Embedded Files
"Why fit in when you were born to stand out?" -Dr. Seuss
UAC's rating:
The Son of Neptune
The Son of Neptune
By Rick Riordan
SPOILER ALERT: This review contains spoilers. Ensure that you have read The Lost Hero (and all books previous to it) by Rick Riordan before you continue.
This book is about Percy Jackson and his time at the Roman camp for demigods, Camp Jupiter. While Annabeth has been frantically searching for her missing boyfriend for months, Percy has been... he doesn't know what, exactly. His memories are gone, except for a name and face: Annabeth, his girlfriend. He has no idea who he is, so it's lucky for him when he arrives at Camp Jupiter. Filled with strong, brave, and smart legionaries who are all demigods like him, he joins the Twelfth Legion as a member of the disgraced Fifth Cohort. The legion is weak, because their eagle is missing, and they can't get it back without going to Alaska: the land beyond the gods.
Along with his two new friends, Hazel and Frank, Percy must get back the legion's eagle in order to save Camp Jupiter. According to Hera/Juno, that's the only way to save Camp Half-Blood and the world, too. Unfortunately, the quest is far from easy.
Frank Zhang is a bulky Chinese-Canadian archer, and also a son of Mars. He must discover his family gift and learn how to use it in order to save his friends (and gain a little self-confidence, too).
Hazel Levesque is actually not from this year, or this decade, or this century. She's a daughter of Pluto who died in the 1940s, brought back her brother Nico for a second chance at life.
This book is great, with rich characters and perfect pacing. It's not Rick Riordan's best plot, but it gets four stars for sure. Review by: UAC
"Life is only precious because it ends, kid." -Mars, The Son of Neptune (Rick Riordan)
UAC's rating:
Aru Shah and the End of Time
Aru Shah and the End of Time
By Roshani Chokshi
This book is about a girl named Aru Shah, who lives with her mother in the Museum of Ancient Indian Art and Culture, in Atlanta. Aru has a tendency to stretch the truth in order for her classmates to like her, but when her classmates demand to see the cursed lamp that Aru supposedly owns, she gets a little stuck. The cursed lamp actually is real; it's in the museum. Because Aru lives there, she sometimes helps move around the object. But not the lamp. Never open the lamp, her mother has told her countless times. But the classmate has a recording on his phone... What is Aru supposed to do? She opens the lamp, releasing an evil Hindi guy known as the Sleeper. Assisted by a pigeon named Boo (technically, he's a god, but Aru chooses to call him Boo), Aru learns that she is one of the five Pandava brothers... except this generation, it's the five Pandava sisters. Teaming up with her hygienic sister Mini, Aru is far from ready to stop the Sleeper. But it doesn't look like she's got much of a choice. Will she manage to do the impossible? Aru is no hero. Or is she? Read this book to find out.
Aru, Mini, and Boo are such perfectly crafted characters. Aru's obsession with Lord of the Rings and other classics that she constantly references makes her one of the most relatable characters that I've ever read. This book is so funny, but it is also pretty informative about the fascinating subject of Hindi mythology. I give this book five stars, no question! Review by: UAC
"It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live." -Albus Dumbledore, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (J.K. Rowling)
UAC's rating:
The Vandeerbeekers of 141st Street
The Vandeerbeekers of 141st Street
By Karina Yan Glaser
This book is about a family named the Vanderbeekers who live in an apartment in Harlem, New York City. They have lived in the house and the neighborhood for their entire lives, and can't imagine moving out. But when their strange upstairs landlord, Mr. Biederman (more commonly referred to as The Biederman) refuses out of the blue to renew their lease, it seems the Vanderbeekers may have no choice. But they love their neighborhood, and they've always lived here! What changed, they aren't sure. Whatever the case, the five Vanderbeeker children (12 year old twins Isa and Jessie, 9 year old Oliver, 6 year old Hyacinth and 4 and 3/4 year old Laney) must band together to convince The Biederman to let them stay. Unfortunately, they no absolutely nothing about him, other than that he hates music (including Isa's violin practice), noise (including Oliver bouncing a basketball) and hasn't left his apartment in six years. Even when Papa comes in to clean, The Biederman hides in his bedroom! While they attempt to let their landlord know how much they want to stay and how good they can be, other things are going on, too. The twins get into a big fight. Oliver sends a note to The Beiderman that doesn't exactly help their situation. Hyacinth needs to channel Hyacinth the Brave to enact her special plan. And Laney keeps heading upstairs to Mr. Jeet and Ms. Josie's apartment along with her rabbit, Paganini. Can the siblings bond together to save their home? Read this book to find out.
This book is a very relateable, realistic fiction story about a family in Harlem. If you liked the Penderwicks, you will love this book. It is sweet and packed with humor and family bonding. I give this book four stars.
"A Little Magic Goes A Long Way." -Roald Dahl
UAC's rating:
Nowhere Boy
Nowhere Boy
By Katherine Marsh
This is a book about two boys. Max is American, but he's living in Belgium for a year for his dad's work. He's never felt good at much, and never felt like he has a purpose. Ahmed is a fourteen year-old Syrian refugee. He fled his home country with his father, only for the two of them to become separated. He's now stuck in Belgium with nowhere to go. Specifically, he's in a basement. Max's basement. Also, that's illegal. There is no possible way that Ahmed and Max can keep him hidden, reunite him with his father, and get him somewhere safe... All without help, all without getting discovered. Is there? Read this book to find out.
This book keeps you tense the whole time. There is the constant threat of discovery. I actually don't like books like this, because the reader is kept in fear the whole. But be that as it may, it sucks you in and you want to make sure that they win. This book sends a powerful message, one that you'll understand if you read it. This book gets three stars. Review by: UAC
"May all the doors you face in life swing open, and never smack you in the butt as they close." -Makara, Aru Shah and the End of Time (Roshani Chokshi)
UAC's rating:
The Hidden Oracle
The Hidden Oracle
By Rick Riordan
SPOILER ALERT: This review contains spoilers. Ensure that you have read Percy Jackson and the Olympians (series) and The Heroes of Olympus (series) by Rick Riordan before you continue.
This is the first book in the Trails of Apollo, the third of Rick Riordan's series. Zeus, god of the sky, blames Apollo for the events of the war against Gaea, which is ridiculous. Apollo is the most handsome, clever, kind and powerful god of all (at least according to himself). Anyway, Zeus has punished Apollo by making him into a puny mortal teenager called Lester Papadopoulos... and he didn't even give him six-pack abs! He's got to serve Meg McCaffrey, a strange twelve-year old demigod... Who refuses to worship him! Could things get any worse? Here's the thing... In order to become a god again, Apollo must rescue five Oracles from the control of Python, his scaly arch-enemy. But that's not the only challenge; the worst of the ancient Roman Empires have come back to life, and all of them have scores to settle with Apollo. He did horrible things when he was a god... casting curses, tricking people... and he never thought back. Now all his mistakes are coming back to bite him (some quite literally), and he's made A LOT. Will Apollo, in his new mortal form, be able to rescue the Oracles... And learn a lesson in humility? Read this book to find out.
Apollo is a great character, and the first book is super funny. Reunite with many familiar characters from The Heroes of Olympus, and meet awesome new people while you're at it. Apollo's way of thinking is so different from all the other characters in Rick Riordan's books, because he used to be a god. But with excellent pacing, Apollo's dislikeable character does get better. I rate this book 4 stars. Review by: UAC
"What If I Fall? Oh, But My Darling, What If You Fly?" -Erin Hanson
UAC's rating:
The Demigod Diaries
The Demigod Diaries
By Rick Riordan and Haley Riordan
SPOILER ALERT: This review contains spoilers. Ensure that you have read The Son of Neptune (and all books previous to it) by Rick Riordan before you continue.
This is an expansion on the demigods of Rick Riordan's Greek and Roman universe. There are formerly unheard stories in here, as well as one-of-a-kind photos of the characters. The first story is the Diary of Luke Castellan, where Luke reveals the events of a day where he and Thalia (before they met Annabeth) are tracking a magical goat. They wind up in a creepy mansion where they are scheduled to die at sundown. How do they survive? Find out here. Next is Percy Jackson and the Staff of Hermes, a short story that takes place on Percy and Annabeth's one-month dating anniversary. Turns out that Hermes' staff has been stolen by a giant, so now Percy and Annabeth must retrieve it... from the giant in the Meatpacking District. Will they succeed? Find out here. Now it's time for Leo Valdez and the Quest for Buford. This one takes place while the Argo II is still being built. Leo polished his table with the wrong type of Windex, so Buford has run away, taking Leo's next material with him. Problem is, Leo needs to install that particular material... within the hour, or the Argo II and Bunker Nine will explode. With the help of Jason and Piper, can he do it in time? Or will Dionysus' fan club ruin it all? Find out here. Finally, there's Son of Magic, which is written by Rick Riordan's son Haley, the inspiration behind Percy Jackson. Dr. Claymore is a genius mortal man who studies death and is trying to discover what happens when you die. But at the end of a speech, a kid asks Claymore to tell him how he can stop death, or he will die. The next morning, a monster comes after Claymore. It's Lamia, inventor of demigod scent, and she wants the address the boy gave Claymore. He resists, and finds the boy himself. Alabaster, the son of Hecate, fought for Kronos in the Battle of Manhattan. Now this monster can't be killed, and he needs help. Can Claymore figure out how to kill Lamia before she kills him, or will he and Alabaster both die? Find out here.
This book answers so many questions that I had about the demigods, maybe you've had some too: Annabeth, Luke, and Thalia's adventures, Jason, Leo, and Piper's time at Camp Half-Blood, and what happened to the demigods allied with Kronos? This book was a hit, but there was potential for even more. It actually raised more questions then it answered, so I give it three stars. Review by: UAC
"It's Not Enough To Be Friendly. You Have To Be A Friend." -R. J. Palacio
UAC's rating:
Bluestar's Prophecy
Bluestar's Prophecy
By Erin Hunter
This is a standalone book from the Warriors series. It is basically a book of Bluestar's entire life up until Into the Wild.
Ever wondered how Bluestar became leader? This book is Bluestar's life, the entire thing shadowed by a prophecy informing her that she will blaze through her Clan like fire.
Bluepaw is like most apprentices, except that she has overhead her destiny from Goosefeather, the supposedly crazy ThunderClan medicine cat. As Bluestar begins to learn the true meaning of the prophecy, she realizes that she must sacrifice everything for the good of her Clan. Few warriors could make the choice... Will she make the right one? Read this book to find out.
Filled with loveable characters and hard choices, you are right in Bluefur's shoes (er, paws) the whole time. This book is impossible to put down, and has incredible plot and perfect pacing. It is a bit tragic, so I would give it four stars. Review by: UAC
"Do you back down from a challenge?" -Lionheart, Into The Wild (Erin Hunter)
UAC's rating:
Firestar's Quest
Firestar's Quest
By Erin Hunter
SPOILER ALERT: This review contains spoilers. Ensure that you have read The Darkest Hour (and all books previous to it) by Erin Hunter before you continue.
This is a standalone book from the Warriors series, set just after the events of The Darkest Hour.
Firestar is leader of ThunderClan, Graystripe is his deputy, Cinderpelt is his Medicine Cat... All is well. That is, until Firestar receives a message from StarClan, telling him that there were actually once five Clans in the forest; the fifth being SkyClan. But when SkyClan's territory was taken by twolegs, SkyClan was driven out by the other Clans. Now they have disbanded, and it's Firestar's job to save SkyClan by reunited the descendants of its former members. Along with his beloved mate, Sandstorm, Firestar sets off on a journey away from his beloved ThunderClan. Will he succeed, or is he too late? Is SkyClan already too far gone to be recovered? Read this book to find out.
This book is such an interesting read. It lays the foundation for things that will come later in the series, but it is also another book from the perspective of the beloved Firestar, what with his kind heart and good sense of what is right. Warriors fans may also be interested to learn that in this book, Firestar finally decides who is more important: Sandstorm... or Spottedleaf. This book is five stars. Review by: UAC
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