Top Ten Tuesday - Ten Books I Almost Put Down But Didn't

Ten Books I Almost Put Down But Didn't

 

10. Generation Dead by Daniel Waters - I was having a hard time getting through these supposedly "dead" teenagers...it was confusing and a little overwhelming.

 

9. Allegiant by Veronica Roth - I had the end somewhat spoiled, and I was uncertain if I wanted to keep on reading...but I did. Then I cried.

 

8. Girl of Nightmares by Kendare Blake - I was really sad when *insert spoiler here* happened...I had to stop reading for a while because I was just like....no....not okay.

 

7. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen - I love classics (to some extent) and I wanted to read them, but the way that they were written is very difficult to get through, and I had a hard time actually understanding what they were talking about.

 

6. The War Inside by M. Kircher - the beginning was draggy, so I basically read a chapter and then I was like....Okay, I'm done for the day. BUT, the story line picked up considerably, and I was hooked until the end.

 

5. The City of Bones by Cassandra Clare - I turned this book down three times before I actually read it because I was so hooked on another book series, I didn't want to get distracted. BUT, I did end up reading them (after my best friend spoiled the whole series for me :P )

 

4. Boys Like You by Juliana Stone - I'm sensitive to swearing, and there was a lot of it in here (enough to make me annoyed) that I had a very difficult time finishing.

 

3. Goddess Legacy by M.W. Muse - It was just never super amazingly awesome,  but the plot never slowed (nor did it pick up)

 

2. Hidden by M. Lathan - The story was good, the editing was really bad. I read it, but the process of doing so was very slow. And painful. But somewhat enjoyable.

 

1. The Fault in our Star by John Green - if there was one word to sum up this book, it was (actually, four words) Feels, heartbreak, and most of all, NOT OKAY.

REVIEW: The House of Hades by Rick Riordan

The House of Hades by Rick Riordan
Fantasy (Middle Grade/YA)
597 pages
Rated:  5 stars

At the conclusion of The Mark of Athena, Annabeth and Percy tumble into a pit leading straight to the Underworld. The other five demigods have to put aside their grief and follow Percy’s instructions to find the mortal side of the Doors of Death. If they can fight their way through the Gaea’s forces, and Percy and Annabeth can survive the House of Hades, then the Seven will be able to seal the Doors both sides and prevent the giants from raising Gaea. But, Leo wonders, if the Doors are sealed, how will Percy and Annabeth be able to escape?

They have no choice. If the demigods don’t succeed, Gaea’s armies will never die. They have no time. In about a month, the Romans will march on Camp Half-Blood. The stakes are higher than ever in this adventure that dives into the depths of Tartarus.

MY REVIEW

This is one of my favorite series. I really appreciate Riordan's sense of humor and his creative ways of writing. I always can connect to the characters easily, and it feels as if I can live alongside them, feeling and seeing their adventures as they travel across the sea.

I have to say I'VE BEEN WAITING WAY TOO LONG for this book to come out (a year is much too painful) and I read it in two days. I loved the ending (shh...) but I really am afraid for the last book... is Riordan going to kill off all my babies? I loved loved loved the whole book, and though The Mark of Athena is my favorite book in the series, this one is a close second. I enjoyed seeing the characters working together without Percy and Annabeth, keeping close eyes on the two as they struggled through Tartarus together.

Character development...man...I mean, look at Frank now! Everyone has kind of grown up and learned how to live on as easily as they can right now, dealing with all the new problems hanging over their heads as they head for the Doors of Death. I really hope to see a good end to how they've struggled through both physical and emotional trauma.

I think this is great for middle grade readers, though I know many teens enjoy it as well. I know I do! It's a great fantasy book, and it teaches a lot about Greek and Roman myths and legends on top of how they function, such as celebrations/feasts, life, and fighting traits.