Percy Jackson and the Sea of Monsters
‘Percy Jackson and the Sea of Monsters’ is written by Rick Riordan, and is the second book in the
Percy Jackson series; it is now a major film. It is told through the eyes of a half-human, half-god
named Percy, who is the son of the Greek God Poseidon. Every summer, Percy goes to ‘Camp
Half-Blood’ which is a camp for half-humans/half-gods. In the camp they learn how to
swordfight, make weapons etc. However, the protection around the camp is dying, and monsters
are beginning to invade it. Percy and his friend Annabeth need to find and bring back the ‘Golden
Fleece’ before it is too late, and can he save his satyr friend Grover on the way?
I enjoyed this book, not only because it was action-packed and exciting, but because I also learned
about Greek mythology while reading! I have read the first Percy Jackson book, and highly
recommend it. I prefer ‘The Sea of Monsters’ though because I found it more funny, witty and
adventurous. I love the way Rick Riordan writes it through Percy’s eyes, because even though Percy
acts so casually about everything; the monsters, the Gods etc., the storyline itself is enthralling. I
would recommend this for boys and girls from the age of ten upwards and it also helps if you are
interested in Greek mythology.
I would give ‘Percy Jackson and the Sea of Monsters’ a rating of 8/10.
Divergent
Written by Veronica Roth, ‘Divergent’ is about a futuristic world in which there are five ‘factions’ for
people to choose to live by when they are sixteen. The factions are ‘Abnegation’, in which the people
are selfless; ‘Dauntless’, where the people are brave; ‘Erudite’, where people are intelligent; ‘Candor’
where everyone tells the truth; and ‘Amity’, where everyone is peaceful. Sixteen year old Beatrice
(Tris) has been living all her life with her family in Abnegation, but she doesn’t feel as if she belongs
there. Before the ‘Choosing Ceremony’, every sixteen year old has to endure a simulation, which
decides what faction the person is best suited for. However, Tris’ test is inconclusive, meaning she is
‘Divergent’. Tris is warned to never share this information for fear of her own life. On the day of the
‘Choosing Ceremony’ Tris chooses the faction ‘Dauntless’ and is introduced to a new and brutal life.
When Erudite and Dauntless force the Dauntless members to rebel and fight against Tris’ first faction,
Abnegation, Tris must choose which faction she is loyal to.
I really loved reading this story; I couldn’t put it down. It reminded me a bit of the ‘Hunger Games’,
because the protagonist Tris has to train for the ‘initiating’; she learns how to fight and use weapons,
and shows her skills to the leaders of Dauntless, like Katniss does before she enters the arena. I
enjoyed ‘watching’ as Tris’s character built, starting off as a quiet, plain Abnegation girl, who stays
silent at her dinner table, to a bold and brave dauntless young woman, who jumps off buildings for
fun. I think Divergent would appeal more to older girls and fans of the ‘Hunger Games’ series, because
the romance in Divergent would probably not be appropriate for girls under 10. The film production
of ‘Divergent’ is due to come out in 2014.
I would rate ‘Divergent’ as 9/10.
The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones
‘City Of Bones’ is the first book in the ‘Mortal Instruments’ series, created by Cassandra Clare. Sixteen
year old Clarry Fray’s life is suddenly turned upside down when, after a strange phone call from her
mother, she comes home to her apartment which is destroyed, her mother nowhere to be found.
Clarry is unexpectedly introduced to the world of ’Shadowhunters’, who hunt down and kill demons
from other dimensions. Later she learns about ‘Valentine Morgenstern’, a Shadowhunter who was
thought to have died fifteen years ago, when in fact he is plotting an uprising against ‘the Calve’, who
are the sort of Government for the Shadowhunters. In this first book, Clarry learns about her hidden
past, her Mother’s secrets and her family. Can Clarry save her Mom before it’s too late? And can she
sort out her feelings for the sometimes infuriating Shadowhunter Jace, and her best friend 'since
forever’ Simon?
I enjoyed reading ‘City of Bones’ because there were a lot of unexpected events that I couldn’t
predict, which made the book interesting and exciting. I liked the way the book started off with Clarry
living a normal ‘Mundane’ (a human with no special abilities) life, and then the drastic change of her
life: Vampires, Werewolves and demons are introduced to her; her ‘Mom’ is kidnapped, etc. I think
this book would appeal more to teenagers rather than children, because some parts of the book may
be scary and inappropriate. ‘City of Bones’ is now a major film.
I would give ‘The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones’ a rating of 8/10.