Book Review: Poseidon and the Sea of Fury (Heroes in Training 2); By Joan Holub, Suzanne Williams

Yeah, as you can see, I’m on a Joan Holub & Suzanne Williams reading roll! Being sick, these series seems to be my comfort read. It’s a delightful wonderfulness for me.

This is a fast pace, page turning next in line of the adventures of our teens Olympians to defeat the Titans and trying to find the Goose! (Pst it’s actually Zeus, but he doesn’t know yet.) But of course, it’s Poseidon turn to get his Trident. It is quite umm.. there was a huge "angry” moment when Hera left the troupe. I do wish she didn’t leave the boys on their own!

Oh well.

Snapping crab claws *chuckles*

Ok one thing I don’t like about this book is, much different to the Goddess Girls series, much to old tradition when it comes to Zeus, everything orbits around him… *again*. Well. most of it. I was expecting more of like the other mainstream series, ie the book is suppose to be about the feature character. This don’t really happen here. I was expecting to read Poseidon thoughts and character development, and less ion Zeus, but that um.. oh you see when you read it. 

But plot is good, setting is awesome, but yeah. I still miss Hera! Waiting for Hades turn!     

Poseidon and the Sea of Fury (Heroes in Training #2)
By Joan Holub, Suzanne Williams

A young Poseidon must triumph over aquatic terrors in this Heroes in Training adventure. The merciless Cronus and his Titan buddies are in hot pursuit of Zeus, Hera, and Poseidon, who plan to travel across the treacherous boiling sea in order to save a fellow Olympian. They have a boat, but they also have a problem: Poseidon can’t swim and is terrified of the water (well, really of the creatures that lurk in its depths). The group faces danger after danger as they battle singing sirens, a fishy and ferocious Titan named Oceanus, and people-eating monsters sent by Cronus himself. Can Poseidon overcome his fears and help his fellow heroes escape Cronus and his cronies?

Finished Reading: 21th March 2013
Acquire: 19th March 2012
Rate } ♠♠♠♠
Genre } Fiction | Mythology | Young Adult | Teens | Middle Grade
Release Day }  04th December 2012
Publisher } Aladdin
Format } Paperbook
ISBN } 9781442452657
Pages } 128 pages
Source } Bought
Age Group } PG 12 yo +
Interests } Mythological junkies like me. 
Support my reading by getting your copy }

  

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Book Review: Zeus and the Thunderbolt of Doom (Heroes in Training 1); By Joan Holub, Suzanne Williams

Zeus. The King of the Olympians.. Well... not yet. But he’s the start of this series. Meet the Olympian in their teens! It’s not enough to read about the second generation Olympians in their teens, I have to get my paws on the original Olympians teens.

Let me state forth that Zeus isn’t in my “like” list of characters, but he *again in a Holub & Williams state of mind* has turned him.. oh.. adorable. Especially when he is in a quest of looking for a guy name Goose to return the Thunderbolt. Hera is always classy bossy, Hades as always moody, and of course, Poseidon is so cute when he’s afraid of water! Oh I would melt!

I wish I have a thunderbolt of a pet now.

I must say, if you love the Goddess Girls, you would love this series. I’m so sorry I had this book as one of my “Filler Reads”, I ended up hooked on this series. That is such good news for me, to find a new series to enjoy and to look forward to, *sighs* The agony of waiting for the next book. Oh boy!

Look, here’s the deal. Why aren’t you picking this up?! Read it! =3

The secret is, I actually got both versions of e-book and paperback for this one.

Zeus and the Thunderbolt of Doom (Heroes in Training #1)
By Joan Holub, Suzanne Williams

After pulling a magical thunderbolt from a stone, ten-year-old Zeus goes on the adventure of a lifetime in this thrilling start to a brand-new series! The terrible Titans—merciless giants who enjoy snacking on humans—have dominated the earth and put the world into chaos. But their rule is about to be put to the test as a group of young Olympians discover their powers and prepare to righteously rule the universe....      Ten-year-old Zeus is mystified (and super-annoyed) by the fact that he keeps getting hit by lightening. Every. Single. Year. He also longs for adventure, as he has never been far from the cave where he grew up.      Zeus gets his wish—and a lot more than he bargained for—when he is kidnapped by dangerous, giant Titans! In self-defense, Zeus grabs the first thing he sees—an actual thunderbolt he pulls from a stone that is covered in mysterious markings. Zeus is the only one who can decipher the markings, and sets off on a quest to rescue his fellow Olympians from the evil Cronus. Armed with his trusty thunderbolt (named Bolt, of course), Zeus is on an adventure of a lifetime—and a journey to fulfill his destiny as King of the Gods.

Finished Reading: 12th March 2013
Acquire: 25th February 2012
Rate } ♠♠♠♠♠
Genre } Fiction | Mythology | Young Adult | Teens | Middle Grade
Release Day }  04th December 2012
Publisher } Aladdin
Format } Paperbook
ISBN } 9781442452633
Pages } 112 pages
Source } Bought
Age Group } PG 12 yo +
Interests } Mythological junkies like me. 
Support my reading by getting your copy }

  

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Book Review; Pandora the Curious, by Joan Holub, Suzanne Williams

Yes! Another excellent Greek Mythology retelling read. I will NEVER, EVER get enough of these… hopefully this will be a lengthy series! I must confess, the first book I’d picked out from this series was a “filler read”, but I ended up gobbling these like hot cakes. This was also my “comfort read” when I was sick and bedbound that whole week, hence the reason for the late review. 

Here’s the thing, I used to hate Pandora. She annoyed me the most amongst the all of the mythological characters, and I mean all!

I said, used to. This book made her lovable. Pandora is so adorable that I’m willing to get past her busybodyness and absolute total unnecessary curiosity. I love the way they represent the “evils” from the box as “Bubbles”, popping and whispered what evil it unleashed… of course, only Pandora could hear it. After a bit while of popping, I feel for her when alot of her friends had been bubble-bumped, and she’s left alone to save everybody. Oh dear.

My verdict? So, so, so, so, so, so, so reading another one! Brilliant! Just Brilliant! Oh yeah, I actually bought the e-book and paperback for this one, because I couldn’t stand to wait for the paperback to arrive. Yes, I’m geeky that way.

Pandora the Curious (Goddess Girls #9)
By Joan Holub, Suzanne Williams

Is Pandora about to open up a box of trouble?
One of the few mortals at Mount Olympus Academy, Pandora is famous for her mega quizzical nature—not that she thinks there’s anything wrong with being curious, of course!
Her curiosity kicks into high gear when a godboy named Epimetheus brings a mysterious box to school. Epimetheus is the nephew of an MOA teacher in whose class Pandora once opened another box that sent a few weather disasters to earth. Still, Pandora can’t help but take a peek inside this new box when it unexpectedly lands in her lap. What could be the harm in that, right? Little does she know that opening the box will open up far more trouble than she ever expected!
Authors Joan Holub and Suzanne Williams put a modern spin on classic myths with the Goddess Girls series. Follow the ins and outs of divine social life at Mount Olympus Academy, where the most privileged godboys and goddessgirls in the Greek pantheon hone their mythical skills.

Finished Reading: 10th March 2013
Acquire: 06th February 2013
Rate } ♠♠♠♠♠
Genre } Fiction | Mythology | Young Adult | Teens | Middle Grade
Release Day }  04th December 2012
Publisher } Aladdin
Format } Paperbook
ISBN } 9781442449350
Pages } 256 pages
Source } Bought
Age Group } PG 12 yo +
Interests } Mythological junkies like me. 
Support my reading by getting your copy }

  

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Book Review: Medusa the Mean; By Joan Holub, Suzanne Williams

I have been keeping an avid fan of this series ever since I was offered to read an ARC of it. Since I am a big fan of the Greek mythologies, I say why not? I have never been a big fan of Medusa, but after reading this series, I found a soft spot for her in my life. I watch (read) her grow through out this book, and being humanized by the author. She’s portray as having a personality like our normal teens, having the usual self-esteem and boy troubles teens usually face.

By the way. Perseus and Andromeda did an appearance in this book as a kindergarteners giving it an extra spice of humor in the mix.

Honestly said I didn’t regret picking this book up as soon as it is available to get. So you better get yours as well.

First Words. We are standing in the courtyard of Mount Olympus Academy,” a goddess girl named Artemis announced to tour group gathered around her.

Quote. The chariot wobbled horribly as hands reached back and grabbed her around the shoulders, pulling her out of the scrolls until she found herself face-to-face with a god wearing a winged cap.

Medusa the Mean (Goddess Girls #8)
By Joan Holub, Suzanne Williams
Medusa is the ultimate mean girl in this series that blends modern drama with ancient myths.Well researched and true to the original myths, each volume in the Goddess Girls series addresses contemporary issues, like friendships and relationships, from a classically accurate—and entertaining—perspective.

In Medusa the Mean, Medusa is sick and tired of being the only mortal at Mount Olympus Academy. Not only is she surrounded by beautiful, powerful, immortal classmates, but she also has snakes for hair and a reputation for being mean. Immortality, she thinks, will solve everything. So when she finds out about a necklace that promises just that, she’s sure it will help her get the two things she covets most: to be as popular as the four Goddess Girls and to have her supercrush, Poseidon, finally notice her. But when the necklace brings about popularity in the totally wrong way, things go from bad to worse. Can Medusa overcome her “meanie” status and prove that there’s more to her that meets the eye?

finished reading : 31th May 2012
rate } ♠♠♠♠♠
genre } fiction | children | mythology | fantasy | juvenile | adventure
release day }  April 2012
publisher } Aladdin
format } Paperback
isbn } 9781442433793
pages } 256 pages
source } bought
age group } 10+
interests } reluctant readers | middle graders | fairy tales retelling  
awards } -
Get Your Copy } Amazon.com | Kindle

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Review: Aphrodite The Beauty; Joan Holub & Suzanne Williams

Aphrodite the Beauty (Goddess Girls #3)
by; Joan Holub & Suzanne Williams 

genre } young adult | teens |
rating } age 9-12 +
date released } August 3, 2010
edition } Aladdin (176 Pages)
ISBN } 1416982736 | 978-1416982739
acquisition } borrowed
purchase @ } Book Depository | Amazon.com
interests } personal | ♥ Greek Mythology

The Goddess Girls by Joan Holub and Suzanne Williams put a modern spin on classic Greek myths!

Aphrodite delights in helping mortals in love, but she's pretty annoyed at the constant attention she gets from the godboys at Mount Olympus Academy.

When she decides to give Athena a makeover, she's a bit unprepared for the result. She didn't count on all the interest Athena's new look would get. And she certainly never thought she'd find herself jealous of one of her best friends!

But when the hottest godboys at school start ignoring Aphrodite, she learns that some boys are nicer and more sensitive than others--including a mortal youth who has requested her help in winning the heart of a young maiden.

Can she put her jealousy behind her and help him find true love?

My 2 ¢ ♠♠♠♠

Hands up and I surrender! When I see the name Aphrodite, my mythology radar immediately turn on and I have... let me emphasize: HAVE; to get my hands on this one. At first it was curiosity, wondering how Holub is going to mix this one into much fresher version.

My reaction so far after reading it was, ok.. I need to get the whole set of this one o.0 She took the original Aphrodite and just blender it into a High School version of Aphrodite.. not the snobbish high school cheerleader type girl though. She’s that wonderful sweet girl version that’s going through that loves to help her fellow friends and has an absolute crush on Ares. 

It’s a fast pace through book, where any young and adults could enjoy. A light read and If you need to ease Greek Mythology into any child reading pile, for example, easing Percy Jackson into their life, I suggest on reading this book first.

This is absolutely a keeper for me since Greek Mythology is one of my guilty pleasures.

P/S: I can't shake reading and picturing Aphrodite as Alicia Silverstone from Clueless though o.0

Librarian Muse
2 words. HOT CAKES! Do I have to say more?

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Teaser Tuesdays (Feb 8)

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:


♦ Grab your current read.
♦ Open to a random page
♦ Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page.
♦ BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
♦ Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

”That explains it,” said Ares, holding back a branch so Athena could pass. “I knew you couldn’t have invented something that tastes so bitter.”

Aphrodite’s beady eyes blinked in surprise. It was the kind of flirtatious line Ares had once used on her.

Aphrodite the Beauty (Goddess Girls), by Joan Holub

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Book Review: Persephone The Phony (Goddess Girls 2); By Joan Holub; Suzanne Williams

Beware of this book. It is cute. It is full with giggles, and it is very addictive series. It brings us the different side of Persephone and Hades famous story. This is actually brilliant! Hades as usual is emo, and Persephone loves emo boys. As a mythological retellings addict, I regardless age, love this book to bits!

If you haven’t start on this series, here’s a background bits. This series features goddess in their teens years, attending “deities school, where the principal happens to be Zeus.

I love it.

Cover. Isn’t that cover so sweet. Hades and Persephone together and all smiles. Just make you feel liek saying.. “all together now”… Awwww….

First Words. A lyrebell ping, signaling the end of another Monday at Mount Olympus Academy.

Quote. Because she couldn’t die – that’s what it means to be immortal, after all – death had always fascinated Persephone.

Persephone The Phony (Goddess Girls #2)
By Joan Holub; Suzanne Williams

In Persephone the Phony, Persephone develops a crush on bad-boy Hades. Her mom (Ceres) and friends don’t approve, and Persephone finds herself sneaking around to see him. Hades convinces her to tell the truth, and it’s revealed that he isn’t all that bad, just misunderstood!

Finished Reading: 05th February 2011
Acquire: 27th August 2010
Rate } ♠♠♠♠♠
Genre } Fiction | Greek Mythology | Fantasy
Release Day }  April 2010
Publisher } Vintage
Format } ebook 
ISBN } 9781416982722
Pages } 160 pages
Source } bought
Age Group } 12+
Interests } Anybody who are interested with Mythology retellings.
Awards } -
Support my reading by getting your copy } Kindle | Amazon.com

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