Jayson’s Reviews > The Dark Prophecy > Status Update
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?
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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 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.
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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Alexandra Elend Wolf wrote: "Huh, I never noticed it or, rather, I never paid attention to it, but, yeah, they didn't leave Camp Half-Blood in the previous book, did they? That is sort of bizarre. Funny, too, because we were..."
The Hidden Oracle starts off in Manhattan, then Apollo and Meg walk to Percy's apartment, and from there they all go to Camp Half-Blood, which is on Long Island where they remain for the rest of the book. So, even outside of the Camp, they never leave New York. Though, they do briefly visit the Oracle of Delphi via labyrinth travel, but I'm not certain whether the Oracles here are anchored to specific places. The Grove of Dodona is at the Camp, for example. Mythological things tend to move around in this universe. 🤷♂️
Honestly, I don't remember much about The Kane Chronicles except not liking it very much and being annoyed by the dual narration. It was my first Riordan series. I'm meaning to do a re-read once I'm done with Trials of Apollo.
Jayson wrote: "Alexandra Elend Wolf wrote: "Huh, I never noticed it or, rather, I never paid attention to it, but, yeah, they didn't leave Camp Half-Blood in the previous book, did they? That is sort of bizarre. ..."Staying in New York, alone, is very different from earlier Percy Jackson books and certainly very different from the country hoping of Heroes of Olympus XD
Oh, that I'm really interested in because I have not read The Kane Chronicles in a very long time. I would love to be reminded what they are about *lol* Do, I do think it will be a bit of whiplash for you going from this series to that one.
Alexandra Elend Wolf wrote: "Oh, that I'm really interested in because I have not read The Kane Chronicles in a very long time. I would love to be reminded what they are about *lol* Do, I do think it will be a bit of whiplash for you going from this series to that one."Well, my reread of TKC should come up fairly soon. I'm trying to decide whether to reread it or Magnus Chase first. Depends on when a friend's ready for a buddy read of the latter.
As for having some whiplash, I think I should be fine once I finish all the Greek/Roman books. Having those all done would make getting into a new mythology an easier transition than if I were still in the midst of it.
Jayson wrote: "Alexandra Elend Wolf wrote: "Oh, that I'm really interested in because I have not read The Kane Chronicles in a very long time. I would love to be reminded what they are about *lol* Do, I do think ..."You really are reading all of Riordan's mythology books, aren't you? That's super cool! I've flirted with the idea of doing just that but there are so many books that I just chicken out of it X'D
True that, having been done with all Greek/Roman mythology will help with getting into Egyptian/Nordic mythology. I was thinking, however, more along the lines of having whiplash with the writing style going from this series back to TKC *lol* But I guess that's easier to get used to.
Alexandra Elend Wolf wrote: "You really are reading all of Riordan's mythology books, aren't you? That's super cool! I've flirted with the idea of doing just that but there are so many books that I just chicken out of it X'D"It helped that I actually read The Kane Chronicles first. I don't know if I'd have read them otherwise if I'd only kept with the Greek/Roman stuff. It's because I didn't really care for The Kane Chronicles that everyone here sort of peer pressured me into reading Percy Jackson LOL. So, I pretty much binged that and Heroes of Olympus in one go. I read Magnus Chase because I wanted to wait for Trials of Apollo to finish before I started and it was already done. So, I binged them all in bunches.
Alexandra Elend Wolf wrote: "True that, having been done with all Greek/Roman mythology will help with getting into Egyptian/Nordic mythology. I was thinking, however, more along the lines of having whiplash with the writing style going from this series back to TKC *lol* But I guess that's easier to get used to."
I see. Yes, the writing styles are very different between the two. I can see The Kane Chronicles making it difficult going back and forth, less so the other way around. But, as In said, I got through that series first :)
Jayson wrote: "Alexandra Elend Wolf wrote: "You really are reading all of Riordan's mythology books, aren't you? That's super cool! I've flirted with the idea of doing just that but there are so many books that I..."Ah, that's a rough spot to enter the universe Riordan has created *lol* I read TKC because I knew that Percy made a cameo there, and there are the novellas that are with him, Annabeth, Sadie, and Carter, and I wanted to read EVERYTHING Percy Jackson related; otherwise, I don't think I would have been interested :')
Alexandra Elend Wolf wrote: "Ah, that's a rough spot to enter the universe Riordan has created *lol* I read TKC because I knew that Percy made a cameo there, and there are the novellas that are with him, Annabeth, Sadie, and Carter..."Yeah, I'd probably be the same way. Though, I don't remember Percy making a cameo in the main books. I think the extent of any crossover was a scene where a pegasi were seen flying over Long Island. I could be remembering wrong, it has been a very long time since I've read them. In any case, Riordan did correct that omission by featuring him prominently in the novellas, and in every series subsequently.
Jayson wrote: "Alexandra Elend Wolf wrote: "Ah, that's a rough spot to enter the universe Riordan has created *lol* I read TKC because I knew that Percy made a cameo there, and there are the novellas that are wit..."Oh, wait, you're right, I just remembered that the one that cameos in this series is Drew, was that her name? Piper's annoying sister in the Heroes of Olympus, the other Aphrodite child.
Alexandra Elend Wolf wrote: "Oh, wait, you're right, I just remembered that the one that cameos in this series is Drew, was that her name? Piper's annoying sister in the Heroes of Olympus, the other Aphrodite child."Possibly, it's a long time since I read the series. I'll have to keep an eye out for Drew on my upcoming reread :)
Funny, too, because we were talking about the similarities, in the fact that they are both dissimilar from the more popular works by Riordan, of the first book of this series and the Kane Chronicles, and I don't think they did much traveling in the Kane Chronicles, or am I misremebering?