2nd quarter outside reading book review
The last Olympian by Rick Riodan Disney books, 2008 genre: fantasy
The book starts out with Percy relaxing with his friend Rachel, the calm before the storm, so to speak. Percy, the son of Poseidon, has been fighting the lord of the titans, Chronos, for years. The prophesy about him deciding the fate of the Olympians and the world draws closer. His 16th birthday fast approaching, the date of the final battle, Percy struggles to figure out his destiny, whose side to chose, and how to win a hopeless fight against the greatest army the world has ever know. With no gods to help him, Percy and his friends have to take a final stand for all of mankind on the slopes of Olympus, convenieated under the empire state building.
The New York Times gave this book critical acclaim, saying its “ perfectly paced, with electrifying moments chasing each other like a heartbeat”
The book is clearly written for teenagers, something Rick Riodan does remarkably well. The book delivers enough action to keep you glued to the chair you’re sitting, and a deep and complex plot worth of most adult authors. Plot twists are abound in this book, a lot of times you’ll find your mind screaming at the characters decisions. It gets kind of graphic in the fight scenes, monsters fighting, children dieing, insane mothers, evil demons, this is in no way a book you give to an 8 year old for Christmas.
The author creates rich and deep characters. These kids are easy to relate to, and at some points you want to be some of these guys. The main character, Percy, turns into a nigh unkillable god, and starts pulling of ridiculous fights that would make most action movies look like indie films. The amount of monsters these guys fight makes Harry Potter look like some guy at a Star Trek convention. Adding to this is the author’s unique and dry humor. You’ll laugh quite a lot in this book. If nothing else, the books humor will keep you reading to see the next joke.
“Are they dead?” Selina asked
Ice coated my stomach. Lines from the prophesy rang in my ears, “and see the world in endless sleep”. I remembered the conversation Grover had with Morpheus in central park, “your lucky I’m saving my energy for the main event”
“Not dead,” I said, “Morpheus has put the entire island to sleep, the invasion has started.” Page 163
I really liked this book. The characters stuck me, and I loved plot. I recommend it to anybody. This book is not for everybody though. You need to understand Greek mythology. It is very difficult to get a grasp of the story without it; you will have no clue who any body is. Make sure you read the previous books first, as you’ll feel lost with the frequent flashbacks and references. When your through, at least you will enjoy reading every second of it, and it sure does make you feel smart.
Monday, December 21, 2009
Saturday, October 17, 2009
fiers quarter ORB reveiw
First quarter reading book review
Battle for the labyrinth by Rick Riordan genre fantasy
PJ Farnsworth
Percy Jackson, son of Poseidon, is in a world where Greek gods exist. They live outside mortal comprehension, and guide the course of human events. The gods frequently have children with mortals, creating demigods, or mortals with some of the god’s powers, and see reality as it actually is. These demigods are some of the most important people in history. Now, Chronos, the titan, is revolting. He has amassed an army, and now searches for the one thing to take shape as a being. Percy, Grover the centaur, and Annabeth, daughter of Athena, must journey into the labyrinth of legend to find Chronos ultimate weapon.
An epic adventure, many people love the series, including the School Library Journal, who calls it “ a winner of Olympic proportions”
The writer is aiming at a teenage audience. It works generally well. The author mixes humor and teenage problems into the story. This works wonders, and allows the story to flow very smoothly. The book, with the occasional laugh, will keep you wanting to read it. The heroes are very relatable. You want to be them, or at least be in there position. It is a very fun book.
The one thing that stands out is the author’s ability to weave the story. The author makes it able to seem like the events are actually possible. The author creates something called the “mist”. The mist makes it so mortals can see things differently then non mortals. For example, a monster attack on the golden gate bridge is seen as a freak car crash. The way it is presented is amazing, and begs you to believe it, and it is very easy to. The author has a lot of symbolism in the book. It makes it so the author can portray messages to the reader. There is a fare share of tragedy in the book, and some of the fights can be pretty epic. Quite a few people die.
He howled and made another grab at me he caught a chain attempted to pull himself up. While he was struggling, I lowered my sawed off chain, hook first. It took me two tries, but I finally snagged Antaeus’s loin cloth. (pg 206)
Overall, this is a great book. I encourage others to get it. However, you should get the first 3 before you do though. The story will make a lot of sense. This is a great read and a must have to any reader,
Battle for the labyrinth by Rick Riordan genre fantasy
PJ Farnsworth
Percy Jackson, son of Poseidon, is in a world where Greek gods exist. They live outside mortal comprehension, and guide the course of human events. The gods frequently have children with mortals, creating demigods, or mortals with some of the god’s powers, and see reality as it actually is. These demigods are some of the most important people in history. Now, Chronos, the titan, is revolting. He has amassed an army, and now searches for the one thing to take shape as a being. Percy, Grover the centaur, and Annabeth, daughter of Athena, must journey into the labyrinth of legend to find Chronos ultimate weapon.
An epic adventure, many people love the series, including the School Library Journal, who calls it “ a winner of Olympic proportions”
The writer is aiming at a teenage audience. It works generally well. The author mixes humor and teenage problems into the story. This works wonders, and allows the story to flow very smoothly. The book, with the occasional laugh, will keep you wanting to read it. The heroes are very relatable. You want to be them, or at least be in there position. It is a very fun book.
The one thing that stands out is the author’s ability to weave the story. The author makes it able to seem like the events are actually possible. The author creates something called the “mist”. The mist makes it so mortals can see things differently then non mortals. For example, a monster attack on the golden gate bridge is seen as a freak car crash. The way it is presented is amazing, and begs you to believe it, and it is very easy to. The author has a lot of symbolism in the book. It makes it so the author can portray messages to the reader. There is a fare share of tragedy in the book, and some of the fights can be pretty epic. Quite a few people die.
He howled and made another grab at me he caught a chain attempted to pull himself up. While he was struggling, I lowered my sawed off chain, hook first. It took me two tries, but I finally snagged Antaeus’s loin cloth. (pg 206)
Overall, this is a great book. I encourage others to get it. However, you should get the first 3 before you do though. The story will make a lot of sense. This is a great read and a must have to any reader,
Thursday, October 15, 2009
what matters most
What matters most
Time and time again, the human race has constantly changed values. Our values today are different then those of the past, or what they will be in the future. Will we change your values when our life changes? Will we stay the same? Will events in your life cause you to see differently than we do now? Life throws unexpected things at us, will we take the punch?
will we focus on the futere, or will you wewhat matters today? in a world crying about 21012, global warming, and the wrath of a displeased god, we cry and cower at the shadow of days to come. However, if we value the moment, and we comit to ourselves. we can light a candle to shine in the darkness.
As I drive through the bleak, cold mountains on the lonely road, a brief back story is in order. One day, we had a geography bee contest in our class. I was the won easily, and was told to go to the school finals the next week. I didn’t study once, for I didn’t care for winning. I enter the school and sit next to my friend Jairo, and waited to begin. Jairo got knocked out first on two bad questions, which was disappointing; I breathed a sigh of relief, as he was my only real threat. I won easily. I didn’t even want to win, I just answered what I knew. As a reward, I got to skip Ms Speckies class to take a test to qualify for the states. I finished in the top 10% of all students.
As I slouch in my car, I look down at my Ipod. I scroll down to bat country. “he who makes a beast out of himself, gets rid of the pain of being a man” the lines rattle in my ear. The words come to my mind are, “we cant stop here this is bat country”, truer know then ever before. I look down at my ipod again.
I switch it up to some master of puppets. The sound of James Hetfeild blasting in my ear. The black cover over it mutes some of the sound. The screen dirty with finger marks. My most valuable item, I treat it like no other ( I actually treat it well). I whisk through my video game, piloting the space ship “MASTER, MASTER” the only thing I hear. I search the internet and wind up on 4chan . My parents wondering what I’m laughing at. The thing practically is the source of my emotion
I pull up to the college. The rain is pounding at my hair, me not caring one bit. I miss a Friday with mcas at my school, so its all good. I walk in, seeing nothing but seas of children. Some older, some younger. Almost all have suits or dresses on. All they serve was apple juice and gram crackers. It is like a formal party for children. I walk in leather jacket and aviators on, coke in one hand, hair bushed down over my face the sound of “two weeks” ringing in my ear. My parents ask” are you ready”
I look at them, expression never changing “yeah, lets go kick some ass int the next time zone (geography pun)”
I sit down at my seat. 25 of the 100 people who made it are here. I look around me seeing kids pushing through textbooks, franticly studying. I hear parents yelling at there children “this is mommy’s big day” apparently living there lives through their children, forcing them to compete. The host walks in. after an introduction, a go through of the rules, and some formal, unfunny jokes it was time to begin.
I groan. Time goes by slowly. Some kids choke, some kids start crying at their mistakes. I never smile, never make eye contact. I was acting like this was a chore to do, and it really was. I am angered to this day that the kid next to me, who went to the finals, got the question “where is the Panama Canal?”, while I got the “ in what small island in the south china sea, famous for its fruit, taken over by the Burmese?’ I finish with two wrong answers, not putting me in the top 10, but in the top 25%.
Where is my values in that, you may ask. You might thought you have just read a story about me being a asshole at something I should take as a honor. Well you’d be wrong. I value individuality, and I express my self through that. I do things my way, and i do it well. No, I don’t study for the geography bee, I don’t need to. I don’t wear a suit and act like a ritzy person. I don’t cry and complain when I loose. I am who I am and im the best at what i do, even if what i do aint pretty. This story, and my Ipod, represents that, in all of its glory.
Time and time again, the human race has constantly changed values. Our values today are different then those of the past, or what they will be in the future. Will we change your values when our life changes? Will we stay the same? Will events in your life cause you to see differently than we do now? Life throws unexpected things at us, will we take the punch?
will we focus on the futere, or will you wewhat matters today? in a world crying about 21012, global warming, and the wrath of a displeased god, we cry and cower at the shadow of days to come. However, if we value the moment, and we comit to ourselves. we can light a candle to shine in the darkness.
As I drive through the bleak, cold mountains on the lonely road, a brief back story is in order. One day, we had a geography bee contest in our class. I was the won easily, and was told to go to the school finals the next week. I didn’t study once, for I didn’t care for winning. I enter the school and sit next to my friend Jairo, and waited to begin. Jairo got knocked out first on two bad questions, which was disappointing; I breathed a sigh of relief, as he was my only real threat. I won easily. I didn’t even want to win, I just answered what I knew. As a reward, I got to skip Ms Speckies class to take a test to qualify for the states. I finished in the top 10% of all students.
As I slouch in my car, I look down at my Ipod. I scroll down to bat country. “he who makes a beast out of himself, gets rid of the pain of being a man” the lines rattle in my ear. The words come to my mind are, “we cant stop here this is bat country”, truer know then ever before. I look down at my ipod again.
I switch it up to some master of puppets. The sound of James Hetfeild blasting in my ear. The black cover over it mutes some of the sound. The screen dirty with finger marks. My most valuable item, I treat it like no other ( I actually treat it well). I whisk through my video game, piloting the space ship “MASTER, MASTER” the only thing I hear. I search the internet and wind up on 4chan . My parents wondering what I’m laughing at. The thing practically is the source of my emotion
I pull up to the college. The rain is pounding at my hair, me not caring one bit. I miss a Friday with mcas at my school, so its all good. I walk in, seeing nothing but seas of children. Some older, some younger. Almost all have suits or dresses on. All they serve was apple juice and gram crackers. It is like a formal party for children. I walk in leather jacket and aviators on, coke in one hand, hair bushed down over my face the sound of “two weeks” ringing in my ear. My parents ask” are you ready”
I look at them, expression never changing “yeah, lets go kick some ass int the next time zone (geography pun)”
I sit down at my seat. 25 of the 100 people who made it are here. I look around me seeing kids pushing through textbooks, franticly studying. I hear parents yelling at there children “this is mommy’s big day” apparently living there lives through their children, forcing them to compete. The host walks in. after an introduction, a go through of the rules, and some formal, unfunny jokes it was time to begin.
I groan. Time goes by slowly. Some kids choke, some kids start crying at their mistakes. I never smile, never make eye contact. I was acting like this was a chore to do, and it really was. I am angered to this day that the kid next to me, who went to the finals, got the question “where is the Panama Canal?”, while I got the “ in what small island in the south china sea, famous for its fruit, taken over by the Burmese?’ I finish with two wrong answers, not putting me in the top 10, but in the top 25%.
Where is my values in that, you may ask. You might thought you have just read a story about me being a asshole at something I should take as a honor. Well you’d be wrong. I value individuality, and I express my self through that. I do things my way, and i do it well. No, I don’t study for the geography bee, I don’t need to. I don’t wear a suit and act like a ritzy person. I don’t cry and complain when I loose. I am who I am and im the best at what i do, even if what i do aint pretty. This story, and my Ipod, represents that, in all of its glory.
Friday, September 11, 2009
the best of both worlds
English
Ender wiggin enders game
Alfred brooks, the contender
A little bit of both in enders game and contender
Alfred was walking home from the gym on a cold Wednesday night. He was training for the biggest fight in his life and it was coming up in a week. It would be on pay-per-view, the world would be watching and if he won, everyone would know his name.
The Brooklyn street that he was walking on was not much to look at. The road was cold and damp, and trash littered the street. He felt like some one was watching him. Not the usual gangsters that are always in the shadows, looking for money. The wise guys stay away from Alfred now; he’s an up and coming boxer, with not enough cash to be worth the risk. No this was different. Suddenly, out of nowhere, two albino men in suits stepped out of the shadows.
‘Alfred Brooks” the first man said.
“Oh, so I already am famous?’ said Alfred.
“You’re coming with us” said the man.
“I’m sorry, but you guys are?” said Alfred.
“That’s not important,’ said the first man.
“I’m not going anywhere with two sketchy guys in suits in the middle of the slums of Brooklyn” said Alfred.
‘He wants to do it the hard way,’ said the second man.
Suddenly they two men pulled out guns that looked straight out of Star Wars. Then Alfred felt a painful shock fill his body. His arms and legs went limp, as the two men dragged him away.
“Don’t worry, you will be fine” said the second man. Alfred soon passed out.
Alfred awoke looking at a chrome ceiling, different color lights shining on his body.
“Oh great, I’ve been abducted by aliens” Alfred said.
“No, but soon you’ll wish you were” said a child-like voice in the corner of the room.
Alfred looked and saw a young boy, around seven years old, sitting on a chair, arms crossed.
“Oh great, a creepy little kid, what’s next, zombies?’ said Alfred.
“Don’t you want to know what’s going on?” said the child.
“Okay, tell me” said Alfred.
“Good, follow me’ said the boy.
“I don’t like the looks of this” said Alfred as the door in front of them opened, and they all stepped into a blinding light.
The place was awe inspiring. It looked like something out of those old cartoons but in reality it was Earth hundred of years into the future. “Welcome to battle school” said the boy. “I’m Ender, and now you’re basically mine” Ender went on to explain to Alfred where he was. Alfred was now in battle school, a combat school for children. Human on the planet Earth formed this school to train children to fight in a war versus an alien race. The aliens, called Buggers, want to kill all humans. No one knew where the Buggers came from or why they wanted to kill all humans but it was a war nevertheless.
‘This seems pretty big, but why me? Said Alfred
“Because, you’re a fighter” said Ender
“That means nothing if I haven’t shot a gun before” said Alfred
“You have the instincts of a warrior, and that’s why we need you” said Ender
“I left all that I have behind. I was going to be famous! I could take of my family, I could get my friends to straighten up” said Alfred
“Here’s the deal, I need to lead my team to victory in these battle games, so I can be promoted to commander. If you help me do that, you can go home” said Ender.
‘Fine, I’ll play your game” said Alfred
“Good” said Ender.
Alfred quickly raised the ranks. “Good shot” yelled Ender. “come on, finish them’ he would bark. It almost was if old trainer, Donateli, was in his body. Maybe Ender was some great, great grandson, or long lost nephew, but he was just as hard. After a while Ender said “you’ve done good, you can go home”
“Alright” said Alfred “I hope I helped”
“Use those blaster dodging techniques I taught you” said Ender “you’ll need them”
Just as he said that, he was whisked away, back to the cold, lonely Brooklyn street. “I wont tell any one about this” thought Alfred,” I don’t need to go to a looney hospital, instead of a regular one”
The night of the fight arrived. Alfred didn’t get hit once he dodged, jabbed, jabbed and dodges. His trainer, Doneteli thought “where did he learn this, cause he didn’t get it from me” Alfred won in a 2nd round TKO. After the mach, he got multiple offers to headline in fights across they country. Alfred hoped Ender had the same happy ending.
Happy endings don’t always work though, would Ender have the same fate?
Ender wiggin enders game
Alfred brooks, the contender
A little bit of both in enders game and contender
Alfred was walking home from the gym on a cold Wednesday night. He was training for the biggest fight in his life and it was coming up in a week. It would be on pay-per-view, the world would be watching and if he won, everyone would know his name.
The Brooklyn street that he was walking on was not much to look at. The road was cold and damp, and trash littered the street. He felt like some one was watching him. Not the usual gangsters that are always in the shadows, looking for money. The wise guys stay away from Alfred now; he’s an up and coming boxer, with not enough cash to be worth the risk. No this was different. Suddenly, out of nowhere, two albino men in suits stepped out of the shadows.
‘Alfred Brooks” the first man said.
“Oh, so I already am famous?’ said Alfred.
“You’re coming with us” said the man.
“I’m sorry, but you guys are?” said Alfred.
“That’s not important,’ said the first man.
“I’m not going anywhere with two sketchy guys in suits in the middle of the slums of Brooklyn” said Alfred.
‘He wants to do it the hard way,’ said the second man.
Suddenly they two men pulled out guns that looked straight out of Star Wars. Then Alfred felt a painful shock fill his body. His arms and legs went limp, as the two men dragged him away.
“Don’t worry, you will be fine” said the second man. Alfred soon passed out.
Alfred awoke looking at a chrome ceiling, different color lights shining on his body.
“Oh great, I’ve been abducted by aliens” Alfred said.
“No, but soon you’ll wish you were” said a child-like voice in the corner of the room.
Alfred looked and saw a young boy, around seven years old, sitting on a chair, arms crossed.
“Oh great, a creepy little kid, what’s next, zombies?’ said Alfred.
“Don’t you want to know what’s going on?” said the child.
“Okay, tell me” said Alfred.
“Good, follow me’ said the boy.
“I don’t like the looks of this” said Alfred as the door in front of them opened, and they all stepped into a blinding light.
The place was awe inspiring. It looked like something out of those old cartoons but in reality it was Earth hundred of years into the future. “Welcome to battle school” said the boy. “I’m Ender, and now you’re basically mine” Ender went on to explain to Alfred where he was. Alfred was now in battle school, a combat school for children. Human on the planet Earth formed this school to train children to fight in a war versus an alien race. The aliens, called Buggers, want to kill all humans. No one knew where the Buggers came from or why they wanted to kill all humans but it was a war nevertheless.
‘This seems pretty big, but why me? Said Alfred
“Because, you’re a fighter” said Ender
“That means nothing if I haven’t shot a gun before” said Alfred
“You have the instincts of a warrior, and that’s why we need you” said Ender
“I left all that I have behind. I was going to be famous! I could take of my family, I could get my friends to straighten up” said Alfred
“Here’s the deal, I need to lead my team to victory in these battle games, so I can be promoted to commander. If you help me do that, you can go home” said Ender.
‘Fine, I’ll play your game” said Alfred
“Good” said Ender.
Alfred quickly raised the ranks. “Good shot” yelled Ender. “come on, finish them’ he would bark. It almost was if old trainer, Donateli, was in his body. Maybe Ender was some great, great grandson, or long lost nephew, but he was just as hard. After a while Ender said “you’ve done good, you can go home”
“Alright” said Alfred “I hope I helped”
“Use those blaster dodging techniques I taught you” said Ender “you’ll need them”
Just as he said that, he was whisked away, back to the cold, lonely Brooklyn street. “I wont tell any one about this” thought Alfred,” I don’t need to go to a looney hospital, instead of a regular one”
The night of the fight arrived. Alfred didn’t get hit once he dodged, jabbed, jabbed and dodges. His trainer, Doneteli thought “where did he learn this, cause he didn’t get it from me” Alfred won in a 2nd round TKO. After the mach, he got multiple offers to headline in fights across they country. Alfred hoped Ender had the same happy ending.
Happy endings don’t always work though, would Ender have the same fate?
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