Riordan, Rick - The Lost Hero (The Heroes of Olympus #1) ; Informal Buddy Read: Starts November 11 2014

[Rebecca NJ]

Wow Rebecca - you just took off there! I haven't had too much time to listen today unfortunately.

I'm resisting clicking on your spoiler!

[Rebecca]

Yeah I've had a super boring day today and yesterday. I won't have any time to listen this weekend tho.

[Rebecca]

So a couple times in the book people mention "two sides" that need to work together. And no one thinks it's possible. Here's what I think...

(I've read up to chapter 42)

(view spoiler)[ I think the two sides are the demi-god children of the roman-formed gods and the greek-forms. I think that's why they were so surprised when Jason turned up at Camp Halfblood. I think that all the other children there are from the Greek-forms of each god. Maybe there are lots of other children from the roman forms, but they are somewhere else. Or, since the gods in their roman forms are more battle-ready, maybe they don't usually have children with mortals? I think this is alluded to when Thalia says that Zeus came back to her mother, but was very different.

I'm so curious about all the secrets that are being hidden and things that are only half explained. (hide spoiler)]

[Rebecca]

Okay I couldn't help myself. I just finished the book. I can't wait to discuss everything with ya'll!!

At the end (view spoiler)[ we are still left with few answers and many questions! At least we know where Percy is, and hopefully the next book will explain what he was doing while he was missing. I can't wait for more action as the heros travel to Olympus and challenge the monsters. (hide spoiler)]

[Joi]

I don't like this book as much as Percy Jackson but I'm making my way thru it

[Kristie]

Joi wrote: "I don't like this book as much as Percy Jackson but I'm making my way thru it"

That's interesting to me. I know a lot of people told me that they liked this series better than the Percy Jackson series, which is why I started this one first. I'll have to check out the Percy Jackson series too. I'm curious now! Anything specific you can pinpoint as to why you liked that one better?

[Storm]

@Kristie - I started with the Percy Jackson Series personally, simply because events in THOSE books happen before events in This book from the sounds of it. Haven't read much into this book yet, had to set it aside to finish a few others, so we'll see how that works out.

[Vi]

Are you planning to read the next in series? If so, I'll join them.

[Rebecca NJ]

@Kristie - I was told to start with the Percy Jackson series because of the timeline.

I'm only through Chapter 10 of The Lost Hero and it's a little too early to determine which series I'll like better.

[Rebecca NJ]

Vi wrote: "Are you planning to read the next in series? If so, I'll join them."

Hi Vi!! I wouldn't mind continuing. It will take me a bit to get through this audio book though.

[Storm]

@ Vi - I'll definitely be continuing the series, I've liked The Kane Chronicles (Must read those again!) and the Percy Jackson Series so far, so I gotta give this one a fair chance.

[Eni]

i finally started to read it properly! I'm on chapter 9 atm =D

So far so good. I read Percy Jackson's series before and i loved it! It's so good to be back to camp Half-Blood <3

(view spoiler)[Pretty sure Leo is going to be the breaker of the curse! With the commanding fire and whatnot. Though they said the kids who used to be able to do that turned crazy :(

And who the hell is Jason O_O damit! (hide spoiler)]

I'm really liking the characters so far. And hurray for Annabeth to be back =D

[Rebecca]

I read the Percy Jackson series before this one. To me it's hard to tell which is better because this just feels like a continuation of the previous series, but with some different characters.

I will definitely continue with this series whenever everyone had finished.

[Eni]

well... some characters of Percy Jackson's series appear in this book. And they talk about the events of the last book, BUT i don't think it's needed to read Percy Jackson first.

[Rebecca]

Nope I think you can read this series without the Percy Jackson. Then if you want, you can go back and read the Perxy Jackson series to see what happened before.

[Storm]

Reading books out of order, I know that one. The Percy Jackson books start with Percy and Annabeth as... what, 11 years olds? They get a little older as the series goes on, kinda like Harry Potter. I'm up to Chapter 7 for The Lost Hero now and Annabeth and the others are about 15-16 now? I dunno how the events will impact the series reading order, but yea.

[Eni]

just finished it. It was pretty sweet. I missed Percy Jackson's World.

[Storm]

Up to XXII. O.O I don't... I just... Wha?!

(view spoiler)[Jason is Thalia's BROTHER?! What is this I don't even! And Piper! Daughter of Aphrodite! I never would have guessed that before her claiming. And Leo! He's got a big job keeping his fire secret doesn't he? But what's really interesting to me is that Boreas went Roman when he saw Jason's Tattoo. Does this mean Hera will go Roman when she's freed, if the Roman versions of the Greek Gods were more bloodthirsty? But where did the tattoo even COME from? Is Jason the Roman-Version-Zeus's Child? Is there a separate Camp Half-Blood for the Roman-Version Kids? Also, Drew, she's just mean. makes me wonder if she's literally just that shallow and bratty or if she's a spy herself for this new threat. (hide spoiler)]

[Rebecca NJ]

Read through the end of Chapter 12

(view spoiler)[I love the interaction with Leo and the dragon! I am glad that Annabeth and Rachel are key players - it is nice to use their history/knowledge for Leo, Jason and Piper to put things together. (hide spoiler)]

As I'm reading these books, I do wish I had remembered more from school with regards to the Roman and Greek gods...

[Rebecca]

Storm wrote (view spoiler)[" Is there a separate Camp Half-Blood for the Roman-Version Kids? "(view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

Yes!
(view spoiler)[ I think there must be. I'm hoping to learn more about this! (hide spoiler)]

[Rebecca]

Rebecca NJ wrote "As I'm reading these books, I do wish I had remembered more from school with regards to the Roman and Greek gods... "

I don't think I really learned much about the gods at all. I remember having a class discussion about mythology and having to read for a pretty boring book, but it definitely wasn't much. And it wasn't nearly as entertaining as this!

[Rebecca NJ]

RebeccaS wrote: "I don't think I really learned much about the gods at all. I remember having a class discussion about mythology and having to read for a pretty boring book, but it definitely wasn't much. And it wasn't nearly as entertaining as this! "

I remember a good chunk of time in middle school was devoted to the gods but I was 12-13 or so and really didn't care.

But you are right - this is much more entertaining and I have a "voice" I can relate to talking about the gods which is a good connection point for me.

[Storm]

RebeccaS wrote: "Storm wrote [spoilers removed]

Yes!
[spoilers removed]"

Omg that would be awesome!, I mean, (view spoiler)[ Technically Jason is still Zeus' Kid, but if there wasn't such a difference between the 'sides' of the Deities... Greeks are Greeks, Romans are Romans type of thing, I think there'd be a number of Roman-Version Kids running around, but so far, all Camp Half-Blood is 'Greek Side Only' so there must be a reason for the split of the kids. (hide spoiler)]

[Storm]

Up to the end of XLVIII. Dun dun DUN!

[Rebecca]

How's it going everyone?!

[Rebecca NJ]

I'm finally through Chapter 29. I've had a lot of a-ha moments.

(view spoiler)[It does seem like there should be two camps based things that different characters have said. I love the fact that Hephaestus hacked a connection in order to reach out to Leo. And the dragon has been a great addition to the story line!

I really enjoyed the part when Piper realized what people go through when she charmspeaks to someone. And as mentioned by someone above, it is really ironic that she is the daughter of Aphrodite.

It seems like Jason is still trying to sort his way through and in my opinion, isn't as confident as Piper and Leo. But I think he'll fit into a role by the end of the book. (hide spoiler)]

[Rebecca]

Thinking about Piper (view spoiler)[ being a daughter of Aphrodite...I was completely surprised by this. However, it seems almost like this book is trying to emphasize the differences in the gods themselves. For example, the gods have roman and greek forms that are pretty different. Maybe having Piper seems so non-Aphrodite-like is another way to show that the gods and their traits aren't cookie cutter, but there can be variations? (hide spoiler)]

[Rebecca NJ]

RebeccaS wrote: (view spoiler)["Piper seems so non-Aphrodite-like is another way to show that the gods and their traits aren't cookie cutter" (hide spoiler)]

I hadn't thought about that - that's a pretty good point.

[Rebecca NJ]

I'm through chapter 37.

(view spoiler)[Rebecca - I agree with you. I want to know more about the historical/mythical people coming back from the dead. Are we working up to another big battle for power? (hide spoiler)]

[Rebecca NJ]

I finished earlier today.

@Rebecca - (view spoiler)[Like you, I am left with more questions but I can't wait to read the next book just to see where it all goes. (hide spoiler)]

(view spoiler)[I am so glad we know where Percy is! And an exchange program - what a way to work that into the storyline. (hide spoiler)]

[Rebecca]

Hey everyone! I just wanted to check in with you all to see if anyone is still working on / discussing this book.

Also would anyone be interested in moving on to the second book of the series?

[Rebecca NJ]

I actually thought you guys had moved on. I am definitely interested in continuing the series.

[Rebecca]

I just got caught up in other buddy reads. I have a couple more to read, but could definitely do this one some time in January.

[Rebecca NJ]

That works for me. It'll give me time to get through my stack of library books.

[Kristie]

I've already read the second one, but if you continue on I'll join you when you start the third one.

[Jackie]

I would like to join in if you're going to read the second one in January.

[Rebecca]

The mods kindly made us a new thread for the 2nd book.

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Maybe we should continue the whole series there is people are interested in continuing.

[❀Tea❀]

RebeccaS wrote: "The mods kindly made us a new thread for the 2nd book.

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Maybe we should continue th..."

You scared me at first that I've made double thread again. *phew*

Do you guys want it changed into series read or want to stay book-by-book threads?

[Rebecca]

It's up to everyone else, as either way works for me. I know different people have read different # of book so I don't want to confuse anyone.

[RachelvlehcaR]

Hey everyone I'm finally reading the book, The Lost Hero. I'm not sure if anyone else is reading it. I'm in chapter 20. I'm really enjoying the story.

It's a really interesting concept. (view spoiler)[It was kind of confusing in the beginning with so many different things happening. Poor Jason he had no idea who he was. He just appeared on the bus. His teacher changes, lol. That was funny. (hide spoiler)]

[RachelvlehcaR]

Sadie wrote: "Okay, I finally got my book!

I'm a little confused though. Should I start with the Percy Jackson series before reading this one? Or is there really that much difference? I hate reading books out ..."

I noticed that about Percy Jackson too. I haven't read any of the Percy Jackson so perhaps I'm missing a little because of that.