Two God-Filled Worlds Collide

What do you get when you mix Greek Gods with Roman Gods? One big, fantabulous mess of mythological fun! When you pick up the Heroes of Olympus: Son of Neptune, by Rick Riordan, you will expect to hear about the characters from the first book in the series. But Riordan has a plan... a plan that will make you obsess about the next book a whole year! Riordan is a masterful, evil genius who keeps us engrossed and makes us love his characters like they are our own friends and relatives.

Juno (Roman Hera) had an interesting plan- put a Roman demigod in the Greek camp (Jason) and a Greek demigod in the Roman camp (Percy). What she did next was mean, but it served its purpose- she wiped their memories. In The Lost Hero, we watched Jason find his purpose. In this book, we see Percy meet up with two Roman demigods, Frank and Hazel, to start their part of the quest to stop Gaia from rising. Gaia, the oldest mother goddess of the earth is one mean cookie who will send everything to stop the demigods from foiling her plan to return- mean cyclops, basilisks, even creepy little grain gods. (Imagine being stalked by the God of Wheat?!)

While they know they have a greater purpose, both Hazel, a daughter of Pluto and the underworld, and Frank, a reluctant son of Mars (Ares) still have their own demons to deal with. They embark upon a quest to stop Gaia's first giant son from returning, but they know the Roman camp is still in danger. along their quest, they learn just how dangerous things have gotten out in the mythological and the modern worlds. With monsters and beast roaming around searching for them, they aren't sure they will get their quest finished, let alone get back in time to stop the raid on the camp. But what Gaia and the monsters failed to realize is that Percy and the demigods have friends, lots and lots of friends. Will they defeat the monsters this time? Will it stop Gaia's plot to destroy the Greek and Roman gods forever?

I picked up this book expecting to see Jason, Piper, and Leo, and I was surprised (although not unpleasantly) that this book was not about them. With this new trio, I expect the six will come together with another demigod (Annabeth?) to create the seven from the prophecy that save the world from Gaia. The worst thing about these stories is that a year in between each installment is literally painful. They are so tied to one another that it is awful to wait that long to find out what happens next. I have a feeling I know where Riordan is going with this, but you never know! Ole Ricky is a tricky duck!

Like the other Riordan books, these are phenomenal for all ages. Perfect for middle readers, funny enough for older readers, even my grandmother loves these books! Everything written by this man should be on the selves of every library and classroom in the country. They are so accessible, exciting, and hilarious, they make the perfect go-to book for any struggling or strong reader. Not to mention, it makes everyone wish they were a demigod. Who would you want to be related to? Neptune? Pluto? Hera? Aphrodite? I simply can't decide!

Dark and Twisty in a Fabulous Way!

Ever since reading Devil's Kiss by Sarwat Chadda last winter, I have been hoping there was a second book. Devil's Kiss was a dark, twisted story about a young woman who wants to live a normal life, but whose father is the leader of the Knights Templar. He raises her and trains her as a Templar, which often means the greatest sacrifices in order to protect the people of the world from ghuls: werewolves, fallen angels, vampires, you name it. Dark Goddess picks the story up where Devil's Kiss left off- Billi SanGreal's life as the only female Templar.

After losing her best friend Kay, both to the world of the ghuls and then to the blade of her own sword, Billi has hardened. She understands the nature of her duty and life, and she plans on cutting off her emotions in order to serve the greater good. Unfortunately, her plan doesn't last long after they save a young girl named Vasilisa from the same werewolves who tore her family apart. They suspect Vasilisa is a Spring Child, an oracle, but they don't realize just how powerful she is at first. In fact, until she stops Vesuvius erupts. Vasilisa is somehow connected to the eruption and is running a fever that mirrors the volcano. When Billi puts her in the snow to cool her off, the eruption ends, but not before Naples is completely destroyed. It then becomes very clear to the Templars that Vasilisa is a very special Spring Child- she is an Avatar. Avatars are extremely powerful oracles who can actually affect the earth.

While the Templar is prepared to raise and train Vasilisa as one of their own, a very specific sect of werewolves called the Polenitsy, has a very different idea. The Polenisty is a group of female werewolves who live and serve the great God Baba Yaga (who has gone by other names, such as Gaia, but is essentially Mother Russia). Baba Yaga is an ancient witch who survives by consuming (literally) Spring Children. A Spring Child as powerful as Vasilisa will give her enough power to bring about fimbulwinter- an apocalyptic winter that will essentially rid the earth of the human plague. As a goddess/witch of the earth, Baba Yaga can no longer stand the humans and what they have done to her earth, and she will do anything to get rid of them.

When the Polenitsy kidnap Vasilisa from Billi's care, the Templar's have three days before the full moon to get her back. If they don't, Vasilisa will be eaten by Baba Yaga and human life will effectively end. The Templar's split up in order to cover more turf. Billi and a few others seek out the Bogatyrs, an ancient Russian group who rid the world of ghuls the same way the Templars do- or at least they used to. Descended from the Romanovs, the group is ruthless, but their new interim leader since the "Tsar" was killed by a Polenitsy is more ruthless than even the Bogatyrs are famous for. Tsarevich Ivan is the prince, but cannot take over the Bogatyrs until his 18th birthday. Now they must work together with the Templars to save Vasilisa. Unfortunately, Billi is quickly faced with the same situation she endured with Kay- Vasilisa may have to be killed in order to prevent Fimbulwinter and save the world. Can Billi sacrifice the young child in order the protect the many? Will she be able to stop Baba Yaga and the werewolves?

This is a fantastic follow up to the first dark installment. Chadda is a brilliant author who isn't afraid to broach truly dark and disturbing topics in the YA genre. While the stories are clean and appropriate for a younger demographic, they don't hold back when asking the really tough questions. Chadda's main character Billi is fantastic. Still damaged from the loss of her best friend Kay, she is struggling to hold herself together. By throwing herself into her Templar work, she thinks she can escape her grief and protect herself from more loss, but she couldn't be more wrong. Instead, she is essentially slapped in the face with it time and time again.

This book is probably better for an older student- mature middle school through high school- because there is some dark subject matter. The language is average, but the names- especially the Russian names- are tough. This is a solid follow-up to a wonderful break-out novel. Chadda has outdone himself with Dark Goddess, and I hope he will continue Billi SanGreal's story with the Templars!