Demigods and Monsters

I love Rick Riordan's writing style and characterization. I have always enjoyed mythology and he does a great job of bring any and all mytholgy to life in a fresh and new way. I find the characters to be engaging and to feel really real. His characters feel fresh and diverse without feeling like he makes them diverse just to have diversity. He does not belabor the point of their diversity it just is a fact of who they are and yet anyone who reads his books can feel included in representation. I love how he weaves the mythology into modern times so you feel like you are learning something as you are being entertained.

This book is full of insightful essays on the Percy Jackson series. The vast majority of them were interesting to read, but a few I did not care for as they seemed sort of random compared to the others. The author’s introduction was insightful. My favourite part was the glossary at the back and the essay about the Rags to Riches plot line of the novel.

Read this at Smash Attack Reads! http://www.smashattackreads.com/2011/07/review-demigods-monsters-your-favorite.h...

The Percy Jackson books are some of the best middle grade fiction I’ve ever read, and I think Rick Riordan is a god in his own right. He owns that market, and it is well deserved. When SmartPop offered to send me some of their catalog for review, I jumped at the chance to read other authors’ thoughts on Percy and friends. Rick Riordan’s introduction was very interesting and heartfelt. He created Percy, flaws and all, to validate his son’s dyslexia and ADHD. His introduction was the best part of the book, and quite uplifting.

I enjoyed the life lessons some of the authors discussed. Topics included finding your show more identity while remaining unique and not conforming, as well as embracing and working with your differences and disabilities instead of letting them rule you. Some brought up the message that everyone is flawed, even heroes, and that sometimes disabilities can be advantageous. Good messages all around.

One essay titled Eeny Meeny Miney Mo(m) analyzed what it would be like to have the Greek Gods and Goddesses as parents. That was a pretty fun analysis. One author lectures the reader on how to spot a monster. And for those that need a refresher, the book also has a Glossary of Ancient Greek Myths.

Unlike The Girl Who was on Fire essays, which I found excellent, this set of essays did not win me over as much. I think it was because the essays were less on Percy and the books and more on Greek mythology. Don’t get me wrong. I love Greek Mythology. A lot. But I wanted a more direct focus on Percy and gang, and not just comparisons and such. Not that the essays weren’t great and interesting, but just not what I expected. show less

I found this book disappointing. I absolutely love the Percy Jackson series, but this seemed to me to be rather poorly written, loosely organized essays written for young readers who wouldn't notice the difference. Every once in a while, I would smile or come across a new idea, but not often enough. The forward by Riordan about how he got the idea for the series was by far the best part. This one is for die hard fans only.

This was far more interesting in concept than in execution. I leafed around, dipping in and reading a bit, flipping through and reading a bit more. I didn't find much to hold me save Riordan's introduction, which was funny and interesting. There might be more meat here for teachers than for the average reader like me. I just couldn't find anything that was compelling enough to read.

it was fun to read and remember the books that this book is guideing you through

Reviewed by Jennifer Rummel for TeensReadToo.com

Love for Percy Jackson is sweeping readers everywhere -- and not just teens. Other authors love him as well, and they have something to say about him! DEMIGODS AND MONSTERS is a book of essays penned by other authors covering all things Percy Jackson.

Jenny Han gives godly parental report cards and asks if you could pick one parent out of the god realm, who would you choose? Rosemary Clement-Moore writes a lesson in recognizing monsters, for beginners, of course. Ellen Steiber attempts to answer why Dionysus isn't a poor choice for the director of Camp Half Blood. Nigel Rodgers writes a glossary of "Who's Who?" in Greek Mythology.

Cameron Dokey, Paul Collins, Carolyn MacCullough, Elizabeth show more M. Rees, Sarah Beth Hurst, Elizabeth E. Wein, Kathi Appelt, and Sophie Masson also write essays that are humorous, clever, odd, and just plain great.

Percy Jackson fans will love this book. show less