Review: The Sun and The Star by Rick Riordan and Mark Oshiro

Posted on July 2, 2023 by Bethlylou

I have a lot of respect for Rick Riordan. He became famous for writing stories based on Greek and Roman mythologies. In 2010, he published the first of the Kane Chronicles which was based on Egyptian mythology. The series is not bad but it was pretty obvious that he was a little out of his depth. I believe this is what made him decide to start his own imprint where he would publish authors of color who would right about their own cultures mythologies and stories. That’s being an ally. Using his platform and influence to prop up other authors and highlight different cultures that wouldn’t normally have the opportunity. In The Sun and The Star, he follows the same pattern by teaming up with Queer Author Mark Oshiro to right his story of Nico. Nico has been a character from original Percy Jackson series that has really grown over the course of the books. All of the demigods have a tragic backstory but none more than Nico, the son of Hades. He was probably Rick’s first gay character in all of his books. His coming out scene is probably the most harrowing scenes in the whole saga. So it was good that Rick brought a co-author who can speak to what Nico was going through.

Nico ad his boyfriend Will go on a quest to Tartarus to save the Giant Bob. Bob was a former Giant that in past books had run ins with Percy and Annabeth and Nico. He was pushed into the River Lethe and lost his memories and becomes a janitor in Hades Palace. In the Heroes of Olympus when Percy and Annabeth fall into Tartarus, Bob saves them but they leave him behind and now Nico feels he has to go rescue him. The quest isn’t really about saving Bob but also for Nico to confront and to come to terms with his past. Nico is also probably one of the complex characters in all of the Percyverse. This was a beautiful send off to a great character. I don’t know what the future will be for Nico and the other characters but at least he is finally in a healthy and happy place and I love that for him and Will.

What I’m Reading Now: The Sun and The Star by Rick Riordan and Mark Oshiro

Posted on May 4, 2023 by Bethlylou

I’m super stoked for this one. Nico has been one of the most interesting characters that Rick Riordan ever wrote and I’m so happy that he’s finally getting his own novel.

Review: Sort of Super by Eric Gapstur

Posted on March 19, 2022 by Bethlylou

This book is just so cute. Admittingly, I may be a bit biased. I know Eric. He’s a friend who both Kate and I once worked with. We always knew he was super talented and has a successful career illustrating for DC comics and other comic companies. Years ago, he introduced Wyatt and Adeline on a comic strip website and I loved them then. I was sad when he decided to end it. It’s amazing that they are getting they are getting their own book now.

Wyatt Flynn is your typical middle schooler when he was messing around in the evidence room of his father’s Sheriff’s office and he gets super powers. His poor father doesn’t know what to do. He’s a single dad with two young kids and now one of them has super powers! Super powers that he doesn’t know how to use and will only get him in trouble. The book opens on the first day of school, where Wyatt is excited to see his friends but Dad is super scared that he will do something to out himself. Wyatt is not the brightest. Unlike his sister, Adeline who is a genius. She’s so smart she skipped two grades and now she and Wyatt are in the same grade. Not that Wyatt minds. He likes hanging out with each other. When, a fire breaks out near the school, Wyatt with the help of Adeline go to put it out but how do they get back into school without getting caught? Adeline was a plan for that. She’s the literal brains of this operations. Her alter ego is The Outstanding A-Plus! So cute.

Kids will love this book. It’s fun, funny, colorful and fast paced. Both Wyatt and Adeline are relatable even with their powers. Wyatt may not be the smartest but he’s kind and is earnest. Adeline is smart and brave and confident and knows her worth. The artwork is the perfect blend of the Sunday morning comic strip and modern graphic novel. Full of color and details that brings you into the story and giving readers all they need to know to learn each characters feelings and thoughts. I really liked the styling of the panels. I can’t recommend it enough to anyone who has kids. Boys and Girls will love it and so will their parents. Go buy it!

What I’m Reading Now: Sort of Super by Eric Gapstur

Posted on March 12, 2022 by Bethlylou

I’m so excited for this book. Eric is a friend of both Kate and I. We all worked together at B&N back in the day and we are so proud of him. Sort of Super follows Wyatt, a middle school kid who has super powers but he doesn’t always know what to do with them. He’s sister is super smart and the two of them together is trouble. lol

Quick Review: The Tower of Nero by Rick Riordan

Posted on December 8, 2020 by Bethlylou

I know that I’m super behind in my reviews. I’ll try to get them all written before the end of the year. On to this one. The Tower of Nero was a satisfying ending to the series and really to whole Olympian Saga. Pretty much every character got some closure with one notable exception but we will get to that. Apollo the former God, turned human because of the events of Heroes of Olympus but also because he was on the only one who could save the world this time. Apollo had grown so much over the series. He wasn’t just turned human but became human. As a God with immortality and unlimited abilities he often didn’t think about how his actions affected others because there would always be more for him. More people to worship him. During his journey he had to come to terms with all the destruction he caused and the hurt he inflicted and it was painful but doing so he grew up. He understood that everything has consequences and that you can’t just walk away or send a demi-god to do your work for you. Meg also grew up. She was finally strong enough to stand up to her father and abuser but also have the strength to help her siblings begin their healing as well. It was truly a powerful moment when she finally stands up to him and help her family. The one character from the original series that is still working through his grief is Nico. I have a feeling we are being set up for another series following his journey as he grapples with years of grief and depression that he is only know coming to terms with. Poor kid. He was born in Mussolini’s Italy, frozen in time in a weird Vegas time warp. Lost his sister. Was forced out of the closet but a cruel Cupid and now loss of another friend. A lot of has happened to this kid. Anyways, Great series. Great ending. I will miss these characters but at least they are all in a safe place. Rick Riordan has said that he is going to take a break for a while and he deserves one. He’s been releasing about two books a year for over a decade. Whatever he does now I’m sure it will be great. In the meantime, he’s imprint is still publishing great stories. Percy Jackson is getting his own Disney+ series and the Kane Chronicles are being made into a movie for Netflix. I think his fans will be well served in the coming years even if a new book from him isn’t on the horizon.

What I’m Reading Now: Dividing Eden by Joelle Charbonneau and The Tower of Nero by Rick Riordan

Posted on November 4, 2020 by Bethlylou

I finished A Discovery of Witches on Halloween. I enjoyed it but share some of the same concerns as Kate. In fact my feelings about the book are similar to hers that I don’t feel like I need to right up my own review. I do look forward to reading the other books in the trilogy and watching the show. Now I’ve moved on to these other books. Dividing Eden I had bought long time ago and finally decided to give it a go. So far so good. The Tower of Nero is the conclusion on Rick Riordan’s expansive Heroes of Olympus Saga and I’m interested on how he wraps up over a decades worth of story for Percy, Annabeth, Piper, Apollo, Hazel and more.

Quick Review: The Tyrant’s Tomb by Rick Riordan

Posted on December 7, 2019 by Bethlylou

I think what I like about this series is how Rick Riordan really explores how messed up some of these myths are. The things that the Gods do are just really unjustifiable and forces Apollo to face them as a human. For the last four books, Apollo has been living as Lester and all of his fragile human failings. For the first time, he has really mourned the death of a human for the first time. Jason’s death still shocks me because in these type of books, the heroes never die. They always find some way to live, particularly in Rick’s world where he has found some pretty creative loop holes to keep his demigods alive. Kudos for him for bucking his own trend. It’s still sad nonetheless. Jason’s death hangs over all of them, particularly those at Camp Jupiter. Frank, Hazel and Reina are already reeling from the previous battle and now they have to move on without Jason and his leadership. Apollo is grieving and has to face his own mortality. Two of the three Emperor’s are planning on attacking Camp Jupiter, with the last king of Rome. To survive he must come to grips of with some of the worst things he did as a God and the people he hurt along the way. It’s truly touching to see Apollo face his humanity and learn from his mistakes. He knows he can’t change what happened but he’s learning he can be a better person and be better God. There is one book left and I can’t wait to see what is in store for him and Meg. Not to mention, with them going back to New York, means that I’m sure we are going to get another Percy cameo. Yes!

What I’m Reading Now: The Tyrant’s Tomb by Rick Riordan

Posted on November 27, 2019 by Bethlylou

Oh Apollo. Things really took a bad turn in the last book. Hope this one goes better for him and his friends.

Review: Dragon Pearl by Yoon Ha Lee

Posted on July 3, 2019 by Bethlylou

This was truly everything that I wanted it to be. It was a space action adventure. It introduced me to Korean folklore and was just plain fun. Min is a 13 years old and is a fox. Not a real fox but can turn into one or really shapeshift to anything. Her family must hide their heritage since foxes are thought to be untrustworthy. Unlike other supernaturals, like Dragons, Goblins and Tigers who are able to work freely. Many think Foxes are extinct. No, just in hiding. Min’s brother goes missing from his Space Cadet mission and thought to have deserted to look for the Dragon Pearl. A mystical object that can transform worlds and make them more inhabitable. She knows her brother Jun would never do something like that so she goes off and looks for him. While she is away she discovers that there is more then meet the eye. The mystery of what happened to Jun gets mixed with with Ghosts, politics and who can get the the pearl first. Min is sassy and smart. You could say she is clever as a fox. Sorry, I had to. It is interesting how the fox myth differs from Korean and Japanese folklore. In Julie Kagawa’s Shadow of the Fox, Yumeko is seen as being a trickster because of her fox heritage but not exactly an outcast the way Min and her family would be if they were discovered. It’s fun to learn how different cultures tell similar stories. Anyway, back to Min. She keeps finding herself in impossible situations but uses her intelligence and fox powers to get herself out. She is brave. There are many reasons that she should give up and just say this is too much for me but she knows what is at stake. Not just for her and her family but for everyone. If the pearl falls into the wrong hand it could be used as a weapon instead of a tool for the better. This books has a lot of twists and turns. Betrayals are all around and friendships questioned. So far it is my favorite of the Rick Riordan presents imprints. Its a shame that at the moment, it is only planned as a standalone because there is so much potential. Obviously it has been left open that if Yoon Ha Lee wanted to come back and right another and I hope he does. It definitely makes me want to check out his other books now.

2 Women, So Many Books

Our "to read" stacks way exceed our life expectancy

Tag Archives: kid lit