Sign in with Facebookbabyhippoface's Reviews > The Sea of Monsters
The Sea of Monsters (Percy Jackson and the Olympians, #2)
by Rick Riordan
by Rick Riordan
babyhippoface's review
bookshelves: young-adult, kids-fiction, fantasy
Apr 25, 08
bookshelves: young-adult, kids-fiction, fantasy
Recommended for:
5th-graders to adults
Read in April, 2008
I don't get it. I just don't really like this series. My two kids would argue to the death with me about them, and I don't know why I don't like them, I just...don't.
Maybe I don't like ancient Greeks mixing with 21st-century Americans. Maybe it's Annabeth's recurring refrain of "oh my gods" that drives me insane, or maybe it's the fact that you can't turn 3 pages without Percy being in mortal peril. (Too much adventure is bad for the heart.) Maybe I can't buy into so many perfectly-timed rescues-from-nowhere when Percy is just about to bite the big one, or the way Percy goes into every new situation thinking, "maybe I shouldn't do this," but does it anyway and it's ALWAYS a trap by some monster. ALWAYS. A-L-W-A-Y-S. I know he's just an 8th grader, but golly gee Perce, wake up and smell the Cyclops Spit. Anytime you meet a new person, trust me, you should just turn and run. But you never do.
I'm just not interested. I don't care how he gets out of the next life-threatening situation. Just get out of it and let's move on to the next life-threatening situation, already.
With The Lightning Thief I thought maybe it was the audiobook's narrator that made me not enjoy it much, but I read this one myself, and I still just wasn't into it. I just wanted it to be over.
That's not to say that I don't like Rick Riordan, because I like him fine. Total contradiction, I know, but it's true. And because not every book is every person's cup o' tea, I'll keep recommending this series to kids, because they think it's awesome. And that's good with me.
Maybe I don't like ancient Greeks mixing with 21st-century Americans. Maybe it's Annabeth's recurring refrain of "oh my gods" that drives me insane, or maybe it's the fact that you can't turn 3 pages without Percy being in mortal peril. (Too much adventure is bad for the heart.) Maybe I can't buy into so many perfectly-timed rescues-from-nowhere when Percy is just about to bite the big one, or the way Percy goes into every new situation thinking, "maybe I shouldn't do this," but does it anyway and it's ALWAYS a trap by some monster. ALWAYS. A-L-W-A-Y-S. I know he's just an 8th grader, but golly gee Perce, wake up and smell the Cyclops Spit. Anytime you meet a new person, trust me, you should just turn and run. But you never do.
I'm just not interested. I don't care how he gets out of the next life-threatening situation. Just get out of it and let's move on to the next life-threatening situation, already.
With The Lightning Thief I thought maybe it was the audiobook's narrator that made me not enjoy it much, but I read this one myself, and I still just wasn't into it. I just wanted it to be over.
That's not to say that I don't like Rick Riordan, because I like him fine. Total contradiction, I know, but it's true. And because not every book is every person's cup o' tea, I'll keep recommending this series to kids, because they think it's awesome. And that's good with me.
Sign into Goodreads to see if any of your friends have read The Sea of Monsters.
sign in »
Comments (showing 1-17 of 17) (17 new)
date
newest »
newest »
message 1:
by
Amber
(new)
-
rated it 1 star
May 27, 2009 11:18am
I know what you mean about the audiobook narrator! I listened to it to get myself reacquainted with the books because I was reading the others, and man, he really sucks.
reply
|
flag
*
I can't put my finger on exactly what it is that bothers me, I just don't care for the way he reads it. (Not that I could do any better myself.)Reading over my review, man, I was harsh wasn't I?
I couldn't agree more. You make accurate comments and nail my exact same peeves. I think you'll agree with some points on my review as well. Onwards to book 3, I suppose.
Thank you for putting into words what drove me nuts about this book!!! I agree with everything you said!
I haven't finished the book yet but I agree with you. I feel like Percy is always in some sort of danger only to be rescued in the nick of time. Not many books can get away with that, and this one certainly can't...especially when it happens OVER and OVER.
I also can't understand why he's suddenly always in trouble when he previously went about eleven years without ever seeing a "monster" in his life.
Couldn't agree more, Although I (kind of) enjoyed the book, you've written EVERYTHING I didn't like about it.
Maira, it's good to be reminded that I'm not the only one who felt this way. And too, that not every book is for every reader--and that's a good thing.
I respect your opinion, but perhaps Riordan is trying to create an entertaining, absorbing world for children, not adults.Heck, I'm a teenager and this series made me emotional. Any book, for me, that can make me tear up is worth reading again.
It makes me feel good. Happy.
I value your opinion, for everyone is entitled to one, but perhaps you could try looking at it from a child's innocent, adventurous perspective.
Plus, not all books are meant to appeal to everyone. I doubt every preteen who reads this will be enthralled, but the majority is, and at least there isn't some form of weak, insubstantial romance like in so many other young adult novels today.
Paige, you're right about Riordan's intended audience. But since I am an elementary librarian, 95% of what I read is children's literature. I said in earlier comments and in my review that not every book is for every reader, and that's okay. My daughter loves this series, and I was happy to buy them for her. I just don't like them. That said, you make a good point about Riordan not including a romance. Thank goodness. Bonus points for Riordan. :)
