Tag archives for Greek Mythology
Posted by 
BOOK NAME: The Mark of Athena
AUTHOR: Rick Riordan
Hi readers! I am reporting to you about Rick Riordan’s new book, The Mark of Athena. It’s book three in the Heroes of Olympus series. I couldn’t wait for this book to come out because as you probably know by now, I think Rick Riordan rocks! Well, The Mark of Athena was worth the wait!
In the book, Jason, Percy and the five other questers meet at the Roman camp. Then all of the sudden, Leo attacks the camp with the ship’s weaponry! The demigods barely make it out and are immediately on their quest. Leo is definitely my favorite character. He’s really funny and messes around, but when it’s time to work, he WORKS HARD! I like that about him.
This is my favorite book in the series so far because the Greeks and Romans FINALLY meet. This puts a lot of tension in the story; you never know when a betrayal will happen. Talk about suspense! Also, there are a lot of new monsters in the story. Some are comical characters and others are downright nasty! Even if you haven’t been following the series, the way Rick Riordan develops his characters is a really good reason for trying this book. You won’t be disappointed.
Until next time, folks!
Posted by 
Hello readers! Guess where I was this week. You give up… okay I’ll tell you… this week we were on the Greek island of Skopelos where they filmed the movie Mamma Mia. The island was amazing and full of beauty. We woke up every morning gazing at the ocean. We toured the little island one day in an open top jeep and went to see many of the places where they filmed the movie. Have you ever seen Mamma Mia!? Mamma Mia! means a lot to me because I was in the play a couple of years ago and played the role of Donna.
Another day we hiked in fields of eight hundred year old olive trees and watched some local families make olive oil. First they pick the olives, then they remove the stems, then they cleaned them, then they mix them into a paste, and finally they separate the oil and the solids. After watching it being made we had to try some. We had it on everything from salads to bread. Greece is the third leading producer of olive oil in the world and it is delicious! Did you know you know that in Greek mythology Poseidon (God of the sea) and Athena (Goddess of wisdom) were in a battle over who would rule the city? Each god brought one gift to the people. Athena brought the olive tree and Poseidon brought the salty water of the sea. The people of the city chose the olive tree, the symbol of peace and named Athens the capitol city after Athena.
One evening we received a very special blessing from a priest at the church right above our house. The sun was setting over the Aegean Sea and the bells were ringing. He seemed like the grandfather to all the children in the town.
Later in the week we had our Friday Night Dance Night which is a tradition we’ve had in our family for a really long time. We put on funny hats, use kitchen utensils as microphones and dance around. We of course danced to the Mamma Mia! soundtrack this week. After all the crazy dancing we needed some Greek fuel so we set out for the local taverna. The food here has been amazing. Some of my favorites are saganaki (fried cheese) and tzatziki (cream yogurt with cucumbers.) We had a great time eating, dancing, and exploring Skopelos, but now it is time for one of the greatest history lessons ever, so we are off to Athens. Talk to you next week.
BOOK NAME: The Battle of the Labyrinth
AUTHOR: Rick Riordan
Hi people! As you can probably tell, I’m a big fan of fantasy literature. This time I’m reviewing The Battle of the Labyrinth by Rick Riordan. It’s the fourth book in the Percy Jackson series.
The Battle of the Labyrinth is basically about how Percy, Grover, Annabeth and Tyson go on a quest through the labyrinth, an endless maze of paths. The labyrinth has lots of tricky twists and dangerous turns. The quest involves stopping Luke who is trying to get to the labyrinth entrance and Camp Half-Blood. It’s a suspenseful story for sure!
Annabeth is probably my favorite character in the book. She’s this strong, outspoken person who knows exactly how to communicate her point which makes her cool to ‘listen’ to. She is one of the regular characters in the series, and has to face her used-to-be-best-friend, Luke, in this book. It’s exciting how she deals with the situation. She used to kind of like Luke, and still does a little bit, but she is actually starting to like Percy also. The book isn’t exactly mushy but you can tell there’s some girlfriend and boyfriend feelings going on. Anyway, the Annabeth scenes in the book are very interesting and really made me want to read more and more.
The Battle of the Labyrinth was definitely not my favorite book in the series, but absolutely worth reading. The cliffhanger ending in the book is amazing. I mean, I can’t tell you about it, but when you get to the end of the book you’ll know exactly what I’m talking about. Read it and see!
BOOK NAME: The Lost Hero
AUTHOR: Rick Riordan
Hello, blog readers. I’m back again and excited to share my review of another great Rick Riordan book! This time I’m reviewing The Lost Hero. It rocks!
The Lost Hero is the first book of a new series. It starts off a while after The Last Olympian left off but there are brand new characters! Jason who has no memory, his girlfriend Piper, and Leo who can make fire appear are the three main ones. My favorite is Leo, by the way, because he is really funny and likable, but they are all pretty cool. You can get to know them well in this book because each chapter is from a different character’s point of view.
One of my favorite things about this book is that it didn’t disappoint me. I thought that after reading and loving the Percy Jackson series, I would not like this new series as much but I was very wrong. The Lost Hero includes a lot of mythology in the story which is awesome and brings back a lot of the characters from the Percy Jackson series. It also has lots of suspenseful parts and surprises which made me want to go out and buy the next book in the series right away. I think you should too!
BOOK NAME: The Son of Neptune
AUTHOR: Rick Riordan
Hello! It’s Hunter! My review today is on Rick Riordan’s newest book, The Son of Neptune. Have I mentioned before that Rick Riordan is my favorite author? This book is an example of why I love just about anything he writes.
In The Son of Neptune, Percy (from the Percy Jackson series, also written by Rick Riordan) is at a Roman camp for half-bloods. He has lost his memory though! The only thing he can remember is one name–Annabeth. We are also introduced to two demigods, Hazel and Frank. I really liked these new friends of Percy and hope that they appear in other books too. Hazel is interesting. She was once dead and then brought back to life by Nico (also from the Percy Jackson series). Frank is very cool. He has a special gift–he can be anything he wants to be! Anyway, they go on a quest with Percy to try to free Death. They also try to join the Greek and Roman camps together so that the Prophecy of Seven can be fulfilled.
I like the way Rick Riordan has a couple of plots going at the same time. It makes this book really exciting and hard to put down. So do you think Percy, Hazel and Frank are successful? Read the book to find out! If you’re 8 years old or older, I think you will love The Son of Neptune like I did.
Posted by BOOK NAME: Treasury of Greek Mythology
AUTHOR: Donna Jo Napoli
Mythology is a fascinating genre with classic stories about gods, villains, and heroes. National Geographic’s Treasury of Greek Mythology takes you to the world of the Greek gods and goddesses. The book shows the birth, the different qualities, and the significance of the mythological figures in the Greek world.
From the king of the Olympian gods to the strong, enormous demi-god, the stories of all the Greek gods are being retold in this book. The prophecy states that Zeus will overthrow his father, Cronus, and take over the throne. Zeus fights his father and his uncles successfully and the prophecy comes true. Athena, the goddess of wisdom and war, sprung out of Zeus’s head because she was the daughter of Metis, one of Zeus’s wives whom he had swallowed. Heracles is a strong hero who is driven insane and for the crime he commits has to perform twelve labors in order to be forgiven. These are just a few of the many enchanting stories in this book.
Treasury of Greek Mythology is an intriguing mythological book appropriate for all ages. The stories are simple to understand and are very engaging. Each story has an interesting fact which makes it more fun for the reader. The illustrations are beautiful and use vivid colors, bringing out the splendid atmosphere surrounding the Greek gods. Also, the lush family tree and the cast of characters helped me understand each Greek god and their relations with other gods.
BOOK NAME: The Last Olympian
AUTHOR: Rick Riordan
Hi guys! I’m Hunter. This is my first review so tell me what you think! I read The Last
Olympian by Rick Riordan, who is one of my favorite authors. I really like fantasy fiction because
anything is possible!
This book is the fifth and last book in the Percy Jackson series. I definitely think it’s the best of
all of the books and have read it over and over again. Anyway, the book is basically about a war
between the Titans and the gods and demigods. There’s lots of fighting and plotting in the book which
is pretty awesome since there are all sorts of cool made up weapons like invisible caps and swords that
morph!
The main characters, Percy Jackson, Annabeth and Grover are demigods and they are really
likable. They’re also characters in the other books and have been my favorite characters since I picked
up the first book. Percy is funny and sarcastic in a nice way while Annabeth is super kind but tough as
nails. Grover is cool too. He is very sensitive and loves nature. I like the way these characters all get
along even though they have different personalities.
Like I said, I love this book (and so does my brother who is 7). It’s exciting and suspenseful
and very very very difficult to put down! If you enjoy fantasy and mythical things like flying horses
and fire-breathing dragons, The Last Olympian is definitely the book for you!
Posted by BOOK NAME: Atlas’ Revenge: Another Mad Myth Mystery
AUTHOR: Robyn DiTocco
Imagine if you had to fight ferocious monsters and battle evildoers while attempting to save the world all at the same time! For PJ Allen, that is exactly what he has to do. This task becomes daunting at times. PJ appears to be a typical college student in California. If you didn’t include his recent adventure involving the Olympian Gods, Titans, and Medusa, his life mainly revolves around college life. Out of the blue, PJ is called upon by the messenger god, Hermes, requesting that PJ aid the Olympians again! He told PJ that Atlas, the Titan who holds up the heavens, is missing. Hercules is holding up the sky in Titan’s place, but cannot bear its weight much longer. The messenger also reveals that Hercules’ Twelve Labors need to be accomplished in order to save innocent people from deadly beasts. PJ must complete these tasks in Hercules’ place. In addition, he must find where Atlas is hiding and restore him to his rightful place before Hercules falls. PJ must also choose between his ex-girlfriend and his new girlfriend. Little does PJ know that one the girls is the mastermind behind the disappearance of Atlas.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. It had just the right amount of suspense and humor. For example, PJ must battle powerful foes, but still manages to find humor in the situation. The plot was both exciting and entertaining. I also like the fact that you can learn a little about Greek mythology, such as the names of the Greek gods, monsters, and other beings from the book. This story nicely blended fact and fiction. Many of PJ’s close friends actually turned out to be mythical beings. I encourage you to read the book and uncover the answers.
Posted by BOOK NAME: The Titan’s Curse
AUTHOR: Rick Riordan
How is everyone doing? I’ve got another Percy Jackson blog for you. I hope you enjoy this one.
The book starts off with Percy’s mom driving Thalia, Annabeth, and Percy to a school were Grover had reported that he had found a half-blood. When they got to the school there was a school dance going on. Thalia used some sort of “Jedi Mind Trick” on an instructor so they could get in the school. Once they got in they found Grover and he pointed out the two half-bloods. Their names were Bianca and Nico–brother and sister.
Percy, Thalia and Annabeth had to blend in with everyone else by dancing to get to Nico and Bianca. They all got separated from each other at the dance, and then something weird happened and they ended up in the forest. Once they regrouped, they figured out that the same instructor that they had tricked had done this and he had Nico and Bianca captured. Then the instructor flicked his tail and spikes came flying at Percy and his friends. Wait! he has a tail and that can only mean one thing: the instructor is a monster.
You guys have to read to find out what happens and what I’ve told you is really important to the rest of the book, so keep that in mind. This is one of the best books in the series. I hope that you guys think the same thing. Well guys I got to go, so until next time, bye!
BOOK NAME: The Sea of Monsters
AUTHOR: Rick Riordan
Hola, boys and girls how are you? I know I’m good. A lot of people liked Parker’s review so I’m going to do one to. If you want to check out his review, click here. I liked this book because there is a lot of action and adventure, which are my favorite books. I hope you like my review.
The story starts off when Percy is having a nightmare at his mom’s house in Manhattan. Percy and Grover (Percy’s best friend) have this sort of link that whenever Grover is in trouble Percy can see what is going on in his dreams. Grover went out on a quest to find the wild god Pan like all satyrs do (Satyrs are a mix of goat and human). Grover was in Miami in Percy’s dream running from something while murmuring, “Have to get away, have to warn them.” Percy didn’t know whom Grover wanted to warn but had a feeling that it was the entire camp half-blood.
It turns out that a Cyclops named Polyphemus that lives on an island in the Sea of Monsters has taken Grover prisoner. Grover’s warning was a message for help.
Camp half-blood is for demi-gods. Demi-gods are people who are half god half human. In Percy’s case his father is Poseidon, god of the sea.
I can’t tell our much more because I would be a spoiler. I really enjoyed writing this one so you guys and girls could compare it to Parker’s. I hope you guys and girls do. Well I’ve got to wrap it up so see you later!
BOOK NAME: The Golden Fleece and the Heroes Who Lived Before Achilles
AUTHOR: Padraic Colum
Let’s take a journey back in time and encounter Greek gods, heroes, mysterious creatures, and more! Greek mythology is truly interesting and intriguing. When you read The Golden Fleece, the characters and images described are vivid and remarkable.
This is the tale of the hero, Jason, and his quest for the legendary Golden Fleece in Colchis. The legendary, solid gold wool is a fabulous treasure. It takes a powerful warrior to earn and obtain it. Along with his comrades Heracles, Atlanta, Orpheus, and many other warriors, Jason sets out on a long, treacherous voyage aboard a ship known as the Argo. They face many battles, testing both their physical and mental limitations. However, one major obstacle awaits them in their quest to obtain the Golden Fleece. To reach the Golden Fleece, they must first triumph over the magic spells that guard it. Can the heroes ever reach the Golden Fleece and return safely home with their treasure? Along the perilous trek, stories are told of the courageous encounters and battles of Heracles and the Hydra, Theseus and the Minotaur, and Perseus and Medusa.
This book was filled with amazing characters! I particularly was fascinated by Jason’s physical and mental strength. I seldom read books about Greek mythology, but this book captured my interest immediately and makes me want to read more about Greek mythology. I learned a lot about ancient Greek civilization and learned of the gods known as the Olympians and the Titans. The book was well written with elaborate detail. The illustrations were described with such clarity, that I could picture every character and every scene. For example, the author describes the Minotaur as a huge, muscular beast. This creature is half man, half bull, with fangs, a slobbering mouth, thick lips, calloused skin, dragon claws, icy breath, and no blood in its veins. I could definitely picture the true essence of the legendary Minotaur. I enjoy drawing, so I often try to sketch pictures of the creatures based on the author’s brilliant descriptions. Overall, The Golden Fleece was truly a magnificent read!
Posted by BOOK NAME: Dread Locks: Dark Fusion #1
AUTHOR: Neal Shusterman
Parker lives in a luxurious neighborhood with his family and siblings and the empty mansion next door. The mansion won’t be empty for long, though: Parker’s problem of boredom is solved quickly when a strange girl moves in. She goes to his high school, and is kind of … weird. She always wears dark sunglasses, and her hair sometimes seems alive. Her name is Tara.
Tara sees no problem in taking things that aren’t hers. She seems smart, and has a certain power over other people. The people she is friends with start developing weird behaviors, and Parker’s own brother is overtaken by the disease-like affliction. Her victims begin to drink tons of milk, eat dirt, and become very sedentary and weak all of the time. Will Parker be able to figure out what is going on and save his friends?
This was a very good book. It wasn’t one of Neal Shusterman’s best, but it was good. I personally liked it because of the references to Greek mythology. I won’t tell you what they are (you’ll have to read to find out), but if you like the Percy Jackson books, you’ll love this one. It’s a short read, which is also nice–I don’t have to spend hours poring over it. Sometimes it’s good to get a quick little book to read. It gets a little bit scary, so I would recommend it to kids in 6th grade and up. It’s certainly spooky!
Posted by BOOK NAME: The Sea of Monsters
AUTHOR: Rick Riordan
This book picks up with the cliffhanger of The Lightning Thief and is just as hard to put down as the first Percy Jackson book. In this one, Percy learns that he has a Cyclops brother named Tyson. In the beginning, Percy thought Tyson was just a friend from school. However, when Percy finds out Tyson is immune to fire, he discovers Tyson’s true identity. Also in this book is the Golden Fleece, which gives power to whatever or whoever is touching it. Percy needs the Fleece to save the tree of Half-Blood Hill, which actually is Thalia, the daughter of Zeus who was turned into a tree by her father when she was close to death. Thalia, or the tree, was poisoned by Luke, who is a constant troublemaker and the lightning thief in the first Percy Jackson book. With the Fleece, Percy is able to save the tree. This book has some funny parts, including when the mean Cyclops named Polyphemus tries to marry Grover, Percy’s satyr friend, because he can’t see very well. This book is better than The Lightining Thief because it’s funnier.
MOVIE NAME: Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief
BASED ON: The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan
The question I kept asking myself when I read The Lightning Thief was “who is the Lightning Thief?” This book is full of characters based on Greek and Roman mythology that are living in today’s world, and one of them has stolen the master lightning bolt of Zeus, the king of the gods. There are many mythological characters and creatures that are friends, foes and relatives of Percy Jackson, who the book is all about. Percy finds out that he is the son of Poseidon, the god of water, and that he has magical powers.
They made a movie out of The Lightning Thief, which I saw at the theater while reading the book. The book had a lot more detail than the movie, including some characters such as Ares and Kronos. Overall, I thought the book was better than the movie. One part of the movie that I did like was how they turned seven security guards at a museum into the seven heads of the hydra monster. While the ending of the movie was all wrapped up, the book had such a strong cliffhanger that I found myself reading the second in the series, Sea of Monsters, before I had a chance to write this review.
Posted by BOOK NAME: The Lightning Thief
AUTHOR: Rick Riordan
The Lightning Thief is the first in Rick Riordan’s series of Percy Jackson & The Olympians, and it was great!
It’s about a boy named Percy Jackson who’s sent to Camp Half-blood by his Mom. It turns out that the camp is for half humans-half Gods. But something has been stolen from the God of Gods, Zeus – his lightning bolt. (I guess that’s where they got the name of the book, huh?) So Percy is sent on a quest to find out who his dad is, and to find Zeus’s lightning bolt. Percy and his friends, Grover the Centaur and Annabelle the Half-blood, take a treacherous route to find the lightning bolt in the underworld. Will Percy be able to find his way through confusion? Who will he be able to trust?
I rate this book a 4 out of 5. This is a very confusing book at times. It was VERY hard for me to get into the groove of the book, but I understood it later on. This book teaches you about having courage to save ones life. I would have never gone to the underworld or fought mythological creatures and Gods like Percy did. It does get kind of scary at parts when you are reading at night. No matter what, KEEP READING!
I suggest this book for readers who are up for a challenge; for readers who like long fantasies and mythologies. If you liked the Harry Potter series, then this is probably a book for you. The Lightning Thief is definitely a book worth reading.
