Alright people, let's kill the lights on this. Unfortunately, Amrutha will not be giving her post of chapters 61-70 (she's lame), but please enjoy my discussion of the end of The House of Hades!
ANNABETH LXXI - LXXII
So Damasen makes his entrance and by this point shit is going down. Hard. This is what we've been waiting for! Percabeth has been going through so much pain and treachery and self-deprecation and finally there's a tiny speck of hope!
Bob and Damasen are absolutely awesome. Not Leo Valdez level awesome, but maybe just a few nuts and bolts below Leo Valdez level awesome. Bob makes the sacrifice and holds the button while our heroes get the Hades out of Tartarus.
And, of course, away from Tartarus (that dude is one scary monster, a culmination of every evil thing we've faced so far packed into one suit of pure unbridled vileness. I particularly like the fact that he's still laughably egotistic, a human trait stretched and exaggerated in every villain. I think Riordan's trying to tell us something).
Bob delivers some amazing philosophical bits, questioning the very mechanics that Grecian mythology and Rick Riordan have set up. Fate? Damasen and Bob spit on that. "Who knows what will be?" Bob says on 527, mirroring the plight of our heroes who have faced the jaws of their fates and fought through anyway. Very Odysseus-like.
Percabeth go through dampening realizations, terrible and dark and very final. In the muck of it, Percy swears to kill Gaia and Annabeth reflects on her dreams . . . very potent while in the Doors of Death.
HAZEL LXIII - LXVI
These chapters are absolutely brilliant. Hazel is busy breaking down in the depths of despair. But Leo is is too damn awesome to have that, and consoles her with kangaroo-related humor, because you can always count on Leo Valdez. Anyway, there's finally closure between the Leo/Hazel thing but who cares about that anyway because Calypseo is my new favorite ship and nothing is coming in between that. Leo's changed after being voted off the island, he has become more considerate, more watchful. He's matured. Ugh <3.
Okay so, Hazel leads us down deeper and we find the Doors, guarded by Clytius the giant and Pasiphae the bitch - I mean witch. She's very reminiscent of Circe and doesn't take shit from males, which is a character trait that is surprisingly abundant in these books considering the mythology behind them.
And then drops the big catch: someone's got to press the button on our side to open the Doors, and Clytius knows Percabeth's coming up . . . so these monsters have to be defeated stat or else Gaia is going to use our heroes as sacrifices.
But it's alright, because we've got Hazel, who has apparently mastered illusions enough to beat the arrogant Pasiphae. Leo's helpless here in Pasiphae's new Labryinth but let's not talk about that. Hazel is really badass here, working her way through with only a fundamental understanding of the Mist. I actually nodded my head in amazement at her clever thoughts, it was very Annabeth though I must apologize for comparing characters often . . .
But then, Clytius. Big bad wolf. Of course, Leo's sexy ability to throw a screwdriver opens the doors.
But still Clytius. Some crazy things happen, some untrustworthyness is revealed, some fire gets played with and Hazel does very awesome fighting that makes me love the way Riordan describes action. It's so raw.
And then the rest of our crew come and smite Clytius like the douchenozzle he is and it's such a good scene. Every painful moment has only delayed this one, where everyone works together to get Percabeth the hell out of there.
"That's my peeps!" says Leo on 562. What a guy. Our peeps teleport out and meet Reyna.
Our lovely, LOVELY ending arrives with:
PERCY LXXVII -LXXVIII
Even Riordan's resolution is full of beautiful things. Reyna tells her story, things happen, exposition that I won't spoil for you, Nico leaves, unfortunately, and our heroes sail off.
Gods this book was magnificent. I don't know how to summarize my love for it. It was incredibly well constructed, it was incredibly well written, it was incredibly baffling, and ugh wow just amazing. Simply amazing.
Showing posts with label house of hades. Show all posts
Showing posts with label house of hades. Show all posts
Tuesday, November 5, 2013
Tuesday, October 29, 2013
Live Blogging The House of Hades: Chapters 51-60
Hi, all! So, super sorry that there has been such a long wait for this set of chapters, but I hope it'll have been worth the wait! I'm pretty much the reason that the rest of the chapters for The House of Hades haven't gone up, but it happens. Life has been seriously crazy for me. I'm having a lot of trouble managing my time with all my work. (And let's not even talk about sleep. I don't know what that is.) But now that the production I was working on is done (I admit I'm a bit saddened by that), I am back to reading a bit more! I'm also planning on rolling out a new feature in the near future - hopefully within a week or two! So without further ado, chapters 51 to 60!
So we start off with Leo stranded on a very special island! Can I just say how excited I was when I realized what island this was? I almost died. And also, I SHIP IT SO HARD. It's seriously ridiculous how much I ship this right now. Leo adorableness WILL charm someone in this series some book, and I'm hoping that book is this book.
I have to admit that Leo has some stupid thoughts sometimes though. One in particular: "What surprised Leo most was the surge of anger he felt. It wasn't just annoyance or jealousy. He was mad at Percy for hurting this girl." Ok, Leo. I know you're a softy and all, but Percy had some serious world saving to do. This whole scenario? DEFINITELY WOULDN'T HAVE HAPPENED IF PERCY STAYED ON THE ISLAND. OBVIOUSLY, LEO. GET WITH IT. Of course, Leo must be forgiven because Leo.
If you haven't figured out what mystery island Leo is on and who the mystery girl who lives there is yet, then I'm not sure why you're reading this because it is spoiler filled! But also, it's Calypso! That's right, Odyssey and Sea of Monsters Calypso. Broken hearted, stuck on Ogygia, cursed by the gods Calypso. Yea. And she is a bad bitch. The way she warded off Gaea... damn.
And onto more Leo brilliance! Fire proof pouch? I SEE WHAT YOU'RE DOING, LEO. YOU ARE A GOOD FRIEND. And also the crystal? YES. SO MUCH OF MY YES. UGH. If only all the characters were this brilliant. I mean, they are in their own ways, but LEO VALDEZ. I seriously forgot how much I loved him in the year between The Mark of Athena and The House of Hades.
Awh. So, Leo's chapters end with a bit of a bittersweet moment, but hopefully everything will get better! I mean, it's good, but awh. Aaawwwwwwwhhhhhh.
Anyway, onto Annabeth! The costume designer in me pretty much freaked out at the description of Nyx: "Her dress was void black, mixed with the colors of a space nebula, as if galaxies were being born in her bodice." UGH. I'm so going to attempt drawing this. Someday. If it ever happens, I'll post it, but I wouldn't hold my breath on that. But wow, Annabeth is the cleverest demigod ever born. It hurts. Tartarus tour? Brochure. Stop. Just stop. Rick Riordan, you are a genius. I bow down to your genius *bows*. Well, continuing on, Night certainly has some temper. I mean, is that really necessary? Really? I mean, I GUESS she's kind of a big deal, but still. Percabeth doesn't deserve this. Percabeth rarely gets what they deserve. But going back to the whole Annabeth is a genius thing... she's also a psycho crazy person who is crazy. I mean, I guess if you're in Tartarus, why not just do crazy things. I mean, it can't really get worse...
So some more craziness happens with Percabeth and then we're back to Jason's point of view. This section picks up with what happened to the Argo II after the wind bomb exploded in Piper's chapters. Can I just say that I love Nico in chapter 57?! Nico is perf. Ugh, poor baby. Although Jason isn't one of my favorite characters, I like where the story went with him as a developing character. I thought the whole idea of Jason not waiting for other people do let him do things was a great message.
So during Jason's chapters, we meet back up with Leo. Yay, Leo!!!! Except Leo is super depressed because Calypso and all that. Poor baby. When Frank said that Calypso's original home was somewhere near Malta it almost made me feel like she was meant to go with Leo and it kind of broke my heart a little. Sob. Caleo. I ship it.
And this is the end of my post for chapters 51-60! I know it was super delayed, but share your thoughts on these chapters in the comments! I'd love to hear what you thought of this action packed section!
So we start off with Leo stranded on a very special island! Can I just say how excited I was when I realized what island this was? I almost died. And also, I SHIP IT SO HARD. It's seriously ridiculous how much I ship this right now. Leo adorableness WILL charm someone in this series some book, and I'm hoping that book is this book.
I have to admit that Leo has some stupid thoughts sometimes though. One in particular: "What surprised Leo most was the surge of anger he felt. It wasn't just annoyance or jealousy. He was mad at Percy for hurting this girl." Ok, Leo. I know you're a softy and all, but Percy had some serious world saving to do. This whole scenario? DEFINITELY WOULDN'T HAVE HAPPENED IF PERCY STAYED ON THE ISLAND. OBVIOUSLY, LEO. GET WITH IT. Of course, Leo must be forgiven because Leo.
If you haven't figured out what mystery island Leo is on and who the mystery girl who lives there is yet, then I'm not sure why you're reading this because it is spoiler filled! But also, it's Calypso! That's right, Odyssey and Sea of Monsters Calypso. Broken hearted, stuck on Ogygia, cursed by the gods Calypso. Yea. And she is a bad bitch. The way she warded off Gaea... damn.
And onto more Leo brilliance! Fire proof pouch? I SEE WHAT YOU'RE DOING, LEO. YOU ARE A GOOD FRIEND. And also the crystal? YES. SO MUCH OF MY YES. UGH. If only all the characters were this brilliant. I mean, they are in their own ways, but LEO VALDEZ. I seriously forgot how much I loved him in the year between The Mark of Athena and The House of Hades.
Awh. So, Leo's chapters end with a bit of a bittersweet moment, but hopefully everything will get better! I mean, it's good, but awh. Aaawwwwwwwhhhhhh.
Anyway, onto Annabeth! The costume designer in me pretty much freaked out at the description of Nyx: "Her dress was void black, mixed with the colors of a space nebula, as if galaxies were being born in her bodice." UGH. I'm so going to attempt drawing this. Someday. If it ever happens, I'll post it, but I wouldn't hold my breath on that. But wow, Annabeth is the cleverest demigod ever born. It hurts. Tartarus tour? Brochure. Stop. Just stop. Rick Riordan, you are a genius. I bow down to your genius *bows*. Well, continuing on, Night certainly has some temper. I mean, is that really necessary? Really? I mean, I GUESS she's kind of a big deal, but still. Percabeth doesn't deserve this. Percabeth rarely gets what they deserve. But going back to the whole Annabeth is a genius thing... she's also a psycho crazy person who is crazy. I mean, I guess if you're in Tartarus, why not just do crazy things. I mean, it can't really get worse...
So some more craziness happens with Percabeth and then we're back to Jason's point of view. This section picks up with what happened to the Argo II after the wind bomb exploded in Piper's chapters. Can I just say that I love Nico in chapter 57?! Nico is perf. Ugh, poor baby. Although Jason isn't one of my favorite characters, I like where the story went with him as a developing character. I thought the whole idea of Jason not waiting for other people do let him do things was a great message.
So during Jason's chapters, we meet back up with Leo. Yay, Leo!!!! Except Leo is super depressed because Calypso and all that. Poor baby. When Frank said that Calypso's original home was somewhere near Malta it almost made me feel like she was meant to go with Leo and it kind of broke my heart a little. Sob. Caleo. I ship it.
And this is the end of my post for chapters 51-60! I know it was super delayed, but share your thoughts on these chapters in the comments! I'd love to hear what you thought of this action packed section!
- Kiersten
Monday, October 21, 2013
Live Blogging The House of Hades: Chapters 41-50
Piper XLI - XLIV
Oh girl, oh girl. Piper and her Sexy-sense can tell Nico and Jason have had some beautiful adventures together. I mean, holy Hades I DID NOT SEE THAT COMING.
Anyway, fangirling over (just kidding). Piper begins her bit with a quiet, chilled introduction that is a relief after the action and reflection of the last couple of chapters. She's on edge, and so is the weather. So our abolish their meeting and nothing really gets done in the way of planning. As usual.
On the other hand, Jason shows concern for Nico, who shows affection for Hazel (woah) and Piper/Hazel have become best friends. Things are looking up in terms of character bonding! But of course Piper has to bring in the future and make our original gang (Pipes, Leo, Jason) nervous. Leo is awesome and uses the word copacetic but other than that, things turn pretty dismal as Piper gleans from her evil knife that one of her friends is going to die trying to bring down Gaia.
And then shit goes down. I won't say who comes back, I'll only mention that she's ultimate bitch number five hundred and three and she should stop existing ugh I hate her so much. Bitch hurls Leo off the boat, makes Jason a sculpture, and forces Piper to make herself useful. Piper steps up to the challenge, combining an Annabeth-like delay tactic coupled with a bit of magic to pull of a sexy rescue of the boat.
Also, Festus is my favorite.
Percy XLV - XLVII
I'm with Amrutha on this, THESE CHAPTERS ARE NOT OKAY. I love them to Thanatos, trust me. They exemplify the most intense kinds of emotions and development and force our characters to reflect on their lives and know what pushes them forward. But oh gods it hurts to watch. We can't even have a few minutes of peace. Soon after leaving the swamp, Percabeth are swamped with despair and soreness and Percy tries to think of good things. At least we've got Bob, who is the best Titan ever.
Hold up, Percy is in hell, literal hell, and he thinks, "Man, Annabeth was awesome. For a moment, Percy actually remembered what it was like to feel happy. He had an amazing girlfriend. They could have a future together." They could have a future together. Percy deserves an Optimist of the Century Award, along with a mountain of BAFTAs.
Anyway, we're at Akhyls's gloomy field of gloom and despair and pointlessness. Let me take a moment to commend Riordan's mastery of the English language as he describes Akhyls. That bitch is sad. And the aphorisms and quoteables that arise in this chapter? They're not all comforting of course but hey, they're true.
Now Percabeth have got to go to the end of Tartarus, near the Void to acquire the Death Mist. Somewhat reminds me of Percy's journey in the Styx to gain invulnerability. Akhyls leads them there but Bob is left behind. Which sucks. Bad. Without Bob, these chapters degrade to utterly beautiful misery.
Percabeth turn into mist. They look at each other and tear up because they look dead. After all this time, they still care about that. UGH.
A lot of weird and vile things happen all at once and suddenly Percabeth are facing the penultimate manifestation of all creation. Night. The one and only baby.
Also, let us note that Rick Riordan has used the words, "LOL, NOOB!" in a serious text. Thanks.
AND FINALLY, LEO XLIX - L
Leo's a damn genius This is known fact but let's run through a few things just to reiterate:
This scrawny motherlover gains consciousness thousands of feet in the air and is making jokes about it on the way down.
He's got a tool bet and magic ball and two minutes til it's over. He gives a grand total of zero shits about this.
Motherlover builds a (semi) working helicopter in those two minutes and safely crash lands on a beach.
What?
What.
Unfortunately he has to deal with a very annoyed girl (whose name I cannot disclose) that I am SO glad makes a cameo in the book. I had hoped this character's story would be tied up and I predict it finally will be. Thank the gods for Leo, eh?
She's majorly pissed off and takes this out on Leo. Thus, Leo's stuck and must try to build himself a way out.
These chapters are so incredibly funny and thankfully detatched from the rest of the world. Finally, we have Leo alone with a bit of reflection here, a ton of humor there, a kind of deep, beautiful sadness interspersed between, and ugh so much more that I can't begin to convey in such few words. I love these chapters
Also, I ship it so hard even though she makes it very hard, I totally understand her point of view, the never-ending punishment and I ship it so hard. Did I mention that.
Well anyway, we're rounded off by Leo being told he can never leave this place.
But let's face it, it's Leo Valdez.
Oh girl, oh girl. Piper and her Sexy-sense can tell Nico and Jason have had some beautiful adventures together. I mean, holy Hades I DID NOT SEE THAT COMING.
Anyway, fangirling over (just kidding). Piper begins her bit with a quiet, chilled introduction that is a relief after the action and reflection of the last couple of chapters. She's on edge, and so is the weather. So our abolish their meeting and nothing really gets done in the way of planning. As usual.
On the other hand, Jason shows concern for Nico, who shows affection for Hazel (woah) and Piper/Hazel have become best friends. Things are looking up in terms of character bonding! But of course Piper has to bring in the future and make our original gang (Pipes, Leo, Jason) nervous. Leo is awesome and uses the word copacetic but other than that, things turn pretty dismal as Piper gleans from her evil knife that one of her friends is going to die trying to bring down Gaia.
And then shit goes down. I won't say who comes back, I'll only mention that she's ultimate bitch number five hundred and three and she should stop existing ugh I hate her so much. Bitch hurls Leo off the boat, makes Jason a sculpture, and forces Piper to make herself useful. Piper steps up to the challenge, combining an Annabeth-like delay tactic coupled with a bit of magic to pull of a sexy rescue of the boat.
Also, Festus is my favorite.
Percy XLV - XLVII
I'm with Amrutha on this, THESE CHAPTERS ARE NOT OKAY. I love them to Thanatos, trust me. They exemplify the most intense kinds of emotions and development and force our characters to reflect on their lives and know what pushes them forward. But oh gods it hurts to watch. We can't even have a few minutes of peace. Soon after leaving the swamp, Percabeth are swamped with despair and soreness and Percy tries to think of good things. At least we've got Bob, who is the best Titan ever.
Hold up, Percy is in hell, literal hell, and he thinks, "Man, Annabeth was awesome. For a moment, Percy actually remembered what it was like to feel happy. He had an amazing girlfriend. They could have a future together." They could have a future together. Percy deserves an Optimist of the Century Award, along with a mountain of BAFTAs.
Anyway, we're at Akhyls's gloomy field of gloom and despair and pointlessness. Let me take a moment to commend Riordan's mastery of the English language as he describes Akhyls. That bitch is sad. And the aphorisms and quoteables that arise in this chapter? They're not all comforting of course but hey, they're true.
Now Percabeth have got to go to the end of Tartarus, near the Void to acquire the Death Mist. Somewhat reminds me of Percy's journey in the Styx to gain invulnerability. Akhyls leads them there but Bob is left behind. Which sucks. Bad. Without Bob, these chapters degrade to utterly beautiful misery.
Percabeth turn into mist. They look at each other and tear up because they look dead. After all this time, they still care about that. UGH.
A lot of weird and vile things happen all at once and suddenly Percabeth are facing the penultimate manifestation of all creation. Night. The one and only baby.
Also, let us note that Rick Riordan has used the words, "LOL, NOOB!" in a serious text. Thanks.
AND FINALLY, LEO XLIX - L
Leo's a damn genius This is known fact but let's run through a few things just to reiterate:
This scrawny motherlover gains consciousness thousands of feet in the air and is making jokes about it on the way down.
He's got a tool bet and magic ball and two minutes til it's over. He gives a grand total of zero shits about this.
Motherlover builds a (semi) working helicopter in those two minutes and safely crash lands on a beach.
What?
What.
Unfortunately he has to deal with a very annoyed girl (whose name I cannot disclose) that I am SO glad makes a cameo in the book. I had hoped this character's story would be tied up and I predict it finally will be. Thank the gods for Leo, eh?
She's majorly pissed off and takes this out on Leo. Thus, Leo's stuck and must try to build himself a way out.
These chapters are so incredibly funny and thankfully detatched from the rest of the world. Finally, we have Leo alone with a bit of reflection here, a ton of humor there, a kind of deep, beautiful sadness interspersed between, and ugh so much more that I can't begin to convey in such few words. I love these chapters
Also, I ship it so hard even though she makes it very hard, I totally understand her point of view, the never-ending punishment and I ship it so hard. Did I mention that.
Well anyway, we're rounded off by Leo being told he can never leave this place.
But let's face it, it's Leo Valdez.
Sunday, October 20, 2013
Live Blogging The House of Hades: Chapters 31-40
what the hades is even going on in my life anymore???
Chapter 31 continued in Percy's POV, and as much as I love Percy, this whole section of the book made me sad. PERCY WAS SO HURT AND ANNABETH WAS SUDDENLY BLINDED AND THERE WAS SO MUCH STRESS ON MY POOR POOR HEART. Every time Bob the Titan comes to the rescue it makes me love the sweet guy even more.
Also like what the eff Rick like lines like this are not okay: "Annabeth took his face in her hands. She kissed him and tried to wipe the dust and sweat from his eyes." like uhm EXCUSE YOU RICK that kind of percabeth shit is only okay when they're happy and safe. If you do it like this, it is so heartwrenching it hurts. Halt with this immediately please.
And then, we got to Jason.
Jason is one of my favorite and also one of my most frustrating characters in this series. While he's great and kind and a fabulous fighter and flier, HE'S NOT WITH REYNA, WHOM I LOVE DEARLY. I don't want to give a lot of spoilers for this section but let me just tell you IT WAS A SHIPPER'S ELYSIUM. oh gods. I am not even kidding you when I tell you I went "OOOOOOOOOH" out loud while reading this part. I don't even care that I sounded like a 12 year old guy. Those are the feels.
Annabeth rounded out these last few chapters with more percabeth that made me want to sob and beat Rick Riordan to a pulp for making them suffer. Percy and Annabeth are always full of boundless wit, which is what got them so far through Tartarus, and it continues to help them. Their ridiculous taunting of Damasen the giant saves their lives yet again. Go percabeth. In these few chapters, Percabeth, Bob, and Small Bob (a cute kitten they found in the depths of Tartarus) found a cozy place to stay and rebuild their energies after yet another attack. Thank the gods for warm cozy huts and food in Tartarus.
Chapter 31 continued in Percy's POV, and as much as I love Percy, this whole section of the book made me sad. PERCY WAS SO HURT AND ANNABETH WAS SUDDENLY BLINDED AND THERE WAS SO MUCH STRESS ON MY POOR POOR HEART. Every time Bob the Titan comes to the rescue it makes me love the sweet guy even more.
Also like what the eff Rick like lines like this are not okay: "Annabeth took his face in her hands. She kissed him and tried to wipe the dust and sweat from his eyes." like uhm EXCUSE YOU RICK that kind of percabeth shit is only okay when they're happy and safe. If you do it like this, it is so heartwrenching it hurts. Halt with this immediately please.
And then, we got to Jason.
Jason is one of my favorite and also one of my most frustrating characters in this series. While he's great and kind and a fabulous fighter and flier, HE'S NOT WITH REYNA, WHOM I LOVE DEARLY. I don't want to give a lot of spoilers for this section but let me just tell you IT WAS A SHIPPER'S ELYSIUM. oh gods. I am not even kidding you when I tell you I went "OOOOOOOOOH" out loud while reading this part. I don't even care that I sounded like a 12 year old guy. Those are the feels.
Annabeth rounded out these last few chapters with more percabeth that made me want to sob and beat Rick Riordan to a pulp for making them suffer. Percy and Annabeth are always full of boundless wit, which is what got them so far through Tartarus, and it continues to help them. Their ridiculous taunting of Damasen the giant saves their lives yet again. Go percabeth. In these few chapters, Percabeth, Bob, and Small Bob (a cute kitten they found in the depths of Tartarus) found a cozy place to stay and rebuild their energies after yet another attack. Thank the gods for warm cozy huts and food in Tartarus.
Monday, October 14, 2013
Live Blogging The House of Hades: Chapters 21-30
Oh gods. If you want to keep your sanity just stay away from the rest of this novel . . .
So I pick up after Frank has his super dynamic shift from wah I'm useless to wah I killed demon cows and I'm sexy which is a beautiful improvement, let me tell you. I love the guy and I understand his POV and I'm thankful he's stepping up but he's in the way of Leo and that is something that should never happen.
Period.
Annabeth XXI - XXIV
Right, so we're Percabething across Tartarus and things are looking down. Very down. The only direction in Tartarus is down, after all. Riordan has done an incredible job by elaborately describing Tartarus, and an even better job at carving pieces into Percy and Annabeth's psyche. At this point in their lives, Annabeth and Percy find it hard to trust anyone, and Annabeth takes it out on Bob. I love Bob, and still I understand her anxieties. Something that's left intentionally in the dark: in one scene Percy leaves Bob to a choice, to kill or not to kill a monster, and Annabeth can't get a read on Percy, whether his intentions were cold and calculating or he was just being trusting. War does that. I can't blame them. It's worse than hell for these demigods, who have been through literal rivers of pain. And they don't give up. Not on each other, not on their friends. Annabeth even manages to fashion a plan out of thin air to try to get a message back topside. Percy and Annabeth still care about what's going on up above, even while trekking on the embodiment of the pit, the body of Tartarus, and for that they deserve their New Rome dates. All of them. I'm rooting on you, Percabeth.
The Percabeth chapters could be called Chronicling the Degradation of All that is Good in the World (Minus Leo Valdez).
This bit ends with the curses arriving.
Hazel XXV - XXVIII
I absolutely love the contrast between the story lines and the construction. At once, our narrators seem to be in completely different worlds. Yet, at the same time, this novel is about coming to terms with the self and with the world around you. So comes the cutting distrust that is so rampant, aimed especially aimed at Nico and Jason. It's for reasons that demigods should be able to get over, but everyone manages to work together well enough, even without Annabeth on board.
Unfortunately, it's not enough because of course, it wouldn't be a proper day unless there was a massive ass turtle trying to bite into the Argo II and a treasure-thirsty pirate that put our heroes in their places (i.e. at his feet). Hazel manages to finally woman the fuck up and gains a new power. Achievement unlocked, as Leo would probably say.
Of course, Leo is the one who really saved the day, jetting the crew away from the massive ass turtle in the first place. Hazel just put the cherry on top of Leo's deliciously awesome cake.
These chapters really highlight the five younger demigods trying to figure themselves out and work with each other. The bonds that are created here are very powerful, as they form under tense, tense situations, so I assume by the end of this, even Frank and Nico, who are hemispheres apart from contacting each other, will do so. Hazel doesn't trust Jason in this bit, and yet he still backs her up, doing what Jason does best and supporting where he can.
And of course Leo and his Archimedes sphere. I ship that so hard. Leomedes.
Percy XXIX - XXX
Oh gods. Must I?
This is just cold.
Even in the worst sort of I'm gonna put my characters through psychological torture, Riordan still manages lines like: "I appreciate the offer . . . but my mom told me not to accept curses form strangers."
But this is cold. Every monster that Percy and Annabeth have slain, all those vengeful last breaths, are on them now. But that's not the worst. Percy can handle that. The monsters were, because I lack another word, evil.
But then they become alone. Bob's left in the dark, ruminating on the past that is revealed to him, meanwhile Percy is suffering from guilt that could literally kill him. Innocent souls have cursed him, too. Percy Jackson, our hero, has to deal with some pretty Dean Winchester-y shit.
This bit ends with rage-killing.
So I pick up after Frank has his super dynamic shift from wah I'm useless to wah I killed demon cows and I'm sexy which is a beautiful improvement, let me tell you. I love the guy and I understand his POV and I'm thankful he's stepping up but he's in the way of Leo and that is something that should never happen.
Period.
Annabeth XXI - XXIV
Right, so we're Percabething across Tartarus and things are looking down. Very down. The only direction in Tartarus is down, after all. Riordan has done an incredible job by elaborately describing Tartarus, and an even better job at carving pieces into Percy and Annabeth's psyche. At this point in their lives, Annabeth and Percy find it hard to trust anyone, and Annabeth takes it out on Bob. I love Bob, and still I understand her anxieties. Something that's left intentionally in the dark: in one scene Percy leaves Bob to a choice, to kill or not to kill a monster, and Annabeth can't get a read on Percy, whether his intentions were cold and calculating or he was just being trusting. War does that. I can't blame them. It's worse than hell for these demigods, who have been through literal rivers of pain. And they don't give up. Not on each other, not on their friends. Annabeth even manages to fashion a plan out of thin air to try to get a message back topside. Percy and Annabeth still care about what's going on up above, even while trekking on the embodiment of the pit, the body of Tartarus, and for that they deserve their New Rome dates. All of them. I'm rooting on you, Percabeth.
The Percabeth chapters could be called Chronicling the Degradation of All that is Good in the World (Minus Leo Valdez).
This bit ends with the curses arriving.
I absolutely love the contrast between the story lines and the construction. At once, our narrators seem to be in completely different worlds. Yet, at the same time, this novel is about coming to terms with the self and with the world around you. So comes the cutting distrust that is so rampant, aimed especially aimed at Nico and Jason. It's for reasons that demigods should be able to get over, but everyone manages to work together well enough, even without Annabeth on board.
Unfortunately, it's not enough because of course, it wouldn't be a proper day unless there was a massive ass turtle trying to bite into the Argo II and a treasure-thirsty pirate that put our heroes in their places (i.e. at his feet). Hazel manages to finally woman the fuck up and gains a new power. Achievement unlocked, as Leo would probably say.
Of course, Leo is the one who really saved the day, jetting the crew away from the massive ass turtle in the first place. Hazel just put the cherry on top of Leo's deliciously awesome cake.
These chapters really highlight the five younger demigods trying to figure themselves out and work with each other. The bonds that are created here are very powerful, as they form under tense, tense situations, so I assume by the end of this, even Frank and Nico, who are hemispheres apart from contacting each other, will do so. Hazel doesn't trust Jason in this bit, and yet he still backs her up, doing what Jason does best and supporting where he can.
And of course Leo and his Archimedes sphere. I ship that so hard. Leomedes.
Percy XXIX - XXX
Oh gods. Must I?
This is just cold.
Even in the worst sort of I'm gonna put my characters through psychological torture, Riordan still manages lines like: "I appreciate the offer . . . but my mom told me not to accept curses form strangers."
But this is cold. Every monster that Percy and Annabeth have slain, all those vengeful last breaths, are on them now. But that's not the worst. Percy can handle that. The monsters were, because I lack another word, evil.
But then they become alone. Bob's left in the dark, ruminating on the past that is revealed to him, meanwhile Percy is suffering from guilt that could literally kill him. Innocent souls have cursed him, too. Percy Jackson, our hero, has to deal with some pretty Dean Winchester-y shit.
This bit ends with rage-killing.
Sunday, October 13, 2013
Live Blogging The House of Hades: Chapters 11-20
HI GUYS :))))
I know I haven't posted in what seems like absolutely forever, but I swear I've been swamped in college apps and homework and the campaign and whatnot. I've barely had any time to read, but I will always have time for Rick Riordan and his fantabulous series, The Heroes of Olympus.
Today (although I am posting a bit late), I will be continuing the live-blogging review of The House of Hades that Kiersten began yesterday.
Chapter 11 continues on in Leo's point of view, and although Leo isn't one of my favorite characters, I love how he is completely realistic. He makes backhanded comments and thinks that other people's girlfriends are pretty - he also feels intense guilt and self doubt. Leo spends the rest of his point of view hunting down the dwarves Kiersten mentioned: he and Jason go trapezing around Italy, only to have the dwarves thwart them. Leo is still ever the bomb builder, and I was amazed by his awesome ability to string together explosive devices out of toothpaste and charcoal.
BUT THEN PERCY'S POINT OF VIEW CAME ALONG AND I ALMOST MELTED AND WENT TO TARTARUS MYSELF. Ugh. Percabeth is my fav. I'm one of those proud shippers of Percabeth since The Lightning Thief. However, I internally boo Rick Riordan for sending my babies Percy and Annabeth to Tartarus and making them so unhappy :'( . Watching them make their way around monsters and snuggling when they could was so heart wrenching. AND UGH THEY MAKE CUTE COMMENTS TO EACH OTHER AND KISS EACH OTHER ON THE FOREHEAD TO MAKE SURE THEY DON'T LET THEIR SPIRITS DOWN LIKE WHO DOESN'T SHIP PERCABETH I DONT EVEN KNOW. While Percy and Annabeth battle an old foe, a Titan comes out of nowhere to help them. Bob is great.
Enter Frank! Frank is probably my least favorite character. He's whiny and annoying and why are you even with him Hazel WHY. He always feels bad for himself and even goes so far as to call himself the "LVP - Least Valuable Player." Like please shut up Frank you are so frustrating like okay. I was pretty interested when the group encountered the cows, but Frank was the least interesting part of that :/ Maybe his character will improve soon? Chapter 20 ends with Frank talking to Ares/Mars and the farm god. I'm interested to see what happens after Frank's crazy killstreak in the city.
I know I haven't posted in what seems like absolutely forever, but I swear I've been swamped in college apps and homework and the campaign and whatnot. I've barely had any time to read, but I will always have time for Rick Riordan and his fantabulous series, The Heroes of Olympus.
Today (although I am posting a bit late), I will be continuing the live-blogging review of The House of Hades that Kiersten began yesterday.
Chapter 11 continues on in Leo's point of view, and although Leo isn't one of my favorite characters, I love how he is completely realistic. He makes backhanded comments and thinks that other people's girlfriends are pretty - he also feels intense guilt and self doubt. Leo spends the rest of his point of view hunting down the dwarves Kiersten mentioned: he and Jason go trapezing around Italy, only to have the dwarves thwart them. Leo is still ever the bomb builder, and I was amazed by his awesome ability to string together explosive devices out of toothpaste and charcoal.
BUT THEN PERCY'S POINT OF VIEW CAME ALONG AND I ALMOST MELTED AND WENT TO TARTARUS MYSELF. Ugh. Percabeth is my fav. I'm one of those proud shippers of Percabeth since The Lightning Thief. However, I internally boo Rick Riordan for sending my babies Percy and Annabeth to Tartarus and making them so unhappy :'( . Watching them make their way around monsters and snuggling when they could was so heart wrenching. AND UGH THEY MAKE CUTE COMMENTS TO EACH OTHER AND KISS EACH OTHER ON THE FOREHEAD TO MAKE SURE THEY DON'T LET THEIR SPIRITS DOWN LIKE WHO DOESN'T SHIP PERCABETH I DONT EVEN KNOW. While Percy and Annabeth battle an old foe, a Titan comes out of nowhere to help them. Bob is great.
Enter Frank! Frank is probably my least favorite character. He's whiny and annoying and why are you even with him Hazel WHY. He always feels bad for himself and even goes so far as to call himself the "LVP - Least Valuable Player." Like please shut up Frank you are so frustrating like okay. I was pretty interested when the group encountered the cows, but Frank was the least interesting part of that :/ Maybe his character will improve soon? Chapter 20 ends with Frank talking to Ares/Mars and the farm god. I'm interested to see what happens after Frank's crazy killstreak in the city.
Saturday, October 12, 2013
Live Blogging The House of Hades: Chapters 1-10
Hello, all! Welcome to out first post of live blogging The House of Hades by Rick Riordan! I'm posting this a bit late today (normally I'd post at 9 AM) because I've been working backstage crew for a musical as part of one of my classes and I've barely had any time to read! It's disappointing that I have less time to read, but I'm really enjoying being part of the process with so many talented people! Anyway, on to the book!
So, the first thing I read was Rick Riordan's preface... HAHAHAHAHA, no. That was cruel, even for him.
Then, we get to our first chapter from Hazel's point of view! I was slightly disappointed that we started with Hazel because she's not one of my favorite characters, but what ensued was definitely interested. I thought the part with Hecate showing Hazel the paths at the cross roads was really cool. And when Hazel just sassed out on Hecate, that was just great. Sassy Hazel is sassy. One of my favorite lines from Hazel's chapters: "... Hades (or Pluto, as the Romans called him; or as Hazel liked to think of him: the World's Worst Absent Father)."
I was kind of conflicted about the next part. On one hand, I was like, "Yay, Percabeth!" and on the other hand, I was like, "No, Tartarus!" So Percy and Annabeth are stuck in Tartarus, which is totally not cool, obviously. The worst part is that Annabeth only had like... 3 or 4 chapters so far and they've already almost died several times. Le sigh. On the bright side, Annabeth is one smart demigod. If Annabeth wasn't as well versed in her mythology, they'd be so dead.
Now enter Leo Valdez! Leo is convinced that the Athena Parthenos has some sort of awesome power. Since he's probably right, I'm excited to see exactly what power it holds. Then Leo has a crazy dream about a giant and a sorceress. Oh, these characters have a hard journey ahead of them. At the end of chapter 10, we leave the characters being attacked by strange dwarves. I'm interested in this treasure thing.
So, the first thing I read was Rick Riordan's preface... HAHAHAHAHA, no. That was cruel, even for him.
Then, we get to our first chapter from Hazel's point of view! I was slightly disappointed that we started with Hazel because she's not one of my favorite characters, but what ensued was definitely interested. I thought the part with Hecate showing Hazel the paths at the cross roads was really cool. And when Hazel just sassed out on Hecate, that was just great. Sassy Hazel is sassy. One of my favorite lines from Hazel's chapters: "... Hades (or Pluto, as the Romans called him; or as Hazel liked to think of him: the World's Worst Absent Father)."
I was kind of conflicted about the next part. On one hand, I was like, "Yay, Percabeth!" and on the other hand, I was like, "No, Tartarus!" So Percy and Annabeth are stuck in Tartarus, which is totally not cool, obviously. The worst part is that Annabeth only had like... 3 or 4 chapters so far and they've already almost died several times. Le sigh. On the bright side, Annabeth is one smart demigod. If Annabeth wasn't as well versed in her mythology, they'd be so dead.
Now enter Leo Valdez! Leo is convinced that the Athena Parthenos has some sort of awesome power. Since he's probably right, I'm excited to see exactly what power it holds. Then Leo has a crazy dream about a giant and a sorceress. Oh, these characters have a hard journey ahead of them. At the end of chapter 10, we leave the characters being attacked by strange dwarves. I'm interested in this treasure thing.
Well, that's it for me and chapters 1-10!
Check out Amrutha's post on chapters 11-20 tomorrow!
Tuesday, October 8, 2013
The House of Hades "Live-Blogging" Introduction
For those who may not be interested in The House of Hades, Noor will still be doing her regular weekly reviews since she has yet to read the Heroes of Olympus series. In addition, we'll still have Stuffed Animal Saturday and Waiting on Wednesday posts every other week.
We hope that you'll enjoy our chapter by chapter reactions and join in to the discussion!
Look out for my first reaction post on Saturday for chapters 1-10!
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