hello

We are-two crazy teenagers-Raven and Beez and on this blog we hope to enlighten you with our hilarious comments on the countless books we have read ;)

Wednesday, November 27, 2013

Raven: The Demigod Diaries (The Heroes of Olympus)

A collection of short stories and games by Rick Riordan

Publication Date: January 1st, 2012
Publisher: Hyperion Book CH
Pages: 242
Targeted Audience: Teenagers who need more of Percabeth

Summary: What dangers do runaway demigods Luke and Thalia face on their way to Camp Half-Blood? Are Percy and Annabeth up to the task of rescuing stolen goods from a fire-breathing giant who doesn't take kindly to intruders? How exactly are Leo, Piper, and Jason supposed to find a runaway table, dodge a band of party-loving Maenads (who just might be a little psychotic), and stave off a massive explosion... all in one hour or less? 
With his trademark wit and creativity, Rick Riordan answers these questions and more in three never-before-seen short stories that provide vital back-story to the Heroes of Olympus and Percy Jackson books. Original art, enlightening character interviews and profiles, puzzles, and a quiz add to the fun in this action-packed collection.

*A story from Luke Castellan's point of view, from the days when he adventured with Thalia and Annabeth. Many people have asked me to write an adventure prequel to The Lightning Thief. Here it is!

*A classic first-person Percy Jackson story, the first I've written since The Last Olympian. In this adventure, Annabeth and Percy's date is interrupted by the god Hermes, whose staff has been stolen by a fire-breathing giant. This cannot be good . . .

*A Leo Valdez story, set at Camp Half-Blood. As Leo builds the Argo II, something goes terribly wrong. Now Leo will need the help of Piper and Jason, or the entire camp might be destroyed.

*And, as announced on Rock Center, the anthology includes a debut short story from my son Haley. Since Haley inspired the entire Percy Jackson series, it seemed only right that I asked him to contribute his own original spin on Percy's world for this book. I was amazed at what Haley came up with. His brother Patrick, who's a tough editor, was quick to say, "Dad, his story is better than yours!" Haley ponders the question: "What happened to the demigods who fought with Kronos's army after the battle in Manhattan?" This is the story of one such demigod, and I have to admit, some of Haley's ideas are so good I wish I'd come up with them!


Before dwelling into my rant about the four awesome short stories I'm just going to mention that this book has puzzles, quizzes and images of the characters. Ok, so now the rant.

I almost died when I read the first story of Luke and Thalia and how they fight an unbeatable creatures called Leucrotae. It was so different than his other book plots that I loved it even more. It shows us that Luke had seen how cruel Gods were to their kids. In this, it's Apollo's son Halcyon Green and his horrible curse. It was an insightful back story. And it also shows how they met Annabeth. *looks up into the sky with glittering eyes* She must have been soooo cute! A tiny rebel!

Plus when I began reading the part with loads of Percabeth in it... I hyperventilated to death. THEY WERE ON A DATE!! Finally! In the Heroes of Olympus series we were just told that they were dating but in this book there was a part of their date! AAAAAAH! I read it a few weeks ago and I'm still feeling so excited typing it!

It was so cute how Percy wanted to be the best boyfriend to Annabeth. But since he forgot that it was the one month anniversary of the day they first kissed... yup, he was in trouble. But just then Hermes comes to the rescue! kind of. Hermes lost his staff and he was afraid that he will be ridiculed and mocked for the rest of his life by the other Gods if they found out and so he turns to Percabeth to help. The fight between Percy, Annabeth and the giant Cacus was an awesome but equally hilarious fight.

[Cacus was the one who stole George and Martha, who slither across the staff of Hermes or his caduceus, whatever]
But of course Percy and Annabeth did celebrate their anniversary at the end of the day.

The next story is about Leo's Buford problem while making the spanking hot Argo 2. If you have read Mark of Athena, you would know who Buford is... It's a table that walks and runs. And in this short story Buford ran away cause' Leo cleaned him with Windex. I swear I could not stop laughing when I read this part. This particular short story among all was the most hilarious. Jason, Leo and Piper try finding Buford but end up meeting the Maenads-Dionysus fanclub, who happen to eat the people they party with. 

The last story is written by Rick Riordan's son Haley. It's called the Son of Magic and it is the back story of what happened to the ones who fought for Kronos. It's a really sad story. I felt bad for those who fought against the demigods. Specially Alabaster (who is the Son of magic referred to), son of Hecate. I also loved Dr. Claymore. It is how any normal, practical human would behave if exposed to some other worldly stuff but he had enough sense to accept it by the end.

I was truly shocked by the time I finished this short story. It was amazing how his son was able to write like a pro. I guess writing runs in his family genes now. But I hope his son doesn't end up torturing his fans to death with cliffhangers like how Rick Riordan does. That would be horrible. 

I guess all writers kids are awesome. Here is Haley Riordan and then there's Jodi Picoult's daughter Samantha Van Leer who wrote "Between the Lines" [Link of the review here ]

So this is all I have to say, I rate this book a five! Isn't it obvious why? A must read for all those Percabeth fans and Leo Valdez Fanclub members!


Lots of Love & Pasta
Raven

Beez: Before i fall 
Lauren Oliver


What if you only had one day to live? What would you do? Who would you kiss? And how far would you go to save your own life?
Samantha Kingston has it all: looks, popularity, the perfect boyfriend. Friday, February 12, should be just another day in her charmed life. Instead, it turns out to be her last.
The catch: Samantha still wakes up the next morning. Living the last day of her life seven times during one miraculous week, she will untangle the mystery surrounding her death—and discover the true value of everything she is in danger of losing.

This is one of the books that is soo spectacularly good that it leaves me speechless. This is actually the second time I'm reading this book. The last time i remember sitting in front of my laptop and just wondering what to write. No words felt apt to describe this book.

Now that I've read it a second time, I'm simply amazed. I can't believe i forgot how good a book this was. Even though it was my second time round i was so engrossed and hooked. 
All i can say is- amazeballs!

Samantha Kingston is a popular girl who is obsessed with her popular life and is a little more than thick.  Then one normal day, she dies. 
But instead of it hanging there and there, she relives her last day 7 times.
In these 7 days Sam learns about the things that matter, people she loves and about saving herself. She has the chance to fix things, to make things right and say the final goodbyes. 

This book is artistfully written. Its written in a beautiful breath taking and painful way. Lauren Oliver has created a piece of magic here. In  a strange way you end up looking forward to more of Sam when you started off with a dislike of her. This book leaves you with tears in your eyes.

This book is not a cliche or some stupid book that you can easily predict. There are so many sides to this book. We come to know how Sam is, her secrets, her insecurities, her friendships, her fears. You learn in depth about the other characters like Lindsay, Izzy and Kent.
There are parts in this book that will make you want to rip of Samantha' hair and be proud of her too. 
Sam grows up in these 7 days more than in the past 17 years of her life. She learns so much about life, about how her decisions affect the world around her, about how it isn't always about her 
and how to let go.

The place for my favouritest character is a tie between Izzy and Kent. There is no reason on why anybody wouldn't love Izzy. Saying goodbye to Izzy was one of the hardest parts for me in this book.

I liked Kent from the starting of this book. I though he was so cute in a dorkish way. Also i absolutely disliked Rob and Mr. Daimler. 
Kent on the other hand was so cheesy in a flirty way and what struck me most is that even after Sam shows no interest in him and further insults him, he still has that adorable smile on and never stops trying. 
Plus he draws weird cartoons for the love of it.

My thoughts on Lindsey are jumbled. While i didn't like her, I didn't hate her too. I like how she is with Sam and that deep down all four of them (Ally, Elody, Sam and her) are a family.She has her insecurities and is a mean bitch but Sam loves her, all flaws included.
The part i don't like about Sam's clique was that they were the epitome of mean girls. They make fun of all the others with no reason and just living in their bubble and getting away with anything. How Lindsey made Juliet Skye's life a living hell even with their past is just super selfish and heartless. With Anna Cartulo also they just gave her hell for nothing. They don't know them yet they do it because they have to take it out on someone? 
I also hate people's attitude towards them. Its just pathetic!
Even though it may sound mean i actually agree with Lindsey on the fact that Juliet Skyes never stood up to herself. Even though i know Sam and her friends were terrible people for torturing her, Skyes just took it. She never fought them, she just took it and lived with it. To her i dedicate this song, Brave by Sara Bareilles. 

From these 7 days i have to say the ones i enjoyed the most was the day where Sam is a total bitch and the day Sam spends with Izzy. By this time my heart was in a wrecking condition and i was unable to do anything but think about it.

Saying goodbye has never been harder. 
On the last day, Sam tries to take in every tiny detail, every thing looks spectacularly beautiful to her. She wants to take those memories and secure it forever. Her friends, their crazy and drunkness and their group hugs especially the part where Lindsey says "Love you all to death" and they all say back, "And even after."
Kissing Kent for the last time, squeezing Izzy for the last time, talking to your parents for the last time, saving Juliet Skyes....
Just one mind blowingly fucking fantastic book.
Not even 0.0001 less!
I cannot stop thinking abut this book, I just can't help wondering what is going to happen. How her death is going to change them. 
I can only imagine, Juliet Skyes, learning to stand up for herself.
Kent, being heart broken and sad but thankful too.
Lindsey, becoming a better person, being nicer.
Anna Cartulo, confused and hopeful.
Elody and Ally sad, tearful and still loving her even after...

Lots of love and hot chocolate with marshmallows
Beez.