Nope. Nope. Nope. I got through the first chapter and thought to myself..."Hey, this guy's voice sounds like Percy Jackson."

I looked back to the cover where the ghost of Kurt Cobain appears with a sword.

"Nope, it doesn't say Percy Jackson. I must be wanting a new Percy Jackson novel, hence the voice appearing."

I read further into the book. Again, the voice of Percy Jackson continued to appear. It was halfway through this story that I realize that Riordan's books are now formulas. I'm annoyed that I didn't notice it before. I guess I could repeat what many of the other low reviews are discussing in regards to this formula; how Magnus is Percy and so on and so on, but I won't. Those reviews explain it far better than I have the time to do so. Let's just say that I've reached the age where it doesn't matter anymore. I expected more but if you're an author in a comfort zone, and happy in that comfort zone, good for you. I'll just go somewhere else for my entertainment.

(I recognize that as a Children's Librarian I'm coming to this story from a different angle and that the intended audience is for middle-grade readers. I still hoped for a different voice for a different character instead of the same thing once again.)

Did I like it? Yes. Am I still puzzling about the story? Yes. Would I recommend it? Yes, but with a caveat that this book will not be for everyone. It's a different type of storytelling that is refreshing and perplexing at the same time. It's mystical and real, grounded and flighty. It's worth the effort but don't walk in with expectations of traditional greatness. Start reading with an open mind and enough time to process the contents.

Gorgeous. While it is a short read, or in my case a short listen, it's still a book that packs a punch. I'm sure I have more things to say about this title but it's something that needs to be digested. Eyes and ears are more aware and will continue to be for quite some time.

I was bored....so bored. The first book was fantastic. Why did this last book leave me feeling drained? It was if I was on my hands and knees crawling to the finish without any hope. I still like the characters and the story but I was bored.

Maybe it's because the team was split up. I enjoyed the first book because of the character interactions but now the team is separated and there's no cohesion. I had thought of reading book 4 and up but I think I'll wait a bit before coming back to this series.

Why aren't more Star Wars novels written as well as this was? I need a Book 2 now.