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Percy Jackson and the Olympians
Okay, I know...
Okay, I know there are a lot of other threads about this series, but I just could not wait any longer to talk about the books! I just currently finished the whole series (took me a while because I got all the books at my library), and now I think this thread will be great for talking about the books/characters/quotes.
SPOILER ALERTS
Out of every person in the book (not counting the gods and goddesses) Annabeth is my favorite. But I just watched the first movie today, and I did not imagine her like what she was in the movies. But either way, Annabeth is my favorite for a lot of reasons (too many to explain). Out of the gods and goddesses my favorite is Athena, but Artemis and Posideon are also my top favorites. Least favorites is Hades, which is said completely differently compaired to how I thought (if you watched the movie you might know what I mean). And I don't like Kronos or Medusa, or any of the monsters because they are monsters that attack demi-gods and nearly destroyed the world (The giant in the last book which I think was called Typhon). And if you want my opinion on if Kronos or Voldemort is worse, then I might not be able to answer. Yes, Voldemort (from Harry Potter) was just horrible, Kronos was in some ways worse. So who do I choose? No one at the moment. Now on the favorite book in the series, I like the Titan's Curse a lot, but they were all REALLY good. Oh and some other characters I like is Grover, Percy, Tyson, Zoe, Thalia, and don't forget Rachel (I liked it when she hit Kronos with a plastic hair brush)! Now as for Luke, I don't really like him much, but I get why he was mad. And he was a really good hero in the end in my opinion. The most saddest parts in the books are when Zoe dies (that is the saddest). But when the god Pan dies, that was so sad too! And really when anyone dies, that is always the saddest part. Oh and how Percy's mom (Sally) used Medusa's head to turn Gabe to stone was just creepy (I do not mean this was a sad part, but it was sure creepy). I sure would not want to find Medusa's head in somewhere like a fridge! And since I think I wrote a little too much about my favorites (and least favorites) I am going to stop here, but I am always ready to read everyone's opinions (and maybe add more of my own!)
Hm... I think there is something really BIG I left out.. but what was it? Oh well, I will remember some day.
submitted by Ashlee G., age 12, Washington
(January 30, 2014 - 5:58 am)
(January 30, 2014 - 5:58 am)
Oh my gosh, I could go on about this series FOREVER! It's one of my biggest fandoms, and yeah, Annabeth is my favorite too! She totally represents how "blonde heroines rule"!
*spoilers*
I liked Hades at the end, when he came up from the Underworld, and helped confront Kronos. But before that, yeah, he wasn't my favorite character.
I like both Athena and Artemis! They tie for my faves. And whenever I take a test for which "cabin" I would be in, it's always either Athena or Artemis.
Kronos or Voldemort? Hmm, I'd say Voldemort. Why? I can't really say. I just say Voldemort, though I have no real logic to that answer.
I liked the Titan's Curse too, because it really brought in Thalia, though my favorite book is The Last Olympian. It just all comes to a big, epic conclusion and I love it!
Thalia, Clarisse, Grover (though I didn't like him so much in the later books. I liked better in the first two or three), Tyson, and Rachael! Yeah, you gotta love Rachael when she hits Kronos in the eye with a blue plastic hairbrush! You know, a lot of fanart shows her with a blue plastic hairbrush.
When Zoe dies was tragic! I cried through the whole thing. But I loved the whole part where she becomes a constellation. That was awesome.
This is where I'm maniacal, but I actually liked Sally turning Gabe to stone! It's where you get a bit of the darker side of Sally Jackson!
Now, I really liked Luke. He's up there with Annabeth and Percy for me. I know he turned evil and tried to destroy the world, but I still found him an awesome character. Plus, I BAWLED through his death! I cried so hard! I LOVED Luke! He died a hero's death, and he was awesome. Or so is my opinion, though I get why others didn't like him.
I'm putting the movies in a separate category, since they pretty much are. I admit I saw the first movie before I read the books, cause I didn't even know the books existed. I found the book to be WAY better, but I still enjoy the movie. I just separate the two in my mind. I also enjoyed Sea of Monsters movie, and my favorite character in it was Clarisse! She was awesome, in my opinion. But again, that's just me. I understand why others don't like it.
Movie alert: I HEARD (though I don't know if it's true) that the movies are going to end with Titan's Curse, and they're going to wrap everything up with that. I don't know if it's true, I hope not, though it would explain a lot as to why they did certain things the way they did.
(January 30, 2014 - 7:36 pm)
They are making more movies?! That will be great (Hoping they don't end with the Titan's Curse)! I took the test thing too (on the movie extras) and it said it put me in Athena's cabin. And I guess Hades was really cool in the end, and Luke was really amazing in the end too (still don't like him much before that). And the movies do leave out a lot, and like I already said before, some of the people (like Annabeth) look much more different from what I thought they did. But unlike you, my mom found out about the book, and I watched the movie last (waiting for movie two at the library but I am 89th in line). And when I saw The Lightning Thief book online when my mom found it (I was out of books to read then) and I thought: "This might not be my type of book" but I was SO wrong! Oh and I did not see the Sea of Monsters movie yet (waiting for it currently) but in the book I did not like Clarisse much until the last book. It was weird because in the last book, all (or almost all) of my least favorite people became some of my favorites (for the last book). Also, for HoO I saw that the author is working on another book! It is called The Blood of Olympus (you might already know that though). It comes out on 10/7/14. I have not started reading The Heroes of Olympus yet, but I am waiting for book one at the library (I got book two, but I cannot read it yet of course). So let's just hope I get it soon since I am again out of books to read since I just finished The House on Mango Street today.
(January 30, 2014 - 8:41 pm)
I think they are. I'm hoping! I'd heard they started casting for Zoe in The Titan's Curse, though that was awhile ago.
Alexandra Daddario didn't look like Annabeth much, but they maked her blonde in the Sea of Monsters! Plus, I thought she had the Annabeth personality down pretty well. And Logan Lerman is an awesome Percy! I thought that Brandon T. Jackson was a great Grover too!
Clarisse annoyed me through the first books too. But then when I read the whole series through, then reread it, then reread it, then reread it again, the characters I didn't like grew on me. Though I always liked Luke. I can't exactly explain why, and like I said, I get why others didn't, I just always liked him! And I thought he was good in the movie too!
I don't really like the Heroes of Olympus series. The characters aren't the same, and it doesn't have the same flavor. Too much romance, not enough action. Plus, the new characters (aside from Leo. I love Leo! EVERYONE loves Leo!) are whiny, and too wrapped up in themselves. Plus, Rick Riordan took another turn with House of Hades that I didn't appreciate, and I strongly disagree with. But yes, Rick Riordan released the title of the final book in the series, The Blood of Olympus, when he released House of Hades! I'm so excited to see the cover!!!
Hey, if you're ever looking for a good book, I deeply recommend Keeper of the Lost Cities! I'm rereading the first and second (book 2 is Exile), again for the fourth or fifth time in the last six months. THEY'RE SO GOOD! I love them! They've got the same comedy, adventure, action as PJO series, but they're AWESOME! Shannon Messenger herself is a total fangirl, she keeps the feels running so hard through the whole thing! Your laughing while your cryin', your angry while in love, you just can't beat this series. I love it just as much as PJO!
(January 31, 2014 - 8:20 pm)
Hm.. I wrote a comment on the 31st but it did not show up. I guess I should rewrite it later today. Sorry about that!
(February 2, 2014 - 2:34 am)
I totally love this series, which is kind of strange because when I first read the synopsis and first chapter of The Lightning Thief, I was highly skeptical. But as I went on I loved it soo so much.
My favorite books are Titan's Curse and Last Olympian. The first because of Thalia, Artemis and Zoë Nightshade, who was so awesome, even though she died. The second because it's one of the last-book-in-a-fantasy-series that's actually good. Meaning, defeating the enemy doesn't swallow the necessity of an actual plot. And I love how Luke died, sacrificing himself for Annabeth. He was such a fascinating character, anti-heroic and all. And Rachel was awesome. I mean, you always knew that Percy couldn't exactly like her, but she was a really fun character, especially since she gave a different perspective of the whole thing: being mortal but seeing through the Mist.
My main problem with Heroes of Olympus is that there doesn't seem to be enough difference among the characters. The Lost Hero seemed okay, since Jason and Piper and Leo all seemed to start out strong with Annabeth as her old delightful self, but as the series is going on, Hazel and Piper are running into each other, Annabeth is losing her strong presence, Percy's old snarky and humorous voice is utterly lost, Nico is paranoid, Jason is "perfect," Frank is loveable, but not all that useful, and Leo (oh dear) has fallen for Calypso. The only good thing about that last item is that he hasn't fallen in love with any of the other heroes/heroines. There isn't enough action, agreed, but I wouldn't mind the romance if it did something to the plot. Percy and Annabeth's is all right, since it seems realistic enough that they would be together, but Piper and Jason...not so much, especially since Jason seems so flat as a character to begin with! Someone needs to die soon, and that's a terrible thing to say, but at least it shakes up the story a little.
Regarding the movies: I saw Lighting Thief and was a trifle unimpressed, not just because it was so different from the books, but because it wasn't great from a movie standpoint either. Sea of Monsters sounds better and I'm waiting to see it, but I can't believe Titan's Curse is going to be the last film. There's too much that happens; if they try to squeeze three books into one, they're going to ditch a third of the material--and good material, too, since I already said how much I love #3 and #5.
I'm really looking forward to Blood of Olympus (mostly because then HoO will be over and we can get to the Norse series), but I wish slightly that RR had made HoO a trilogy like Kane Chronicles. Percy Jackson was fine as a five-book series since he had so much to do with that idea, but he didn't need that much explanation since HoO was only a continuation.
(February 1, 2014 - 1:58 pm)
@ Everinne: I totally agree about HoO! The characters are WAY too similar. I think part of the reason people loved Leo was cause he was so upbeat and different! I miss Annabeth's strong presence, as you said, and Percy's hilarity. That's what I loved about PJO! I cannot stand Nico anymore. He's just dark, and weird, and like you said, paranoid. He really truly drives me insane. Jason hasn't got much of a personality at all. For Heaven's sake, people have started shipping him with a brick! That's got to say something.
*possible spoiler for BoO*
Rick Riordan has actually confirmed someone is going to die in Blood of Olympus. One of the seven. I don't know who, of course, but I've heard he tweeted that. I'm worried it will be Leo. I really wouldn't mind Hazel or Frank, cause they're annoying. Actually, Leo dying might be tolerable, because THEN maybe the others will ACTUALLY appreciate him! I feel Leo is drastically unappreciated in this series. I get he blew up New Rome, but seriously HE WAS POSSESSED. Reyna and the others need to get over that.
Sea of Monsters wasn't like the book really, but it was good. I think you'll like Clarisse! I did, but I won't say anything else now.
I look forward to the Norse series. I'm curious how Rick will make do that, and what the characters will be like!
(February 1, 2014 - 9:04 pm)
I really hope Rick Riordan writes his Norse series in first person. I think also the reason for HoO being kind of loose narratively is because he can't keep a consistant voice throughout. He has to constantly adjust himself, and I think he loses the voice when he does that. After all, the main part of Percy Jackson's appeal is his snarky first-person way of telling it.
(February 2, 2014 - 1:59 pm)
I agree! I got so annoyed at every other chapter cause it kept changing people. I think he spread himself too think with that, and couldn't bring in much zest or excitement to the characters because he had too many to write the viewpoint from. The Lost Hero wasn't so bad with that, because they were brand new characters, and there were only three. But after that, it got old. Fast. Writing from the POV of too many characters takes away from the action of the story, and focuses more on their individual problems. I find that annoying.
(February 3, 2014 - 12:55 pm)
A more detailed reason why I dislike Jason:
Everyone's got to have a stumbling block, which was pointed out nicely in Sea of Monsters about Percy's loyalty and Annabeth's hubris. Frank has a stick of wood that, burned, would end his life. Hazel's being a daughter of Pluto untintentionally curses all who takes her jewels. Gaia seems to take a special venom out on Leo. But Jason doesn't have any such problem; even the loss of his memory doesn't seem to bother him all that much. He's kind, understanding, handsome, talented (he can harness the wind and keep someone from falling to their death; hello, that's useful), and all in all thoroughly bland. No sense of humor, no defining characteristic. His "relationship" with Piper hovers between there and nonexistant and doesn't show any intention of changing; he doesn't even seem to be that great a friend. I said he's understanding, but when you get down to brass tacks, he's not there to sympathize with you and say, "Hey, I've gone through that too."
Piper also has a slight lack of vulnerability. She's also supposed to be gorgeous, she can charmspeak (which is again, hello, useful; she just woke up the mechanical dragonhead that even Leo couldn't fix), and can sort of see into the future with Kaloptris. On the other hand, she is a little more sympathetic, even though her fawning over Jason is a trifle irritating, mostly because it doesn't seem that deep. Percy and Annabeth has gone through the fire together and saved each others' neck a number of times, so of course they're going to feel a closeness. On the other hand, Piper and Jason just happen to be good-looking, so they like each other. Predictable, and not all that satisfying.
Sorry for that rant, but it feels good to vent your opinions.
(February 3, 2014 - 8:35 pm)
AGREED. And I still get ticked off the way they treat Leo like dirt. I mean, they were supposed to be "friends" in The Lost Hero. I get Leo was the third wheel and all, but Jason just completely ignores Leo now. So does Piper.
*spoilers*
To me, Jason is just indifferent to everything. But then this whole Nico thing arises, and he's all concerned about him? Seriously?! Out of everything, Nico is what he worries over. To me, that is just pathetic. No one knows what happened to Leo, and Jason is more worried about Nico. *headdesk*
Piper is shallow to me. I mean, in The Lost Hero, she struck me as being narcissistic to the other extreme. She was so concerned about not wanting to be a self absorbed beauty queen, she still focused on herself too much. It's not quite like that now, but she's still wrapped up in herself, and as you said Everinne, fawning over Jason.
As to Hazel and Frank, I'm not going to say much. At times I don't mind them, at times they annoy me. That's basically my feelings on them.
Percy and Annabeth are just the most realistic relateable characters in the series. I love Leo, but yeah, he had to go fall in love. That says it all.
(February 4, 2014 - 2:14 pm)
Hazel and Frank are perfectly benign, and perfectly fine supporting characters. I think their downfall comes in having to narrate.
Piper was okay in Lost Hero, since I thought it was interesting that Rick, having built up a kind of vapid, Aphrodite stereotype, then proceeded to create a character that would knock it down. And I think she managed it perfectly fine. It is slightly redic that her father's supposed to be this Brad Pitt-like actor, though.
The last thing I'd like to gripe about regarding House of Hades is that it seems like in this series, the families of all the heroes simply fall away. NO ONE SEEMS TO REALIZE THERE ARE OTHER PEOPLE EXCEPT FOR THE PEOPLE THEY'VE FALLEN IN LOVE WITH!!!! Percy no longer thinks of his mother or stepfather, Frank's grandmother has simply disappeared, even Leo no longer mourns his mom! I know that a kind of staple in fantasy fiction is the orphan who kind of has to strike out on his/her own, but especially since Rick seemed to make a point of including their parents in past books, it felt a little contrived.
Yes, that's the word: everything in the Heroes of Olympus series is utterly contrived.
(February 5, 2014 - 6:05 pm)
Yeah, you're right. Frank and Hazel are good supportive characters, there's simply not enough to them to narrate.
To me, Piper was good in The Lost Hero when she was fighting. I liked how Rick tried to go against the grain of Aphrodite kids, but Piper is just too concerned about love and her looks to make it really different. She is in some ways, but totally Aphrodite like in others.
THAT STRUCK ME TOO. Percy NEVER mentions his mom or Paul, and I really liked them in the PJO series! Annabeth never thinks about her dad, whom was awesome at the ending of The Titan's Curse. Your right, Frank's Grandmother is now nonexistant, and it seems Leo replaced his sadness of his mother into his desperation for Calypso! His mechanics no long satisfy him. I keep thinking poor Festus! No one thinks much of him anymore! I love Festus.
And yeah, the whole series is contrived. PJO flowed better, and was more believeable, but now it's annoying and they can never catch their breath. I have some hopes for Blood of Olympus, though I worry it won't be that good.
(February 5, 2014 - 8:17 pm)
I love these books. I have House of Hades, but I haven't read it yet. Other than that, I've read ALL the books.
Annabeth is my favorite character because she is me. Like Annabeth and I have the exact same personality and I'm pretty sure I belong in Athena's cabin. Rachel and Thalia are pretty cool, too. I also like Nico and his sister. Her name's Bianca, right?
(February 6, 2014 - 9:03 am)
Oh my goodness I love this series!!! I have watched the 2 movies( Percy Jackson: The Lightning Thief and Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters). Both of which are amazing but I like Sea of Monsters better. Ashlee G my favorite character is Annabeth too!!! Mostly because were both smart and many other reasons. Has any one read Hero's Of Olympus? If not PLEASE DO!!! I have read House of Hades and it is amazing!! Also I really need someone to talk to about it.....
Thank you Rick Riordan for writing these amazing books!!!
(February 6, 2014 - 7:52 pm)
I have only watched the first movie (second one has 80 holds on it right now), and good news: The Lost Hero finally came in! But I cannot get it until Saturday due to freeezing temperatures (too cold to walk to the library) and because we are very busy this week because of my sister's 9th birthday, my dad's swing shift job (he has Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays off), shopping on Friday, and of course, the library is closed on Fridays, Mondays, and Sundays (and it closes early on Saturdays). So I cannot start to read it until Saturday. But I do have book two since it came in before number 1. And Annabeth is also my favorite character because she is really smart (that is only one reason). And on the bonus things after the first Percy Jackson movie there was a test to place you in a cabin. My cabin? Athena's (but I did mess up once on a question)! Well... before I start to go into Endless-Speech I should stop talking and check on my Virtual Villagers on my tablet.
Note: I am sorry to say, I cannot come on much on here during the week days until most likely first or second week of May due to school (I am homeschooled), but I will try my best to check on all my threads!
(February 6, 2014 - 8:45 pm)