cinder

All of this hype about the new Cinderella movie reminded me of this series I was reading, the Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer. Why? The first book, entitled Cinder, is a twist on the childhood fairytale.
Linh Cinder is a citizen of what was once a large part of Asia, now East Commonweath. With her robotic hand and metal foot acquired in a childhood fire, Cinder works as a mechanic amidst the busy market place of New Bejing. For a while it's just her and  her best friend (and android) Iko along with her evil stepmother a two stepsisters.
But that all changes the day Price Kai comes to her asking for help recovering information off his personal android.
From there Cinder finds herself in the middle of a huge conspiracy, one involving the infamous plague that has taken the lives of billions everywhere, potential (intergalactic) war, quite possibly a mentally unstable doctor, and a supposedly dead Lunar princess that could save Earth.
I have never liked science fiction books, or anything pertaining to extraterrestrial life before, but I don't think that is truly what Cinder is.
This whole series is a spin off of the stories I grew up on, Cinderella and her lost shoe, Red Ridding Hood and her red cap, Rapunzel and her tresses of hair, and so many others. Each book is a new character and a continuation of the other stories. what I love so much is that everything ties together, every move the characters make come full circle, bringing the together for the finale.
Each character faces real problems and situations that kids my age deal with, albeit a on a larger scale.
They are all complex and diverse and unique in their own way. I love watching how the relationships evolve over time, my favorite being Cinder and Kai's.
They couldn't come from more different upbringings yet they are so similar: strong willed, clever, (for the most part) levelheaded, and compassionate. They are just so cute together, or rather they will be, once they actually get together.
Cinder has lived among the people and will bring insight on how to unite the nation and other world powers together against the impending Lunar (human experiment/alien) attack. Kai has the political sway to make people listen. If they can uncover the truth in time they might just have a chance to save the world, before it's too late.  

Blood of Olympus

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                                                                Blood of Olympus

Blood of Olympus is the newest book in Rick Roldan's newest series, The Heroes of Olympus. I don't want to say too much about the plot, as that would give the book away, but it was really good. There was a steady build up of suspense and deception throughout the book, so much so, that I felt the climax was a bit of a let down, it all happened so fast.

By far, this book and the previous book, the House of Hades are my favorite, as they are the only two that really showcase character development. For the first time, I saw a darker side of Percy, making him a more complex, dynamic character.  

Roldan spoke of how some characters never got along, but it wasn't until this book that that lack of trust really started to cause problems in character relationships and in the quest. The fate of the world rests on these demigod's shoulders, but I never doubted until this book that they would succeed.

I have been reading the Percy Jackson books since I was in fourth grade. Back then the humor was hilarious. But now, as a ninth grader in high school, I don't find the same humor appealing. Although the jokes have matured slightly overtime, I do wish Roldan would improve upon the characters' sense of humor, and maybe have them cuss every once and a while. They don't have to drop the f-bomb every other paragraph, but if I was 10,000 feet above sea level falling towards the earth with a five ton, burning chunk of metal behind me, I highly doubt "Holy moly!" would be my choice of words.

My favorite character is definitely Nico, the dangerous 14 year old son of Hades, Lord of the Underworld. He became closed off and dark after his sister died. Once his idol, Percy Jackson is now a target for his hate, yet he can't seem to stop himself from stepping in and keeping the idiot from getting himself killed. And you find out why in the book.

Nico, who journeyed solo through the depths of Tarturus, who carried the secret of both camps, who witnesses the horrors of death every time he shuts his eyes, can't face his innermost secret. (Spoiler) He is undeniably, completely, head over heels in love with Percy Jackson.

This kid has so much on his shoulders and I think he's completely adorable! He is the only one, I think, with a funny and mature sense of humor (ironic 'cause he's the youngest) and I don't think Roldan gives this kid enough credit.

In all honesty, I think I was more concerned about Nico finding happiness than I was Gaea rising from the Earth.

All in all, I was pleased with Blood of Olympus (finished it in one day) and I can't wait for the next book to come out.



 Nico Di Angelo