The Titan's Curse by Rick Riordan

Title: The Titan’s Curse

Author: Rick Riordan

Publisher: Hyperion Books New York     

Publish date: 2007

ISBN: 978-142310148-2

You can tell I like this series, as it’s the third one I’ve read in a row. They go down like sherbet fizz: very quickly.

Another fun tale. Percy learns the importance of deference and self-sacrifice through the medium of a rescue-mission for a goddess and uncertainty of whom trust – including his own impulses.

This author is extremely good at judging how to mix-and-match characters that offset each other. Also at the rate at which to introduce those characters. You never have someone turn up on Page 10 and are never seen again, while someone whom you haven’t heard hide nor hair of pops up mid-book and takes over the narrative. There is of course the character of Nico, who appears at first and then only comes back as a book-end, but that’s his function in this novel: to backstoried, without being a part of it directly.

The author has a forte in characterisation, and in balancing differing moods throughout the narrative. This is a large portion of the reason that the narrative runs along at such a brisk pace. The reader is never bogged down in the same slurry of mood for long, nor do they have to wallow in endless examination of one mood of one character. Light, deft brushstrokes with a very generous amount of good-natured humour. Never goes amiss. Not to say that the narratives lack emotional input. It’s simply not laboured.

By this third in the series, the ease with which the backstory so fat is acknowledged is accomplished with greater ease. It feels a bit more self-confident. Not apologetic, just light.

In sum, another great romp, with admirable skill. What’s to detract? Five out of five moose-hoofs up.

Percy Jackson and the Sea of Monsters by Rick Riordan

Title: Percy Jackson and the Sea of Monsters

Author: Rick Riordan

Publisher: Hyperion Books New York     

Publish date: 2006

ISBN: 13: 978 142310334-9

The follow-up to the first in the series, Percy Jackson and the Lightening Thief. Another rip-roarer but somehow it feels like an ‘inbetweener’… which I suspect it is. Nice portrayal of self-acceptance leading to acceptance of other in the relationship between the MC and the new character of Tyson. In fact the character of Tyson is altogether a good move, as it is sufficiently different to all the others to create a multi-faceted foil quite effectively. I won’t bother with a synopsis: something will inevitably be a spoiler and anyway it only takes a few hours to read through this book, you might as well find out fresh for yourself.

As is, perhaps, inevitable in a series, there is some back-explaining and story that gets a little annoying, but it’s not too intrusive overall. Good thick, solid brushstrokes and blistering pace, as per the previous book. It might be an inbetweener, but hey, it does its job and guess what, I’ve already reserved the next in the series at the library, so that must say something. Got it out for the daughter but she’s ignored it – going to get the next one out for myself. Stuff the kids.

4 out of 5 moose hoofs up, with the one deduction only because it has that awkward feel to it.

Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan

Title: Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief

Author: Rick Riordan

Publisher: Puffin

Publish date: 2013

ISBN: 9780141346809

This is a good fun book, and I look forward to reading more in the series. Kids’ modern-day Greek hero stories, with the main protagonists being demi-god Halfling issues of the endlessly lustful pantheon of Greek gods – all masquerading as human teenagers, of course.

Quite unnecessary to give a synopsis. It’s one adventure-and-getting-out-of-impossible-scrapes after another. Don’t get me wrong, they all hold together nicely, and every 20 paces you see a nice firm link to a future idea dropped along the way. (Hence the interest in reading more. Well, that and the pretty decent writing.) The only peeve I can think of is that it’s heavy-handed with the pointing-out of links and references, but hey, one can well see why that would have arisen, with the current level of understanding of Greek mythology. It’s still fun and nod-wink for those who know, and seems to be a successful come-on and entertainment for those who don’t. Lovely fun characterisation, nice focus and no redundant back-story, elaboration or side-tracks… apart from for pure amusement. Each character has its own comfortable amount of attention. Plus (and here’s a rare thing these days) they’re LIKEABLE. Even the villains are fun. The author’s tongue is never out of their cheek.

I’m sitting here wondering why I wouldn’t give this a five out of five. Because it’s not Kafka or Milton? That’s not what it’s aiming for. It’s a bona-fide YA romp with good rewards and a desire to inspire more education, it’s not condescending, and attains all its goals with flying colours. Love it. Five moose-hoofs up out of five.