Book of Interest: Percy Jackson and the Olympians: Wrath of the Triple Goddess

Even though I haven't read the sixth Percy Jackson and the Olympians book, The Chalice of the Gods (it is sitting on my book shelf), I have already pre-ordered the seventh book, Wrath of the Triple Goddess. I love reading these Percy Jackson books they are such a fun read.

Based on the description for both books, Percy is going through a lot to get his recommendation letters. I can only imagine what he will have to go through to get the final letter. I'm guessing there will be an eighth book, unless Percy already got two letters in the last book, The Chalice of the Gods. Since I haven't read it yet, I don't know what happens in that story.

Anyway, I pre-ordered Wrath of the Triple Goddess and I can't wait to read both books.

Book: Wrath of the Triple Goddess (Percy Jackson and the Olympians book #7) by Rick Riordan

Publication: September 24, 2024

Description:

In his continuing quest to earn college recommendation letters from the gods, Percy has to pet sit the goddess Hecate's polecat and giant mastiff during Halloween week. What could go wrong?

Rick Riordan’s newest Percy Jackson adventure is full of hilarious set pieces, a diverse cast of gods and monsters, and many other delightful tricks and treats.

Percy Jackson, now a high school senior, needs three recommendation letters from the Greek gods in order to get into New Rome University. He earned his first one by retrieving Ganymede’s chalice. Now the goddess Hecate has offered Percy another “opportunity”—all he has to do is pet sit her polecat, Gale, and mastiff, Hecuba, over Halloween week while she is away. Piece of cake, right?

Percy, Annabeth, and Grover settle into Hecate’s seemingly endless mansion and start getting acquainted with the fussy, terrifying animals. The trio has been warned not to touch anything, but while Percy and Annabeth are out at school, Grover can’t resist drinking a strawberry-flavored potion in the laboratory. It turns him into a giant frenzied goat, and after he rampages through the house, damaging everything in sight, and passes out, Gale and Hecuba escape. Now the friends have to find Hecate’s pets and somehow restore the house, all before Hecate gets back on Saturday. It’s going to take luck, demigod wiles, and some old and new friends to hunt down the animals and set things right again.

Mythology Monday: Aru Shah and the End of Time

I know I haven't posted a Books of Interest in a while let alone a book for Mythology Monday. Between experiencing a reading or readers slump and feeling a little reading burnout, I've had very little interest in reading let alone looking at any books. However, I'm still (slowly) reading Supernatural: Nevermore by Keith R.A. DeCandido and I'm almost finished with it but my reading slump is making it difficult.

So, this morning when I woke up actually interested in reading as well as looking for a book, I was a happy little bookworm. It didn't take long before I found Aru Shah and the End of Time by Roshani Chokshi, it's the first book in a middle grade fantasy that's inspired by Indian mythology. The description totally sparked my interest and I have to admit I immediately ordered it. It's seems like a fun and interesting read with Aru Shah finding herself on an adventure trying to stop Sleep, the God of Destruction. I really can't wait to read it.

Book: Aru Shah and the End of Time (Pandava book #1) by Roshani Chokshi

Description:

Best-selling author Rick Riordan introduces this fantasy adventure by New York Times best-selling author, Roshani Chokshi, inspired by the great epics she grew up on.

Twelve-year-old Aru Shah has a tendency to stretch the truth in order to fit in at school. While her classmates are jetting off to family vacations in exotic locales, she'll be spending her autumn break at home, in the Museum of Ancient Indian Art and Culture, waiting for her mom to return from her latest archeological trip. Is it any wonder that Aru makes up stories about being royalty, traveling to Paris, and having a chauffeur?

One day, three schoolmates show up at Aru's doorstep to catch her in a lie. They don't believe her claim that the museum's Lamp of Bharata is cursed, and they dare Aru to prove it. Just a quick light, Aru thinks. Then she can get herself out of this mess and never ever fib again.

But lighting the lamp has dire consequences. She unwittingly frees the Sleeper, an ancient demon whose duty it is to awaken the God of Destruction. Her classmates and beloved mother are frozen in time, and it's up to Aru to save them.

The only way to stop the demon is to find the reincarnations of the five legendary Pandava brothers, protagonists of the Hindu epic poem, the Mahabharata, and journey through the Kingdom of Death. But how is one girl in Spider-Man pajamas supposed to do all that?

Mythology Monday: Pandora's Jar: Women in the Greek Myths

Over the years, I've read a lot of Greek Mythology, it's an interesting subject but there is also a lot twisted logic and wisdom and not to mention an overly abundant focus on male characters. Which is why I think this book Pandora's Jar: Women in the Greek Myths by Natalie Haynes seems like an interesting take because the author is focusing on some of the women in Greek Mythology. She's pondering the question of why do the women within the stories tend to be vilified? It's a good question and I'd love to read this to see what answers the author may have uncovered.

Book: Pandora's Jar: Women in the Greek Myths by Natalie Haynes

Description:

The national bestselling author of A Thousand Ships returns with a fascinating, eye-opening take on the remarkable women at the heart of classical stories Greek mythology from Helen of Troy to Pandora and the Amazons to Medea.

The tellers of Greek myths—historically men—have routinely sidelined the female characters. When they do take a larger role, women are often portrayed as monstrous, vengeful or just plain evil—like Pandora, the woman of eternal scorn and damnation whose curiosity is tasked with causing all the world’s suffering and wickedness when she opened that forbidden box. But, as Natalie Haynes reveals, in ancient Greek myths there was no box. It was a jar . . . which is far more likely to tip over.

In Pandora’s Jar, the broadcaster, writer, stand-up comedian, and passionate classicist turns the tables, putting the women of the Greek myths on an equal footing with the men. With wit, humor, and savvy, Haynes revolutionizes our understanding of epic poems, stories, and plays, resurrecting them from a woman’s perspective and tracing the origins of their mythic female characters. She looks at women such as Jocasta, Oedipus’ mother-turned-lover-and-wife (turned Freudian sticking point), at once the cleverest person in the story and yet often unnoticed. She considers Helen of Troy, whose marriage to Paris “caused” the Trojan war—a somewhat uneven response to her decision to leave her husband for another man. She demonstrates how the vilified Medea was like an ancient Beyonce—getting her revenge on the man who hurt and betrayed her, if by extreme measures. And she turns her eye to Medusa, the original monstered woman, whose stare turned men to stone, but who wasn’t always a monster, and had her hair turned to snakes as punishment for being raped.

Pandora’s Jar brings nuance and care to the millennia-old myths and legends and asks the question: Why are we so quick to villainize these women in the first place—and so eager to accept the stories we’ve been told?

Mythology Monday: Lavinia

Happy Mythology Monday!

I know I haven't posted one in awhile but here's one that I want to read. As soon as I read the description for Lavinia by Ursula K. Le Guin it immediately caught my attention, I have to read it. The story seems really interesting especially since Lavinia never had a chance to speak in the original tale, The Aenid by Virgil. I haven't read The Aeneid but I want to along with Lavinia, I would love to read both versions of the same tale.

Book: Lavinia by Ursula K. Le Guin

Description:

In The Aeneid, Vergil’s hero fights to claim the king’s daughter, Lavinia, with whom he is destined to found an empire. Lavinia herself never speaks a word. Now, Ursula K. Le Guin gives Lavinia a voice in a novel that takes us to the half-wild world of ancient Italy, when Rome was a muddy village near seven hills.

Lavinia grows up knowing nothing but peace and freedom, until suitors come. Her mother wants her to marry handsome, ambitious Turnus. But omens and prophecies spoken by the sacred springs say she must marry a foreigner—that she will be the cause of a bitter war—and that her husband will not live long. When a fleet of Trojan ships sails up the Tiber, Lavinia decides to take her destiny into her own hands. And so she tells us what Vergil did not: the story of her life, and of the love of her life.

Book of Interest: Skin of the Sea

It's Monday, how's your day so far? I woke up early and did a few morning stretches, washed the dishes and then made myself a hot cup of tea. All weekend, I keep thinking about some of the upcoming books that I want to read and I figured I'd post them. So all week, I'll post Books of Interest of new books that I want to read.

Here's the first one, Skin of the Sea by Natasha Bowen. The description totally caught my interest because I love mythology and this has a mermaid trying to appease the gods after saving someone she shouldn't have. I can't wait to read this.

Book: Skin of the Sea by Natasha Bowen

Publication Date: November 2, 2021

Description:

An unforgettable fantasy debut inspired by West African mythology, this is Children of Blood and Bone meets The Little Mermaid, in which a mermaid takes on the gods themselves.

A way to survive.
A way to serve.
A way to save.

Simi prayed to the gods, once. Now she serves them as Mami Wata—a mermaid—collecting the souls of those who die at sea and blessing their journeys back home.

But when a living boy is thrown overboard, Simi does the unthinkable—she saves his life, going against an ancient decree. And punishment awaits those who dare to defy it.

To protect the other Mami Wata, Simi must journey to the Supreme Creator to make amends. But all is not as it seems. There's the boy she rescued, who knows more than he should. And something is shadowing Simi, something that would rather see her fail. . . .

Danger lurks at every turn, and as Simi draws closer, she must brave vengeful gods, treacherous lands, and legendary creatures. Because if she doesn't, then she risks not only the fate of all Mami Wata, but also the world as she knows it.

Mythology Mondays: Empire of Wild

I don't know anything about Native American or First Nation mythology which is what Empire of Wild is based on. However, I do want to learn more about it and I'm going to see if I can find a nonfiction book so I can know more about it.

I think this book seems really interesting and I wonder how the mythology will play into the story. Because from the description it seems like Joan husband Victor is dealing with a strange case of amnesia after he had gone missing. I really want to know how this story is going to unfold.

Book: Empire of Wild by Cherie Dimaline

Description:

A bold and brilliant new indigenous voice in contemporary literature makes her American debut with this kinetic, imaginative, and sensuous fable inspired by the traditional Canadian Métis legend of the Rogarou—a werewolf-like creature that haunts the roads and woods of native people’s communities.

Joan has been searching for her missing husband, Victor, for nearly a year—ever since that terrible night they’d had their first serious argument hours before he mysteriously vanished. Her Métis family has lived in their tightly knit rural community for generations, but no one keeps the old ways . . . until they have to. That moment has arrived for Joan.

One morning, grieving and severely hungover, Joan hears a shocking sound coming from inside a revival tent in a gritty Walmart parking lot. It is the unmistakable voice of Victor. Drawn inside, she sees him. He has the same face, the same eyes, the same hands, though his hair is much shorter and he's wearing a suit. But he doesn't seem to recognize Joan at all. He insists his name is Eugene Wolff, and that he is a reverend whose mission is to spread the word of Jesus and grow His flock. Yet Joan suspects there is something dark and terrifying within this charismatic preacher who professes to be a man of God . . . something old and very dangerous.

Joan turns to Ajean, an elderly foul-mouthed card shark who is one of the few among her community steeped in the traditions of her people and knowledgeable about their ancient enemies. With the help of the old Métis and her peculiar Johnny-Cash-loving, twelve-year-old nephew Zeus, Joan must find a way to uncover the truth and remind Reverend Wolff who he really is . . . if he really is. Her life, and those of everyone she loves, depends upon it.

Mythology Mondays: From Darkness

I believe From Darkness is inspired by Charon, the ferryman of the dead from Greek Mythology. Well, that's what the description reminds me of when I read it. This is a must read book for me, I have to add it to my wish list.

Is there a mythology book that you're really interested in reading?

Book: From Darkness by Kate Hazell Hall

Publication Date: November 3, 2020

Description:

Sixteen-year-old Ari Wyndham lost her best friend in the sea. Everybody told her it was an accident, but Ari can’t forgive herself. Her own life is cut short when a tiger-snake delivers a deathly bite, and a beautiful, ghostly and strangely familiar young woman appears, summoning Ari's soul to the underworld. Ari, however, refuses to go.

Though she knows there will be a terrible price to pay for her transgression, the mysterious guide chooses to save Ari. Their rebellion upsets the balance of life and death in Ari’s remote coastal village. A rift opens from the underworld, unleashing dark magic: savage dog packs emerge at night, fishermen catch ghostly bodies in their nets, and children go missing.

Together, Ari and her guide battle the dark powers of the underworld and heal the rift. Though their bond seems unbreakable, it may not be enough. It is up to Ari to find the courage to do the one thing that will save the world from darkness.

Mythology Mondays: We Hunt the Flame

How's everyone's Monday going so far? I hope you're not feeling like a certain orange cat who hates Mondays. But if your day isn't going well, I do hope it will get better.

As for Mythology Monday, here's today's pick We Hunt the Flame by Hafsah Faizal which is inspired by Arabian mythology. I don't know very much about Arabian mythology but I would like to and this story seems really interesting.

Book: We Hunt the Flame (Sands of Arawiya book #1) by Hafsah Faizal

Description:

Set in a richly detailed world inspired by ancient Arabia, We Hunt the Flame is a gripping debut of discovery, conquering fear, and taking identity into your own hands.

People lived because she killed.
People died because he lived.

Zafira is the Hunter, disguising herself as a man when she braves the cursed forest of the Arz to feed her people. Nasir is the Prince of Death, assassinating those foolish enough to defy his autocratic father, the king. If Zafira was exposed as a girl, all of her achievements would be rejected; if Nasir displayed his compassion, his father would punish him in the most brutal of ways.

Both are legends in the kingdom of Arawiya—but neither wants to be.

War is brewing, and the Arz sweeps closer with each passing day, engulfing the land in shadow. When Zafira embarks on a quest to uncover a lost artifact that can restore magic to her suffering world and stop the Arz, Nasir is sent by the king on a similar mission: retrieve the artifact and kill the Hunter. But an ancient evil stirs as their journey unfolds—and the prize they seek may pose a threat greater than either can imagine.

Mythology Mondays: Lifestyles of Gods and Monsters

It's Mythology Mondays which I forgot to post something for last week. But the book I picked for today is Lifestyles of Gods and Monsters by Emily Roberson. It looks like an interesting retelling of the Labyrinth myth which according to the description will have the competition being televised. That should add an interesting twist to the story along with other modern touches.

This definitely seems like a book I want to read.

Book: Lifestyles of Gods and Monsters by Emily Roberson

Description:

Greek mythology meets the Kardashians in Emily Roberson's Lifestyles of Gods and Monsters, a fresh, fast-paced debut young adult novel about celebrity culture, family dynamics, and finding love amidst it all.

Sixteen-year-old Ariadne’s whole life is curated and shared with the world. Her royal family’s entertainment empire is beloved by the tabloids, all over social media, and the hottest thing on television. The biggest moneymaker? The Labyrinth Contest, a TV extravaganza in which Ariadne leads fourteen teens into a maze to kill a monster. To win means endless glory; to lose means death. In ten seasons, no one has ever won.

When the gorgeous, mysterious Theseus arrives at the competition and asks Ariadne to help him to victory, she doesn’t expect to fall for him. He might be acting interested in her just to boost ratings. Their chemistry is undeniable, though, and she can help him survive. If he wins, the contest would end for good. But if she helps him, she doesn’t just endanger her family’s empire―the monster would have to die. And for Ariadne, his life might be the only one worth saving.

Ariadne’s every move is watched by the public and predestined by the gods, so how can she find a way to forge her own destiny and save the people she loves?

Mythology Mondays: Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky

I love reading about mythology and folklore from classics such as the Odyssey by Homer to retellings or new takes on stories. There are so many wonderful and interesting stories out there which is why I wanted to start a new post, Mythology Mondays. It'll give me a chance to showcase all the books and stories that I really want to read such as Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky by Kwame Mbalia.

This looks so interesting and I think the cover is absolutely gorgeous. The premise seems to have Tristan possibly opening a magical portal to another world or time where he meets the great American folk hero John Henry and have to save the world. I'm very interested in seeing how this story will play out.

Book: Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky (Tristan Strong book #1) by Kwame Mbalia 

Description:

Winner of a Coretta Scott King Author Honor

Best-selling author Rick Riordan presents Kwame Mbalia's epic fantasy, a middle grade American Gods set in a richly-imagined world populated with African American folk heroes and West African gods.

Seventh grader Tristan Strong feels anything but strong ever since he failed to save his best friend when they were in a bus accident together. All he has left of Eddie is the journal his friend wrote stories in. Tristan is dreading the month he's going to spend on his grandparents' farm in Alabama, where he's being sent to heal from the tragedy.

But on his first night there, a sticky creature shows up in his bedroom and steals Eddie's notebook. Tristan chases after it--is that a doll?--and a tug-of-war ensues between them underneath a Bottle Tree. In a last attempt to wrestle the journal out of the creature's hands, Tristan punches the tree, accidentally ripping open a chasm into the MidPass, a volatile place with a burning sea, haunted bone ships, and iron monsters that are hunting the inhabitants of this world.

Tristan finds himself in the middle of a battle that has left black American folk heroes John Henry and Brer Rabbit exhausted. In order to get back home, Tristan and these new allies will need to entice the god Anansi, the Weaver, to come out of hiding and seal the hole in the sky. But bartering with the trickster Anansi always comes at a price.

Can Tristan save this world before he loses more of the things he loves?