Waiting on Wednesday : A Memory of Light by Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted at Breaking the Spine.

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, that spotlights upcoming releases we're eagerly anticipating.

A Memory of Light by Robert Jordan

Since 1990, when Robert Jordan’s The Wheel of Time® burst on the world with its first book, The Eye of the World, readers have been anticipating the final scenes of this extraordinary saga, which has sold over forty million copies in over thirty languages.

When Robert Jordan died in 2007, all feared that these concluding scenes would never be written. But working from notes and partials left by Jordan, established fantasy writer Brandon Sanderson stepped in to complete the masterwork. With The Gathering Storm (Book 12) and Towers of Midnight (Book 13) behind him, both of which were # 1 New York Times hardcover bestsellers, Sanderson now re-creates the vision that Robert Jordan left behind.

Edited by Jordan’s widow, who edited all of Jordan’s books, A Memory of Light will delight, enthrall, and deeply satisfy all of Jordan’s legions of readers.

The Wheel of Time turns, and Ages come and pass.
What was, what will be, and what is,
may yet fall under the Shadow.
Let the Dragon ride again on the winds of time.

Review : The Son of Neptune by Rick Riordan

Title : The Son of Neptune
Author : Rick Riordan
Reading Dates : 14 Nov - 15 Nov 2012
Total Pages : 511

From Amazon :

Percy is confused. When he awoke after his long sleep, he didn’t know much more than his name. His brain-fuzz is lingering, even after the wolf Lupa told him he is a demigod and trained him to fight. Somehow Percy managed to make it to the camp for half-bloods, despite the fact that he had to continually kill monsters that, annoyingly, would not stay dead. But the camp doesn't ring any bells with him.

Hazel is supposed to be dead. When she lived before, she didn’t do a very good job of it. When the Voice took over her mother and commanded Hazel to use her “gift” for an evil purpose, Hazel couldn’t say no. Now, because of her mistake, the future of the world is at risk.

Frank is a klutz. His grandmother claims he is descended from ancient heroes and can be anything he wants to be, but he doesn’t see it. He doesn’t even know who his father is. He keeps hoping Apollo will claim him, because the only thing he is good at is archery—although not good enough to help the Fifth Cohort win at war games. His big and bulky physique makes him feel like a clumsy ox, especially in front of Hazel, his closest friend at camp. He trusts her completely—enough, even, to share the secret he holds close to his heart.

Beginning at the “other” camp for half-bloods and extending as far north as the land beyond the gods, this breathtaking second installment in the Heroes of Olympus series introduces new demigods, revives fearsome monsters, and features other remarkable creatures, all of whom are destined to play a part in the most important quest of all: the Prophecy of Seven.

Heroes of Olympus

• The Lost Hero
• The Son of Neptune
• The Mark of Athena

Book Review of The Son of Neptune.

I loved parts of The Son of Neptune while finding other parts a bit boring. The parts I loved almost always involves Percy Jackson while the boring bits are the ones focused on the other 2 new demigods, Hazel Levesque and Frank Zhang.

Percy shines as a character. I supposed in part this is because I already know him from the Percy Jackson series but mostly its the character himself. His reactions to what’s going on around him is funny. One of the things I like about Percy is that he’s never mean but he makes you see how ridiculous the behaviour and customs the other characters accepts are. And that he’s never afraid to make his feelings known, even to an all-powerful goddess. How he handles meeting Juno again at the end of The Son of Neptune is one of my favourite parts in the book.

On the other hand, Hazel and Frank are boring. Even by the end of The Son of Neptune, I couldn’t understand why these 2 particular demigods should be included in the team of 7 most powerful demigods. Hazel’s powers aren’t that powerful when I compare it against some of the other demigods. As for Frank, the emphasis here are the abilities he inherited from his Greek ancestor rather than his Roman parentage. This, I think is an extraordinary waste because the story has them fighting as individuals often rather than the team they’re supposed to be.

What I really loved about The Son of Neptune though, is the return of the humour and wit which had me falling for the Percy Jackson series. A few of their encounters had me laughing hysterically. Why shouldn’t a Greek goddess believe in Feng Shui or a gorgon offer free samples while attempting murder?

Oh, I wish I had The Mark of Athena now. I can’t wait to have Percy and Annabeth together again saving the world.

My verdict : I loved it.

If you're interested to buy the book the Amazon, you can find it HERE.

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Challenges : 2012 Outdo Yourself Reading Challenge

Review : The Lost Hero by Rick Riordan

Title : The Lost Hero
Author : Rick Riordan
Reading Dates : 11 Nov - 14 Nov 2012
Total Pages : 551

From Amazon :

This is the number one, bestselling title in this new spin-off series from Percy Jackson creator, Rick Riordan.

Old enemies awaken as camp half-blood's new arrivals prepare for war. When Jason, Piper and Leo crash land at Camp Half-Blood, they have no idea what to expect. Apparently this is the only safe place for children of the Greek Gods - despite the monsters roaming the woods and demigods practising archery with flaming arrows and explosives. But rumours of a terrible curse - and a missing hero - are flying around camp. It seems Jason, Piper and Leo are the chosen ones to embark on a terrifying new quest, which they must complete by the winter solstice in just four days time. Can the trio succeed on this deadly mission - and what must they sacrifice in order to survive?

Heroes of Olympus

• The Lost Hero
• The Son of Neptune
• The Mark of Athena

Book Review of BookTitle.

I enjoyed The Lost Hero, not as much as I loved the Percy Jackson series, but good enough to have me continuing with the next book in the series immediately.

Jason Grace, The Lost Hero in question is in a different mould from Percy Jackson. More responsible and obedient to the orders and whims of the gods he serves. And while this doesn’t make him a wimp, it does make him less interesting as a character. Also, the way he handles his memory loss, taking everything in stride, doesn’t seem very plausible to me either. I wouldn’t think it unreasonable if he threw some temper tantrums at the cause of his problem.

The other 2 new demigods introduced here however make up for whatever complaints I had about Jason. Piper McLean and Leo Valdez both need time to grow into the responsibilities thrust onto them. And the quest they’re on, to find and free Hera certainly gives them plenty of chances. I really enjoyed how both of them grow into the potential hinted at the beginning of the quest and how by the end of their journey, accept their own strengths and weaknesses. The responsibilities they take on at the end is the best indication of this.

My favourite part in the story though is Leo’s first meeting with the mechanical dragon he names Festus. Leo’s reactions was totally unbelievable and incredibly sweet. Its no wonder that Fergus forgoes snacking on him.

Other than that, The Lost Hero is not as funny as the Percy Jackson books. I’d enjoyed how Rick Riordan mixed ancient myth with modern technology in the earlier books. Here, sadly the same flair is missing.

A good start, but what I really want now is to read about Percy Jackson again.

My verdict : I liked it.

If you're interested to buy the book the Amazon, you can find it HERE.

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Teaser Tuesdays

Challenges : 2012 Outdo Yourself Reading Challenge; 2012 Book Blogger Recommendation Challenge