Review: Demigods & Magicians (Percy Jackson & Kane Chronicles Crossover #1-3) by Rick Riordan

Title: Demigods & Magicians

Series: Percy Jackson & Kane Chronicles Crossover #1-3 | Percy Jackson and the Olympians | The Heroes of Olympus | The Kane Chronicles

Novellas in this book: The Son of Sobek (#1) | The Staff of Serapis (#2) | The Crown of Ptolemy (#3)

Author: Rick Riordan

Genre: Middle Grade, urban fantasy, Greek mythology, Egyptian mythology

Publication date: April 2016

Published by: Disney Hyperion

Source: Own hardcover

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Synopsis:

Magic, monsters, and mayhem abound when Percy Jackson and Annabeth Chase meet Carter and Sadie Kane for the first time. Weird creatures are appearing in unexpected places, and the demigods and magicians have to team up to take them down. As they battle with Celestial Bronze and glowing hieroglyphs, the four heroes find that they have a lot in common--and more power than they ever thought possible. But will their combined forces be enough to foil an ancient enemy who is mixing Greek and Egyptian incantations for an evil purpose? Rick Riordan wields his usual storytelling magic in this adrenaline-fueled adventure.

My rating: ★★★★★

First of all, yes, I do own each individual e-book plus this physical copy of the book that bundles together all three stories :)

Review: My Fairly Dangerous Godmother (My Fair Godmother #3) by Janette Rallison

Title: My Fairly Dangerous Godmother

Series: My Fair Godmother #3

Previous books in this series: My Fair Godmother (#1) | My Unfair Godmother (#2)

Author: Janette Rallison

Genre: YA, fantasy, fairy tale retelling

Publication date: April 2015

Published by: Rally Point Press

Source: Own e-book

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Synopsis:

Some people bomb auditions. Sadie Ramirez throws up during her tryouts on TV show America's Top Talent. Her performance is so bad, it earns her a fairy godmother through the Magical Alliance's Pitiful Damsel Outreach Program. Enter Chrysanthemum Everstar: a gum-chewing, cell phone-carrying, high heel wearing fairy godmother in training. She misinterprets Sadie's wishes and sends her back in time to be a part of The Little Mermaid story and then makes her one of the twelve dancing princesses. Wishes are permanent, and if Sadie wants to get back to her home, she'll have to strike a magical bargain--one that involves stealing a goblet from a powerful fairy queen.

My rating: ★★★★★
I love this series SO much! And Chrissy too! The crazy, astonishingly-bad-at-her-job fairy godmother. Like I’ve said before, teens will be teens whether they are supernatural creatures or not. Lol. But, gods! She can actually be frustrating sometimes with how wrong she can get the wishes! It’s ridiculous, really. Ridiculously fun! Haha.

Sunday Post #104: A Cure Worse Than The Illness

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Review: The Crown of Ptolemy (Percy Jackson & Kane Chronicles Crossover #3) by Rick Riordan

Title: The Crown of Ptolemy

Series: Percy Jackson & Kane Chronicles Crossover #3 | Percy Jackson and the Olympians | The Heroes of Olympus | The Kane Chronicles

Previous novellas in this series: The Son of Sobek (#1) | The Staff of Serapis (#2)

Author: Rick Riordan

Genre: Middle Grade, urban fantasy, Greek mythology, Egyptian mythology

Publication date: May 2015

Published by: Disney Hyperion

Source: Own e-book

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Buy it: Amazon

Synopsis:

In their first encounter, demigod Percy Jackson and magician Carter Kane had to battle a giant crocodile on Long Island. A month later, Annabeth Chase ran into Carter's sister, Sadie, on the A train to Rockaway, where the pair fought a god named Serapis. Now trouble is brewing again, this time on Governor's Island. An ancient Egyptian magician named Setne has come back from the dead and is experimenting with Egyptian and Greek magic, trying to become a god himself. He's so powerful and tricky that all four-Percy, Annabeth, Carter, and Sadie-have to team up against him. But their usual weapons and spells aren't going to cut it this time. Will the heroes be taken down by a wannabe god who looks like Elvis, or will they rise to the challenge?

Told from Percy's point of view, this third demigod-magician crossover story has all of the spunk and action that Rick Riordan fans crave.

My rating: ★★★★★
This whole crossover was so epic that it felt like it could’ve been a whole series on it’s own, it was certainly complex enough. But at the same time, it was SO perfect just as short stories. It makes no sense, I know, but it was just great!

Review: The Blood of Olympus (The Heroes of Olympus #5) by Rick Riordan

Title: The Blood of Olympus

Series: The Heroes of Olympus #5

Previous books in this series: The Lost Hero (#1) | The Son of Neptune (#2) | The Mark of Athena (#3) | The House of Hades (#4)

Author: Rick Riordan

Genre: Middle Grade, urban fantasy, Greek mythology, Roman mythology

Publication date: October 2014

Published by: Disney Hyperion

Source: Own Hardcover

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Synopsis:

Though the Greek and Roman crewmembers of the Argo II have made progress in their many quests, they still seem no closer to defeating the earth mother, Gaea. Her giants have risen—all of them—and they're stronger than ever. They must be stopped before the Feast of Spes, when Gaea plans to have two demigods sacrificed in Athens. She needs their blood—the blood of Olympus—in order to wake.

The demigods are having more frequent visions of a terrible battle at Camp Half-Blood. The Roman legion from Camp Jupiter, led by Octavian, is almost within striking distance. Though it is tempting to take the Athena Parthenos to Athens to use as a secret weapon, the friends know that the huge statue belongs back on Long Island, where it "might" be able to stop a war between the two camps.

The Athena Parthenos will go west; the Argo II will go east. The gods, still suffering from multiple personality disorder, are useless. How can a handful of young demigods hope to persevere against Gaea's army of powerful giants? As dangerous as it is to head to Athens, they have no other option. They have sacrificed too much already. And if Gaea wakes, it is game over.

My rating: ★★★★★
So, in this book, the demigods are trying to get the Athena Parthenos to Camp Half-Blood before all hell breaks loose and an all out war is started... all while trying to keep Gaea from waking up fully.

Sunday Post #103

Welcome to The Sunday Post hosted by Kimba @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer, where I talk about what is going on in life and the blog, and show you all the bookish things I got that week!

Review: The Sword of Summer (Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard #1) by Rick Riordan

Title: The Sword of Summer

Series: Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard #1

Author: Rick Riordan

Genre: Middle Grade, urban fantasy, Norse mythology

Publication date: October 2015

Published by: Disney Hyperion

Source: Own Hardcover

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Buy it: Amazon | Book Depository

Synopsis:

Magnus Chase has always been a troubled kid. Since his mother’s mysterious death, he’s lived alone on the streets of Boston, surviving by his wits, keeping one step ahead of the police and the truant officers.

One day, he’s tracked down by a man he’s never met—a man his mother claimed was dangerous. The man tells him an impossible secret: Magnus is the son of a Norse god.

The Viking myths are true. The gods of Asgard are preparing for war. Trolls, giants and worse monsters are stirring for doomsday. To prevent Ragnarok, Magnus must search the Nine Worlds for a weapon that has been lost for thousands of years.

When an attack by fire giants forces him to choose between his own safety and the lives of hundreds of innocents, Magnus makes a fatal decision.

Sometimes, the only way to start a new life is to die...

My rating: ★★★★★
Do I even need to mention that I loved this book? You all know Rick Riordan is my favorite author, so I doubt it ;) But I'm going to say it anyway, I LOVED it!! I loved the mythology! While Greek mythology is my favorite, really, I find all mythology interesting and am always up to learning more about them. As is the case with Norse mythology. I am a bit familiar but not nearly as much as I am with Greek mythology. Which is one of the things I love about this: you learn about mythology but in a fun way! I particularly love that we got into the more minor gods, because we all pretty much know about Thor and Loki, mostly thanks to Marvel (not that I’m complaining... even though the mythos in the MCU isn’t all that accurate to the classic Norse mythology).

Review: Asylum by Madeleine Roux

Title: Asylum

Series: Asylum #1

Author: Madeleine Roux

Genre: YA, horror, mystery

Publication date: August 2013

Published by: HarperTeen

Source: Library book

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Synopsis:

For sixteen-year-old Dan Crawford, New Hampshire College Prep is more than a summer program—it's a lifeline. An outcast at his high school, Dan is excited to finally make some friends in his last summer before college. But when he arrives at the program, Dan learns that his dorm for the summer used to be a sanatorium, more commonly known as an asylum. And not just any asylum—a last resort for the criminally insane.

As Dan and his new friends, Abby and Jordan, explore the hidden recesses of their creepy summer home, they soon discover it's no coincidence that the three of them ended up here. Because the asylum holds the key to a terrifying past. And there are some secrets that refuse to stay buried.

Featuring found photos of unsettling history and real abandoned asylums and filled with chilling mystery and page-turning suspense, Madeleine Roux's teen debut, Asylum, is a horror story that treads the line between genius and insanity.

My rating: ★★★★☆
The Good: This might be one of the first YA books I have read that had pictures in it, and I really liked it! Some of them were quite creepy! I also found the plot very interesting with all these grisly experiments that went on in the asylum... so much yes! Oh, and let's not forget about the fact that one of my favorite childhood shows was mentioned...

Sunday Post #102: Book Outlet Teddy Bear!

Welcome to The Sunday Post hosted by Kimba @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer, where I talk about what is going on in life and the blog, and show you all the bookish things I got that week!

Review: Double, Double, Nothing But Trouble (Mellow Summers #10) by Janet McNulty

Title: Double, Double, Nothing But Trouble

Series: Mellow Summers #10

Previous books in this series: Sugar And Spice And Not So Nice (#1) | Frogs, Snails, And A Lot Of Wails (#2) | An Apple A Day Keeps Murder Away (#3) | Three Little Ghosts (#4) | Oh Holy Ghost (#5) | Where Trouble Roams (#6) | Two Ghosts Haunt A Grove (#7) | Trick Or Treat Or Murder? (#8) | Roses Are Red; He's Dead (#9)

Author: Janet McNulty

Genre: Adult, paranormal, cozy mystery

Publication date:

Published by: Janet McNulty

Source: Own e-book

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Synopsis:

Mel has just returned from her romantic getaway with Greg, but all is not well in the college town she lives in. When opening the Candle Shoppe the next morning, she finds that it has been ransacked, but nothing is missing. While investigating why someone would break into the store, but not take anything, Mel learns of a secret that goes back 20 years.

To add to her troubles, someone tries to murder Detective Shorts and an up and coming journalist, who does not believe in mediums or ghosts, plans on exposing Mel as a fraud.

Can Mel solve this head twister of a mystery, and save her reputation, before it claims her as well?

My rating: ★★★★★
I LOVE this series! It is SO addicting! I actually pretty much binge read all of this series because it was that amazing!

Review: The Lost Girl (Fear Street Relaunch #3) by R.L. Stine

Title: The Lost Girl

Series: Fear Street Relaunch

Previous books in the relaunch: Party Games (#1) | Don't Stay Up Late (#2) (can be read as standalones)

Author: R.L. Stine

Genre: YA, horror, mystery thriller

Publication date: September 2015

Published by: St. Martin's Griffin

Source: For review from publishers via Netgalley

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Synopsis:

There’s a new girl at Shadyside High, and she’s to die for...

Beautiful and mysterious, new student Lizzy Walker is the talk of Shadyside High. Where did she come from? Where does she live? No one knows anything about her, but everyone wants to find out. Michael finds himself drawn to her. He can’t stop thinking about her. But the closer he gets, the stranger she seems...

Michael invites Lizzy to join his group of friends on a day of fun in the snow, racing their snowmobiles through the woods. The day ends in a terrifying accident. And that’s just the start of the horrors. Michael is more puzzled than ever. Lizzy can’t be responsible—can she?

My rating: ★★★★☆
I am a HUGE Fear Street fan so I had high expectations for this. Unfortunately, these new books are not what the old ones used to be (or are, since they’re still in existence). The first two books (Party Games and Don't Stay Up Late) left me woefully disappointed (the second more so than the first). But I am glad to report that this one was not as bad as as I feared it would be. It was definitely better than the last one I read. Unfortunately, I wasn't too surprised by the "plot twist," which you know I hate. I just can’t win this one, can I? But you know what, I did enjoy learning what was really up with the mysterious Lizzy.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? #80: Summer on Fear Street

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is a weekly meme hosted by Book Journey.

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Sunday Post #101: My Supernatural Obsession is Fueled and I LOVE IT!

Welcome to The Sunday Post hosted by Kimba @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer, where I talk about what is going on in life and the blog, and show you all the bookish things I got that week!

Monthly Wrap-Up: August 2016

Oh my god, guys, it's almost fall, YAY! Finally no more heat! I was melting!

So, thanks to the Reading Decathlon Challenge, I got a lot of reading done this month, whoo!

Review: Cassidy Jones and Vulcan's Gift (Cassidy Jones Adventures #2) by Elise Stokes

Title: Cassidy Jones and Vulcan's Gift

Series: Cassidy Jones Adventures #2

Previous book in this series: Cassidy Jones and the Secret Formula

Author: Elise Stokes

Genre: YA, urban fantasy

Publication date: December 2011

Published by: Elise Stokes

Source: Own e-book

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Synopsis:

An Ancient Secret Has Risen. A World In Peril. Can This Evil Menace Be Stopped?

Two months after being infected with a strange retrovirus, Cassidy Jones continues to live a double life as she struggles to master her astonishing superpowers. School has become the only normal thing left in her life--except for tall, dark, and handsome Emery Phillips, who shadows her every move, ensuring her secret is safe. But when a sleepover at Catamount Mountain Zoo takes a menacing turn, the world hovers on the edge of disaster as Cassidy is drawn into another riveting and perilous mystery that threatens the planet.

My rating: ★★★★★
Cassidy Jones and Vulcan’s Gift was another great adventure, whoooo! This time something called Vulcan’s Gift is introduced and Emery and Cassidy try and keep it/take it away from evil. Oh, did I mention that Vulcan’s Gift is and old Nazi Weapon?? Hail Hydra?