Jayson’s Reviews > The Dark Prophecy > Status Update
Jayson
is starting
Notes:
(1) I wouldn't say "The Hidden Oracle" was a disappointment, but it's the least of the Riordan Greek/Roman books I've read.
- It's just so different than the others, not conforming to the usual Riordan formula of 3+ heroes on a cross-country road trip. From this book's description, it seems to be getting back on brand.
(2) I'm curious which version of Calypso we get here.
- I'd guess a mix of the previous two.
— Aug 15, 2023 08:00AM
(1) I wouldn't say "The Hidden Oracle" was a disappointment, but it's the least of the Riordan Greek/Roman books I've read.
- It's just so different than the others, not conforming to the usual Riordan formula of 3+ heroes on a cross-country road trip. From this book's description, it seems to be getting back on brand.
(2) I'm curious which version of Calypso we get here.
- I'd guess a mix of the previous two.
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Jayson’s Previous Updates
Jayson
is on page 402 of 432
Notes:
(1) I read all the back matter first, so despite the page number I'm actually finished.
- Took me a lot longer than I'd envisioned or planned. On top of being unexpectedly busy, I've had to deal with this new strain of COVID, which has been a burden and a half.
(2) We finally get the titular line near the very end of the book. Apparently, "The Dark Prophecy" is a sonnet.
- It's even capitalized when mentioned.
— Aug 27, 2023 07:00AM
(1) I read all the back matter first, so despite the page number I'm actually finished.
- Took me a lot longer than I'd envisioned or planned. On top of being unexpectedly busy, I've had to deal with this new strain of COVID, which has been a burden and a half.
(2) We finally get the titular line near the very end of the book. Apparently, "The Dark Prophecy" is a sonnet.
- It's even capitalized when mentioned.
Jayson
is on page 352 of 432
Notes:
(1) Meg's behavior and emotional intelligence for the series, until this cave scene, has been as if she's 6 years old, not 12.
- Suddenly, she decides to finally act her age.
(2) I don't know whether Riordan actually understands what "step-father" means. What he calls a step-father is actually a foster-father.
- Though, perhaps he's just using it because it's a better-known term for the middle-grade audience.
— Aug 27, 2023 03:15AM
(1) Meg's behavior and emotional intelligence for the series, until this cave scene, has been as if she's 6 years old, not 12.
- Suddenly, she decides to finally act her age.
(2) I don't know whether Riordan actually understands what "step-father" means. What he calls a step-father is actually a foster-father.
- Though, perhaps he's just using it because it's a better-known term for the middle-grade audience.
Jayson
is on page 304 of 432
Notes:
(1) While sleeping in the vicinity of Apollo, the Hunters of Artemis always set up traps and barriers to protect against nocturnal molestation.
- A strangely adult detail for a YA/MG book. Though, to be fair, the whole Riordanverse is based on the concept of gods impetuously coupling with humans.
(2) Leo procures a Mercedes for Apollo to drive. It's hinted this is an Easter egg, but I can't spot the reference.
— Aug 26, 2023 06:00AM
(1) While sleeping in the vicinity of Apollo, the Hunters of Artemis always set up traps and barriers to protect against nocturnal molestation.
- A strangely adult detail for a YA/MG book. Though, to be fair, the whole Riordanverse is based on the concept of gods impetuously coupling with humans.
(2) Leo procures a Mercedes for Apollo to drive. It's hinted this is an Easter egg, but I can't spot the reference.
Jayson
is on page 252 of 432
Notes:
(1) I've come to expect a certain about of ridiculousness from these books, but that stadium scene was perhaps a bit too over-the-top.
- It's like something out of a Hieronymus Bosch painting.
- At least to me, it jumped the shark.
(2) I've noticed that this book involves a lot of heroes riding animals. So far, they've ridden griffins, ostriches and elephants.
- Not the usual (horse-based) pegasi and centaurs.
— Aug 24, 2023 06:30AM
(1) I've come to expect a certain about of ridiculousness from these books, but that stadium scene was perhaps a bit too over-the-top.
- It's like something out of a Hieronymus Bosch painting.
- At least to me, it jumped the shark.
(2) I've noticed that this book involves a lot of heroes riding animals. So far, they've ridden griffins, ostriches and elephants.
- Not the usual (horse-based) pegasi and centaurs.
Jayson
is on page 203 of 432
Notes:
(1) It's interesting that Commodus of all people is given the Voldemort treatment where speaking his name is taboo.
- Though, in this case, saying his name sort of does put you on his radar.
- When Meg repeatedly shouts his name, I half-expected him to pop up like Beetlejuice.
(2) "[Lityerses] hissed in annoyance. I understood this effect Meg had on people."
- Indeed, I do too. Speaking as one of the affected.
— Aug 23, 2023 12:05AM
(1) It's interesting that Commodus of all people is given the Voldemort treatment where speaking his name is taboo.
- Though, in this case, saying his name sort of does put you on his radar.
- When Meg repeatedly shouts his name, I half-expected him to pop up like Beetlejuice.
(2) "[Lityerses] hissed in annoyance. I understood this effect Meg had on people."
- Indeed, I do too. Speaking as one of the affected.
Jayson
is on page 150 of 432
Notes:
(1) Apollo lists celebrities who couldn't handle fame at a young age: "Justin, Britney, Lindsay, Amanda, Amadeus". I must presume he means Bieber, Spears, Lohan, Bynes and Mozart.
- Can't be Timberlake, he seems normal.
- Arguably, "Wolfgang" might be too broad. Though, I don't know that anyone called Mozart by his middle name.
(2) Apollo and Calypso sing a duet.
- They literally make beautiful music together.
— Aug 18, 2023 07:30AM
(1) Apollo lists celebrities who couldn't handle fame at a young age: "Justin, Britney, Lindsay, Amanda, Amadeus". I must presume he means Bieber, Spears, Lohan, Bynes and Mozart.
- Can't be Timberlake, he seems normal.
- Arguably, "Wolfgang" might be too broad. Though, I don't know that anyone called Mozart by his middle name.
(2) Apollo and Calypso sing a duet.
- They literally make beautiful music together.
Jayson
is on page 107 of 432
Notes:
(1) Boy, they're really treating limericks as the red-headed stepchild of prophecies.
- I foresee this being a running joke.
(2) We seem to have the makings of a love-triangle.
- With Leo and Calypso's relationship on the rocks, the two former-immortals go questing alone.
(3) So far we haven't left Indianapolis.
- Same thing last book, we never left Camp Half-Blood.
- Possibly this series is one city per book?
— Aug 17, 2023 05:30AM
(1) Boy, they're really treating limericks as the red-headed stepchild of prophecies.
- I foresee this being a running joke.
(2) We seem to have the makings of a love-triangle.
- With Leo and Calypso's relationship on the rocks, the two former-immortals go questing alone.
(3) So far we haven't left Indianapolis.
- Same thing last book, we never left Camp Half-Blood.
- Possibly this series is one city per book?
Jayson
is on page 53 of 432
Notes:
(1) Leo calls Calypso "Cal" while she calls him "Leonidas."
- I can understand "Cal," but I'm almost certain "Leonidas" isn't what Leo's short for, if it's short for anything.
- I mean, if it were like Percy and Perseus I'd think we'd know by now.
(2) If Leo and Calypso weren't an item, I'd swear this was an opposites-attract rom-com between Calypso and Apollo.
- She just seems like she's pulling his pigtails.
— Aug 16, 2023 07:15AM
(1) Leo calls Calypso "Cal" while she calls him "Leonidas."
- I can understand "Cal," but I'm almost certain "Leonidas" isn't what Leo's short for, if it's short for anything.
- I mean, if it were like Percy and Perseus I'd think we'd know by now.
(2) If Leo and Calypso weren't an item, I'd swear this was an opposites-attract rom-com between Calypso and Apollo.
- She just seems like she's pulling his pigtails.
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Alexandra Elend Wolf
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rated it 4 stars
Aug 15, 2023 08:10AM
Yeah, Riordan definitely tried something new with this series and it took him a second, I think, to get it right. We'll see if you think he does get it right afterward.
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Alexandra Elend Wolf wrote: "Yeah, Riordan definitely tried something new with this series and it took him a second, I think, to get it right. We'll see if you think he does get it right afterward."Well, he does tend to know when he gets it wrong, and course-corrects accordingly. For example, he went really middle-grade with Sea of Monster, but went the other direction, more YA, with the rest of the series.
Also, he experimented a lot with The Kane Chronicles, deviating from formula in many different ways. It's telling that we've not seen a repeat of those experimental elements.
So, I'm fairly optimistic about the rest of the series improving on the first book.
Jayson wrote: "Alexandra Elend Wolf wrote: "Yeah, Riordan definitely tried something new with this series and it took him a second, I think, to get it right. We'll see if you think he does get it right afterward...."That's true. I actually really appreciate that he always tries out new things, even if they don't work out in the end, Keeps things interesting.
Alexandra Elend Wolf wrote: "That's true. I actually really appreciate that he always tries out new things, even if they don't work out in the end, Keeps things interesting."Indeed, though I figure writing a couple books a year, trying different things probably also helps to keep down the monotony.
Jayson wrote: "Alexandra Elend Wolf wrote: "That's true. I actually really appreciate that he always tries out new things, even if they don't work out in the end, Keeps things interesting."Indeed, though I figu..."
Oh, for sure. Sometimes you just want to try something new for the sake of it being new, and if that is true for me, a review writer, I can only imagine how true it could feel for a book writer.
Alexandra Elend Wolf wrote: "Oh, for sure. Sometimes you just want to try something new for the sake of it being new, and if that is true for me, a review writer, I can only imagine how true it could feel for a book writer."Absolutely. Monotony can often fuel writer's block. As well, risks can pay off, but you'll never know until you try them.
