Review 2025.02.003
Reviewers Note: It is the beginning of 2025 and one of the skills I desire to grow in is that of writing book reviews (having never done this before). I am doing this so I can better hone my writing (and reading) skills as I seek to think more critically about the books I am reading. I am sharing on Goodreads for my own personal development. I know this will be something I am always growing in so if you actually read these, please be patient with me as I develop this skill. I will also receive constructive criticism if you desire to help me become a better writer (and reader). I plan to use this disclaimer for the entire 2025 year.
Spoilers – Not Really
The Sea of Monsters (Percy Jackson) by Rick Riordan
279 Pages
I guess I should write my next review. I will start with my daughter’s thoughts on book two which amused me. She talked about how the author explains things that the reader should know from the first book. As an example, he explains what Camp Half-Blood is when the reader should know what it is based on the first book. I did notice this in a few places but honestly it did not bother me as much as it bothered her. If you really want to be annoyed by this in a book, the new Dune books by Brian Hebert and Kevin J. Anderson are really bad about that, in my opinion. That is probably why it didn’t bother me in this book.
The story was quick and kept me reading. It is much shorter than I expected given the size of the first book but it is written for middle school children. Thankfully, I didn’t have to learn too many new characters. I do not like being overwhelmed with new characters.
I do want to say that the last chapter really pushed the book to a whole new level for me. I was reading and thinking that everything had been wrapped up when all of a sudden a new character appeared. I knew immediately that the character would change the dynamics in future books and so it really excited me to pick up the next one as soon as I was done. I asked my daughter a question about the new character and she refused to answer me (rude! LOL). But she is right, it is better to find out on my own.
I am probably going to struggle with all the reviews for the Percy Jackson series (and other fiction) but I did enjoy the second book more than the first. I definitely recommend it as a fun read.