Sick of Shadows by Sharyn McCrumb is the first book in her Elizabeth MacPherson series of mysteries. Elizabeth is a recent college graduate with no clue what she wants to do with her life. She agrees to be a bridesmaid at her cousin Eileen Chandler's wedding in Georgia partly out of a sense of family obligation and partly because she doesn't have any other plans. She expects a wedding at the Chandlers to be as unique as the family itself, but the plans take a dark turn when the bride-to-be is found dead.
The story is told from Elizabeth's point of view either through her interactions with the various family members or through letters to her brother Bill. Honestly, I found the family to be so eccentric that it bordered on unbelievable for me. Elizabeth's detective skills are more on par with Dr. Watson than Sherlock Holmes, and it is actually her brother Bill who comes to her aid in the end and solves the mystery. I'll give the second book in the series a shot to see if the story telling improves, but I'm really not that impressed at this point and will probably go back to some classic Sherlock Holmes on my Kindle for my next mystery.
Sunday, July 28, 2013
Monday, July 22, 2013
Book 30 - The Mark of Athena
The Mark of Athena by Riordan is the third book in his Heroes of Olympus series. Jason and the Greek demigods finally arrive at Camp Jupiter, and Percy and Annabeth are reunited. The talks of peace and cooperation are quickly disbanded by an evil spirit sent from Gaea to possess Leo and force him to fire upon the Roman camp. Jason, Piper, Leo, Annabeth, Percy, Frank, and Hazel manage to take off together to start the quest of the seven demigods, but things do not go smoothly. They are pursued by the infuriated Romans. Jason and Percy, also possessed by evil spirits attempt to kill each other in the middle of Kansas. Even after the spirits are gone, they must survive a giant in Atlanta, secure a map in Charleston, evade the Romans, cross the Atlantic into the dangerous Mediterranean, and reach Rome. There Annabeth must journey alone following the mark of Athena to find the statue of the goddess stolen from the Parthenon and face her worst fears, while Percy and the others demigods must overcome the twin giants who are the counter to the god of wine and rescue Nico the son of Hades in order to find the location of the doors of Death. The giants can only be killed by a demigod and god working together, but the gods are split between their Greek and Roman sides because the Roman demigods are advancing on Camp Half-Blood.
The third book in the series has a lot more romance going on than previous books between Piper and Jason, Percy and Annabeth, and Hazel and Frank; but there is still plenty of action and twists and turns to keep the story moving forward. A great light summer read for ages 12 and up, and I'm looking forward to the 4th book coming out in October.
The third book in the series has a lot more romance going on than previous books between Piper and Jason, Percy and Annabeth, and Hazel and Frank; but there is still plenty of action and twists and turns to keep the story moving forward. A great light summer read for ages 12 and up, and I'm looking forward to the 4th book coming out in October.
Book 29 - The Son of Neptune
The Son of Neptune by Riordan is the second book in his current Heroes of Olympus series. After sleeping for several months, Percy reappears with no memories except a vague on of a girl named Annabeth. Alone and on the run from monsters, he manages to reach his destination, Camp Jupiter in California, the home of the 12th legion of Roman demigods. The Romans are quite surprised to have a son of Neptune arrive carrying the goddess Juno on his back, but he does save the life of a Roman named Frank and his unorthodox fighting style and abilities bring the 5th cohort its first major success in their version of capture the flag. Then the god Mars appears, claims Frank as his son, and order Frank and Percy to take a quest to Alaska to free Thanatos, the god of Death, from a giant and recover the missing golden eagle of the 12th legion in four days before the approaching giant army attacks and destroys Camp Jupiter. Frank, Percy, and Hazel must learn not only where the god of Death is being held prisoner but also more about themselves and each other. Percy's memory slowly trickles back. Hazel must retrace her steps and make sense of her past, while Frank must discover his family's special ability if they are all going to survive this quest and prepare the Roman camp to work with the coming Greek demigods to succeed in the upcoming quest of the prophecy of seven to defeat the giants and prevent Gaea from fully waking.
The second book in the series continues the alternating narrator method allowing a glimpse into all three characters. There is plenty of action as always making for another enjoyable light summer read for ages 12 and up.
The second book in the series continues the alternating narrator method allowing a glimpse into all three characters. There is plenty of action as always making for another enjoyable light summer read for ages 12 and up.
Book 28 - The Lost Hero
The Lost Hero by Riordan is the first book in his series Heroes of Olympus. Percy Jackson has disappeared mysteriously from his cabin at Camp Half-Blood. The goddess Hera sends Annabeth to the Grand Canyon where she finds 3 new demigods: Piper daughter of Aphrodite, Leo son of Haephaestus, and Jason son of Zeus. Jason proves to be an excellent fighter and leader, but his purple t-shirt, memory loss, and continual reference to Latin names for gods and spirits puzzles the camp. While Annabeth, Thalia, and Grover continue searching for Percy; Jason, Piper, and Leo are sent on a quest to rescue Hera and try to prevent the rise of the king of the giants. Along the way, they must learn to work together and trust one another if they are going to succeed.
The Heroes of Olympus series is similar to the Percy Jackson series in that is blends mythology and the modern world as well as packing in plenty of action. Rather than one narrator, the chapters are titled with the name of one of the three main characters, who narrates that portion of the story in the first person. There is also a larger romantic element in the story between Jason and Piper. Still for Percy Jackson fans, after getting over the fact that the gods make Percy disappear, it is another enjoyable light summer read on par with the later Percy Jackson books for plot complexity and interest. I'd recommend it for ages 12 and up.
The Heroes of Olympus series is similar to the Percy Jackson series in that is blends mythology and the modern world as well as packing in plenty of action. Rather than one narrator, the chapters are titled with the name of one of the three main characters, who narrates that portion of the story in the first person. There is also a larger romantic element in the story between Jason and Piper. Still for Percy Jackson fans, after getting over the fact that the gods make Percy disappear, it is another enjoyable light summer read on par with the later Percy Jackson books for plot complexity and interest. I'd recommend it for ages 12 and up.
Sunday, July 7, 2013
Book 27 - The Well-Educated Mind by Bauer
The Well-Educated Mind by Bauer is designed to assist adults in reading and understanding the great literary works of fiction, autobiography, history, drama, and poetry. She starts with the basics of setting aside time to read; keeping a journal of notes, summaries, questions, and responses; and laying out a basic plan to work through each book for understanding. From chapter 5 to the end, each chapter tackles one specific genre of literature and gives a brief history of that genre from its beginnings to the present. This is followed by a discussion of how to evaluate the book in three increasing complex levels of analysis: grammar (understanding the basics of what is being said), logic (determining the overall message of the work), and rhetoric (evaluating the implications of the author's ideas). This is followed by an annotated reading list in chronological order of suggested books to read.
I would say overall this makes an excellent introduction into reading great literary works. As with any lists, there are some books I consider more important, some I will probably skip, and a few that I will probably add to the list. The introductory material is excellent as are the chapters on genre. I thought the poetry chapter was not as well developed as the other genres, but that may just be because the variation and complexity of that genre is extremely difficult to summarize within the confines of a single chapter. Still, overall I enjoyed the book very much and will be using it in the upcoming year with my high school student as we begin our study of the Great Books.
I would say overall this makes an excellent introduction into reading great literary works. As with any lists, there are some books I consider more important, some I will probably skip, and a few that I will probably add to the list. The introductory material is excellent as are the chapters on genre. I thought the poetry chapter was not as well developed as the other genres, but that may just be because the variation and complexity of that genre is extremely difficult to summarize within the confines of a single chapter. Still, overall I enjoyed the book very much and will be using it in the upcoming year with my high school student as we begin our study of the Great Books.
Book 26 - The Last Olympian
The Last Olympian by Riordan is the fifth and final book in the Percy Jackson series. Under the sea Poseidon is engaged in a furious battle against the Titan Oceanus. Hades, Demeter, and Persephone sit in Hades refusing to engage in battle despite all of the arguments of Nico. The remaining gods are in battle against the monster Typhon as he rages across the continental US toward Mt. Olympus in Manhattan. While they are engaged, Kronos launches his assault on Manhattan against the desperate struggles of Percy and the other demigods of Camp Half-Blood. The final moment of the prophecy approaches when Percy turns 16 and must make a choice that will either save Olympus or bring about its downfall.
The final book of the Percy Jackson series is packed with non-stop action, heroics, friendship, and sacrifice and is I would say the best book in the series. A fun light summer read for ages 12 and up.
The final book of the Percy Jackson series is packed with non-stop action, heroics, friendship, and sacrifice and is I would say the best book in the series. A fun light summer read for ages 12 and up.
Book 25 - The Battle of the Labyrinth
The Battle of the Labyrinth by Riordan is the fourth book in the Percy Jackson series. As Kronos continues to gain strength and more and more ancient monsters are reformed, the campers at Camp Half-Blood discover a weakness in their camp defenses. Hidden within the woods what appears to be a crack in a rock is actually one of many entrances leading into the Labyrinth. Anyone possessing the means to travel through the Labyrinth could move a huge army into the camp at a moment's notice. Annabeth accepts the quest to traverse the Labyrinth in search of the workshop of Daedalus in order to convince the inventor to side with the Greeks. She chooses Percy, Grover, and Tyson to accompany her on the task. Try as they might, they are unable to navigate where they with to go. Along the way, they rescue a hundred handed one from Alcatrez, find the missing half-blood Nico, son of Hades, and clean out the Aegean stable. Then the group splits up as Grover and Tyson seek the missing Pan, and Annabeth and Percy enlist the help of Rachel, a mortal who can see through the Mist to actually navigate the Labyrinth. But they are running out of time, for the Titan forces are also in the maze, Kronos has reformed, and the attack on the camp is imminent.
I still dislike the use of first person narration, but I have to say this book was definitely the best in the series so far. I'd recommend it for ages 12 and up.
I still dislike the use of first person narration, but I have to say this book was definitely the best in the series so far. I'd recommend it for ages 12 and up.
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