The Sea of Monsters by Rick Riordan Series: Percy Jackson and the Olympians #2
Publisher: Disney Hyperion (2006)
Paperback (279 pages)
Via: Library
Rating:
Also by this author: The Lightning Thief, The Titan's Curse, The Sword of Summer
Also in this series: The Lightning Thief, The Titan's Curse, The Battle of the Labyrinth
Reading Challenges: 2015 Mythology, 2015 What's In A Name?, Read 2015
Synopsis
Percy Jackson’s seventh-grade year has been surprisingly quiet. Not a single monster has set foot on his New York prep-school campus. But when an innocent game of dodgeball among Percy and his classmates turns into a death match against an ugly gang of cannibal giants, things get . . . well, ugly. And the unexpected arrival of Percy’s friend Annabeth brings more bad news: the magical borders that protect Camp Half-Blood have been poisoned by a mysterious enemy, and unless a cure is found, the only safe haven for demigods will be destroyed.
In this fresh, funny, and hugely anticipated follow up to The Lightning Thief, Percy and his friends must journey into the Sea of Monsters to save their beloved camp. But first, Percy will discover a stunning new secret about his family—one that makes him question whether being claimed as Poseidon’s son is an honor or simply a cruel joke.
Find the book: Goodreads
My Review
I actually saw the movie of this before I read the book. My dad and I watched it together and really enjoyed it. However, the book was better.
The beginning of the book is so much better than the movie. Seeing Percy’s alternative school was rather boring-ish until the monsters and Annabeth showed up. Then it got interesting.
From that point on, there was a lot of action. There was evading monsters to get to camp, scary metal bull things that breathe fire, terrifying bird things trying to gouge eyes out, and a giant cyclops who wants to eat Grover. So yeah, there was a lot going on.
Percy was just as great as the first book. His humor and snide remarks are still there. He is also more responsible. He understands more of what is happening around him and what it means to be a half-blood.
Annabeth still likes to be in control. She has some stuff from her past that comes back in this book. She is a strong girl who isn’t afraid to do whatever it takes for what is right. I like that about her.
Tyson is interesting. The book Tyson and the movie Tyson are very different. I like the book Tyson better. He really would do anything for Percy. He might not be the smartest character (since that would be Annabeth) but he definitely has a great heart.
Grover is still Grover in all his strange satyr-ness. He is able to pull a rather ingenious stunt which really is saying something. I won’t tell you what it is because that could ruin the fun.
This is a nice, light read when I didn’t feel like anything too deep and heavy. It is a great middle grade fantasy that I enjoyed.
Catholic Connections
*Spoiler Alert*
In order to analyze the text and make these connections, there may be some spoilers.
Please do not continue reading unless you have already read the book
or you don’t mind if you read some spoilers.
*Spoiler Alert*
Like I had mentioned, Tyson has a great heart. He would do literally anything for Percy. That comes down to Percy accepting Tyson when they both thought the other was human. Percy was able to look past Tyson’s features and mental abilities to see the read Tyson. Due to that, Tyson is devoted to Percy.
Percy is also generous and practical near the end of the book when he sends Clarisse back to camp with the Golden Fleece. Not only will the Fleece get there faster that way, but it is the right thing to do so Clarisse isn’t shamed. Percy doesn’t care about the recognition he could get from bringing the Fleece to camp but about doing what is right.
Which Reading Challenges?
- You Read How Many Books? Reading Challenge
- What’s In A Name? Reading Challenge (Body of Water)
- Mythology Reading Challenge (Greek)
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