![]() Cassidy Serhienko That’s right, that’s me at the midnight release of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. Unfortunately I do not possess Hogwarts robes, which perhaps is my greatest regret in life, so I was completely underdressed. But they took pity on me and gave me the book and free tote bag anyway, and I obviously stayed up till 3:15 in the morning to finish the thing. In the interest of keeping this review completely spoiler free, I’m not going to be able to gush as much as I’d like to (but there will still be gushing). I was sort of surprised but sort of not surprised by how much this script sounds like the books. I know that sounds like a pretty “duh” statement, but when you think about it, it’s a play, it’s written some years later, and Queen Rowling is not the only writer involved. Don’t get me wrong I knew it was going to be amazeballs, but once again, I was completely in awe of this world. I loved seeing the original characters, but I think that this play does a fantastic job of making you see them in different ways, you see that they are still real people with flaws and a challenge that makes messing around with the Dark Lord look like a walk in the park: Parenting. I really don’t think there are words to describe how great the eighth story is and how much I loved it. So I’m just going to quit while I’m ahead and tell you TO READ THIS IMMEDIATELY. And also to send me a ticket to the London play. Because obviously.
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![]() Cassidy Serhienko How do you punish an immortal? By making him human. After angering his father Zeus, the god Apollo is cast down from Olympus. Weak and disorientated, he lands in New York City as a regular teenage boy. Now, without his godly powers, the four-thousand-year-old deity must learn to survive in the modern world until he can somehow find a way to regain Zeus's favour. But Apollo has many enemies - gods, monsters and mortals who would love to see the former Olympian permanently destroyed. Apollo needs help, and he can think of only one place to go . . . an enclave of modern demigods known as Camp Half-Blood. After reading The Girls by Emma Cline I definitely needed something light hearted, and there’s only one author I knew I should turn to: Rick Riordan. The last Riordan book I read was Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard (you can check out my review of this book too) and though I enjoyed it, I was glad to get back to my Greek heroes. I really liked this book, probably because I enjoy and am more comfortable with Greek mythology more so than Norse/Roman/Egyptian. That being said, I think all this book really did was make me want to re-read the OG series Percy Jackson and the Olympians. Don’t get me wrong, Meg kicked butt and I even thought Apollo was a sweetheart by the end. And I am super stoked to keep reading this series, but I will say, my favourite parts were usually cameos from original characters. I’m lookin’ at you Nico, I now ship you and Will with a ferocity that would no doubt make you uncomfortable. I will say this book had some amazing character development, Apollo went from being horribly narcissistic and selfish to still narcissistic but with more empathy than probably all the other Gods combined (unless there’s a God of Empathy?). And that twist at the end! Did not see that coming! Not that I’m well known for calling out Riordan plot lines. I was crushing hard on Nico up until he basically flat out said “I am into dudes”. I was insanely happy Riordan made one of his characters LGBT, but cancelling all my wedding preparations was a real drag. Plus everyone else I knew that read the series called it in PJO. When Nico doesn’t have his own narration. And isn’t really a main character. But whatever, I’m not bitter about the fact that everyone else figured it out before me. Not at all. All in all, I really enjoyed this book and I’m looking forward to continuing the series. It’s been nice seeing where some of my favourite characters ended up. Good luck on your SAT’s Percy! ![]() Cassidy Serhienko Northern California, during the violent end of the 1960s. At the start of summer, a lonely and thoughtful teenager, Evie Boyd, sees a group of girls in the park, and is immediately caught by their freedom, their careless dress, their dangerous aura of abandon. Soon, Evie is in thrall to Suzanne, a mesmerizing older girl, and is drawn into the circle of a soon-to-be infamous cult and the man who is its charismatic leader. Hidden in the hills, their sprawling ranch is eerie and run down, but to Evie, it is exotic, thrilling, charged—a place where she feels desperate to be accepted. As she spends more time away from her mother and the rhythms of her daily life, and as her obsession with Suzanne intensifies, Evie does not realize she is coming closer and closer to unthinkable violence, and to that moment in a girl’s life when everything can go horribly wrong. After reading The Girls it’s clear why this book is a Must Read of this summer. Set in the late 60’s, this story follows 14 year old Evie Boyd as she falls into a Charles Manson-like cult led by a man named Russell. But it’s not this smooth-talking leader that Evie worships, rather one of his own followers, Suzanne. Evie’s parents are recently divorced, her father’s living with a much younger woman and her mother’s on a journey to find herself but forgot about Evie along the way, not to mention she’s just lost her best friend. Long story short, Evie’s alone. This book isn’t fast-paced, but it’s still a page turner with it’s creepy, foreboding undertones. But perhaps the creepiest part is that I get it. I get why even though Evie can see that the ranch isn’t an idyllic place and how even though she acknowledges the fact that Suzanne may not be a good person she can’t stay away. It’s easy to say that once you see something’s wrong you’d turn away, that when the people you’re close to make you do things that don’t feel right that you’d stop; but to a kid like Evie who finally feels like she belongs, who desperately wants to believe in something, who actually feels happy, it’s easy to ignore those feelings. Even though as a reader you know that the story doesn’t have a happy ending, you desperately want it too. All of the girls at the ranch talk about opening yourself up to love and giving it back freely, falling out of the monotony of daily life and just escaping, the reader knows that there’s a more sinister side to the ranch, but like Evie you don’t want it to be real. As somebody who’s never felt less-than, who’s never found her worth through other people’s opinions, I could’ve found it hard to relate to Evie, but Emma Cline makes you understand. For the first time in her life she feels accepted and wanted, and like somebody sees her even though that feeling isn’t necessarily true. The end of this beautifully written novel provides little reassurances. You’re relieved that Evie wasn’t there that night, because you have the suspicion that she could have easily done what the other girls did. And you’re left dreading the answer to the question you’re left with: Could you? ![]() Cassidy Serhienko Holy Moly. I picked up this book on an impulse at the bookstore, and once I got through the checkout I was pouting a little bit thinking I’d made a grievous error and it would be crap but TOUCAN SAM, IT WAS EPIC AF. I freaking LOVED this book! It alternates between each sister’s point of view and each has such a unique voice. You meet the sisters initially through Rhea’s point of view so you see her impression of all of them and form your own assumptions of them which are completely obliterated when you read their own chapters. I’d like to think I’m like Iren: always a step ahead, but I’m probably more like Cadis, who is equally badass but who also loves a good story and is always optimistic. It was very interesting to read from Suki’s point of view, at the beginning of the book you think maybe she’s just a little scatterbrained or childlike, but as the story progresses you can feel her getting more and more unhinged even as she thinks she’s strong. The only sister I had a hard time liking/enjoying was Rhea. I understood where she was coming from, but the lack of compassion for anyone but herself was irritating. I admired her but I also found her lacking when stacked up against the other three queens, which I suppose was the root of her issues. However nobody got better from sucking, and then feeling sorry about oneself for said suck. Maybe if she wasn’t such a wuss everyone would think she was better. She also figured that she should get Endrit and that all the sisters were competing for him, sorry babe but Iren and Cadis couldn’t give a care, and the fact that you’re in a battle with Suki over him tells you that you should maybe have some chill and let the guy make his OWN DAMN DECISIONS. I’m very excited to see more of the kingdom, hopefully we’ll meet Iren’s mother who sounds like a boss ass bitch. I’m also curious to see what Suki does (was not expecting THAT at the end). Personally, I’m rooting for Endrit to kick Rhea to the curb. Maybe somebody will punch her in the face too, hey, I’m not hard to please. I’m rooting for the Findish (Cadis) to win the kingdom at this point because they’re just a fun people, and after having this crummy King in charge I think it would be a nice change. And it would mean we’d get to see more of Cadis’ man-friend (get you some girl). All in all, this book was a welcome surprise and I’d recommend it to anyone who’s a fan of Sarah J Maas’ books. If you like badass women and high paced fantasy, PICK THIS BOOK UP NOW (I’m so excited about it, I’m using SHOUTY CAPITALS). ![]() Cassidy Serhienko 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 . . . I didn’t quite make it into the generation of kids that grew up alongside Harry Potter, however I had a more sarcastic boy to journey through adolescence with: one Percy Jackson, son of Poseidon. I was twelve when I first read The Lightning Thief, the same age that Percy was in the first book, and we stayed together for all the following adventures. I developed an attachment to Percy, and none of Riordan’s other series quite did it for me (except The Heroes of Olympus, but I mean, Percy is in that so….) but Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard was a surprising exception. Magnus is as cheeky and quick-witted as you’d expect a Riordan hero to be, and I found myself captivated by the Norse mythology (however the Greek myths are still my favourite). Magnus’ sword might even be cooler than Percy’s (sorry dude, but Jack turns into jewelry and freaking talks), and I loved all the shoutouts Riordan made to his original series, from Magnus talking about how dumb a pen/sword would be to the chapter title Hearthstone Passes Out Even More Than Jason Grace (Though I Have No Idea Who That Is). This book reminded me how much I love Rick Riordan's writing. His stories don't have the angst that pretty much all other YA books partake in (which I will admit I do enjoy). His heroes aren't Chosen Ones, but rather regular kids that love a good dad joke and get stuff done. His books are just pure, lighthearted fun, something I think is missing from the Young Adult genre. Side note: even though dating isn't really a theme in his books, they still show realistic relationships, and the fact that they aren't very remarkable makes them even sweeter. No ones like "mmm I'm gonna love you for eternity, you complete me, this whole thing between us is the most important part of our lives mmm". So after reading I have two big questions: 1. After everything is said and done and Ragnarok either goes down or doesn't, what the H E double hockey sticks is Magnus going to spend his time doing? Is he just gonna kick it in the afterlife? Cause even though he's fighting battles and eating falafel he's still dead. How does one suddenly become not dead even if they're the son of probably the only Norse God that has chill? And 2. Are Magnus and Sam buddies or am I going to have to start shipping that shit? No Magnus and his motley crew of dwarves, elves and other Norse peeps aren’t overtaking the folks of Camp Half-Blood for that special place they hold in my heart, but I am looking forward to reading The Hammer Of Thor this October (and hopefully seeing more Annabeth cameos) and recommend it to everyone that loves a sarcastic sort-of-heroic hero and a good twist on old stories. ![]() Meghan Brehon I was hesitant to start this book, even though I had found it on Goodreads 4 months before its release date and was fairly eager for it to come out. However, I avoided buying it for many months and only finally did buy it on impulse a couple of months ago. Once I had it, I still wasn’t keen to get into it, thinking that it would be something very much like Game of Thrones where the reading would be heavy with so many characters I would have to remember, etc. etc. This was as the end of the school year began to come into view, and as such I was burdened with the weight of all of the assignments I had avoided doing until then. Now that I am free from school and on summer holidays, I have all the time in the world to read and was quite pleasantly surprised with this novel. Something I overlooked (or was too clueless to put together) is that one of the main characters named in the Synopsis, Alexander, is Alexander III of Macedon, or Alexander the Great. I reread the synopsis just before I began reading, and only then did I clue in that “Macedon’s sixteen-year-old heir” who will discover “his fated role in conquering the known world” is probably Alexander the Great. There is quite a bit of fiction in this historical fiction novel. Through reading it, I can learn more about a man who accomplished much in life (making history quite interesting), while at the same experience a new world full of magic. The content about the royal family is mostly true, but many of the characters who came from outside villages is made up. There is more accurate information in the novel about the royal family than I would assume from reading, but further research (AKA Wikipedia) confirms a lot of the information. For example, in the novel, Alexander’s mother Olympias had many pet snakes and was a part of an all-woman cult which worshipped Dionysus. It turns out, she actually was a part of this “orgiastic snake-worshipping cult”. More than this, the book stays true to her name changes. Born Polyxena, she changed her name to Myrtale before she married Philip II of Macedon as a part of the snake cult, and then she became known as Olympias after her marriage to Philip, likely because of his victory in the Olympic games of 356 BC. Not mentioned in the novel, however is her fourth name, Stratonice, but this can be attributed to the fact the she took this name in 317 BC, and the novel takes place in 340 BC. Judging from the first chapter, I thought that what I was getting into was going to be all romance, full of interloping love triangles. While there was some romance, the main focus was more around plot (magic, battles, etc.), though romance was present. The chapters jump from the POV of about 7 characters. They are not marked by whose POV it is from, which as I began reading I thought might be a problem, but it turned out that it was very easy to distinguish which voice I was reading from. At times I felt that the writing was a bit basic (as though the author had dumbed down the language for the intended audience). And the dialogue was very modern. Though the dialogue could not be totally authentic (I don’t speak Greek nor Persian, etc.), it could have been a little bit more suited to the time (without going into the territory of old English where I have no idea what anything means). This critique of the novel could be solved by me reading a novel written for a more advanced reader, but that where’s the fun in that? Legacy of Kings featured many strong characters. Some of the limitations placed on women in this time, and the fact that the main occupation of a woman is housewifery is addressed. However, the female characters are able to hold their own and fight to the same caliber as men (so basically they’re as badass as you would like them to be). This novel had me enticed from the first couple of pages. The conclusion of every chapter set up another event and made me continue reading to see the outcome. There is only so much I can say about this without venturing into spoiler-y territory, but here it is. Alexander is only 16 in the novel, and as such is only beginning to come into his own as the King’s regent. As is to be expected, he is quite knowledgeable about battle and strategy, and we see this demonstrated in the novel. The climax at the end is as great and gripping as one would hope, however I felt that it perhaps ended a little too quickly. Everything was proceeding at a good pace until the last 2 or 3 pages, when a large piece of information was shared (spoiler? I hope not). I was reading, quite aware of the fact that there were only a few pages left, and I kept thinking, “Do not tell him yet. There isn’t time. I can wait for the next book for him to know. Keep it to yourself.” And then it happened. I cringed, and read the final two pages, that unfolded waaaay quicker than I think it should have. Now, time for ****SPOILERS**** Ugh. Why did Kat tell Alex the truth about their mother right at that moment? There. Was. Not. Time. Alex took that surprisingly well (of course he did, there was no room for anything else). Anyway, part of the reason I created the spoilers section was simply so that I could gloat that I figured out that they were siblings from way in the beginning (basically the minute it was identified that their relationship was totally platonic and there was no canoodling going on). Also, that battle in the end was epic af. Alexander the Great is such an interesting figure in history, and reading about one of his battles (even an entirely fictionalized one) was very entertaining. To be honest, though, when there was a sword swung at Heph’s throat, I thought he was dead and all I thought was good riddance. He was kind of a dunce for most of the book. He’s alright, though. END OF SPOILER SECTION I’m excited read the rest of the series, though I will probably have to have a refresher to remember all of the different characters before beginning Empire of Dust. All in all, this book was a great read, and historical fiction/fantasy may be one of my new favourite genres. ![]() Meghan Brehon I confess, while browsing in a bookstore, I (almost) always pick books up based on their cover. The cover of Cure for the Common Universe is about as bright as they come, and the actual book underneath of the dust cover isn’t too shabby either. The blurb on the back showed that the characters have fun names (“Fezzik”, “Meeki”, etc.), and the synopsis made me think that this was going to a quirky contemporary about a couple teens going to a rehabilitation centre for video game addicts. This was enough to convince me to buy it. This novel wasn’t exactly what I was expecting (or wanted) in the end. I think that I wanted it to be a bit more existential or poignant in the ways that it told the story of adolescents who are addicted to video games. Don’t mistake this as me saying that it was bad, because it wasn’t, but it just wasn’t exactly what I was looking for. The cast of characters was certainly unique and interesting. They all had their own quirks, whether it be sheer hostility, absolute devotion to the main character, or a case of coloboma. While I could enjoy the characters, I didn’t get attached to them on an emotional level. The main character, Jaxon (or Miles Prower), was a self centered ass for most of the novel, and the other characters weren’t afraid to tell him this. There were a lot more heart-to-hearts where characters told Jaxon off for the juvenile things that he has done than I might have liked. They were too reminiscent of when teens try to “get real” (or something) for me to really become emotionally invested in, and I was more likely to scoff than anything else. At times I found the plot mildly outlandish. This was in part due to the fact that Jaxon romanticized things, and was thought of his day to day life as he would a video game (missions and adventures lead to points, then to great reward, and happily ever after. Beat the boss at the end of the level and you’re set). Another thing that I was a little skeptical about was the existence of a video game rehabilitation centre (v-hab). I didn’t think that it was something that existed in today’s world, nor was needed. However, after finishing the novel I looked it up, and there is an honest to goodness video game rehabilitation centre in Washington. Called ‘ReSTART’ they offer “treatment for problematic or addictive internet, video game, virtual reality, phone use”. At the treatment centre, people learn to “connect with life, not your device”. Their ‘adolescent program’ is opening sometime in 2016 and is for ages 14-18 (though they offer many other programs, for adults, families, etc.). I am by no means a “gamer”. I will play Call of Duty with my brother on occasion, and do love the competitive rush from Mario Kart, but that about sums it up. The only video games mentioned in the book that I had played myself were various Mario games. Others I either had no clue about, or only knew the name from my friends who do play video games. This meant that I couldn’t connect on many levels, and completely missed many references. If I was more of a gamer, I would have probably been able to get more out of this novel. This book helped me to see that addiction to electronic devices is something that afflicts some. In a very modern approach, it showed that while video games can be fun, they are not a substitute for activity in the real world. A healthy system would involve a good balance of the two, combining activates vital to the health and socialization of an individual with time spent in another world. Because I am not a major league gamer, I wasn’t able to appreciate the book the same way someone who is quite familiar with the gaming world would, but nonetheless it was an enjoyable short, light read. |
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