Fantasy Buddy Reads discussion

This is a Buddy Read for The Lost Hero by Rick Riordan starting on October 15, 2023.


Happy Reading!

Spot!

Thank you!

My library hold came in, so I'll be jumping in this week! Excited!

Starting! So excited to be back in this world!

Choko, would you like me to reschedule the later books to move more slowly, until you're ready to move back up to speed again?

Chapter 1 (view spoiler)[I hate how the kids are teasing Piper. I've never personally seen anyone making jokes like that, but I know they must happen, and I find it so... disappointing. On the other hand, I'm glad that Riordan writes characters like Piper, and she totally does get back at people, not this specific group of kids, but others...

I also find it an interesting twist, that Coach Hedge actually realizes that Jason just showed up, instead of also being caught in the whammy. Makes me feel extra bad for Piper though. The Mist convincing her that she's Jason's girlfriend... that's just cruel. I'm not sure if it would be worse or not if he had those fake memories too--two ways would feel like double rape, almost, since they had no choice in the matter. One-way feels tragic but somehow less invasive... (hide spoiler)]

Through Chapter 28--(view spoiler)[I love seeing Camp Half-Blood again, and seeing the changes since the end of the last series. More cabins, everyone claimed, everyone's special talents recognized. But there are still bullies... and I look forward to Drew getting her comeuppance.

I like Piper's stories about her dad, and how he compares Cherokee and Greek stories.

Piper, Leo, and Jason are fun new characters. It's nice to see Annabeth for a bit, though of course I'd like to see Percy and Grover and the others--I know they're coming in later books.

This chapter has Medea show up. I know that almost all of the gods and other characters Riordan puts in his books come across as somewhat less than godly--usually selfish and easily led around by their narcissism. Which is fairly in-line with the Greek view. But I do feel bad about Medea's portrayal--she always seemed like the typical male scapegoat for a woman in Greek stories, and I always found myself siding more with her version than Jason's. Reading the play Medea was an interesting experience too--Euripedes definitely portrayed her more sympathetically than her story usually does. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 37 (view spoiler)[I think Leo is my favorite character. The big-hearted goofball who likes to fix things. Watching him think about his family, a little jealous that Piper is on her way to rescue her dad and that Jason just found his sister... but also glad that he had such an amazing mom...

I also find it funny (and a little sad) how he crushes on all these unobtainable girls. I would say I hope he finds someone nice and worthy of him someday, but I've read the whole series so I already know. ^^ (hide spoiler)]

I really love how the series compares the Greek and Roman aspects of the gods--makes some nice contrast... in a way, the Roman versions seem like more grown-up aspects...

Finished! I love (view spoiler)[Piper facing down Drew at the end! Hah! Down with bullies!

Her father's ending is so sad though... he has to forget that she's a hero... but I'm glad that Mellie is watching out for him now. Her flirting with Coach Hedge is kinda cute.

Did y'all see the Roman camp coming? ^_^ (hide spoiler)]

Up to chapter 3 so far. Interesting start :)

Me too, Monika! Good to have another late-bird.

Oh, I'm so glad folks are still reading these! I really love this return to Camp Half-Blood!

Up to chapter 14. I like Leo :) the idea of Roman incarnations of Greek gods is brill.

Up to chapter 19. Getting more interesting :)

Leo is totally my fav. I want to be his bestie. And I love the parallels between Roman & Greek--and the differences.

I'll probably be starting book #2 today or tomorrow--my library check-out is about to run out.

I read about half of the book I think. Boreas was interesting, his daughter is piece on nasty thing, meeting with Cyclops were very interesting.

Ugh, yeah, Khione is a piece of work--her brothers too, though they make for good laughs. Ma Costa was also pretty funny.

@Monika, are you using the app all the time? I notice you never use spoiler tags. I recently heard that on the app even clicking on spoiler tags doesn't work well. Is that true? I don't have a phone so am always using the browser.

I'm using my phone which is a pain, but Kindle is worse with comments making. I really should use laptop for commenting, but honestly don't bother to switch it on, lazy me 😁

Up to chapter 31 so far. Having shift at work didn't help my cold at all. So paracetamol and bed now. Night night!

Up to chapter 37. Bit slow with reading at the moment. Bit tired with my cold...

Book finished. Tomorrow will start next one 😁. I'm suspecting story of Percy in Roman camp 😁.

Ah, thanks for satisfying my curiosity! Nothing wrong with being lazy on turning on a computer. :)

Grats on finish!! I hope your cold clears up soon! You have good instincts re: Percy. ^_~

Still bit of sniffles and coughs, but definitely better then few days ago 😁

60% done. Will finish this week.

I hope you enjoy it, Ryan!

Done! Agree with all the comments here, though I didn't find it quite as compelling as the Percy Jackson books.

I find the Roman vs Greek god aspects intriguing, looking forward to seeing how this develops.

A couple questions:
(view spoiler)[ In Chapter IV, when Piper is talking to Annabeth, she notes "Piper thought she'd blown it. McLean, Greek mythology. Thankfully, Annabeth didn't seem to make the connection."
This seems to be referring to Piper not wanting Annabeth to figure out who her father is. McLean fits that. But how is Greek mythology related to her father?

Near the end of the book, Jason fails to close his eyes when Hera/Juno takes her godly form, which is supposed to blind him. Hera is shocked that he recovers. I don't think there was an explanation as to why he recovered. Thoughts? (hide spoiler)]

re: Piper & Annabeth--(view spoiler)[Her father was in a big blockbuster hit movie "The Spartan King"--so anyone who had seen the movie would've put two-and-two together... (hide spoiler)]

Not sure about the Jason question...(view spoiler)[Hera already knows he's a demigod, and he doesn't have Achilles' curse like Percy... hm... good question... maybe she was just so low in power at that point? (hide spoiler)]

I agree--the Percy books were more compelling... but I do think that the Heroes books get better as they go on--book 2 is a lot of fun.

Thanks for the thoughts, Nirkatze. Not sure if I'll jump into book 2 right away, but I'll get to it eventually.

Book 3 isn't until 12/15, so you've got plenty of time! Or whenever you get there. ^^

So I am reading this much later that the buddy read, obviously, but wanted to add my thoughts.

Up to chapter 24 (view spoiler)[I really like names of the Cyclops in Detroit being Ma Gasket, Sump and Torque. I thought that was clever. I don't know how I feel so far about Jason, Piper and their quest. I do like Leo and hope for the best for him. The other two just don't feel fleshed out yet. Compared to the earlier series I think this book is not nearly as good as any of the others I have read. I am not sucked in wanting to read it all in one go. (hide spoiler)]

Yay, glad you've picked it up and are sharing thoughts!

LOL And I'm extra glad of your thoughts, 'cuz even though I've read this series three times I never caught the pun on those names...

Also agree on your character notes. The series gets stronger in the next book, when more of our old characters from the first series get added in as regulars... and then the third one, when they become full POVs...