Book Review for: "The Titan's Curse"
Written by: Rick Riordan
Hyperion Books
ISBN: 978-142310148-2
Avail in: Print and Ebook
4 Stars
Reviewed by: S. Burkhart
"Full of Action and Adventure!"
The Titans Curse is a suspenseful, edge-of-your-seat addition to the "Percy Jackson and Olympians" set. This is the 3rd book in the series. Percy is now fourteen. He's sent on a mission with his friends to recover two half-bloods, but Kronos' army wants them, too. What makes the diAngelos so special and what is "The Titan's Curse?"
The novel opens with a battle over the diAngelos, two half-bloods staying in a military-like school. The goddess, Artemis, intervenes to help. The diAngelos are saved, but Annabeth, Percy's friend, is kidnapped. Artemis goes on the hunt and sends her hunters to Camp Half Blood to keep them safe, putting her lieutenant, Zoe Nightshade, in charge.
While at Camp Half Blood, Zoe rubs everyone the wrong way. The Oracle also makes a surprising appearance with a prophecy. Soon, everyone learns Artemis is in danger and Kronos' minions want a child of the big 3 (Hades, Poseidon, Zeus) for a very evil purpose. Zoe takes Bianca, Grover, Thalia, Zeus' daughter, with her on the quest. Percy follows along, but is soon discovered. Action, adventure, and danger are on the menu. Can Percy and the Olympians find Artemis and Annabeth and prevent the titan's curse from coming to fruition?
Riordan's writing style is crisp, sharp, and easy to read. There's a very comfortable flow to his writing which pulls them along, making them feel like a member of Camp Half Blood.
What I enjoyed about the novel was how it appeals to younger readers. There's likable heroes and Riordan's modern take on the Greek gods make them interesting to a new, younger modern audience.
Watching Percy grow and interact with his friends is heartwarming. I love how the story has a very silent, but resonating message of the power of friendship, loyalty, and honesty.
Percy's a bit more mature as character, but still reckless in ways. He's loyal to the bone – especially to Annabeth. Thalia, Zeus' daughter, was also a delight to meet. When her loyalty is tested, Thalia finds strength in her noble lineage. What I enjoyed about the diAngelos and their mystery was trying to put the clues together to figure out who their Olympian parent was.
The ending does not disappoint. It's loaded with a lot of surprises and some heartwarming moments.
"The Titan's Curse" is a middle school/young adult fiction. I would recommend this story for 4th grade on up.
I'd love to hear your thoughts on Percy. Have you read a book? Watched the movie?
I loved this book and I love the whole series. However, I did not like the movie so much. I was very disappointed in it since they left so many things out. The only thing that was a saving grace with the movie was that it had great special effects.
ReplyDeleteSharon, yes, I was disappointed with The Lightning Thief movie because it did leave things and didn't really follow the book well. I did like the effects, but for me, the saving grace was the casting. They did a GREAT job casting the movie.
ReplyDeleteI've only read the 1st 3 books in the series, but I've loved them and my son is 10, loves them too, so it's fun to read the same books and talk about them. He's really into Greek myths now and learning more about them.
I know they changed the production team and the director for the 2nd Percy movie so I hope it's closer to the book. It's due to come out in March 2013.
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Steph
They are going to have a lot of backtracking to do if they want the second movie to be closer to the book.
DeleteBtw have you read the Noricin Chronicles by Mark Sheldon? I am on book 8. I am sure you would like them. They have some mild cursing in them so you might want to read them before you let your son read them, but I really love them, too.
Sharon, I haven't read that series, but I'll take a look. Thanks for the recommendation.
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Steph
My kids are all in their early 20s now, so they didn't read this series, but husband and I saw the movie and thought it was very well done. Pierce Brosnan as the centaur was as seamless as the ones used to be on the Xena TV show, which is our gold standard. Uma Thurman made an excellently creepy Medusa. And the story was okay...at least there wasn't a Kraken! ;-D
ReplyDeleteMy one son read all of the Enders Game books by Orson Scott Card. I haven't read them, but he thought they were excellent when he was in middle school.
Yes - Uma Thurman was perfect as Medusa. Loved her in that role. Again, the casting for the movie was perfect! I loved their choices and I'm looking forward to seeing them back in the 2nd movie.
DeleteThanks for the suggestion for the Enders Game books. I'll look into them.
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Steph
Steph, I haven't seen the movie or read the books, but your writeup makes me want to do both!
ReplyDeleteMaggie, I enjoyed The Lightning Thief as a movie, but when you compare it to the book, it's a bit of a disappointment.
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Steph
Love these books, Steph. I've enjoyed them with my nephew, now 10, who still loves all things Percy Jackson. What I like most about them is they are written to appeal to boys. It's so hard to get boys to read that I love anything that makes it easier.
ReplyDeleteKeena, I agree - the story appealed to Andrew immediately. It spiked his desire to learn more and I loved seeing that in him. I'm looking foward to reading Riodan's Egyptian and Roman series as well and I hear he's got a Norse series in the works as well.
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Steph