Chuyển đến nội dung chính

Athena Protocol

Description: Jessie Archer is a member of the Athena Protocol, an elite organization of female spies who enact vigilante justice around the world. Athena operatives are never supposed to shoot to kill—so when Jessie can’t stop herself from pulling the trigger, she gets kicked out of the organization, right before a huge mission to take down a human trafficker in Belgrade.   Jessie needs to right her wrong and prove herself, so she starts her own investigation into the trafficking. But going rogue means she has no one to watch her back as she delves into the horrors she uncovers. Meanwhile, her former teammates have been ordered to bring her down. Jessie must face danger from all sides if she’s to complete her mission—and survive. Review: I have always been frustrated with the James Bond and Mission Impossible movie franchises especially with their reductive treatment of women who are either the femme fatale caricuture or an "agent" who is suppose to be capable an...
Đăng nhận xét

The Secret

The Secret

The Burning Maze (Trials of Apollo #3)


Description: With the help of some demigod friends, Lester managed to survive his first two trials, one at Camp Half-Blood, and one in Indianapolis, where Meg received the Dark Prophecy. The words she uttered while seated on the Throne of Memory revealed that an evil triumvirate of Roman emperors plans to attack Camp Jupiter. While Leo flies ahead on Festus to warn the Roman camp, Lester and Meg must go through the Labyrinth to find the third emperor—and an Oracle who speaks in word puzzles—somewhere in the American Southwest. There is one glimmer of hope in the gloom-filled prophecy: The cloven guide alone the way does know. They will have a satyr companion, and Meg knows just who to call upon.

Review: The Burning Maze is another enjoyable installment of the Trials of Apollo series.  Old favorite characters from both the Percy Jackson and the Olympian series and the Heroes of Olympians series make an appearance in the story. It is highly recommended to read those series first before reading the Trials of Apollo as they all connect. This time Apollo, Meg, and Grover find themselves in the smoldering ruins of Palm Springs. Fires and drought are putting the dryads in danger, and Apollo knows that the only way to restore the rightful order is to free the oracle hidden below ground in a dangerous labyrinth. The stakes are higher in this book and the villain is vicious, savoring any and all opportunity for cruelty. There are new developments in this new book. Apollo experiences loss and sacrifice firsthand as a mortal, the god loses some of his ego and begins to suspect his punishment is more than a consequence of Zeus’ short temper. We also learn more of Meg's secret past.
  While the tone is much darker in The Burning Maze, there is plenty of Riordan's trademark snarky banter and comedy mixed to balance the story. There is of course a cliffhanger ending which will make me eager for Apollo's next adventure.

Rating: 4 stars

Words of Caution: There is some strong violence and disturbing images in the story. Recommended for Grades 5 and up.

If you like this book try: The Tryant's Tomb by Rick Riordan (Trials of Apollo #4) coming Fall 2019, Percy Jackson and the Olympians series by Rick Riordan, Heroes of Olympus series by Rick Riordan, The Kane Chronicles by Rick Riordan, Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard series by Rick Riordan, and The Serpent's Secret by Sayantani DasGupta

Nhận xét

Đăng nhận xét

Bài đăng phổ biến từ blog này

Shout

Description: Bestselling author Laurie Halse Anderson is known for the unflinching way she writes about, and advocates for, survivors of sexual assault. Now, inspired by her fans and enraged by how little in our culture has changed since her groundbreaking novel Speak was first published twenty years ago, she has written a poetry memoir that is as vulnerable as it is rallying, as timely as it is timeless. In free verse, Anderson shares reflections, rants, and calls to action woven between deeply personal stories from her life that she's never written about before. Review: Like many readers my first introduction to Laurie Halse Anderson is through her powerful, heart wrenching debut novel, Speak, which I read during my first year of library school and it has resonated with me since then. I had no idea that the root of that novel stemmed from personal experience. In this powerful, timely, candid, and exquisite memoir told in free verse, Anderson delves into her past and th...
Đăng nhận xét
Đọc thêm

Funny Bones + Game Changer

Description:  A picture book biography of José Guadalupe (Lupe) Posada (1852–1913). In a country that was not known for freedom of speech, he first drew political cartoons, much to the amusement of the local population but not the politicians. He continued to draw cartoons throughout much of his life, but he is best known today for his calavera drawings. They have become synonymous with Mexico’s Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) festival. Juxtaposing his own art with that of Lupe’s, author Duncan Tonatiuh brings to light the remarkable life and work of a man whose art is beloved by many but whose name has remained in obscurity. Review: I learned a lot while reading Duncan Tonatiuh's fun and informative picture-book biography on Mexican artist José Guadalupe Posada (1852–1913). I never heard of Posada before, but I am familiar of his portrayal of calaveras, the droll skeletons prominent in Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebrations. Posada was a very talented artist who began ...
Đăng nhận xét
Đọc thêm

Front Desk

Description:  Mia Tang has a lot of secrets. Number 1: She lives in a motel, not a big house. Every day, while her immigrant parents clean the rooms, ten-year-old Mia manages the front desk of the Calivista Motel and tends to its guests. Number 2: Her parents hide immigrants. And if the mean motel owner, Mr. Yao, finds out they've been letting them stay in the empty rooms for free, the Tangs will be doomed. Number 3: She wants to be a writer. But how can she when her mom thinks she should stick to math because English is not her first language? It will take all of Mia's courage, kindness, and hard work to get through this year. Will she be able to hold on to her job, help the immigrants and guests, escape Mr. Yao, and go for her dreams? Review: Front Desk is a wonderful debut middle grade novel that explores a multitude of themes that are nicely woven into a story of activism. Mia Tang and her family has immigrated from China two years ago in dreams of starting over. After bei...
Đăng nhận xét
Đọc thêm

Free $100

Free $100