PERCY JACKSON AND THE SEA OF MONSTERS

This book is the second in the Percy Jackson series, which tells the story of a teenage boy who is suddenly whisked into the world of deranged demi-gods, malicious monsters and the odd satyr. Percy will need all the courage, wit and wisdom he can get as he starts of on his stormy new adventure to a place carefully hidden from the rest of humanity-who would want to look in the Bermuda triangle for the secrets of the Gods?

 

This enthralling tale goes of with a bang as he finds out that he has a brother, Tyson, a young Cyclops who’s strength and size is easily matched by his big heart and loving nature. Together they flee to camp half-blood to escape the un doubtable police crew in close pursuit (reasons for this are mixed up with various giants, action and a school hall set on fire… but that’s another story) and when they got there, only found that the camp was in grave danger. Someone has poisoned Thalia’s tree, which protects the camp and the invisible shield that protects the camp is becoming weaker. Percy is certain that it was Luke, another demi-god who is being manipulated by the evil titan lord, Kronos. After feeling something wrong, Percy realises in a dream that the only way to rid the camp of this evil is to find something lost in the midst of time and legend; the golden fleece. It heals anything it is placed on and can hopefully heal the camp! With his faithful friends Anabeth (daughter of Athena), Grover (a satyr) and his brother Tyson for companionship, Percy is about to face monsters more cunning and cruel than ever before, discover more than he thought of in his wildest dreams and meet an old friend once again, but will he succeed or will it be too late?

As a devoted reader of this mystic series by Rick Riordan, I found the book kept me under its dizzying spell to an extent that it was the only thing I could do for a few crazy days dipped immersed in an enthralling world of ancient Greek and modern madness. I was literally pinned to the sofa till I turned that crisp yellow page that seemed to symbolise the end of a journey to my frazzled mind, which was probably looking forward to a nights sleep when there where no terrifying image of swooping sirens, mad minators or the titan lord himself! As I entered deeper and deeper into the book, the amazing relationship you have between this modern day hero and his friends becomes more and more evident and I felt my heart and my head throbbing for any disaster made to change the worlds future or bring back its past. Similarly, any joys experienced by these people who I feel almost are living in reality, I also feel, and empathising with them can really put you in a state of longing for the great and wonderful knowing of being a demi-god. You want to know how it feels to know you came from a god. You want to know the taste and pleasure of ambrosia and honey. You want to hear the sound of the sirens, yet knowing it will do you harm. All these gripping factors of the book keep you peering with hungry eyes into every nook and cranny that comes up, and realising the secrets they hold.

As this book is second in a series, I would recommend its readers to read the first book as well as it gives a much better understanding of the sea of monsters. If you have already seen the film, please read the first book any way because it hardly relates to the book AT ALL! To be honest I though the film was rubbish compared to the book, so if you LIKED the film you will LOVE the book. I think the success of the book is two things

1.     The amazing writing skills of Rick Riordan and the way he gets you reading 5 chapters when you only anticipate 1.

2.     The knowing that there are lots more amazing, enticing, enthralling, fantastic, etc.. Books to read keep your fingers glued to the pages.

Personally I would give the book whopping 5 stars!!!!! I found it flawless and utterly just fantastic and hope that if you read it you will agree with me!

If you want to find out more about the book and everything else about Percy and his friends (and enemies) go to: http://www.percyjackson.co.uk/site/pj_main.php

I hope you enjoyed reading this book blog and maybe it will inspire you to read, enjoy, and love the book as much as I do-remember- “The Greek gods are alive and kicking!”