A review by canada_matt
Camp Half-Blood Confidential by Rick Riordan

adventurous funny informative lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

Choosing to read a short piece before I continue with the full Percy Jackson novels, I turned to Rick Riordan’s short tongue-in-cheek book that serves as an accompaniment to the series. Camp Half-Blood has long been where the demigods train, but there is no up-to-date manual for those who arrive for the first time. Percy and some others have undertaken rectifying that, which has some humorous moments. Riordan has a great handle on this series!

Percy Jackson has long felt that while Camp Half-Blood is a great place for new demigods, there is a need for a more inviting introduction. After stumbling upon a horrible video creation from the 1950s by the god Apollo, Percy takes on the task to create a new and ‘hip’ manual for all to enjoy. It covers a number of aspects, including history, context, and even some of the new architectural plans for the cabins. This manual has it all for newbies to take in. With in-depth explanations and a number of satirical poems or presentations, the reader can smile as they are educated throughout.

This short piece tackles many issues and adds some great humour to keep things moving. A perfect companion to the books, this document fits in wonderfully, offering a little context to the novels without revealing too much. Riordan touches on key aspects of the book and highlights key characters, as well as many of the Greek gods/goddesses. Those who have been enjoying the books can devour this as a lighter aside to the novels and hold key nuggets for everyone to enjoy. Riordan proves that he is versatile and keeps the reader hooked, which has me wanting more as I look to the next book in the series. While it may be YA, this is a series all can enjoy.

Kudos, Mr. Riordan, for a great addition to the series!

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