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-Kitty xx

Percy Jackson and the Greek Heroes Book Review

Summary [from Goodreads]:

Who cut off Medusa's head? Who was raised by a she-bear? Who tamed Pegasus? It takes a demigod to know, and Percy Jackson can fill you in on the all the daring deeds of Perseus, Atalanta, Bellerophon, and the rest of the major Greek heroes. Told in the funny, irreverent style readers have come to expect from Percy, ( I've had some bad experiences in my time, but the heroes I'm going to tell you about were the original old school hard luck cases. They boldly screwed up where no one had screwed up before. . .) and enhanced with vibrant artwork by Caldecott Honoree John Rocco, this story collection will become the new must-have classic for Rick Riordan's legions of devoted fans--and for anyone who needs a hero. So get your flaming spear. Put on your lion skin cape. Polish your shield and make sure you've got arrows in your quiver. We're going back about four thousand years to decapitate monsters, save some kingdoms, shoot a few gods in the butt, raid the Underworld, and steal loot from evil people. Then, for dessert, we'll die painful tragic deaths. Ready? Sweet. Let's do this.

[Photo Source]

I honestly had a hard time describing this book. I don’t where to start! I’d been fangirling for one whole day before I finally pulled my wits together and get this over with.

Okay.

It’s technically not a novel, more like a pseudo-survival guide for heroes/crash course in Greek mythology heroes, but this is my most favourite work of Rick Riordan. Mr. Sarcastic has finally mastered the art and practice of controlled satire with maximum effect. Well played, sir. Well played.

The heroes we thought we knew by heart were given a much more flavourful perspective thanks to the mixing-in of some present-day totes relatable takes apropos to our beloved narrator and everyone’s favourite modern day demigod hero [though not mine] Percy Jackson himself. And he’s just in it for the pizza.

Percy takes twelve heroes, though some aren’t so very...heroic, to be dissected [for some, literally], figure out why some of their lives really suck, and be made an example of if you’re truly adamant at taking your shot at being a hero.

Otrera was overkill [again, literally], being the original and founder of the Amazons, but Atalanta was straight-out badass.

Theseus? Come on. Percy made this guy sound like a buffed-up Leo Valdez who made really really bad choices.

I feel kind of sad that the finale was Jason because I know his story is really depressing and he didn’t even deserve any of what happened to him. But I know it does make sense, objectively speaking, because the Argonauts were the ultimate #SquadGoals. Some heroes you’ve read on the previous pages were there. It was fun and awesome...until the road trip ended. Then Jason’s hell started. Poor kid.

Here’s what I’ve learned after reading the book:

1. Do NOT underestimate the wrath of a jealous wife. Most especially if that wife is the freaking Goddess of Marriage. They do say, “Hell hath no fury than a woman scorned.”

2. Do not forget to sacrifice to your patron gods. Especially Aphrodite. She’s really creatively nasty when she gets mad.

3. The gods are there to remind you that you are nothing but a puny mortal so don’t waste your time getting all cocky over one damn achievement or you may find yourself blasted into smithereens. 

4. There were a lot of evil kings in Ancient Greece.

5. Visiting the Oracle of Delphi is a really really bad idea 99.9% of the time.

6. Ancient Greeks have quite a long roster of similar sounding names that are incredibly hard to pronounce much less read it’s no wonder modern-day demigods are dyslexic.

There are so many things going on in this book I’m starting to feel a little ADHD myself. If you haven’t picked it up yet, what the Hades are you waiting for? A million ROFL moments guaranteed, it’ll give you abs halfway across the book and a Herculean body by the time you put it down.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m gonna have to jog in circles for awhile to burn off excess frenetic energy.

Avril Bradley Character Review + Thoughts on Gosick

Meet Avril Bradley a.k.a Kujo’s Other Friend

Avril Bradley is a character who never lets anything— and I mean anything—get in her way of achieving personal happiness. Always engulfed in a constant bubble of joy, I’m sure Kujo thinks she’s a refreshing company from the ever cynical, proud, and stubborn Victorique.

Avril is lively and funny as a friend, always the one to have millions of stories to tell, but isn’t one to disappear when you’re down and out. In fact, she will do what she does best: she will back you up and cheer you on.

Avril with Kujo [Photo Source]

Even though she was kidnapped and thrown under the floorboards (I know, that was terrible), she brushed the experience off her skirt and was like, “Oh well, at least I’m still alive. Life is good!” Her optimism is truly admirable. I respect that.

I wouldn’t have minded a Victorique-Avril pairing and chuck Kujo out the window. Although Victorique is very condescending of Avril’s intelligence, the latter isn’t exactly stupid (like most annoying female anime characters). The comical chemistry between them would’ve been a nice change from the usual male-female bickering tandem. Even if Victorique tended to push people away, Avril proved to be loyal, patient, and persistent in being a friend to her, especially when Kujo got into some sticky situations.

She reminds me of Kofuku from Noragami because of her effervescence. And Jahan—not that I ever thought of Jahan’s optimism as “admirable”. When this girl is happy, she murders people and plots to take over the world. Proof of that can be found here.

Thoughts on Gosick

Gosick turned out to be one of my most favourite anime. It has a Sherlock-y feel but it doesn’t focus too much on the “solving crimes” part. Although Victorique does display her superior intellectual prowess from time to time, the focus of the series is on her journey from being an indifferent doll to actual human being.

The last two episodes were a bit rushed, like the creators couldn’t wait to wrap up the damn thing. I think there could’ve been two more episodes if they expounded on those.

For example, Marquis de Blois. He was like the main villain of the series but he only appears every few minutes or so in some episodes then it’s back to Kujo. And when his big break came, it turned out to be a flop. Too fast.

I thought Brian Roscoe and Cordelia Gallo weren’t given enough background, either. Why were there two Brian Roscoes and why were they both called Brian? I wish there were more flashbacks on why exactly was Cordelia very important to them for them to die for. The explanation given sounded forced. Also, Cordelia just kind of suddenly came out of nowhere to bust out some serious ninja moves that were so out of character to kill her rapist. And then die.

Why, why, why creators?

The ending was beautiful, though. It was...just right. Kujo and Victorique went through so much, and towards the end everything was just so crazy so their happily ever after was hard-earned. I had a mini-panic mode because I thought they both died, too, and the flower-bed walking moment was a metaphor for crossing the afterlife. But all was well.

All was well.

My Favourites on the Best Dressed of the Year Critics’ Choice 2014

I know, I know. It’s incredibly outdated. Almost a year ago has past. But my dear, dear, dear *cue widening of eyes* friend Jahan proclaimed, “You love fashion, right? Write a review on these dresses. I want to know what you think.” Which is absolutely unfair. I do love to dress up and make sensible choices in my outfits, I follow fashion blogs (even though they are actually street style), sure, but...but...what exactly do I know about haute couture and red carpet fashion?

“It will be an epic fail,” I lamented. “The only thing I can describe a dress with is ‘pretty’.”

“Just write,” she demanded.

Well.

Suitcase Treasures: Once Upon a Guy

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Crap. I really like this boy. This should not be permitted. I am not in love. No, I don’t think so. I cannot fall in love. But right now this boy, he’s my inspiration.

I like the way he grows his hair, carefree and nonchalant. I like his broad shoulders which seem to support the weight of the world. I like that he wears black all the time, my favourite colour—and he doesn’t even know it. I like his face most of all, youthful yet worldly. His eyes, oh, his eyes. They really look at you when he speaks. Black orbs they are, they sparkle when he smiles.