Annabeth Tries To Swim Home

[redbrunja]

I liked this book more than the last one, which is a good sign for a series.

My favorite part (unsurprisingly) was Annabeth (which I always read as Annabell) hearing the sirens. I am fantastically interested in what happens with her and Luke (and if we don't get an epic showdown between those two before the end of the series I will be massively disappointed). Also, I like how Luke complicates Annabeth's and Percy's relationship because I think point I think... well, let me just say that if Percy heard the sirens, I think Annabeth would have been there.

I loved Thalia returning and I like the way that the prophecy is getting more and more complicated in interesting ways. Which leads me into two things that really impressed me about this series.

The first is how goddamned feminist it is. There are girls all the fuck over this series. There are girl myths (young and old, we're not just getting pretty temptresses here), there are girl heroes, there are girl antagonists (we've yet to get a truly villainous female, but I'm sure that's coming). Then we get to Clarisse. Clarissa is a bit of a bully, she's disliked, Percy doesn't really like her, yet both he and the narrative treats her with respect and show that she has the same familial issues that all the half-bloods do.

The second is... I lost my clever idea for how to articulate this, but basically Thalia. I like how she complicates Percy's life, and I like how unsure everyone is around her return.

Speaking of complications, I really liked Percy's cyclops half-brother. I vote we kick Grover out and have Tyson replace him. All in favor?

I guess that's all I have to say. And as always, management appreciates spoiler-free comments.

Comments

[kai-lis.livejournal.com]

No spoilers here at all--I didn't get even halfway through the third book. Not really for lack of interest, it was just that I made the mistake of starting it right when school was starting, and I ended up setting it aside. I'll probably go back and finish the series someday.

Total word on the awesome feminism in this series. I pretty much read it for Annabeth, I loved Thalia, and the treatment of Percy's mother really stood out to me.

And I really, really would love more Tyson. Percy's relationship with him was easily one of my favorite parts of the second book. I was really impressed with how Riordan didn't shy away from any of Percy's feelings.

My only real issue with the series was, at least as far as I got in it, I noticed a huge lack of anything except white characters. I would have felt better with this if it suited a certain locale the book was based around, but they travel all over the states. It disappointed me, because everything else about the books felt right to me.

[redbrunja.livejournal.com]

it was just that I made the mistake of starting it right when school was starting, and I ended up setting it aside.

I know how that goes.

I pretty much read it for Annabeth, I loved Thalia, and the treatment of Percy's mother really stood out to me.

Agreed.

Percy's relationship with him was easily one of my favorite parts of the second book. I was really impressed with how Riordan didn't shy away from any of Percy's feelings.

Yep. Plus, I felt his slow warming to his brother was very realistically done.

My only real issue with the series was, at least as far as I got in it, I noticed a huge lack of anything except white characters.

I admit, I hadn't noticed this, but you're right.

[meganbmoore.livejournal.com]

There are at least 4 significant POC characters, though I think the only one who's shown up is Berkendorf. (Head of the Hephaestus cabin.) I thought his description was in book 2, but it may have been later. I actually suspect the whiteness and later identification of some POC characters is editorially dictated. I've read the series twice, and it stands out that that particular subject is narratively awkward, as if Riordan was told to do it a certain way.

[meganbmoore.livejournal.com]

My favorites are Annabeth, Thalia and Clarisse. Throughout the series, there will be more girl who save Percy's life, to which he is properly greatful.

ETA: One thing I'll warn about is that, at times, I'm not thrilled with Riordan's depiction of the goddesses as compared to his depiction of the gods.

[redbrunja.livejournal.com]

My favorites are Annabeth, Thalia and Clarisse. Throughout the series, there will be more girl who save Percy's life, to which he is properly greatful.

Good boy!

And I'll keep my eye on the way that gods vs goddess are depicted.

[babydolleyez.livejournal.com]

Yes, the books do "darken" a bit as they go on but they n ever lose their sense of humor (esp the chapter titles).

I'm really happy you've started reading these, because the fandom is both fairly small, and very young (pros and cons, con- very little in the way of even readable fanfic, pro- NO SHIP WARS).

[redbrunja.livejournal.com]

Oh my god I LOVE the chapter titles. They're utterly brilliant.

I'm really happy you've started reading these, because the fandom is both fairly small, and very young (pros and cons, con- very little in the way of even readable fanfic, pro- NO SHIP WARS).

I admit, I do already have some fanfic ideas. And were you the person on my flist who writes fic for this fandom?

[babydolleyez.livejournal.com]

Not me- I'm not on your flist, and I've never written for this fandom.

[redbrunja.livejournal.com]

Noted.

[rosegilmore.livejournal.com]

I liked this book more than the last one, which is a good sign for a series.

This. I liked the first book, but it was a little too campy for me. Albeit it is set in a camp, but you know what I mean. I think my fav book of the series is the last one.

I loved Thalia returning and I like the way that the prophecy is getting more and more complicated in interesting ways. Which leads me into two things that really impressed me about this series.

Thalia is so amazing. One of my favorite messed up characters in the PJO books.

And I totally agree with how much the series is so amazing with all their female characters. A fantastic series, glad you are reading them.

[redbrunja.livejournal.com]

The first book definitely feels very young and the books have just been getting stronger and stronger as they go on.

Thalia is so amazing. One of my favorite messed up characters in the PJO books.

She's kind of awesome. I love how Percy has mixed emotions towards her - very realistic.