♦ My Review ♦ The Forgotten Secret ♦ (Scott Clements) ♦

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The Forgotten Secret

by Scott Clements ★★★★★

In this follow up to Gasparilla’s Treasure, Trip, Josh, and Sarah team up with mysterious adventurer Juan Gonzalez on a quest to unite The Triumvirate, a legendary trio of mystical items that when brought together, will give the holder unimaginable power.

Having already found one of the items, Trip and his friends embark on a new quest to find El León Sagrado de Fuerza, The Sacred Lion of Strength.

Trip’s efforts to stay one step ahead of evil forces that plan on using El León Sagrado de Fuerza to control mankind lead him on an adventure across multiple states—a race that challenges him to uncover the mysteries of “The Forgotten Secret.”  

[Goodreads].

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My Review

This is another great story from Scott Clements.

The tale picks up a few months after Gasparilla’s Treasure, and Trip, Josh and Sarah have been riding on the wave of their discovery.

Then, along comes the very rich, Juan Gonzalez, a lifelong treasure hunter searching for the elusive El León Sagrado de Fuerza, The Sacred Lion of Strength. It seems that the piece of old map that the kids found in their last adventure is the missing piece in his quest. After some convincing, the kids team up with Gonzalez and embark on a journey to find and solve the final clues to the missing relic. There are plenty of twists, one which I expected, and another that I didn’t.

Throw into the mix a forgetful grandfather, a daring escape and a Goonies reference, and you have a fun ride. After witnessing my own parent, who in recent years succumbed to the terrible grip of dementia, Trip’s grandfather definitely endeared himself to me.  It bought a slight tear to my eye, as it was so nice that Scott gave him one more adventure.

Josh’s wit and goofy nature shone again, and he was my favourite character, as with the first book.  The hunt for The Sacred Lion of Strength leads the gang from their home to some great settings, including Washington D.C. If you want to know how it pans out, and how it ends, you’ll need to grab a copy and read the book yourself.

My Bottom Line: Another great adventure. I definitely recommend this book, as with all other Scott Clements books that I’ve read.

Note: I don’t claim to be a pro-reviewer, I am a reader. My reviews are based on my personal thoughts around the story that the book is trying to tell. I try to focus on the story (which is the reason I read) rather than dissect the book and pass comment on typos, writing style or structure.

 

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Are you curious to know more about Scott Clements and his books?

If you’re inspired or curious, jump on over to Scott’s websites for a peek.

Blog

Website

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♦ My Review ♦ The Last Timekeepers and the Arch of Atlantis ♦ by Sharon Ledwith ♦

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The Last Timekeepers and the Arch of Atlantis
by Sharon Ledwith ★★★★

When Amanda Sault and her four classmates are caught in a major food fight at school, they are given the choice of suspension or yard duty. It was a no-brainer. A two-week crash course in landscaping leads the kids to discover a weathered stone arch buried in an overgrown backyard. Instead of a forgotten lawn ornament, it turns out to be an ancient time portal from the lost continent of Atlantis.

Chosen by an Atlantean Magus to be Timekeepers—legendary time travelers sworn to keep history safe from an evil force—the five children, along with two offbeat adults, are sent on the adventure of their lives to save the Earth from an uncertain future.

The Timekeepers’ first mission lands them in England in 1214, where they must find an adolescent Robin Hood and his band of merry teens before history is turned upside-down. [Goodreads].

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My Review

This is a cool book that leads readers through a medieval adventure with an unlikely group of teens.

In a nutshell, The Arch of Atlantis is a story of a group of opposing teens thrown together into a thrilling time-travel adventure. The group are involved in a food fight at school which ends in them all receiving detention together (you could say the situation is reminiscent of The Breakfast Club). Quite simply, this cast of characters don’t get on, and I think that is why the author has chosen to put them together.  In between a volley of one liners (I hope my kids grow up with more respect for others than these teens show), we  see their attitudes to each other evolve as the story progresses.

Whilst on detention, they discover the Arch of Atlantis hidden in the overgrown garden of a volunteer from their school.  It’s a mysterious gateway to time-travel and adventure.  Amanda unlocks the key to the arch and they find themselves transported to Atlantis, where they are told of the legend of the arch, and bestowed the roles of The Last Timekeepers. I’m guessing, that it looks like there will be more time-travel missions ahead for these guys.

Their first mission sends them way back to 1214 in Sherwood Forest, where they meet up with a band of merry teens, a young guy called Robyn, and feisty lass known as Miriam (do they sound familiar?). My favourite parts of the book were the adventures in Sherwood Forest and Nottingham.  I could almost smell the stench from the mud and hear the sounds of the locals. The dialogue used was also reminiscent of the time – thou didth enjoyeth it – (clearly I’m no expert here).  There are many trials and obstacles that they must overcome along the way, until it all culminates with ….. (I’m not telling you). As with all my reviews, I try not to inject them with too many spoilers. If you want to know more about the medieval adventures. then you’ll need to read it for yourself.

The target audience for the book is 9 to 16.

My Bottom Line: This is a cool book that leads readers through a medieval adventure with an unlikely group of teens.

Note: I don’t claim to be a pro-reviewer, I am a reader. My reviews are based on my personal thoughts around the story that the book is trying to tell. I try to focus on the story (which is the reason I read) rather than dissect the book and pass comment on typos, writing style or structure.

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More about Sharon Ledwith and The Last Timekeepers

It just so happens that Sharon is celebrating 12 months since the release of
The Last Timekeepers and the Arch of Atlantis, and is currently hosting a giveaway.

So, if you’re inspired or curious, jump on over there for a peek and maybe win a copy for yourself.

Click to time travel over to Sharon’s 1st Anniversary Book Release Celebration

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♦ My Review ♦ Diary of a Penguin-napper ♦ by Sally Harris ★★★★★

Click the cover to add it to your Goodreads shelf

DIARY OF A PENGUIN-NAPPER
by Sally Harris ★★★★★

3 weeks … 2 boys … 1 little penguin … What could possibly go wrong?

When 11 (and a half) year old Marty is partnered up with Jessica on the overnight science trip, he thinks all of this dreams are about to come true.

It’s his big chance to impress the most beautiful girl in Year 7 (and probably the world) and he wouldn’t miss it for anything. Only problem is: Marty can’t afford to go on the overnight trip. Yet.

Inspired by the urban myth that it is possible to steal a penguin from the zoo on a school visit, Diary of a Penguin-napper is a hilarious tale of growing up, bending the rules and how one big fuss can be caused by stealing just one little penguin. [Goodreads].

 

 

My Review

This is a funny, entertaining tale of two boys, a girl, and a penguin that made me laugh plenty of times.

The first thing that grabbed me about this book was the awesome cover. My hat is off to the illustrator/designer. The second thing that grabbed me about this book was the great story. My hat is off to the author.

It’s one of those tales where a small thing in itself (the need to go to a camp) leads from one event to the next, like a snowball. From the title, you already know that there is a penguin involved. Well, that penguin is central to the story but it isn’t the main focus.

The story follows the antics of Marty, who along with his best friend, Turds, embark on a simple journey to find a way for Marty to go to an overnight school excursion. That sounds simple enough … well, it’s not that easy. One thing leads to another, and much of the tale is how the kids solve the problem that they’ve caused while they’ve been trying to solve the previous problem.  Lack of attention to detail in their planning, contributes to their woes. As I said, it’s like a snowball that grows as it rolls.

I’m not going to fill this review with spoilers so you’ll need to read the book for yourself to get any more details. But I will say that the bank scene was hilarious and written so well that the awkwardness between the characters burst from the pages.

My favourite lines are:

I freeze. I don’t really want to give her my real name in case the whole thing backfires. I scan the nearby pamphlets. “Mr Investment,” I say, picking the first word that I can see that might be a surname. I could hardly pick Mr Money Manager or Mr Business Banking, now could I?

My bottom line:

This is a funny, entertaining tale of two boys, a girl, and a penguin that made me laugh plenty of times. I recommend this to anyone who would like a read that makes them chuckle at the awkward circumstances kids can bring upon themselves. As a parent, I’ll be on the lookout for clues from now on, in case this ever happens at my place.

 

♦ My Review ♦ Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets ♦ by J.K. Rowling ★★★★★

Click the book to add it to your Goodreads shelf.

HARRY POTTER AND THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS
by J.K. Rowling ★★★★★

The Dursleys were so mean and hideous that summer that all Harry Potter wanted was to get back to the Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry. But just as he’s packing his bags, Harry receives a warning from a strange, impish creature named Dobby who says that if Harry Potter returns to Hogwarts, disaster will strike.And strike it does. For in Harry’s second year at Hogwarts, fresh torments and horrors arise, including an outrageously stuck-up new professor, Gilderoy Lockheart, a spirit named Moaning Myrtle who haunts the girl’s bathroom, and the unwanted attentions of Ron Weasley’s younger sister, Ginny.
But each of these seem minor annoyances when the real trouble beings, and someone–or something–starts turning Hogwarts students to stone. Could it be Draco Malfoy, a more poisonous rival than ever? Could it possibly be Hagrid, whose mysterious past is finally told? Or could it be the one everyone at Hogwarts most suspects…Harry Potter himself. [Goodreads]

 

My Review

The HP series is crammed full of magic and lessons. Each book casts an enduring spell over me every time I read it.

I think this is the fourth time I’ve read this book and I still make little discoveries along the way. Small things that I’ve missed (or forgotten) that trigger memories of characters or plots that will happen in later books.

Over the years I’ve seen that some readers have said that this book was their least favorite in the series. I for one loved it, just like I love all of the others. To me, all of the books make one big story, and they all provide unique elements that have created the Harry Potter phenomenon. So, I honestly can’t separate any of the books from the others and play favorites … they’re all my favorite.

In this book we get to spend more time with our awesome [friends] characters Harry, Ron and Hermione as they grow and tackle another year of challenges. Hogwarts is their safe haven, but in the blink of an eye, that safety is shattered. The famous school suddenly has an unknown evil within its walls, and the students are its target.

We learn more about Hagrid’s troubled school days at Hogwarts and see Ginny become a more important character as she starts her first year at the famous school of wizardry. There’s the ego-rich Gilderoy Lockhart that adds an annoying but humorous element to the story (I bet we all know a Gilderoy or two or three). The marvelous Dobby makes an entrance and dives into our hearts as he tries to warn and save Harry from looming danger. His humble nature is continually challenged by his sad life of subservience and disrespect from his horrible master, Lucius Malfoy. His grace and goodness shine through as a lesson to us all, and he is deservingly rewarded by Harry in the end.

This book culminates in another battle against the dark force of Harry’s arch enemy - Voldemort (aka Tom Riddle). It was great to be back at Hogwarts once again, I can’t wait to move onto book 3.

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THE KID LIT BLOG HOP

Are you passionate about children’s literature?

Do you rave about a particular children’s book to all of your friends?

Are you looking to find your next greatest kid’s book?

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♦ My Review ♦ Divide and Conquer (Infinity Ring #2) ♦ by Carrie Ryan ★★★★★

DIVIDE AND CONQUER by Carrie Ryan  ★★★★★

• Published: November 6th 2012
• Publisher: Scholastic Inc.
• Series: Infinity Ring #2

Goodreads Blurb
Dak, Sera, and Riq might be in over their heads when they attempt to stop a Viking invasion!

Hundreds of ships carrying thousands of warriors are laying siege to medieval Paris. The Parisians are holding their own, but the stalemate can only last so long. And that’s bad news — especially since Dak has been captured, forced to work alongside the Vikings while Sera and Riq defend Paris from within. No matter which side wins, the kids lose!

My Review

Divide and Conquer (Infinity Ring #2) is a great story that I liked even better than book 1.  Our heroes, Dak, Sera and Riq return in a great adventure that is full of action, heroics and suspense.

In this instalment the gang find themselves in Paris in 885 at the very time that the Vikings are invading.  Their old foes the SQ are also back again, and having infiltrated the Vikings they are leading them into events that will strengthen the SQ for the future. Our heroes need to find the Hystorian and fix the Break before it’s too late, or it spells trouble for the future.

The main characters develop in this story as they learn more about each other and bonds become stronger. In one instance there was a little romance, which takes an unexpected turn as the passing of time has a huge effect. The search for Dak’s parents is an underlying theme in the story, which does progress within this book. I’m sure that the next books in the series will pick up where this part of the story leaves off.

I found the action scenes were vivid and I could easily visualise the settings and hear the battle cries. Although, the vision of the Berserkergang could leave me scarred for life (read it and you’ll know what I mean ).  I’m a huge fan of Paris, and after reading this, I’m glad I’ve visited modern Paris, rather what it was like in 885.

My bottom line is that this book is a great read which is better than the first in the series.  I enjoyed the vivid details, action and growth of the characters. I’m looking forward to reading the next in the series.

♦ Check out my review of  A Mutiny in Time (Infinity Ring #1)

… and here’s another piece of exciting time-travel news for you …

♦ The Fallen Pharaoh ♦ Quest #3 ♦ Coming Soon ♦

♦ Click the pic for my NewsFlash ♦

(Here’s a tip: My NewsFlash is different to following my blog)

 

♦ My Review ♦ TimeRiders (Book #1) ♦ by Alex Scarrow ★★★★★

TIMERIDERS (Book #1) by Alex Scarrow

★★★★★

Goodreads Blurb

Click to add to your shelf on Goodreads

Liam O’Connor should have died at sea in 1912.
Maddy Carter should have died on a plane in 2010.
Sal Vikram should have died in a fire in 2026

Yet moments before death, someone mysteriously appeared and said, ‘Take my hand …’

But Liam, Maddy and Sal aren’t rescued. They are recruited by an agency that no one knows exists, with only one purpose—to fix broken history. Because time travel is here, and there are those who would go back in time and change the past.

That’s why the TimeRiders exist: to protect us. To stop time travel from destroying the world…

My Review

The TimeRiders is a great book that has hooked me for the rest of the series. The blurb for this book is brilliant. How can you not be intrigued by this?

” Liam O’Connor should have died at sea in 1912.
Maddy Carter should have died on a plane in 2010.
Sal Vikram should have died in a fire in 2026.

Yet moments before death, someone mysteriously appeared and said, ‘Take my hand …’ “

These three teens are saved from certain death and catapulted into a world of time travel and mystery.  They become part of a secret organisation that ensures history is correct.  Maddy and Sal take on the roles of the support team at their New York base, guided by their saviour and mentor, Foster.  Liam is the poor guy who gets the job to travel through time to fix things, accompanied by a half-human half-techno miracle named Bob, who is the brawn of the team.

The world has gone crazy and the team need to find out why, by going back in time to fix the future. Liam and Bob have plenty of obstacles to overcome as they pass through time to search for the cause of altered history. Whilst Maddy, Sal and Foster are fighting their own battles in the changed world that it has caused. Even though they are in different time frames, the whole team need to work together to fix the problem.

I really enjoyed the style of the writing, I think that Scarrow has done a great job. This is an action-packed adventure that has plenty of intrigue and  imagination. The plot is set across multiple time frames and works really well. I’m very keen to move onto the next book in the series …. and beyond. (I understand that the 7th book has just been released – I’d better get cracking so I can catch up).

For any of my usual Middle Grade followers, here’s a tip. The target audience for this book is YA and there is violence in some parts, so I wouldn’t recommend it for Middle Graders.

 

♦ My Review ♦ Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone ♦ by J.K. Rowling ★★★★★

HARRY POTTER AND THE SORCERER’S STONE by J.K. Rowling

★★★★★

Goodreads Blurb

Harry Potter has never played a sport while flying on a broomstick. He’s never worn a Cloak of Invisibility, befriended a giant, or helped hatch a dragon. All Harry knows is a miserable life with the Dursleys, his horrible aunt and uncle, and their abominable son, Dudley. Harry’s room is a tiny cupboard under the stairs, and he hasn’t had a birthday party in ten years.

But all that is about to change when a mysterious letter arrives by owl messenger: a letter with an invitation to a wonderful place he never dreamed existed. There he finds not only friends, aerial sports, and magic around every corner, but a great destiny that’s been waiting for him… if Harry can survive the encounter.

My Review

Well …. this was a re-read and it was like catching up with old friends.

It’s where it all began. Harry’s discovery that he was a wizard and his introduction to the wizarding world and all its danger and splendour. It has reinforced my love of these books, the settings and the characters. I remember why Hagrid is such a warm and gentle soul, why McGonagall is strict but motherly, why Dumbledore is … well, Dumbledore, why Malfoy is smug and horrible, and how Snape is mean and multi-layered.

Each time I re-read this series I pick up new things that I hadn’t noticed before. Small snippets that help the penny drop about things that happened later in the series. I can see the early signs of later plots that J.K. discretely embedded into the story. I can see how the characters started, and compare them to how I know they grew later in their lives.

J.K. did so much to get kids (and adults) into reading. Her impact is unmeasurable. When I wrote my first book, The Golden Scarab, I made sure that I wrote some of it in the same place that J.K. wrote Harry Potter (sitting in The Elephant Cafe in Edinburgh, looking out the window towards the castle). I wanted to be where the journey began, and to hopefully channel her energy and skill.

This book was a great start to the series. It set up the characters, the world, the settings, the conflict. It hooked the readers…. it hooked me.

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Do you rave about a particular children’s book to all of your friends?

Are you looking to find your next greatest kid’s book?

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♦ My review ♦ That Pet Finder Kid – Catnapped ♦ by Scott Clements ♦

THAT PET FINDER KID – CATNAPPED by Scott Clements

★★★★

Goodreads Blurb

Have you ever felt your pets are your only true friends? That’s exactly how thirteen-year-old Chet Parker felt every day of his life. After failing at sports, music, and almost everything imaginable, he gave up on ever finding his place in the world. But thanks to an accidental dose of modified dog DNA, things were about to change for Chet. With a new found connection to his six month old dog Zoe, Chet learns that Mr. Fluffy Pants, the cat of the most popular girl in school, has gone missing. Will Chet’s off-the-wall investigative methods drive him further down the social ladder? Or will they lift him up to claim his spot as That Pet Finder Kid?

A delightful detective story, sure to melt the heart of every pet lover.

My Review

Chet is a kid who’s on a journey that can be tough to take.  He’s not part of the ‘in’ crowd and he’s not a great ‘talent’ in sport either.  He’s bullied by kids who are shallow (I hate bullies) and he doesn’t have the confidence to stand up to them. Chet’s best friends are his pets. They love him unconditionally.

Then along comes Douglass, a brainy nerd who is very comfortable with his own self.  He also has a lack of friends, but he sees that as a positive.  He can concentrate on things he enjoys – like robots. These two boys are each others only friends, and as the story goes along their friendship grows stronger. Douglass would have to be my favorite character in the book. He made me laugh plenty of times (Clements did a fine job in capturing Douglass’ personality).  I had visions of the kid with glasses from Wimpy Kid.

The main story hinges around a mysterious missing cat. Heather, the cat’s owner, is the most popular girl in school. And one that causes Chet to be very tongue-tied when she’s around. Chet has a special link with his own pets, and this leads him to unwittingly offer to help Heather find her cat, Mr Fluffy Pants.

I won’t go into more details so I don’t give it all away.

My bottom line is that this is a great book which I found quite refreshing and fun to read. The characters were very likeable – especially Douglass, who was my favourite. I’d definitely recommend this book to both boys and girls, and I’ll be passing it on to my son to read very soon.  Well done to Scott Clements, I’ve enjoyed both of his books.

Take a look at the great book trailer.

 

My review ♦ THE CASUAL VACANCY ♦ by J.K. Rowling ★★★★

THE CASUAL VACANCY by J.K. Rowling

★★★★

Goodreads Blurb

When Barry Fairweather dies unexpectedly in his early forties, the little town of Pagford is left in shock.
Pagford is, seemingly, an English idyll, with a cobbled market square and an ancient abbey, but what lies behind the pretty façade is a town at war.

Rich at war with poor, teenagers at war with their parents, wives at war with their husbands, teachers at war with their pupils…Pagford is not what it first seems. And the empty seat left by Barry on the town’s council soon becomes the catalyst for the biggest war the town has yet seen. Who will triumph in an election fraught with passion, duplicity and unexpected revelations?

My Review

The Casual Vacancy is not a story about a magical place, or an exciting adventure full of action.  It is one that is firmly centred around the book’s characters.

The death of Barry Fairbrother, a councillor in a small town, unravels the lives of people that he came into contact with.  The impact of Barry’s death on individuals within the community that he was part of is told in a ‘warts and all’ style.

The story cleverly shows how everyday lives within a community can be so intertwined, without the people realising.  Everyone has their place, their routine, their status, and everyone has their own spin on things around them.  Normally, these opinions and beliefs lie hidden under the surface of happy daily life.

Barry’s death opens this can of worms.  Family turmoil, personal demons, lingering prejudices and different opinions bubble to the surface, as townsfolk scramble to win his vacated seat on the council.  To succeed, would provide them with the power to set things in place that are in line with their own preferences.

There were definitely plenty of cringe-worthy moments in this book, some of which I didn’t really enjoy. But, the fact that they triggered such a strong reaction from me is evidence of clever writing. The foul language was plentiful, and although it was there to show the essence of the seedier characters, I felt there was too much (maybe I’m getting old and prudish!).

In my opinion, the last fifty pages in the book were the best, but I have to add that all the pages before were completely necessary to build the overall story. I’m trying hard not to include any spoilers in this review.  I can say that I was engrossed in the story, it’s characters and messages … and I was truly affected by the outcome.

J.K. has swung this book to be as opposite to Harry Potter as she could.  Not everyone will like it, but I’m confident that most readers will.

 

My Review ♦ A MUTINY IN TIME (Infinity Ring #1) ♦ by James Dashner ★★★★★

A MUTINY IN TIME (Infinity Ring #1) by James Dashner

★★★★★

Goodreads Blurb

Scholastic’s next multi-platform mega-event begins here! History is broken, and three kids must travel back in time to set it right.
When best friends Dak Smyth and Sera Froste stumble upon the secret of time travel — a hand-held device known as the Infinity Ring — they’re swept up in a centuries-long secret war for the fate of mankind. Recruited by the Hystorians, a secret society that dates back to Aristotle, the kids learn that history has gone disastrously off course. Now it’s up to Dak, Sera, and teenage Hystorian-in-training Riq to travel back in time to fix the Great Breaks . . . and to save Dak’s missing parents while they’re at it. First stop: Spain, 1492, where a sailor named Christopher Columbus is about to be thrown overboard in a deadly mutiny!

My Review

WOW! …. This was a great read. I love time-travel books and they are proving to be very popular with readers at the moment (look out vampires and zombies).  This is the first book in a new series and I’m totally hooked, and will definitely be reading the others.  Another great thing that kids will like, is that there is also extra interaction with this series by way of a special website.

The main characters Dak Smyth and Sera Froste, along with new friend Rik, find themselves smack bang in the middle of an exciting but dangerous task in Spain in 1492.  They have been given the huge responsibility to fix history. I’m not going to give away details of the plot, because that would spoil it for all of you would-be time-travellers.  But what I will say, is that these kids get involved in plenty of action as they set sail on a tall ship with Christopher Columbus.

I definitely recommend this book, it’s bound to be a hugely popular series with the kids, and I can’t wait to read the next one.

This post is part of the best blog hop on the block,
THE KID LIT BLOG HOP.

“Are you passionate about children’s literature?  Do you rave about a particular children’s book to all of your friends?  Are you looking to find your next greatest kid’s book? …….

Then this Blog Hop is for you.”
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My review of … The Last Olympian (Percy Jackson #5)

THE LAST OLYMPIAN (Percy Jackson #5) by Rick Riordan ***** 5 Stars

Goodreads Blurb

Climactic battles rage on New York streets in the final book of Rick Riordan’s large-scale Olympian series. As Kronos’ massive offensive towards its ultimate goal, Percy Jackson struggles to comprehend the full meaning of a long-awaited prophecy. A momentous fantasy cycle rumbles to its ominous conclusion.

My Review

The Last Olympian (Percy Jackson & the Olympians #5)

Percy Jackson and the Last Olympian is the final instalment in the great Percy Jackson series.  I have enjoyed this series a great deal and will no doubt read the other Rick Riordan series. My feelings were that each book was better than the one before, I suspect that this could be due to my growing familiarity with the characters. When I read, I try not to over-analyse it too much.  My reasons for reading are not to dissect the book and look for faults, but rather to take it at face value and get into the story that’s being told.

The crisis is at a climax.  The final instalment of the series’ overarching story, the survival of Olympus, is the focus of this book.  By the time we get to this one there are loads of sub-plots which have been introduced in other books along the way.  I found that in some parts it was a bit tricky to remember all of the sub-plot details.  But, with a bit of brain power and memory jogging it wasn’t really too hard to keep track of everything.  Riordan did a great job of tidying up all of these storylines.

During the book before this one I had formed some definite opinions on who I couldn’t trust, but as I’m no Sherlock Holmes, my mystery solving weakness showed up and some of them ended up being wrong.  I had also formed an opinion of Nico in the previous book (I didn’t like him – I don’t really know why) and even with the outcome of his story, I still didn’t like him.

Most of the characters were great to get to know, they each had their own story which evolved and climaxed along the way.  One thing though, I didn’t really ‘get’ what Percy’s mum’s new friend Paul added to the story, or why he was even in there -  maybe I missed something. I guess it’s these sorts of personal reactions to books and their characters that make books so interesting. Each reader is free to form their own opinion and interpretation.  In a nutshell, the main aim of books is to entertain and provide an escape from our daily lives, the PJ series was successful in enabling this to happen.

I would recommend the whole Percy Jackson series to readers who love adventure and action.  It has some great humour threaded through it that makes it so relatable to our own modern world.

http://www.rickriordan.com/home.aspx

Related articles

• My review of Titan’s Curse (Percy Jackson #3) (swlothian.wordpress.com)
• My review of The Battle of the Labyrinth (Percy Jackson #4) (swlothian.wordpress.com)

 

Where Children Sleep – by James Mollison

This is just a short post to show you something that reveals the differences in this world, in a simple but powerful way.

Click the link below to see this amazing book …

http://www.jamesmollison.com/wherechildrensleep.php

 

My review of … The Battle of the Labyrinth (Percy Jackson #4)

THE BATTLE OF THE LABYRINTH (Percy Jackson #4) by Rick Riordan  **** 4 Stars

Goodreads Blurb

Freshman orientation is about mastering new things, but this is ridiculous. Percy didn’t expect that in his first week at school, he would have to face a squad of demon cheerleaders. And the dangers are far more than scholastic: Kronos’s armies are threatening even the relative safety of Camp Half-Blood. The fourth installment of Percy Jackson and the Olympians deals out action, surprises, suspense, and gripping characters.

My Review

Each new book that I read in this series is better than the last one.  This is probably because I’m getting to know the characters a little more each time, and I have some back stories about them to reflect on from the previous books. As usual I’ll try to keep my thoughts spoiler free.

Rick Riordan has once again cleverly entwined the mythical world of demigods into the modern world in such a great way.  I really liked the concept in this book.  The Labyrinth is an amazing setting and is so mysterious.  It’s a place that has so many possibilities and potential for adventure, that I hope we haven’t seen the last of it.

Percy is once again on a mission that is full of danger and humour, to stop the baddies from passing through the Labyrinth and into Camp Half-Blood. Aside from the main characters, a number of others have carried over from the previous books.  They have added some interesting new sub-plots to keep an eye on, and I’m guessing that these characters will have pivotal roles in the next book.  I have to say, that I found Nico quite annoying, but I put that down to clever writing that has created a character that is triggering my emotions.  No doubt, the next book will build on his story and I will hopefully understand why he is like he is, and why he annoys me so much.  Privately, I’m also suspicious of one/more character/s, but I’ll let the next book prove me either right or wrong.

The Battle of the Labyrinth is another great instalment in the Percy Jackson series. I’m keen to get straight into the next and final book to see if everything turns to rotten eggs, or if the world will survive.  I’m confident I know which ending it will be, but it’s the journey that fills the books that we love to read, not just the ending.

http://www.rickriordan.com/home.aspx

Related articles

• My review of Titan’s Curse (Percy Jackson #3) (swlothian.wordpress.com)

 

My review of … The Titan’s Curse (Percy Jackson #3)

THE TITAN’S CURSE (Percy Jackson #3) by Rick Riordan

**** 4 Stars

Goodreads Blurb

It’s the last Friday before the winter holidays but Percy Jackson isn’t at school: he’s battling the fearsome Manticore (half human, half lion), which in itself isn’t ideal . . . but with Annabeth missing and the goddess of the hunt held captive, things get a whole lot more serious . . .Greek mythology relocated to modern-day America. Action-packed, funny, accessible writing for both boys and girls aged 10+. Perfect for fans of Harry Potter and Artemis Fowl.

My Review

The Titan’s Curse (Percy Jackson & The Olympians #3)

This was a great book; I enjoyed this one more than Sea of Monsters. As usual, I’ll try not to include any spoilers in my comments. This book has been reviewed a bazillion times so I’m sure that anyone reading this will have read plenty of other reviews already.

Percy finds himself caught up in another adventure to save the day. Along with some old and new characters, they are continually challenged by enemies that want to see them fail. The tension between some of the main characters is also another interesting layer in the plot.  We see these relationships evolve and grow as the story progresses. This book essentially revolves around a road trip across great distances (with many varied modes of transport) to save others who have been captured and held against their will.

Rick Riordan’s clever knack of plotting his stories and characters in modern-day settings with modern-day traits continues in this book.  To me, this style creates an extra dimension to the world I know and can relate to, without me having to visualise a totally new world. There are many sub-plot threads laced through the story, which will no doubt lead into the next books in the series quite nicely.

I recommend this book to Percy Jackson fans, although, I’m sure that they have already made their mind up to read it anyway (or no doubt read it already).  Those who aren’t familiar with Percy Jackson, I suggest you start at book one (The Lightning Thief) and progress through the series.

http://www.rickriordan.com/home.aspx

 

My review of Gasparilla’s Treasure

GASPARILLA’S TREASURE by Scott Clements  **** 4 Stars

 

Gasparilla’s Treasure

Goodreads Blurb
Trip Montgomery has no idea what is in store for him when he finds the dusty old trunk hidden under the floorboards in his mom’s attic. The trunk reveals a series of mysteries that send him on the greatest adventure of his life. Will his best friend Josh and his new friend Sarah be able to help Trip solve the clues that lead to the greatest treasure ever known to man? Or will Trip’s obsession with the treasure drive him deep into the disorienting dreamland of his great grandfather Pappy?

My Review
Gasparilla’s Treasure is a worthy adventure read for middle-graders. I’ll try to offer some useful comments without letting out any spoilers.
The three central characters are your typical kids. The main character, Trip, provides the link to the background story that leads to the adventure. Josh is his goofy friend, and Sarah is a newbie to their school.

As the story develops, so too does the friendship between the three characters. There is a common enemy, Eli the bully, and the three need to work together (well at least Josh thinks he’s helpful) to solve the mystery that has been unsolved for generations. For those of you who are wondering, there wasn’t excessive violence, offensive storylines or actions, so I think it’s a good wholesome story for the middle grade target audience.

My favourite character was Josh, the goofball, as he added some comic relief to the story, by just being himself. He lingered in the adventure without having to actually contribute much, so he was free to fulfil his love of video games along the way. My least favourite character was Eli, the bully, not due to the writing, but just for the fact that I hate bullies. This indicates to me that the author has been successful in portraying the baddie character to the reader.

Overall, I enjoyed this adventure and it kept my interest from cover to cover. There were hints of more to come – a second book perhaps? I’d be pleased if there were more adventures to read in the future.

 

Book Trailer

 

Available from Amazon
Paperback & Kindle 

http://www.amazon.com/Gasparillas-Tre…

Scott’s blog

http://scottclements1.wordpress.com