What Are You Reading?

[Terry]

Yeah, e-books are fine for quick, "comfortable" read (I mean, you can actually lie on your side without having to break your neck or your wrist! ) but I still need to get back to the roots at times, especially for books I love.

Oh, and "Everworld" is a fine read. I'd say it's a notch under Rick Riordan, but it may just be because I never was a huge fan of aliens in the first place (for those who don't know, these books brews a mix of ancient mythologies (Greek, Aztec, Norse, even Celtic) meeting little green guys. Think Percy meets Jar Jar Binks (without the technology improvement of sci-fi). But yes, definitely an enjoyable read.

I do not believe the Percy series to be childish. Or maybe it is and I am too, either way, I totally devoured them; I'm a sucker for mythology as well. I think they're like Harry Potter, in that sense that they might have been written for a younger audience, but actually appeal to everyone because of the themes that can be understood by both youth and old.

I also thought there was something more in "The Lost Hero", and I guess it is because he did go deeper into human personality instead of just scratching the surface. I mean, sure, Percy, and Annabeth, and Grover and the rest all had choices to make in the first series, but Jason, Piper and Leo (and just the names themselves would have drawn me in lol) seem to be even more 3-dimensional than the others before them. They actually have to deal with their own darkness, instead of just that of their enemy's.

I wasn't so sure about "The Kane Chronicles" either but it turned out really great in the end. I really can't wait for the second one. I don't want to spoil anything, but for example, it's refreshing that the heroes aren't demigods like in the other series, because that would have been really redundant. Even the gods themselves, they're nothing like the Greek gods, their nature isn't the same as the Greek gods. It really is in the same vein as the other two series, though, and indeed, I think in an interview he once hinted at a possible cross-over ;D

I wish he'll continue with these kinds of stories, delving into other mythologies!

[Harrison]

Wow. I'm an idiot. The significance of Piper and Leo's names never even occurred to me. Some fan I am...

Hmm, as for "Everworld", I can never seem to get into alien themed books. Don't know what it is or why but that's just the way its always been. I guess it's just because they probably aren't "magic-y" enough for me. I really love the true fantasy stuff mixed in with kids trying to live ordinary lives. Hence, why I loved Charmed, Harry Potter, and such so much.

Have you read the "Charlie Bone and the Children of the Red King" books by chance?

[Terry]

I know what you mean, but there's enough "magic-y" things in "Everworld" that I can overlook the aliens

And no, I actually haven't. Could you tell me a bit about it without spoilers? Cause Wikipedia ain't really helping.

[Harrison]

Hmm, maybe I'll just give "Everworld" a quick look at some time to see it peaks any interest.

And the "Charlie Bone" books are basically a series that follows Charlie and his friends. Him and some of his friends are all "children"/descendants of their ancestor the Red King who was a powerful magician. His bloodline basically passed down and different families got a share of his power resulting in Charlie and his friends discovering they each have a power. They all attend a school called Bloor's Academy which is the site of the ruins of the Red King's castle. It's a school for normal kids as well as "the endowed". It's one of those series where mysteries from the past seem to slowly unfold and make sense as the story goes on but is easy to follow from the beginning as it is. If you enjoyed Harry Potter and Percy Jackson, I think this would be another good fit for you.

[Terry]

I'll just have to give it a go, then

I think I'll make a list of my bookshelves with my comments on which I liked and didn't. Could become the new trend of this place Though I might do it on The Network instead of here. Hum...

[Harrison]

I was thinking something of the same sorts. I wouldn't really mind where you decided to start that up, I like both boards. I personally think books have been easily overlooked as a good conversation topic on these boards. Most of us are readers at heart if we're willing to read all of these fan fictions. Maybe it should be looked into what are some mutual books are that most of us member have read/are reading that could possibly become a bigger part of the board(s)? Haha I dunno, just a thought. I'll leave that to you.

Let me know how you take to the "Charlie Bone" books when you get time!

Edit: Alright, I've finished book one of "The Kane Chronicles, Terry. I have to say that I was wrong, by sticking in another hundred pages I came to really appreciate the book.

SPOILER: Click to show

I ended up really liking how they're time with the gods was only temporary and that now they plan to train themselves the old-fashioned way now that they've bought some time. I also found how they tied the ending to the beginning pretty clever with the whole locker combo. I'm beginning to wonder if the author will continue to write is a recording with the rest of the books. As for how many there are, do you have any idea? I do have more thoughts about this series and their powers and such but it's early and I have class soon so I thought I'd just post this at least.

[Terry]

Mar 31, 2011 13:15:24 GMT Harrison said:

Edit: Alright, I've finished book one of "The Kane Chronicles, Terry. I have to say that I was wrong, by sticking in another hundred pages I came to really appreciate the book.

SPOILER: Click to show

I ended up really liking how they're time with the gods was only temporary and that now they plan to train themselves the old-fashioned way now that they've bought some time. I also found how they tied the ending to the beginning pretty clever with the whole locker combo. I'm beginning to wonder if the author will continue to write is a recording with the rest of the books. As for how many there are, do you have any idea? I do have more thoughts about this series and their powers and such but it's early and I have class soon so I thought I'd just post this at least.

Told ya And it's supposed to be a 3-books series. The second tome, Throne of Fire, comes out in a little over a month from now. And from the sneak peek they have on the official Disney page, it is indeed still written as a "recording".

The Heroes of Olympus, though, is another 5-books series like Percy Jackson, or has been announced as such anyway.

[Harrison]

Oooh good! Those both sound like appropriate lengths for the two series.

I'm still tackling my books to-read list and next up is "The Inheritance Cycle" series which starts with Eragon so hopefully that'll be a nice read. I've got three of them to get through before the final one comes out in November. I think I can do it with no problem.

I'm also considering to go back and re-read the "Percy Jackson" or "Harry Potter" books real quick, cause I love them both so much and would like to consider writing fan fiction from one of them.