Wamb-Blog

“The Lightning Thief’ is the first book in a 6 book series by Rick Riordan. Percy is, well a troubled kid, he is twelve years old and for the past few years of his life, he has been hopping from school to school. Percy has dyslexia, ADHD, and some other problems he doesn’t even know about yet. These problems come to a head, when his math teacher turns into a Furie, and attacks him. After this school is not the same for him, he is still struggling to get by,  but now he knows something is up. His mom ends up taking him to Camp Half-Blood, a camp for demigods, right before they make it Percy’s mom is “killed” by the Minotaur. Percy meets Anabeth, and realizes his best friend Grover is actually a Satyr. Percy’s godly parent has not claimed him yet, so he is taken into the cabin of Hermes where he is taken under the wing of Luke. After a dangerous game of capture the flag, Percy is claimed by Posiedon, god of the ocean. After this Percy is sent on a quest to locate the stolen thunderbolt of Zeus, he suspects Hades stole it. Percy, Anabeth, and Grover go across the country, fighting the medusa, Ares, Cerberus, and others along the way. Eventually they find a hotel and stay there for a night, but they soon realize that time is sped up while there and now they only have one day left to find the lightning bolt. They make it to the underworld, but they find out Hades did not steal the lighting bolt, and that Percys mother is not dead, but somehow the lighting bolt appears in the bag Ares gave to Percy after their battle. Percy returns the bolt to Olympus and in return for this Zeus spares his life. Percy and co. return to Camp Halfblood for the rest of the summer, but right before Percy leaves, Luke tries to kill him, and reveals that he stole the lightning bolt in the first place to start a battle between the gods and revive the ancient titan of time Kronos. Percy plans to fight back against Luke next summer.

This book is simply amazing, anyone who is interested in ancient history should read it. This book has many interesting adaptations of ancient history in a modern setting. Anyone could enjoy this book. You do not need to know anything about ancient history or mythology to enjoy it because it is all explained extremely well. Not only is it very easy to understand, but the characters are very well written and easy to relate to and feel sympathetic for. Everyone should read this book, it is amazing.

“The Sword of Summer” is written by Rick Riordan, and is the first in a series of books. Riordan is nationally known as a writer for his works in Greek and Roman mythology that has produced series involving Percy Jackson. “The Sword of Summer” follows the story of Magnus Chase, who turned 16 recently and is homeless in the streets of Boston. Magnus Chase does not realize it yet, but the stories of Norse mythology he heard as a child are actually real, and he is the son of Frey, a Norse god. A fire giant known as Surt is after Magnus, because Magnus how the power to reclaim a lost weapon. This weapon is called the “Sword of Summer.” Magnus is killed by Surt and the sword is lost. However, Oden releases Magnus and his team from Valhalla to reclaim the sword. After visiting multiple worlds and battling harsh circumstances, the group prevents Surt from freeing the evil Fenris Wolf by reclaiming the Sword.

I chose to read this book because I’ve read Riordan’s other series and this one interested me, and this series did not disappoint. I would absolutely recommend this book to anyone who has read and enjoyed Riordan’s other series. I would also recommend this book to those who enjoy other forms of realistic fictions or fantasy based series such as Harry Potter, Lord of The Rings, and more. These books are meant for any age. Those who do not like any form of fantasy or mythology may not enjoy this book or other works by Riordan.

“The Distance Between Us,” By Kasie West is about this girl, the main character, Cayemn who lives with her mother above a doll shop that they own. Caymen has always devoted her time to working in the doll store and helping her mother run it. Even so, they are having financial problems and bills are always overdue. But on a regular day while working in the store, a wealthy guy walks in. Caymen judges him as she has always been taught by her mother about the arrogant and the rich – because her father was one of those and left their lives before she was even born. She ends up realizing this guy is sweet and actually understands her despite living in a completely different world than her. Although she is falling for this guy, she is scared of her mother finding out because she would never approve and instead tries to force herself into liking Mason, another ‘love interest’. She always finds herself with Xander though and questions on having a future with this guy because all she can see is a distance between them (his world – the rich, her world – middle class or even poor).

I personally loved how fast and easy this book really was. I have not read since like the 5th grade but could not put down this book the second I started reading it. It is really good and would definitely recommend it. 4.5/5

The book “Beasts of Prey” is a story about a girl named Koffi and unique power to control beasts. Koffi and a guy name Ekon live two different lives. Koffi is in debt and is basically a slave while Ekon is hopes to become a Warrior of the Son of the Six, which is a religion in this world. Their worlds would soon collide after a series of events that made their situations difficult. Koffi needs to pay off her debt by capturing a beast that would pay off all of it. Ekon’s qualifications to be a Warrior of the Son of the six was stripped because of an incident related to Koffi and the only way to get it back is to hunt the beast named Shetani. The strings of fate connected and they would eventually team up to hunt the beast that continually wreaks havoc in their town. They have to act fast because the church of the Son of the Six is also on a mission to hunt the beast. They don’t know whether they are the hunter or the hunted.

I personally liked and enjoyed reading the book and I would recommend this book to whoever likes to get away from reality and take a trip into a magic world.  The book has interesting characters with unique personalities. The story explores self-discovery, resilience, moral dilemmas and the consequences of one’s actions. If you enjoy these kinds of stuff, I recommend you give “Beasts of Prey” a try.

“Zoo” by James Patterson is a non-fiction sci-fi thriller where a young zoologist named Jackson Oz is put on the mission of stopping an outbreak of animal attacks across the globe. Oz works in New York and lives with his chimpanzee, Atilla. After an unprovoked attack on a co-worker of Oz’s and hearing the animals are becoming increasingly hostile throughout different part of the world, Oz left New York to go see his mother in Botswana. Upon meeting up with his mother and best friend, Abraham, Jackson realized that the world is in real danger. There had been animal attacks against humans that have never been seen before. Oz teams up with Abraham and eventually a French ecologist named Claire to find out what exactly is making these animals turn into rabid murderers. Patterson takes the reader on dangerous adventures throughout the world where the trio meets new faces and makes new discoveries about these outbreaks, even running into packs of wild animals on their own. There is a major plot twist when Jackson starts to have spurts of anger and rage. He starts seeing physical differences in himself such as the inflammation of muscles and bulging veins. It is almost as if he is “evolving.” The question was, what is happening? Did he contract a disease from these wild animals? Do the animals have a disease at all or did they finally realize that they can work together to take over the world? Can Jackson and his team stop them? You will have to read to find out.

I picked up this book because I was aware the James Patterson is a great sci-fi and non-fiction writer. As I started reading the book and got through the introduction and into the plot I realized that the book moves at a fast pace which I liked a lot. There was never a spot in the book where I felt like it started to get boring and repetitive. The diverse relationships between Jackson and his team add to the development of the plot. Out of 5 stars I would give this book 4.5 stars. While this book is extremely good, I just felt like the ending could have been a little bit more exciting and better. If you are into books or movies that are based on a very far-fetched topic, but not exactly something that isn’t unrealistic, then this book is for you.

“The Fault in Our Stars” by John Green is a story of young love and tragedy. Two teens, Hazel Grace and Augustus, have both been dealt with an unfair hand in life. Augustus is an amputee, because of cancer he had in his but is believed to have no more signs of cancer. Hazel Grace has lung cancer, and has to carry around an oxygen tank everywhere she goes. These teens meet through a friend at a support group for children with cancer and hit it off immediately.  From book talks to movies to late night calls they quickly become very close. Then Augustus gives Hazel the ultimate gift, a trip to Amsterdam to meet her favorite author. After the trip we learn that Augustus’s cancer is coming back, and at the end of the book he dies. Hazel Grace learns a lot about life and how to live to the fullest from Augustus, and in the end her short time with him transformed her life.

For me personally, this would not be my first choice in a book to read, but I had a hard time putting it down. In the book club we had a number of pages to read before the next meeting, and I was always upset when I reached the page number for the next meeting. I was constantly wanting to know what was going to happen next. I think what I truly loved about the book was the symbolism and even the way adjectives would change throughout the book to describe her transformation, and how her outlook on the book “An Imperial Affliction” even changed. Even without out the dramatic cancer plot I think I would’ve enjoyed the symbolism and transformation of the book.

“Bang” by Barry Lyga, is a book that follows a 12 year old boy named Sebastian. However Sebastian is no ordinary boy, although he trues to pretend he is one. At the age of just 4 years old, Sebastian found one of his fathers gun. Unknowingly one day, he didn’t know the gun had bullets in it. He accidentally shot and killed his baby sister when he was just 4 years old. Eight years go by, and everyday he tries to move on the best he can, though up to this point, things aren’t getting better for him. However, he finds light in the new girl that goes to his school. One day, he sees her walking down the road of his house outside of his window. He finds out her name is Aneesa, and they soon become best friends. They go out and talk at the park all the time, and they become closely bonded almost instantly. Sebastian tells Aneesa about what happened and what he did at such a young age. He tells her about the depression he feels, and how he is grateful for her as she is one of the only people he has left to talk to.  Eventually, they make a YouTube channel together where they make pizzas, and share their passion for cooking.

In my opinion, I don’t think this book is for everybody. Although I enjoyed it for what it was, it deals with some dark topics that I know not everyone will enjoy. However, if you’re into a book that deals with grievance and acceptance, with also friendship building, than this book is for you.

“The Fault in Our Stars,” by John Green is a capturing novel that tells the life of 16 year old, Hazel Grace, who has been sick with Cancer most of her life. After being “seemingly convinced” by her mother, and father she decides to join a support group with other kids her age that are in a similar situation as her. Since attending those support groups she’s found an unfamiliar comfort in making relationships with the people around her, one in particular being, Augustus Waters. As she begins a fast-paced romantic relationship with Augustus she sees her own take on death and the effect it can/could have on the people around her in an unexpected way. As Hazel struggles to leave the comfort of her favorite book and  TV shows it shows her struggle with the impression she leaves on people as someone who is sick. Hazel Grace, eventually sees that life isn’t all that it seems to be in a good, and bad way.

I personally would rate this book a 3/5. I love how Hazel Grace was presented as a character with a strong, witty, and fast-paced thinking type of mentality. She was also surprisingly relatable with the type of hobbies she had, and how she felt about most public outings, which was a nice change compared to other books. Augustus was really lovable for half of the book until you found out more about his past relationships, which really gave me the “ick.” This book got that rating mostly for the sad ending which was sort of predictable, and another reason why it took me awhile to pick up this book. But it’s a nice/easy read, and it’s a movie!

“My Fault” by Mercedes Ron is about a 17 year old girl named Noah Morgan. Noah lives in Toranto with her mother until her mother meets and marries William Liester, who is a wealth lawyer from California. Noah than finds herself leaving her boyfriend, her best friends and her volleyball team. When arriving in her new life in LA, she meets her new brother, Nicholas Liester – a college kid who seems like the typical rich kid. Noah has no interest in getting along with him, especially when she finds out he has a secret life of car racing and gang fighting.  Little does Nick know Noah has a past of her own she can not  seem to escape. But unexpectingly they end up having such a powerful Physical attraction between the both of them. Is there love strong enough to overcome their pasts?

This book in my opinion is one of the greatest book I have ever read. Although it felt like a slow book in the beginning, it keeps getting more interesting the more you read. I also loved the chemistry between Nick and Noah. The way they would fight for each other and help each other overcome their traumatic pasts. I have nothing but love for this book. I 100% recommend this book. Although the movie is available on  Prime Video, the book is not available in our school library.

A Child Called “It” is a story about a boy who was abused his entire life growing up. This is an easy to read story, but a hard to read story at the same time. It’s only hard to read because of all of the things that happen to him. However this book is really good. Well known book, and is recognized as a top 10 book of all time. If you are okay with reading about abuse and won’t get easily triggered or upset, then this book is totally for you. This book was very interesting to read, and there was never a daul moment. I would give this book a 10/10 that’s how great this book was.