The Last Olympian by Rick Riordan

The Last Olympian had me in tears a good few times. I largely chalk this up to a waves of backup Percy and the Campers receive over the course of the New York Battle. I’ve said it before and I will say it probably a thousand more times: I am a sucker for the “Big Damn Heroes” Trope in which everyone and their mother shows up to help save the day. The Last Olympian had many such moments and therefore: tears. Couldn’t help it.

I am rather glad that Nico got more characterization. I originally found him mostly a non-entity, so I’m glad that’s changed. I'm not sure exactly how much of a spoiler it is to say that Thalia makes a reappearance... but she does. It was the first of the "Big Damn Heroes" moments that had me tearing up. She seems much more grounded here, though I'm not sure exactly what gave me that impression.

After the reveals about Luke's mother, I saw Rachel Dare's fate coming. I honestly thought it was rather obvious, though I like her as a character. 

I don’t think I have much else specific to say about The Last Olympian. I enjoyed it a lot more than the other books, that’s for sure. It felt much more focused, which, given the New York Battle took up a sizable chunk of the book, makes sense. Definitely an acceptable and satisfying end to Percy Jackson and the Olympians.

 On A Personal Note

I honestly would probably have enjoyed these more when I was younger. I've been told by and IRL coworker/friend that the next batch of books is better... however, I really have zero desire to continue beyond this point. Plus, well, I'm more excited to start The Wheel of Time. I might return to the Percy Jackson universe at some stage, but... not right now.

I'll do my customary pallette cleanser standalone novel before starting The Wheel of Time. Just so ya'll know where I'm at, reading-wise. 

The Dark Wife by Sarah Diemer

A Spoiler Free Review

The Dark Wife retells the story of Hades and Persephone in a slightly interesting way. We get the story from Persephone’s view point and she’s young, a teenager at this point and doesn’t actually know what’s going on. Zeus is painted as a villain, which, ya know, he kind of is. I honestly wasn’t a big fan of this, mostly because Persephone is just so… wet as a protagonist. Engaging enough to get me through the book, but otherwise just kinda there for most of it.

I was not expecting bisexual Persephone or female Hades. Apparently our view of Hades and apparently Cupid as males rather than females was a thing Zeus decided to do. I’m not entirely sure why and it’s not really explained, other than to explain the whole perspective of Hades kidnapping and raping Persephone. Not super important to the plot… especially with a revelation near the end about the Olympians…

I really don’t like the whole “we must be mysterious and speak in riddles for PLOT” thing. I dislike the withholding of information mostly for the sake of withholding it. Persephone isn’t sure enough of herself or her position to demand answers. We do get those answers, with a bit more mystery on the part of Gaia, but still not really.

This had an interesting take on Elysian Fields. I always kind of pictured the fields and less literal than just fields. This version of the dead just sitting and wallowing in their oh-so-heroic misdeeds is really quite horrifying. Of course Persephone changes that, which ends up quite well.

“But I was lonely” and couldn’t dream of asking to accompany Hades on her duties… that would just be too crazy. Seriously, this Persephone had agency enough to choose to go to The Underworld but none beyond that. Just following Pallas around or wandering Hades’ palace alone. When she finally shakes that off, it’s much better for everyone. This is really what I meant when I said Persephone was a “wet” protagonist.

Hades honestly wasn’t much better and wasn’t actually around so much. Like, she was there, but it was really closer to an Edward Cullen style of “I’ll watch you sleep and hug the nightmares away” kind of thing. I liked Pallas well enough. Hermes mostly appeared and was cryptic when he wasn’t doing his messenger god duties.

I like this take on Charon. There’s no way there would just be a bunch of dead standing around who didn’t have ferry fare so they’d have to pay somehow. I think it’s interesting that all their bits of “payment” are incorporated into Charon’s physical body. Makes the ferryman way creepier than they are otherwise… which is kind of creepy enough.

I have this feeling I should just stop reading retellings. There are very few I’ve read lately that I’ve enjoyed. I have a feeling it’s mostly due to the characterization of the protagonists, but… eeehhh… not entirely sure. I have enjoyed Punderworld by Linda Sejic, which honestly just cements my characterization theory. Sejic’s versions of pretty much all the gods and goddesses are much more vibrant and active in their narratives. The Dark Wife just didn’t do it for me.

The Empress and Wings of Fury

The Empress by Laura Martinez-Belli

A Very Short, Spoiler Free Review

Originally Posted on GoodReads: March 24, 2022

Pretty good, but overall depressing. I found the jumping around the timeline to be confusing, if I’m honest. I think the overall story might have been served better by a more linear telling. I did learn a few things in the process of reading and digesting this book, so that was nice. It continues to amaze me how much history is just skipped over in history classes.

 

Wings of Fury by Emily R. King

A Very Short, Spoiler Free Review

Originally Posted on GoodReads: February 6, 2002

I’ve been a fan of retellings and reworking of myths and legends for a very long time. That said, I was not a fan of this. The main character annoyed me and I did not like the twist at the end that seemed to largely be there for the “yay girl power” moment.

Actually, as I’m thinking about it, there are several moments in this book that just didn’t feel earned and seemed to come out of nowhere. Especially the ending. The way things just kind of fell into place with little to no explanation or build up bothers the heck out of me.