My Thoughts: The Tower of Nero by Rick Riordan (Audiobook)

The Tower of Nero
(The Trials of Apollo #5) by Rick Riordan
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Publication Date: October 6th 2020
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion
Pages: 416
ISBN: 9781484746455
Genre: Middle Grade, Fantasy, Mythology

Audio Publisher: Recorded Books
Audio Length: 12 hrs 20 min
Narrated By: Robbie Daymond
Audio ISBN: 9780593290965
Source: Own

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At last, the breathtaking, action-packed finale of the #1 bestselling Trials of Apollo series is here! Will the Greek god Apollo, cast down to earth in the pathetic moral form of a teenager named Lester Papadopoulos, finally regain his place on Mount Olympus? Lester's demigod friends at Camp Jupiter just helped him survive attacks from bloodthirsty ghouls, an evil Roman king and his army of the undead, and the lethal emperors Caligula and Commodus. Now the former god and his demigod master Meg must follow a prophecy uncovered by Ella the harpy. Lester's final challenge will be at the Tower of Nero, back in New York. Will Meg have a last showdown with her father? Will this helpless form of Apollo have to face his arch nemesis, Python? Who will be on hand at Camp Half-Blood to assist? These questions and more will be answered in this book that all demigods are eagerly awaiting. (Goodreads)

The Tower of Nero is the fifth and final book in the Trials of Apollo series by Rick Riordan, and it’s also one of my most anticipated reads of 2020! I have been a huge fan of this series since I read the very first book, and I was super curious to know how it was going to end. Even though I didn’t want the story to end at all, because I’m not ready to say goodbye to this fantastic series. But, all good things come to an end. Right? Right.

Leading up to the release of this final book, I decided to do a re-read of all of the previous books in the series, and I’m so glad I did. Not only did it refresh my brain on what happened in the story, but it also made reminded me why I loved the series so much. Not only does the series have a fantastic storyline, but it also has so many great characters. Some characters that we know from previous books, and some we are meeting for the first time in this series, but regardless of when and how we’ve met, I love them all. It’s such a wonderful, diverse group of characters, and I love them all.

When I started reading the first book back in 2018, I did not expect to completely love Lester/Apollo by the end of this series. He starts as such an entitled, selfish God, literally, and by the end of the series, he’s a completely different person. There was so much amazing character growth for Lester/Apollo over the course of the series, and I appreciated watching it so much. Meg was another fantastic character. Though young, she was fierce, and I loved that about her. I hated all the things that she had to go through at the hands of Nero, but she was a tough cookie, and the perfect heroine in this story. I also love getting to check in with all our old favorites again as well, as one last goodbye. (For now, I hope.)

And as I mentioned above, the storyline is fantastic. I always feel like I’ve learned something new whenever I read one of Rick’s books. The mythology is fascinating, and I definitely need more of it. Luckily for me, there are still a few books by Rick that I haven’t checked out yet, so I plan to devour those soon. (Greek Gods and Greek Heroes, I’m coming for you!) I should also add that some things in the book are left wide open at the end, and I’m hoping there will be a lot more stories to come in the future.

I had originally pre-ordered both the hardcover and audio version of the book, and I had a wonderful plan to read along with the book while listening to the audiobook. (If you’ve never done this before, you should definitely try it sometime.) Unfortunately, my hardcover didn’t arrive on time, and I was too impatient to wait, so I opted to go ahead with the audiobook. (A great decision, I might add.) The narrator for The Tower of Nero was once again Robbie Daymond, who has narrated all of the books in the Trials of Apollo series, and he once again did a FANTASTIC job telling us the story. It’s always a pleasure to listen to something narrated by him.

Overall; If you can’t tell by this super gushy review, I really, really enjoyed The Tower of Nero. While I didn’t want the story to end AT ALL, I couldn’t have asked for a better ending. I can’t wait to read the series again, hopefully soon! And I’m very excited to see what Uncle Rick has in store for us once he returns from his much deserved break.

Waiting on Wednesday: Aru Shah and the Tree of Wishes & The Empire of Dreams

Aru Shah and the Tree of Wishes
(Pandava Quartet #3)
by Roshani Chokshi
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Publication Date: April 7th 2020
Publisher: Rick Riordan Presents
ISBN: 9781368013857

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War between the devas and the demons is imminent, and the Otherworld is on high alert. When intelligence from the human world reveals that the Sleeper is holding a powerful clairvoyant and her sister captive, 14-year-old Aru and her friends launch a search-and-rescue mission. The captives, a pair of twins, turn out to be the newest Pandava sisters, though, according to a prophecy, one sister is not true.

During the celebration of Holi, the heavenly attendants stage a massage PR rebranding campaign to convince everyone that the Pandavas are to be trusted. As much as Aru relishes the attention, she fears that she is destined to bring destruction to her sisters, as the Sleeper has predicted. Aru believes that the only way to prove her reputation is to find the Kalpavriksha, the wish-granting tree that came out of the Ocean of Milk when it was churned. If she can reach it before the Sleeper, perhaps she can turn everything around with one wish.

Careful what you wish for, Aru . . . (Goodreads)

Guys... I LOVE THIS SERIES!
And I'm super excited to see what's going to happen next in this much anticipated third book!
I know it's going to be awesome.

The Empire of Dreams
by Rae Carson
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Publication Date: April 7th 2020
Publisher: Greenwillow Books
ISBN: 9780062691903

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New York Times-bestselling author Rae Carson makes a triumphant return to the world of her award-winning Girl of Fire and Thorns trilogy in this extraordinary stand-alone novel. With action, adventure, and a heroine set on destroying the patriarchal limits meant to keep her in her place, The Empire of Dreams once again proves that Rae Carson is a master of epic fantasy.

Even though Red Sparkle Stone is a foundling orphan with an odd name and a veiled past, she's about to be adopted into the royal family—by Empress Elisa herself. Sixteen-year-old Red can hardly believe her luck. Then, in a stunning political masterstroke, the empress's greatest rival blocks the adoption, and Red is left with no family and no future.

Grieving and lost, but determined to find her place, Red hatches a daring plan: she will prove herself as a recruit for the world's most elite fighting force, the legendary Royal Guard—something no woman has done before. But it's no coincidence that someone wanted her to fail as a princess, someone whose shadowy agenda puts everything she loves at risk. As danger closes in, it will be up to Red and her new friends—and maybe some new enemies—to save the empire. If they can survive recruitment year. (Goodreads)

Ah! It has been SO long since I read the Fire and Thorns series,

but I am SOOOO excited to get back to this world!
I wish I had time re-read the books before starting this one,
but I'm too impatient to wait. lol!

•     •     •

**"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine,
that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.**

My Thoughts: The Tyrant's Tomb by Rick Riordan

The Tyrant's Tomb
(Trials of Apollo #4)
by Rick Riordan
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Publication Date: September 24th 2019
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion
Pages: 440
ISBN: 9781484746448
Genre: YA | MG | Mythology | Fantasy
Source: Own

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In his penultimate adventure, a devastated but determined Apollo travels to Camp Jupiter, where he must learn what it is to be a hero, or die trying.

It's not easy being Apollo, especially when you've been turned into a human and banished from Olympus. On his path to restoring five ancient oracles and reclaiming his godly powers, Apollo (aka Lester Papadopoulos) has faced both triumphs and tragedies. Now his journey takes him to Camp Jupiter in the San Francisco Bay Area, where the Roman demigods are preparing for a desperate last stand against the evil Triumvirate of Roman emperors. Hazel, Reyna, Frank, Tyson, Ella, and many other old friends will need Apollo's aid to survive the onslaught. Unfortunately, the answer to their salvation lies in the forgotten tomb of a Roman ruler . . . someone even worse than the emperors Apollo has already faced. (Goodreads)

The Tyrant’s Tomb by Rick Riordan was high on my list of books to read this fall, and I’m beyond thrilled that I did so. I don’t get to read middle grade books as often as I’d like, but there are some authors that I will drop everything to read a book from, and Rick Riordan is one of those authors. I have read almost every one of his books, and they only get better and better as they go along, and I always enjoy taking the time to read his books. I devoured The Tyrant’s Tomb, and it totally left me wanting more!

In this new book we follow Apollo/Lester and the lovely Meg as they complete the fourth trial to restore the five oracles, as well as Apollos powers. For this adventure they travel to Camp Jupiter, and we get to see all the friends we loved from the Heroes of Olympus series. It was so fun to catch up with these characters, even though it was not under the best circumstances, but I love that Rick gave us a little glance into their world. I loved seeing Hazel, Frank, and so many more!

One of the things that I really love the most about this series is the character growth for Apollo/Lester. It is absolutely fascinating to watch this literal god become more and more human, with feelings and humility. I am super curious to see how this story is going to wrap up in the next book, even though I SO do not want this series to end, at all. (Sigh.)

As I have mentioned in some of my previous reviews, all of the audiobooks in this series are narrated by Robbie Daymond, and I have to say, once again, how great he is at narrating these books! I love all of the voices that he creates, and he definitely manages to keep me entertained as I listen to the story. If you have the opportunity to check these books out in audio format, then I highly recommend you do so.

Overall; The Tyrant’s Tomb was yet another great addition to the Trials of Apollo series! I am so looking forward to the next book, The Tower of Nero, (coming Fall 2020!), to see what’s next for Apollo and Meg, even though I totally don’t want the books to end. If you’re a fan of ANY of Rick Riordan’s books, you definitely want to check out this series.

My Thoughts: The Burning Maze by Rick Riordan

The Burning Maze
(Trials of Apollo #3)
by Rick Riordan
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Publication Date: May 1st 2018
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion
Pages: 431
ISBN: 9781368024129
Genre: Middle Grade | Fantasy | Mythology
Source: Own

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The formerly glorious god Apollo, cast down to earth in punishment by Zeus, is now an awkward mortal teenager named Lester Papadopoulos. In order to regain his place on Mount Olympus, Lester must restore five Oracles that have gone dark. But he has to achieve this impossible task without having any godly powers and while being duty-bound to a confounding young daughter of Demeter named Meg. Thanks a lot, Dad.

With the help of some demigod friends, Lester managed to survive his first two trials, one at Camp Half-Blood, and one in Indianapolis, where Meg received the Dark Prophecy. The words she uttered while seated on the Throne of Memory revealed that an evil triumvirate of Roman emperors plans to attack Camp Jupiter. While Leo flies ahead on Festus to warn the Roman camp, Lester and Meg must go through the Labyrinth to find the third emperor—and an Oracle who speaks in word puzzles—somewhere in the American Southwest. There is one glimmer of hope in the gloom-filled prophecy: The cloven guide alone the way does know. They will have a satyr companion, and Meg knows just who to call upon. . . . (Goodreads)

I cannot even begin to tell you how much I am enjoying the Trials of Apollo series by Rick Riordan, and The Burning Maze is just another great addition to this already fantastic series. (I thought I had already done a review for this book, but I see that I have not. My thoughts for this book are going to be a little short and sweet, because while I have read the book twice now, I have read quite a few books since, and my brain is a little jumble-y. Bear with me!)

So a while back I set out on a journey to read ALL of Rick Riordan’s books, which I read 1 book per month until I was officially caught up, and now I get to do the impatient yearly wait for a new book to release. (This is not fun. I definitely enjoyed binge reading more. *grin*) But these books are definitely worth the wait, and I am more than happy to do so.

The Burning Maze picks up right where The Dark Prophecy leaves off, and is an adventure from the start of the book to the end of the book. In this third book, we get to see if Apollo will survive the third task he needs to accomplish in order to get back his godly status, all with the help of some really awesome friends. (It’s SO nice to see some of the characters from different books again!) The storyline for the book is completely fascinating, and full of twists and turns. (Oh, and there is one thing that will probably break your heart. I know it did mine, and I’m still a little upset with Rick over it.)

One thing I love about these books is that I am totally learning so much about mythology. We didn’t learn most of this stuff in schools, and I’m absolutely fascinated by it. (Seriously, I can’t get enough!) And, this knowledge has come in handy for more than one episode of Jeopardy!

Another thing that I love about the series are the characters. Both new and old, you’ll love them all. I especially love that Apollo is growing on me more and more as the series goes along. I am SO rooting for him now, and I can’t wait to see what the next two trials, (and books), have in store for him.

I also want to add that I have been listening to the audiobooks for this series, which are narrated by Robbie Daymond, who narrates all of the books in this series so far, and he does SUCH a great job with all the different voices. Very entertaining! If you have the opportunity to listen to these books on audio, I highly recommend them.

Overall; The Burning Maze is another great addition to the highly addictive Trials of Apollo series! I can’t wait to get started on the next book, The Tyrant’s Tomb, which is officially out as of September 2019! I hope it’s great!

My Thoughts: Dear Sweet Pea by Julie Murphy

Dear Sweet Pea
by Julie Murphy
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Publication Date: October 1st 2019
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Pages: 288
ISBN: 9780062473073
Genre: Middle Grade | Contemporary
Source: Edelweiss Review Copy

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The first middle grade novel from Julie Murphy, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Dumplin’ (now a popular Netflix film), is a funny, heartwarming story perfect for fans of Rebecca Stead, Ali Benjamin, and Holly Goldberg Sloan.

Patricia “Sweet Pea” DiMarco wasn’t sure what to expect when her parents announced they were getting a divorce. She never could have imagined that they would have the “brilliant” idea of living in nearly identical houses on the same street. In the one house between them lives their eccentric neighbor Miss Flora Mae, the famed local advice columnist behind “Miss Flora Mae I?”

Dividing her time between two homes is not easy. And it doesn’t help that at school, Sweet Pea is now sitting right next to her ex–best friend, Kiera, a daily reminder of the friendship that once was. Things might be unbearable if Sweet Pea didn’t have Oscar—her new best friend—and her fifteen-pound cat, Cheese.

Then one day Flora leaves for a trip and asks Sweet Pea to forward her the letters for the column. And Sweet Pea happens to recognize the handwriting on one of the envelopes.

What she decides to do with that letter sets off a chain of events that will forever change the lives of Sweet Pea DiMarco, her family, and many of the readers of “Miss Flora Mae I?” (Goodreads)

Julie Murphy has quickly become one of those authors whose books I will pick up without even reading the summary, because I know it will be a good read no matter what the book is about. I have read and enjoyed all of Julie’s books so far, so of course I added Dear Sweet Pea to my to-read list as soon as I discovered it!

Dear Sweet Pea is the very first middle grade book that Julie has out so far, and while I don’t read that genre very often, it didn’t stop me in the least from wanting to check out this book. I was curious and the book was so good, and I have no regrets about reading it!

One of the things that I liked the most about this book were the characters. The book is full of well written characters that you will grow to love over the course of the book. The main character, Sweet Pea, is 13 years old and in 7th grade, and while I am SO far from that her age now, I still managed to relate to some of the things she went through in the story. I love it when that happens, and I know so many are going to be able to relate to her as well. Sweet Pea also has so pretty great parents, and a really awesome best friend who I adored as well.

The storyline for this book is a lot of fun, but also touches on things younger teenagers will be able to relate to. The book has a very positive feel to it, which I loved. And this book is definitely not just for the younger crowd, I think any age can read the story and appreciate it. I know I did!

Overall; Julie Murphy definitely has another great book on her hands with Dear Sweet Pea! The book has a great story and awesome characters, and I’m really glad that I read the book. Now I must wait for Julie’s next book to release, and I will definitely have that on my TBR as well!

Waiting on Wednesday: Tunnel of Bones & The Girl the Sea Gave Back

Tunnel of Bones
(Cassidy Blake #2)
by Victoria Schwab
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Publication Date: September 3rd 2019
Publisher: Scholastic Press
ISBN: 9781338111040

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Trouble is haunting Cassidy Blake . . . even more than usual.

She (plus her ghost best friend, Jacob, of course) are in Paris, where Cass's parents are filming their TV show about the world's most haunted cities. Sure, it's fun eating croissants and seeing the Eiffel Tower, but there's true ghostly danger lurking beneath Paris, in the creepy underground Catacombs.

When Cass accidentally awakens a frighteningly strong spirit, she must rely on her still-growing skills as a ghosthunter -- and turn to friends both old and new to help her unravel a mystery. But time is running out, and the spirit is only growing stronger.

And if Cass fails, the force she's unleashed could haunt the city forever. (Goodreads)

Have you checked out this middle grade series by Victoria Schwab?? I read the first book, City of Ghosts, last year, and really enjoyed it! I am very much looking forward to reading the sequel when it is released!

The Girl the Sea Gave Back
by Adrienne Young
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Publication Date: September 3rd 2019
Publisher: Wednesday Books
ISBN: 9781250168481

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The new gut-wrenching epic from the New York Times bestselling author of Sky in the Deep.

For as long as she can remember, Tova has lived among the Svell, the people who found her washed ashore as a child and use her for her gift as a Truthtongue. Her own home and clan are long-faded memories, but the sacred symbols and staves inked over every inch of her skin mark her as one who can cast the rune stones and see into the future. She has found a fragile place among those who fear her, but when two clans to the east bury their age-old blood feud and join together as one, her world is dangerously close to collapse.

For the first time in generations, the leaders of the Svell are divided. Should they maintain peace or go to war with the allied clans to protect their newfound power? And when their chieftain looks to Tova to cast the stones, she sets into motion a series of events that will not only change the landscape of the mainland forever but will give her something she believed she could never have again—a home. (Goodreads)

Does this story sound awesome, or what?? I have had Adrienne's Sky in the Deep on my TBR for the LONGEST, and now I'm adding this to my list to read ASAP as well! I am really looking forward to checking it out!

That's all for me this week... What about you??

**"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine,
that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.**

My Thoughts: Aru Shah and the Song of Death by Roshani Chokshi

Aru Shah and the Song of Death
(Pandava Quartet #2)
by Roshani Chokshi
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Publication Date: April 30th 2019
Publisher: Rick Riordan Presents
Pages: 400
ISBN: 9781368013840
Genre: Middle Grade | Fantasy | Mythology
Source: Netgalley Review Copy

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Aru is only just getting the hang of this whole Pandava thing when the Otherworld goes into full panic mode. The god of love's bow and arrow have gone missing, and the thief isn't playing Cupid. Instead, they're turning people into heartless fighting-machine zombies. If that weren't bad enough, somehow Aru gets framed as the thief. If she doesn't find the arrow by the next full moon, she'll be kicked out of the Otherworld. For good.

But, for better or worse, she won't be going it alone.

Along with her soul-sister, Mini, Aru will team up with Brynne, an ultra-strong girl who knows more than she lets on, and Aiden, the boy who lives across the street and is also hiding plenty of secrets. Together they'll battle demons, travel through a glittering and dangerous serpent realm, and discover that their enemy isn't at all who they expected. (Goodreads)

Aru Shah and the Song of Death, the second book in the Pandava Quartet series by Roshani Chokshi, was super high on my list of most anticipated reads for 2019. I read Aru Shah and the End of Time, the first book in the series, last year, and enjoyed the story SO much that I couldn't wait to get my hands on this sequel. It definitely did not disappoint!!

One of the things that I love most about this book series is that it reminds me so much of the Percy Jackson series by Rick Riordan. They are fun, addictive reads that you can't help but love. So, it will come as no surprise to you that this book is one of many books brought to you by the Rick Riordan Presents, which is an imprint by Rick Riordan himself, which brings us middle grade books by authors from underrepresented cultures and backgrounds. I have had the pleasure of reading quite a few books from this imprint already, and they are all SO great!

Another thing that I love about this book is that the storyline is all about Hindu mythology, which I admittedly know very little about, but am learning more and more of as I read the books! I love that these stories are engaging and addictive, but also leave me feeling like I've learned something after I close the book. And the more I read these books, the more fascinated I become with the mythology, and it definitely leaves me wanting more! The storyline also has great messages and situations that so many will be able to relate to, and I love that as well.

And I can't finish up this review without saying something about the characters in the book. If you've read my review for the first book, you'll know just how much I adore the characters in the story, including the main characters, Aru and Mini, and especially Boo. And while we get our fill of these characters again, we are also introduced to a lot of new characters in this book, and I guarantee that you're going to love them all as well! (Brynne and Aidan especially!)

Overall; I was once again captivated by the awesomeness that is Aru Shah and her fantastic story. Roshani Chokshi definitely has yet another hit on her hands with Aru Shah and the Song of Death, and I absolutely can't wait to get my hands on the next book in the series, which is currently untitled and without a release day, but which I will most definitely be keeping my eye out for! If you've not yet read this series, I highly recommend it! (Especially if you like books like the Percy Jackson series!)

My Thoughts: 9 From the Nine Worlds by Rick Riordan

9 From the Nine Worlds
(Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard)
by Rick Riordan
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Publication Date: October 2nd 2018
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion
Pages: 178
ISBN: 9781368024044
Genre: YA/MG | Fantasy | Mythology
Source: Own

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The Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard trilogy may have concluded, but we haven't heard the last of our favorite peeps from the Nine Worlds. Join Hearthstone, Blitzen, Samirah, Alex, Jack, T.J., Mallory, Halfborn, and more on a hilarious and unforgettable journey through Rick Riordan's unique take on Norse mythology. While Magnus is off visiting his cousin, Annabeth, his friends find themselves in some sticky, hairy, and smelly situations as they try to outwit moronic giants, murderous creatures, and meddlesome gods. Can they stave off Ragnarok at least until Magnus gets back? (Goodreads)

I don’t know about you guys, but I was super excited to get my hand on 9 From the Nine Worlds by Rick Riordan! I just recently finished a binge-read of ALL of his books, and after finally reading all of his books, I found myself having major Rick Riordan withdrawals! 9 From the Nine Worlds was just what I needed to temporarily fill the Rick Riordan sized void that I’m currently experiencing at the moment.

9 from the Nine Worlds is a short story by Rick Riordan that is set in the The Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard world. Though that series has already come to an end, this book was a nice little update on what the characters in the series have been up to. Unfortunately, we don’t get to see Magnus Chase in the story at all, (he’s visiting his cousin Annabeth at the time), but we do get to read this story from ALL the fascinating characters that were in the series! Each character that you know and love from the series gets a chapter in this book, and they were all completely fascinating to read.

I have to say it was super fun to go along on the adventures with the characters in this book as they try to stop Ragnarok. Some of the adventures were crazy, and I loved reading them! I would love it if Rick would decide to add more books in the Magnus Chase series, as I totally didn’t want the series to end when it did. I love the series, the storyline, and most especially, the characters!!

Overall, If you’re like me and having major withdrawals after the Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard series ended, you definitely need to check out 9 From the Nine Worlds!! This book was lots of fun to read, and will definitely fill the void that you may be experiencing after having finished the series. (We can always hope that Rick will one day extend the series, right?!) Add 9 From the Nine Worlds to your TBR today!!

My Thoughts: The Storm Runner by J.C. Cervantes (Audiobook)

The Storm Runner
(The Storm Runner #1)
by J.C. Cervantes
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Publication Date: September 18th 2018
Publisher: Rick Riordan Presents
Pages: 448
ISBN: 9781368016346
Genre: Middle Grade | Fantasy | Mythology
Source: Publisher Collaboration

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Zane has always enjoyed exploring the dormant volcano near his home in New Mexico, even though hiking it is challenging. He'd much rather hang out there with his dog, Rosie, than go to middle school, where kids call him Sir Limps a Lot, McGimpster, or Uno — for his one good leg. What Zane doesn't know is that the volcano is a gateway to another world and he is at the center of a powerful prophecy.

A new girl at school, Brooks, informs him that he's destined to release an evil god from the ancient Maya relic he is imprisoned in — unless she can find and remove it first. Together they return to the volcano, where all kinds of crazy happens. Brooks turns into a hawk, a demon attacks them in a cave, and Rosie gives her all while trying to protect Zane. When Zane decides to save his dog no matter the cost, he is thrust into an adventure full of surprising discoveries, dangerous secrets, and an all-out war between the gods, one of whom happens to be his father. To survive, Zane will have to become the Storm Runner. But how can he run when he can't even walk well without a cane?

Feisty heroes, tricky gods, murderous demons, and spirited giants are just some of the pleasures that await in this fresh and funny take on Maya mythology, as rich and delicious as a mug of authentic hot chocolate. (Goodreads)

The Storm Runner is the first book in a brand series by J.C. Cervantes, brought to you by Rick Riordan Presents, which is a brand-new imprint started by Rick Riordan to bring us diverse stories by diverse authors! The Storm Runner is the second book that I’ve read from Rick Riordan Presents, (The first book was Aru Shah and the End of Time by Roshani Chokshi, which was absolutely fantastic), and I couldn’t wait to get started on this new book to go on another new adventure! It definitely did not disappoint!!

The Storm Runner is a middle grade fantasy that is full of diversity and lots of Maya mythology. Admittedly, I have not read nearly enough books on Maya Mythology, and that made the storyline for this completely fascinating. Add in lots of interesting characters, and I was hooked. This book seriously has it all, and I can’t wait to get my hands on the next book as soon as possible to see what’s going to happen next!

Though I have a gorgeous finished copy of this book sitting on my shelf, I opted to read-along with the audiobook as I read, and I’m so glad I made this decision! The audio for this book is fantastic, and Ozzie Rodriguez did an excellent job with the voices and narration. I really enjoyed it!!

I also want to add how much I appreciate Rick Riordan and Disney for starting this imprint. These are the diverse stories that the children of today need to read, and I’m so glad that are getting out there in the world to check out. I absolutely can't wait to read more and more great stories from this imprint.

Overall; The Storm Runner by is the great start to what should prove to be an awesome series by J.C. Cervantes!! If you’re looking for a book that is full of diverse characters and interesting mythology, you should definitely add this book to your TBR. I can't wait to get my hands on the next book in the series, The Fire Keeper, which is currently set to release September 2019! And don’t forget to check out Aru Shah and the End of Time by Roshani Chokshi as well!!

My Thoughts: Ice Wolves by Amie Kaufman

Ice Wolves
(Elementals, #1)
by Amie Kaufman
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Publication Date: March 27th 2018
Publisher: HarperCollins
Pages: 352
ISBN: 9780062457981
Genre: Middle Grade | Fantasy
Source: Edelweiss

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Everyone in Vallen knows that ice wolves and scorch dragons are sworn enemies who live deeply separate lives.

So when twelve-year-old orphan Anders takes one elemental form and his twin sister, Rayna, takes another, he wonders whether they are even related. Still, whether or not they’re family, Rayna is Anders’s only true friend. She’s nothing like the brutal, cruel dragons who claimed her as one of their own and stole her away.

In order to rescue her, Anders must enlist at the foreboding Ulfar Academy, a school for young wolves that values loyalty to the pack above all else. But for Anders, loyalty is more complicated than obedience, and friendship is the most powerful shapeshifting force of all. (Goodreads)

Amie Kaufman is one of those authors that, for me, never disappoints with her amazing writing, and I'm always excited to check out something new by her. When I discovered Ice Wolves, the first book in her brand new middle grade series, Elementals, I knew I would have to check it out. I'm so glad that I did! I really enjoyed the book, and I think this series is off to a really great start!

Ice Wolves is a story about a young orphan boy named Anders, who lives on the streets with his sister, Rayna, doing what they have to do to make it through another day, and keeping each other safe at all costs. When they discover that they can take on elemental forms, one of a wolf, and one of a dragon, they wonder if what they know of their past is even true. And when Rayna is stolen away by the dragons, Anders does the thing he wants to do the least in order to save her.

I've read quite a few middle grade books this month, which I unfortunately don't get to do much lately, and I'm amazed at how different they are than the books that were around when I was younger. Ice Wolves is no exception. It has a great cast of diverse characters, and while the story is fantasy, it also has some extremely relatable situations as well. I love that! I also really enjoyed the storyline for this book, especially the parts about the dragons and the wolves being enemies. I feel like I can guess which direction the storyline is going to take in the next two books, but I'm excited either way to read them to see what happens next.

Overall; Ice Wolves is a really great beginning to what should prove to be a really entertaining series by Amie Kaufman! I will most definitely be keeping my eye out for information on the next book in the series, which at the moment is currently untitled, and set to release sometime in 2019. I can't wait to check it out! If you're a fan of Amie's work, or if you're just a fan of really addictive middle grade fantasy, do check out Ice Wolves!

My Thoughts: Aru Shah and the End of Time by Roshani Chokshi

Aru Shah and the End of Time
(Pandava Quartet #1)
by Roshani Chokshi
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Publication Date: March 27th 2018
Publisher: Rick Riordan Presents
Pages: 368
ISBN: 9781368012355
Genre: Middle Grade | Fantasy | Mythology
Source: Review Copy

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Twelve-year-old Aru Shah has a tendency to stretch the truth in order to fit in at school. While her classmates are jetting off to family vacations in exotic locales, she'll be spending her autumn break at home, in the Museum of Ancient Indian Art and Culture, waiting for her mom to return from her latest archeological trip. Is it any wonder that Aru makes up stories about being royalty, traveling to Paris, and having a chauffeur?

One day, three schoolmates show up at Aru's doorstep to catch her in a lie. They don't believe her claim that the museum's Lamp of Bharata is cursed, and they dare Aru to prove it. Just a quick light, Aru thinks. Then she can get herself out of this mess and never ever fib again.

But lighting the lamp has dire consequences. She unwittingly frees the Sleeper, an ancient demon whose duty it is to awaken the God of Destruction. Her classmates and beloved mother are frozen in time, and it's up to Aru to save them.

The only way to stop the demon is to find the reincarnations of the five legendary Pandava brothers, protagonists of the Hindu epic poem, the Mahabharata, and journey through the Kingdom of Death. But how is one girl in Spider-Man pajamas supposed to do all that? (Goodreads)

Aru Shah and the End of Time is the first book in a brand new Pandava Quartet series by New York Times bestselling author Roshani Chokshi ! I have read The Star-Touched Queen series by Roshani in the past, and really, really enjoyed the story, so when this book crossed my radar, I knew I would have to check it out!! I'm so glad I did, I really enjoyed this book!

Aru Shah and the End of Time is the first book to be released by the new Disney-Hyperion imprint, Rick Riordan Presents! If you don't know what Rick Riordan Presents is, you can read more about it Here. Basically, it's an imprint that will be devoted just middle grade books by authors from underrepresented cultures and backgrounds. Does that sound great, or what?? How awesome will it be to read about different cultures, from authors that are actually from each culture? I don't know about you guys, but I'm pretty excited for this!!

Aru Shah and the End of Time is a story is about a 12 year old girl named Aru Shah, who, in an attempt to impress her schoolmates, unintentionally releases and ancient demon, who, if not stopped, could cause the end of time.

Let me say, if you're a fan of Rick Riordan's stories, or of any kind of mythology, you will definitely want to check out this book. I love reading Rick's books, because not only are they completely engaging, but they are also educating as well. I felt this and SO MUCH MORE about Aru Shah and the End of Time. Not only did Roshani Chokshi keep me completely entertained with the story, but it also taught me all about Hindu Mythology, which I knew nothing about, but am now completely fascinated with.

This book also has some really great characters. There's not just one, but TWO awesome heroines' in the story, and it was absolutely fascinating to go along on their journey with them to stop the end of time. These girls were in no way perfect, and brought up so many memories from my youth. (Yup, I was once a 12 year old girl. I get it, Aru!) I love them! There are a lot of really awesome secondary characters in the story as well, Boo being one of my favorites, and I was completely fascinated by them all!

The storyline for the book, as I mentioned above, is all about Hindu mythology. I'll be perfectly honest with you, I probably wouldn't know half of the things I know about Greek, Roman, Egyptian, and Norse mythology without having read Rick Riordan's books, and I LOVE that I have retained that information long after I read them. (It helps with those Jeopardy categories!) I know the same is going to happen with this book. Not only is Roshani is telling us a story with Aru Shah and the End of Time, she's also educating us on Hindu Mythology as well, and I love that! The whole story was completely fascinating, and I can't wait to get my hand on the next book(s) in the series as soon as possible.

Overall; I really, really enjoyed Aru Shah and the End of Time, and I absolutely can't wait to read the rest of the books in this series when they are released!! I love the characters, and the storyline, and the fact that it made me laugh out loud so many times. I loved it! (As if you can't tell!) If you're a fan of mythology, and love books that are similar to Rick Riordan's, do check out Aru Shah and the End of Time by Roshani Chokshi! I hope you enjoyed it just as much as I did!

My Thoughts: The Lost Hero by Rick Riordan

The Lost Hero
(Heroes of Olympus #1)
by Rick Riordan
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Publication Date: October 12th 2010
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion Books
Pages: 557
ISBN: 9781423113393
Genre: Young Adult | Fantasy | Mythology
Source: Own

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Jason has a problem.
He doesn’t remember anything before waking up in a bus full of kids on a field trip. Apparently he has a girlfriend named Piper, and a best friend named Leo. They’re all students at a boarding school for “bad kids.” What did Jason do to end up here? And where is here, exactly?

Piper has a secret.
Her father has been missing for three days, ever since she had that terrifying nightmare about his being in trouble. Piper doesn’t understand her dream, or why her boyfriend suddenly doesn’t recognize her. When a freak storm hits during the school trip, unleashing strange creatures and whisking her, Jason, and Leo away to someplace called Camp Half-Blood, she has a feeling she’s going to find out.

Leo has a way with tools.
When he sees his cabin at Camp Half-Blood, filled with power tools and machine parts, he feels right at home. But there’s weird stuff, too—like the curse everyone keeps talking about, and some camper who's gone missing. Weirdest of all, his bunkmates insist that each of them—including Leo—is related to a god. Does this have anything to do with Jason's amnesia, or the fact that Leo keeps seeing ghosts? (Goodreads)

My Thoughts...
Earlier this year I started a re-readathon of the Percy Jackson series by Rick Riordan to prepare myself to FINALLY start the Heroes of Olympus series. I've wanted to read the Heroes series for a while now, but it's been so long since I read the Percy Jackson books, that I needed to refresh my mind before starting the new series. I'm So glad that I finally had a chance to read The Lost Hero! It's a great beginning to what I know will be another awesome series.

I love the mix of characters in the story, as some were completely new to me, and some were super familiar as those that we know from the previous series. I actually really love when an old friend we know from a previous book makes an appearance in a new book. (Though one character I was looking forward to 'seeing' again the most was unfortunately absent from this novel, but I hear we will 'see' him again soon!) The new group of characters were all interesting, and I really enjoyed reading all of their stories, especially the three main characters; Jason, Piper, and Leo. I'm looking forward to following these characters throughout this series!

The storyline for the book also felt familiar, yet completely fresh as well. I love that part of the story is set at Camp Half-Blood, as that is a place that I totally wish was real, because I would definitely want to visit it. I also love that while the Percy Jackson series was about Greek Mythology, in The Lost Hero Riordan starts to introduce us to Roman Mythology, which I'm quickly becoming fascinated with as well. I can't wait to get started on the next book in the series, because I really need to know where exactly this series is going. *grin*

Overall; The Lost Hero is a great start to the Heroes of Olympus series, and I'm already hooked! I'm so glad all of the books in this series have already been published, so I can read straight through the books without having to wait for the next to be released. I'm starting the next book in the series, The Son of Neptune, as soon as possible! If you love the Percy Jackson books and haven't yet checked out this series, you should totally do so!

Review: Simon Thorn and the Wolf's Den by Aimee Carter

Simon Thorn and the Wolf's Den
(Simon Thorn #1)
by Aimee Carter
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Publication Date: February 2nd 2016
Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Childrens
Pages: 320
ISBN: 9781619637047
Genre: Middle Grade | Fantasy
Source: For Review

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A thrilling debut in the tradition of Rick Riordan and Brandon Mull about a boy who discovers a secret race of animal shape shifters.

Twelve-year-old Simon Thorn’s life has never been easy or normal, but things like being bullied at school and living in a cramped Manhattan apartment with his Uncle Darrell are nothing compared to his biggest secret: He can talk to animals.

But when his mom is suddenly kidnapped by a herd of rats, Simon finds out that he, his mom, and his uncle are all Animalgams—people born with the ability to change into an animal at will.

In search of his mom, Simon discovers the Animalgam Academy based at the Central Park Zoo. There he learns about the fractured five kingdoms that make up this secret world . . . and realizes he may be the only one who can save it.

This action-packed page-turner is perfect for fans of the Spirit Animals and The School of Good and Evil series. (Goodreads)

My Thoughts...
I am a huge fan of Aimee Carter's, and when I discovered Simon Thorn and the Wolf's Den was coming out this year, I knew I would have to check it out. I was a big fan of her Goddess Test & Blackcoat Rebellion series, and I was curious to see what she could do with a middle grade novel. This book was a really fun read!

Simon Thorn was an interesting main character. I envied him for his almost fearlessness at times, wanting to save everyone, even when it drove me a little crazy that he was sometimes rushing into danger, putting himself and everyone around him at risk as well. Typical teenage boy! It was hard not to sympathize with him for all that he had been through in his short life, especially when the people he loved the most kept such huge secrets from him all his life. But he was an interesting character, and I'm looking forward to watching him grow more throughout the series.

The storyline for the book was creative and very fast paced. There was really never a dull moment in this book. Something was always happening with Simon, or he was always getting into something, and I was speeding through the pages to find out what was going to happen next. I liked that the book sent out a message about bullying, and I think a lot of kids will be able to relate to Simon because of this. I also loved that he could talk to animals. There's not enough books in the world with talk/shape-shifting animals!

Overall; Simon Thorn and the Wolf's Den was a fun, action packed read that touched my heart in a lot of places. I'm really looking forward to continuing the series as it goes along, and I definitely plan to share the books with my son, who I think will really enjoy them as well.