The Final Countdown

 

The Last Olympian by Rick Riordan (Percy Jackson and the Olympians #5)

My Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

My Review on Goodreads

Another book I forgot to add to my reading list and to rate. I read this one in the late summer and it was fantastic. It's everything that I loved about the series, but the intensity was ramped up to 100. Everything that is introduced, teased about and built up is resolved or addressed to my satisfaction. Percy really learns who he is and what he's capable of. The conflict between him and the ongoing big bad is wonderfully resolved, and there is some insight into a character who has had a major arc throughout the series. Sadly, beloved characters die, which is very hard to read. But it brings home the cost of war. The action sequences are epic, vivid and dramatic but the book also has some equally successful character interactions that reveal just as much about the story. I also want to add how much fun it was to see New York City through the viewpoint of an epic battle between demigods and Titans.

Jesse Bernstein always does an excellent job narrating these audiobooks. He capably manages both the hilarious and deeply sad moments.

I wish I had been able to write the review back when I read it, because I could have written a more expansive review to give the book justice. However, I can definitely say that I have loved reading the Percy Jackson series. I'm excited to read the related series, and also the Kane Chronicles.

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Kate's Pack

Magic Strikes by Ilona Andrews (Kate Daniels #3)

My Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars

 My Review on Goodreads

Don't get me wrong, I adore Kate and I am becoming a Curran stan, but oh, Derek, Derek, you own me!

This series gets even better with each book. Yes, I am way behind in reading these. If you follow me, this is a typical occurrence. I can count on one hand how many series I am caught up on. The story of my life. But it's good because I have so much goodness to look forward to.

I never know what to expect in these books. The Andrews really know how to write. I love how each book starts, and you are like Kate. You literally have no idea where things are going to lead. I felt like that. I know whatever happens, Kate is going completely kick ass and take names. She's going to hate/lust flirt with Curran, and she's going to mess her enemies up and go ride or die with her loved ones.

I always have to preface my dislike for dystopians by saying I love Kate Daniels books. Normally I avoid most dystopians, but I love the wrecked by magic dynamic in these books. The idea of a post-apocalyptic Atlanta...whew. The mix of creatures is awesome as well.

But, it's the Derek for me. I could write a song called Derek and I'd sing his name a lot. I just love the guy. And this is a story for Derek lovers. He's in huge trouble and for most of the book, Kate and her cohorts have to keep it from Curran. And you can imagine how that goes. I honestly think that Curran would have tried to obliterate Kate if he didn't respect and lust and like her so much. I think that although Curran is the Beast Lord, it would not be as easy as you'd think to take out Kate.

This book has a gladiator angle that is quite interesting, and very brutal. I'm sure that if these were movies, I'd have to look away a lot. Having said that, I would love a Kate Daniels series on HBO Max or Netflix.

It's been a while since I read this, so I can't go into great detail. However, I loved this book. The audiobook is narrated by Renee Raudman and she is fantastic. She nails all the voice, pitches, cadence, etc. I highly recommend listening to this series on audiobook.

I hope I can get to the next book soon. I'm doing a lot of audiobooks from my library, so it's keeping me busy. But I hope to get into the next book before next year.

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