Review: Magnus Chase and the Ship of the Dead.

Title – Magnus Chase and the Ship of the Dead
Series – Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard #3
Author – Rick Riordan
How I Got It – From the publisher
Pages – 456 pages
Publication Date – October 3rd 2017 by Puffin
ISBN – 9780141342597
My Rating – ★★★★/5

Loki is free of his chains and has put together a crew of giants and zombies to sail the Ship of the Dead into battle against the Norse gods. If he wins, Ragnarök will end all the worlds.

With help from  his friends, Magnus will have to sail across the oceans to find Loki before Midsummer’s Day.

Even if Magnus survives the journey he’ll need more than just Jack, his talking sword, to defeat Loki. Magnus and his friends need to find a magical elixir that could give him the power to beat Loki and put him back in chains.

I received a copy of Magnus Chase and the Ship of the Dead from Penguin Random House New Zealand to review.

I love how diverse the Magnus Chase books are! Alex is gender fluid and Samirah is Muslim. In Ship of the Dead Sam is celebrating Ramadan (is celebrating the right word?) so I got to learn about that. I’m assuming that Riordan did his research or already knew about Ramadan and Sam’s religion. And I really love that a Muslim character was included in these books. Sam is my favourite character. I loved that she was true to who herself and what she believed in while also being a Valkyrie. I think she got the best of both worlds. Maybe not the best father though…

I also enjoyed the friendship between Alex and Magnus and that Magnus could tell just by looking at Alex which pronouns they were using. And the fact that their friendship/relationship – whatever they have – didn’t seem forced.

I didn’t know when I picked up Ship of the Dead that this is the last book in the trilogy? I was expecting a longer series. I guess the story wrapped up but I was expecting an end of the world type battle – like Ragnarök I guess. But then if Ragnarök actually happened then everyone would die and the plan was to stop it. Or prevent it. So I was kind of disappointed with how the story ended but it was still good. And with Magnus being Annabeth’s cousin I’m hoping he’ll be mention in other books? Who knows.. I am glad Annabeth and Percy were in this one, even if it wasn’t for long.

I love Riordan’s books and can’t wait to read the next one to come out. I think it’s part of the Trials of Apollo series. If you haven’t read any of Riordan’s books then I can’t recommend them enough.

*Thank you Penguin Random House New Zealand for sending me a copy to review*

– Aimee.

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October Wrap Up.

So I had a really bad reading month in October. I only managed to read three books. It was just one thing after another getting in the way of my reading. I had a reading slump, then my mother broke her ankle and wrist so she couldn’t really do a lot. And then at the end of the month out stray cat that turned up two months ago had three kittens. We didn’t even know she was pregnant. We had to figure out what to do, where to put her and then go and buy her kitten food. Things have settled down now so I hope I can get back into reading soon.

Invictus by Ryan Graudin – ★★★/5
The Wonderling by Mira Bartok – ★★★/5
Magnus Chase and the Ship of the Dead by Rick Riordan – ★★★/5

Not a lot of books and I gave them all three stars… I don’t know if it was me or the reading slump or the book. Or all three. I’ll be reviewing them all soon-ish.

What did you read in October?

– Aimee.

WWW Wednesday – [November 1st 2017]

This meme is hosted by Sam over at Taking on a World of Words. All you have to do is answer the following three questions in a post and then put a link to that post in the Comments over at Taking on a World of Words.

The questions are:
1. What are you currently reading?
2. What did you recently finish reading?
3. What do you think you’ll read next?

Currently Reading – 
I started Godsgrave a few of days ago. I haven’t managed to read much because a cat that sort of adopted us (for now anyway) had kittens two days ago so I’ve been a little distracted. But I’m hoping to get back into it now that she seems more settled and has a somewhere to sleep. So we now have four new additions to the family. Not sure how long the mother will stick around but we won’t be keeping any of the kittens once they’re old enough to be re-homed.

Anyway, I think I’vee read around 60+ pages so far and I am enjoying it. I missed this narrator though. I love their sarcasm.

Recently Finished –  
I didn’t post a WWW Wednesday last week because I hadn’t read much and I’d just be repeating myself. So I have finished The Wonderling by Mira Bartok. I think this book was a little too young for me. I do read middle grade sometimes but this was not the kind of book I usually read. It was a cute read and I loved the illustrations but I don’t think I’ll be reading it again.

I’ll talk about this more in my review though. I don’t know when I’ll be posting it because I am behind again.. The joys of adulting.

The other book I read recently-ish was Magus Chase and the Ship of the Dead. This is the third book in the Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard series. I really enjoy Riordan’s books. I still prefer the Percy Jackson and The Heroes of Olympus series but I love the diversity in these books. Which I’ll go into more in my review. I have actually written this one already.

Again, I have no idea when I’ll be posting the review for Ship of the Dead but I’m hoping soon. If you love Riordan’s books and haven’t read this series then I recommend picking the first three books up. Annabeth and Percy make an appearance at the start of Ship of the Dead so that’s always a plus for me. I love both Annabeth and Percy. There was also a short story at the end of this edition but I haven’t read it. 

Reading Next –
I think I’ll be reading the Northern Lights graphic novel next. I’ve read the first book in the His Dark Materials trilogy but I can’t remember what happened so this will better than re-reading Northern Lights.

What have you been reading?

– Aimee.

WWW Wednesday – [October 18th 2017]

This meme is hosted by Sam over at Taking on a World of Words. All you have to do is answer the following three questions in a post and then put a link to that post in the Comments over at Taking on a World of Words.

The questions are:
1. What are you currently reading?
2. What did you recently finish reading?
3. What do you think you’ll read next?

Currently Reading –   
I’m reading The Wonderling at the moment. It’s not really getting me out of my reading slump like I hoped it would but that might be because the story feels too young for me. I mean, it’s cute but at the same time I feel like the story is dragging on. So hopefully I’ll be able to finish it soon and pass it onto someone who will enjoy it.

I’ll talk about this more when I review it but I don’t know when that will be right now. I have actually written a review that I’ll hopefully be posting tomorrow.

Recently Finished –  
I haven’t picked up any other books between The Wonderling and Invictus so this will be another short post. Which is good for me because I have to re-arrange my room today. So another day with no much reading. *sigh*

I did enjoy Invictus. I love books about time travelling. But I think Ryan’s Wolf by Wolf duology is still my favourite out of the books I’ve read. I’ll hopefully be reviewing this soon and get back into blogging now that things have settled down again.

Reading Next – 
I am planning on picking up Magnus Chase and the Ship of the Dead next. This series is not my favourite from Riordan but it’s better than The Kane Chronicles and I like reading about the Norse gods.

Leave me a comment and let me know what you’ve been reading.

– Aimee.

May Wrap Up & June TBR.

It’s that time of the month again when I do my wrap up of what I read last month and my TBR. I didn’t really stick to my May TBR so it’s probably good I’m not sharing it. Hopefully I’ll do better this month.

The End of Oz by Danielle Paige – ★★★/5
Finding Nevo by Nevo Zisin – ★★★★★/5
Resurrection Bay by Emma Viskic – ★★★★/5
Silver Stars by Michael Grant – ★★★★/5
The Dark Prophecy by Rick Riordan – ★★★★/5
Perfect by Cecelia Ahern – ★★★★/5
The Possible by Tara Altebrando – ★★★★/5
Release by Patrick Ness – ★★★/5
A Million Worlds with You by Claudia Gray – ★★★★/5
Fatal Crossing by Lone Theils – ★★★/5
Letters to the Lost by Brigid Kemmerer – ★★★★/5

I didn’t do too badly in May. I managed to read 11 books. I think my favourite was Finding Nevo.

I tried to keep my June TBR small because I didn’t really stick to my TBR last month. I’ve already read Contagion and I’m currently reading One of Us is Lying, which reminding me a lot of Gossip Girl. I think my next read will be The Cows.

What’s on your June TBR? How many books did you read in May? Leave me a comment and let me know.

– Aimee.

Review: The Dark Prophecy by Rick Riordan.

Title – The Dark Prophecy
Series – The Trials of Apollo #2
Author – Rick Riordan
How I Got It – From the publisher
Pages – 528 pages
Publication Date – May 2nd 2017 by Penguin Books Ltd
ISBN – 9780141363974
RRP – $26.00 NZD
My Rating – ★★★★/5

“I, the god Apollo – cast down to Earth in the body of a gawky mortal teen – bravely endured a series of dangerous trials at Camp Half-Blood. 

Now, accompanied by Leo Valdez and the sorceress Calypso, I must find the most dangerous Oracle from ancient times, who may hold the answers I need to return to Mount Olympus. 

To make things worse, the second member of the evil Triumvirate – a Roman emperor with a disturbing love of bloodshed – stands in our way.

Without my powers, how does Zeus expect me to overcome the greatest challenge I’ve faced in my four thousand years of existence?”

  I received a copy of The Dark Prophecy from Penguin Random House New Zealand to review. This is the second book in The Trials of Apollo series. You can read my review for the first book, The Hidden Oracle, here.

I’ve read most of Rick’s books and this is definitely my favourite world out of all the ones in his other books. I love the Greek and Roman myths. Even though it took me a while to get used to the Roman gods when I first read the Heroes of Olympus series. Although I have enjoyed the Magnus Chase series too.

I loved that Leo was in The Dark Prophecy. He was one of my favourite characters from the new ones in Heroes of Olympus. His jokes were a bit too cheesy at times but I still like him. And it was good to see him with Calypso off the island she was trapped on. But they did seem to argue a lot….

I wasn’t sure why everyone just accepted Meg back after what happened in The Hidden Oracle. I could be remembering things differently but I’m sure she ran off with the wrong person, right?

Things seemed to drag on a little in this book. But that might be because it looked like things were almost resolved in the middle of the book. Which didn’t make any sense because there was still the second half of the book to read. Even though it felt like it dragged a bit for me, I still enjoyed the book. I’m not sure dragged is the right word to use… I don’t know.

Anyway. Moving on. I’m hoping Leo will be in the beginning of the next book, The Burning Maze, because there’s a reunion I want to see. And I’m looking forward to finding out what’s next for Apollo and Meg.

If you love the Percy Jackson and Heroes of Olympus series then I’m sure you’ll love this series too. If you haven’t read the first book, The Hidden Oracle, yet then I recommend finding a copy.

*Thank you Penguin Random House for sending me a copy to review*

– Aimee.

 

WWW Wednesday [May 17th 2017] –

This meme is hosted by Sam over at Taking on a World of Words. All you have to do is answer the following three questions in a post and then put a link to that post in the Comments over at Taking on a World of Words.

The questions are:
1. What are you currently reading?
2. What did you recently finish reading?
3. What do you think you’ll read next?

Currently Reading –  
I’ve decided to read The Possible by Tara Altebrando next. I received an ARC from Bloomsbury Australia last month. I think this is released in June but at least I’ll have my review ready for the release if I start it now.

I wanted to read Tara’s other book, The Leaving, last year but never got around to getting a copy.

I’m not too sure what this is about. I think I remember something about telekinetic powers and the main character’s birth mother being in prison for killing her son. I guess I’ll find out more when I read it. But it’s meant to be a psychological thriller and I love those kinds of books. 

Recently Finished –
I finished Perfect last night. This is the sequel and conclusion (I think) to Flawed. I really enjoyed both books.

I don’t want to say too much about Perfect because it is a sequel and I don’t want to spoil things for anyone who hasn’t read Flawed. But basically these books are set in a country where being perfect is demanded by the government. If you’re found Flawed you’re branded. There are five places on the body to be branded depending on you “crime.” Celestine was branded for trying to save the life of a Flawed man, who was dying in front of her. If you aid a Flawed, you’re Flawed. After her branding, Celestine’s life will never be the same. 

I also read The Dark Prophecy. This is the second book int The Trials of Apollo series. Which is set in Percy’s world with the same, and new, characters.

I’ve loved being back in this world. The first book has Percy in it and we’re back at Camp Half-Blood. There is a spoiler in the second book if you haven’t read the Heroes of Olympus series so I won’t say anything about that here. But I will say that I’ve loved both books and even though Apollo annoys me sometimes he did annoy me less in The Dark Prophecy.

Reading Next – 
I’ll be reading Release next. All I know about this is that is follows a guy called Adam and his life is going to change, I’m not sure how, and a ghost… I don’t know how these are connected but I’m sure I’ll figure it out when I read the book.

I have only read four of Patrick’s books and I loved the Chaos Walking Trilogy so I’m looking forward to reading this. I have two more of his books on my shelves but I haven’t got around to reading them yet.

Anyway, that’s my WWW Wednesday for another week. What have you been reading lately?

– Aimee.