Tag Archives: magic

The Lost Hero by Rick Riordan (2010) – BR00192 (2021) – 🐸🐸🐸🐸⚪

The PolyBlog
June 7 2021

Plot or Premise

A new trio of Jason, Piper and Leo has arrived at Camp Half-Blood and are ready to set off on a quest, but something seems off about not only them and their memories, but also about their participation in a ritual for the children of Greek Gods at all.

What I Liked

The new trio are fun, and there’s enough mystery in both who they all are and why they don’t remember to keep things interesting. Jason has a lot of power, and some knowledge but a goddess has stolen all his memories. Piper has a big secret, namely that someone is whispering in her ear and in her dreams, when all she really wants to do is be in love with Jason. Leo also has a past, too much fire, and he’s really into machines. All great powers to have, and nothing like what we had with the previous campers.

What I Didn’t Like

The amnesia thing for Jason lands a bit trite at times, as he remembers just enough to move the plot along but not enough to be totally useful. The wind gods start off interesting, as does the flying dragon, but eventually they become almost clichés. And the entire media thing is way too Neil Gaiman/American Gods for my taste.

The Bottom Line

Seven half-bloods shall answer the call but we’ll start with three for now.

Keys to the Demon Prison by Brandon Mull (2010) – BR00185 (2020) – 🐸🐸🐸🐸⚪

The PolyBlog
March 14 2020

Plot or Premise

Almost three separate stories together — an opening reset of who is on which team, separate adventures for Kendra and Seth, and then a merged final battle.

What I Liked

Seth’s story is almost readable now, although I still feel most of the time it could have simply been one kid’s story, not separate ones for Kendra and Seth. I like his adventure to retrieve a magical sword, and the final magical battle is decent.

What I Didn’t Like

The final battle seems less intense than the previous one at Fablehaven with the dark plague. Almost “battle-lite” rather than the final battle. The final “solution” is a bit simplistic, more trick than strategic, and a bit of a let-down. And some of the threads of the story, particularly with Seth, are left unresolved.

The Bottom Line

The final battle isn’t as big as expected.

Secrets of the Dragon Sanctuary by Brandon Mull (2006) – BR00182 (2020) – 🐸🐸⚪⚪⚪

The PolyBlog
January 27 2020

Plot or Premise

Two stories converge, one of faux Kendra and one of a Dragon sanctuary.

What I Liked

The story of Kendra and a duplicate is interesting, but a bit slow for most of it. But once the Dragon sanctuary is involved, it takes off again.

What I Didn’t Like

Seth is being stupid again and it is really starting to take away from the story. If it was just him in the story, I would have stopped reading long ago. Plus the faux Kendra story is pretty one-sided for most of it. Finally, the teams are separated in the sanctuary, and everyone relatively carries on as if it is “business as usual”, despite thinking the others have died. Really?

The Bottom Line

Great dragons, bad story.

Grip of the Shadow Plague by Brandon Mull (2009) – BR00181 (2020) – 🐸🐸🐸🐸⚪

The PolyBlog
January 27 2020

Plot or Premise

Darkness has come to Fablehaven, with many creatures being turned from light to dark.

What I Liked

There are almost three stories working at once, which adds to the complexity – Seth running around being annoying and self-centred in the Preserve; Kendra going to another Preserve on a quest; and a giant battle at the end that seems almost Lord-of-the-Rings-like.

What I Didn’t Like

The three stories are not well-integrated, and could really stand alone. Seth is still being annoyingly self-centred to drive plot devices along, and I don’t know if the author wants us to see him as brave or just stupid. Things tend to work out, but they would have been better if he did nothing. There are also a LOT of characters to keep track of in each segment.

The Bottom Line

Lots of things happening, almost too much.

Rise of the Evening Star by Brandon Mull (2008) – BR00180 (2020) – 🐸🐸🐸⚪⚪

The PolyBlog
January 26 2020

Plot or Premise

Kendra and Seth start to receive their training from three experts on how to protect the Preserve.

What I Liked

The three experts and their specializations are pretty cool, all with slightly different skills and personalities. And the finale seems like a solid “Indiana Jones” challenge.

What I Didn’t Like

The book is a lot slower than the first, and while Seth isn’t quite as annoying, the ending reads almost like a copy of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (series of chambers, different puzzles) and the main protagonist, Kendra, is relatively an observer for most of it while others do the heavy lifting.

The Bottom Line

Not as good as the first book.