Percy Jackson: The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan

 So, I feel I'm a bit old to just be jumping on the Percy Jackson boat, but I haven't read a middle-grade book in years. I'll tell you something though, it was a solid read. I listened to the audiobook and finished it within a day. The story was easy to follow without being too predictable. The characters were solid, but of course, were your stereotypical kids going off on an adventure and getting themselves into a whole mess of trouble. I feel most middle-grade books are like this and I feel this is what makes them super appealing to that age group. 

I have been told by a handful of people the Riordan's books were good, but it was never really enough for me to take the plunge into them. I have also never seen the movie or musical, so I didnt have and preconcieved notions for the book overall. I have always loved greek mythology and so I figured it was time to really jump into this series. I love how the book started out with Percy either telling you to put the book away or continue reading. I love when characters talk the readers, it really sets the mood for the book. 

I definitely think this book was good. As an adult, it is a solid 4 starts for me. Had 10 year old me read the books I think it would have been a solid 5 star read. As we get older young reader books begin to not wow us as much as they did, or they bring a whole new light to our world. This was just a fun adventure and I look forward to reading the next one. 

Nevernight by Jay Kristoff

 

Well here we are friends. It is time for my review of Nevernight by the infamous Mister Kristoff. Right now let me be straight forward, I have heard some people clump this into the YA book community for a long time and I will tell you THIS IS NOT A YA book. I see the same with V. E Schwab's A Darker Shade of Magic as well. Also not a YA book. This is not a great practice and should note how graphic Nevernight is, that I would go as far to put it up against Brom's The Child Thief. (Which I should add was a fantastic book, and I loved it as much as I loved Nevernight.) I feel Kristoff and Brom have a similar Gothic style when it comes to their writing and I am all for it. Nevernight is gory, sexy, dangerous, suspenseful and just down cold and dark when it comes down to it all. It gets a solid 5 out of 5 stars from me. 

Let me just add this, DO NOT LISTEN TO THIS IN THE CAR AT FULL BLAST! Or you can. If you want to get odd looks that is your prerogative. I can't make you do anything you don't want to do and if you like cruising down the road in rush hour traffic listening to people being killed and murdered and descriptive sex scenes, go for it. Because I don't really mind it that much. haha. 

Noting how well thought out this story is should really be taken into consideration. Though sometimes its hard to remember that the main character is a teenager. Though a lot is considered when you know her well developed back story and what is her driving force in the book. What she has seen and what she has done can age someone beyond their years. But I loved that he still left that teenager part of her intact. She had a love interest. She still did things like a teen, but the way she handled other things showed her maturity in many instances where it ended up earning her exactly what she wanted in the end. She grew through the book and I'm really excited to see where Mia's story goes from here. 

Now the magic in this world is so interesting to me. It feels different from most stories I know, but Mia's abilities remind me of a mash up between Tea in the Bone Witch and Emry from Switch Shadows. Both Characters I really loved. Darkens are super interesting and I'm interested to see where her story goes in the next book. I know Jay is going to tear my heart out and I am so ready for it. BRING IT ON JAY KRISTOFF!!

The Illuminae Files by Jay Kristoff and Amie Kaufman

     

Well friends, I finally jumped on the Jay Kristoff band wagon and let me tell you him team up with Kaufman has me sold. I'm not one who normally enjoys sci-fi space style stories, but I really enjoyed this trilogy. I listened to the audio books and I felt like I was listening to a more modern version of the old radio dramas. It was pulled in with the full cast, music and sound effects.

I, honestly, went in not sure if I was going to like these books at all. As I stated before I'm not a huge fan of sci-fi. Like I like star wars, but its just okay and I'm not super invested in the fandom. Definitely more of a high fantasy person. But these books had a thrilling plot and characters that really drove the plot home. " Every story has it's monster" and let me tell you A.I.D.A.N was probably my all time favorite character of the whole trilogy. Crazy psycho computer that has no idea how to comprehend human emotion, learns through its interaction with one human and ultimately gives the ultimate sacrifice. I didn't think i could get invested in an A.I. character, but I was proven wrong on so many levels. A.I.D.A.N did terrible things, but did them with the best intent for Kady to survive.  

The first two books focus on two separate sets of characters and eventually their lives come together in the end of Gemina. Its mind blowing how all these lives come together for the epic end of  OBSIDIO. The planning and careful work of these to authors in this creatively written book, really brought together a story that literally reaches across the galaxy! Be warned though, there is lots of death. Lots of it, but I wont tell you who or what dies. That would ruin the whole story. But it seems to be a trend. Just be prepared for the worse possible scenario and you will fair through this book just fine. 

I do recommend this book to almost anyone now who wants a unique read that will keep your attention from start to finish. The unique format of this book is not for everyone to read physically, but I think everyone can enjoy it in audio form. Presented in the style of case files. This has file video descriptions to chat logs and it really makes these a unique adventure no one will want to miss. I think it puts "In a Galaxy Far,Far away..." to shame, but that could be because I'm not a die hard Star Wars fan as stated before. It honestly, gave me more of a Mass Effect vibe then anything else. Which I did really enjoy those video games.

 5 out of 5 stars for The Illuminae Files.