. How did you come up with the idea of the book?
I came up with the idea for the book years ago, when I worked as a projectionist at a movie theater. I would spend hours a day sitting in a dark room with not much more to do than start and stop movies. Eventually I got to creating a story about a little alien who becomes obsessed with Earth culture, and decides he wants to visit our planet. From there, it just spiraled into the book it is now.
4. What tips would you give to any of my readers who are aspiring to be authors?
The tips that helped me most when I started out (and to this very day) are  - Write every day, even when you don't feel like writing. Even if it's only a sentence. Writing is a skill that need to be exercised, just like an athlete. And, the other is - Write to entertain yourself. Write the stories that YOU would enjoy reading. Don't copy other writers, just be you, and the rest will fall into place.
 
5. What projects do you have planned for the next year?
I am close to finishing the second book in the 'A SPACE STORY' series. Then, I want to start on a coming of age story I been bouncing around for years. It follows a group of kids living in the Pine Barrens of NJ in the early 1980's.
 
6. If you were on a desert island which 3 book characters from any series would you want with you?
Gandalf the Grey (he would be more fun than the White.. HA!) , Ford Prefect (from 'The Hitchikers Guide to the Galaxy'), and Mike Callahan (the bartender from 'Callahan's Crosstime Saloon Series' by Spider Robinson)

7. What is your favourite childhood book and why?

My favorite childhood book is 'Where the Sidewalk Ends' by Shel Silverstein. I still remember the day I discovered it on the low bookshelf of my elem school library. It was the first book (I know, it's more of a collection of strange poems) that I couldn't put down. It was an eye opening experience for me at the time, and was the first book that made me laugh and creeped me out at the same time.

8. What inspired you to become an author?

I sat and thought about this just the other day. I always loved making up stories since I was a small boy. But to be honest, I think the two main driving forces in going from making up stories to writing them down was being bullied and boredom. Writing helped me to escape the boredom and chaos that is part of childhood. It was a place to run off to for a small clip of time. Sort of the same reason we read books or watch movies I suppose. It's my own little world where I can be whatever I want to be.

9. What do you like to do in your free time?

I spend most of my free time hanging with friends and family, playing board games ('Catan' and 'Munchkin' most recently) and watching tons of British shows. When the weather gets warm again, I like to just be outside in general. Biking, hiking, trying to grow veggies in a garden.... to no avail.

10. What inspired your book cover and what do you love most about it?
My book cover was inspired by two things. Since the book is suppose to be a journal, I wanted it to resemble one as much as possible. So me and a friend spent some time trying to find the perfect look. I wanted it to look like it has been through a lot. Beat up, burnt, shot at, left out in the rain. I feel like we did a good job with that. The symbol on the front was added to add a little mystery to what's inside.