reenis's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
battlehamster67's review against another edition
5.0
COME ON!!!! WHY IS THIS JUST A TRILOGY!!!!! NO FAIR!!! I seriously want more of these books!!! I listened to all three of them in an audio book format and I absolutely loved it so incredibly much! Carter and Sadie are hilarious, and the story was told in typically Rick Riordan amazingness. I definitely definitely recommend this serious, it's incredibly entertaining!
annaparente's review against another edition
5.0
Did I completely forget to mark this book as 'Reading' on Goodreads?
Yes.
Am I three (now two) books behind schedule?
Yes.
Did this book take me as long as the first two to read?
No. (Yay!) I don't know exactly how long it took me, but I would say about a week, probably.
4.5 stars, rounding up (because this series was so, so good overall, and at least one book deserves to reflect the overall series rating)
It's become increasingly apparent to me that Rick Riordan excels at final books. [b:The Last Olympian|4556058|The Last Olympian (Percy Jackson and the Olympians, #5)|Rick Riordan|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1519022209l/4556058._SX50_.jpg|4551489] is my favorite Percy Jackson book, probably overall, [b:The Blood of Olympus|18705209|The Blood of Olympus (The Heroes of Olympus, #5)|Rick Riordan|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1464201441l/18705209._SY75_.jpg|17115101] is fast-paced and exciting, and [b:The Tower of Nero|48717744|The Tower of Nero (The Trials of Apollo, #5)|Rick Riordan|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1581726516l/48717744._SY75_.jpg|48012708] is a masterpiece. The Serpent's Shadow, similar to the Last Olympian, kicks off with the action from the very beginning. Not a lot of build-up is needed, so not a lot is given. There's still a final battle at the end, of course, but the entire book is non-stop fighting.
I think part of the reason I loved this book so much was because I remembered nothing about it. I know I've said this same thing then entire time I've been rereading this series, but this time I mean it. I had no idea that. There was quite a bit more as well. I did remember the Sadie/Walt/Anubis thing. And Carter/Zia. All of the relationships, I suppose, are what I remembered. But there was very little else.
Lastly, I felt Carter and Sadie had two very distinct voices (which is a good thing!). Looking back on it, the Red Pyramid didn't do this as well. It was still a great book, but if I stopped in the middle of a chapter, sometimes it would take me a few paragraphs to remembered who was speaking. In this book, it clicked right away.
Thoughts on the Whole Series
The chapters were rather lengthy, and I think that made the pacing drag a bit. Don't get me wrong, it was still fast-paced. But to put it into perspective I have a little story. My neighbor was borrowing this book while I finished the Throne of Fire, but I needed something to read. Hence, I started Magnus Chase, which is next on my list. The chapters in Magnus Chase are short. Like, probably 10 pages on average, if that much, short. I read for a little while, and when I looked up, I was already 50 pages in. With this series, it was harder to commit myself to reading because I feel like I'm always short on time, and I hate stopping mid-chapter.
So never mind, it wasn't the pacing. It was just me. Regardless, I didn't love the long chapters.
I did enjoy, however, getting two chapters with each sibling before switching again. It's been a while since I read a multi-POV book, but I used to read them all the time. One of the most annoying things was when you would get one chapter (worse, a short chapter) with a character, and then immediately jump to someone else. Especially if the characters are split up, it makes it difficult to form a connection with them.
Having two chapters of considerable length (and I know I just complained about the length but that's more of a personal thing) really helped me get to know Carter and Sadie and become more absorbed in their journey -- both the tasks they had to solve together, but also their own individual character growth. I actually loved how frequently they went off on side missions by themselves of with side characters. As much as I love to see them working together, they really have a way of thriving apart as well.
The character growth across the series was really incredible to see, as well as Carter and Sadie's relationship with each other. They grew so close after starting out as almost strangers, and it was so touching. I also loved how Rick Riordan effortlessly wove diversity into the series (as always!). You don't see mixed-race families, or even mixed-race couples, as often as you should in books/tv/movies, and it was wonderfully refreshing to see.
Overall, this series was so amazing and I'm so glad I reread it!! I know this Percy Jackson / Riordanverse reread is taking a long time, but it's been so worth it! Next up: Magnus Chase. After that: anything! I haven't been reading as much as I would have liked lately, so I'm not completely sure what I'm in the mood for.
Yes.
Am I three (now two) books behind schedule?
Yes.
Did this book take me as long as the first two to read?
No. (Yay!) I don't know exactly how long it took me, but I would say about a week, probably.
4.5 stars, rounding up (because this series was so, so good overall, and at least one book deserves to reflect the overall series rating)
It's become increasingly apparent to me that Rick Riordan excels at final books. [b:The Last Olympian|4556058|The Last Olympian (Percy Jackson and the Olympians, #5)|Rick Riordan|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1519022209l/4556058._SX50_.jpg|4551489] is my favorite Percy Jackson book, probably overall, [b:The Blood of Olympus|18705209|The Blood of Olympus (The Heroes of Olympus, #5)|Rick Riordan|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1464201441l/18705209._SY75_.jpg|17115101] is fast-paced and exciting, and [b:The Tower of Nero|48717744|The Tower of Nero (The Trials of Apollo, #5)|Rick Riordan|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1581726516l/48717744._SY75_.jpg|48012708] is a masterpiece. The Serpent's Shadow, similar to the Last Olympian, kicks off with the action from the very beginning. Not a lot of build-up is needed, so not a lot is given. There's still a final battle at the end, of course, but the entire book is non-stop fighting.
I think part of the reason I loved this book so much was because I remembered nothing about it. I know I've said this same thing then entire time I've been rereading this series, but this time I mean it. I had no idea that
Spoiler
Ma'at had to draw back as Chaos was defeated. I had no idea they walked through the Sea of Chaos. I had an inkling that Zia might become the Eye of Ra, but I couldn't remember for sureLastly, I felt Carter and Sadie had two very distinct voices (which is a good thing!). Looking back on it, the Red Pyramid didn't do this as well. It was still a great book, but if I stopped in the middle of a chapter, sometimes it would take me a few paragraphs to remembered who was speaking. In this book, it clicked right away.
Thoughts on the Whole Series
The chapters were rather lengthy, and I think that made the pacing drag a bit. Don't get me wrong, it was still fast-paced. But to put it into perspective I have a little story. My neighbor was borrowing this book while I finished the Throne of Fire, but I needed something to read. Hence, I started Magnus Chase, which is next on my list. The chapters in Magnus Chase are short. Like, probably 10 pages on average, if that much, short. I read for a little while, and when I looked up, I was already 50 pages in. With this series, it was harder to commit myself to reading because I feel like I'm always short on time, and I hate stopping mid-chapter.
So never mind, it wasn't the pacing. It was just me. Regardless, I didn't love the long chapters.
I did enjoy, however, getting two chapters with each sibling before switching again. It's been a while since I read a multi-POV book, but I used to read them all the time. One of the most annoying things was when you would get one chapter (worse, a short chapter) with a character, and then immediately jump to someone else. Especially if the characters are split up, it makes it difficult to form a connection with them.
Having two chapters of considerable length (and I know I just complained about the length but that's more of a personal thing) really helped me get to know Carter and Sadie and become more absorbed in their journey -- both the tasks they had to solve together, but also their own individual character growth. I actually loved how frequently they went off on side missions by themselves of with side characters. As much as I love to see them working together, they really have a way of thriving apart as well.
The character growth across the series was really incredible to see, as well as Carter and Sadie's relationship with each other. They grew so close after starting out as almost strangers, and it was so touching. I also loved how Rick Riordan effortlessly wove diversity into the series (as always!). You don't see mixed-race families, or even mixed-race couples, as often as you should in books/tv/movies, and it was wonderfully refreshing to see.
Overall, this series was so amazing and I'm so glad I reread it!! I know this Percy Jackson / Riordanverse reread is taking a long time, but it's been so worth it! Next up: Magnus Chase. After that: anything! I haven't been reading as much as I would have liked lately, so I'm not completely sure what I'm in the mood for.
marthisuy's review against another edition
5.0
A Riordan lo perjudican las sagas de 5 libros, en las trilogias se hace mucho más interesante de leer!!
Review proximamente!
Review proximamente!
pagesofmemory's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
informative
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
beanie_stay's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
cxppatee's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
angelsbutchery's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
funny
informative
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
hzcyr's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
taykee's review against another edition
3.0
This was a pretty good read! I prefer Riordan's two Greek series but these are good as well. It's action packed and a fun adventure although lacking in depth. A great book for adolescents though! It hints that there will be more books focusing on the Kane siblings and maybe even a series where Riordan's Greek and Egyptian series intertwine, we'll see! Definitely a fun, adventurous summer read!