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Join Percy Jackson, Annabeth Chase and Carter and Sadie Kane as they do battle with an ancient Egyptian magician determined to become a god. Against impossible odds, the four demigods and magicians team up to prevent the apocalypse.
Contains the short stories The Son of Sobek, The Staff of Serapis and The Crown of Ptolemy, together in one volume for the first time.
Contains the short stories The Son of Sobek, The Staff of Serapis and The Crown of Ptolemy, together in one volume for the first time.
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Audiobook Narrated by: Rick Riordan
First up, I need to say that I started listening to this novella collection immediately after finishing the Kane Chronicles. The Kane Chronicles have amazingly talented narrators and therefore I was gutted to find out the narrator for these novellas was none other than Rick Riordan himself and while he didn't do a bad job - in that they were easy to listen to - he didn't do a great job either.
It was like being read a bedtime story by your dad... Soothing and nice but not what you'd expect of an audiobook.
However! You get used to it pretty quickly and the content of the novellas more than made up for any complaints about the narration.
I've been super excited at the thought of the Egyptian magicians meeting the Greek demigods since Carter's uncle Amos made a comment about "Manhatten having its own problems" - all the way back in the first book of the Kane Chronicles - and the meeting of the two worlds didn't disappoint!
Up first was the Son of Sobek - a kick-ass adventure featuring Carter Kane and Percy Jackson.
The story was pretty basic - giant crocodile terrorising an area - but it provided all that was needed to introduce both worlds while opening the door to future co-operation.
It was told from the pov of Carter and I almost died in happiness at seeing Percy through his eyes... (Little Percy Jackson has grown into one kick ass dude and I love him.)
I loved how, despite being super short, the Son of Sobek highlighted the strengths and weakness of both characters and didn't elevate one above the other. It was made clear that they are different but neither of them is better or worse for being/not being the child of a god.
It was funny, it was exciting and I immediately wanted more!
The Staff of Serapis was the second novella and told from the pov of Annabeth. A funky monster catches her attention in the subway station - a strange blending for Greek and Egyptian - so using that big brain of hers, Annabeth deduces that it's somehow related to Percy's adventures a month earlier with some Egyptian guy and resolves to take care of it. Her path crosses with that of Sadie Kane - Carter's sister - and they join forces to stop the rise of Serapis.
It was hilarious watching Annabeth with Sadie. Both are smart, fierce and resourceful but Sadie is also impulsive and a bit random - much like Percy! So Annabeth's commentary had me in stitches.
The Staff of Serapis was a much longer novella than The Son of Sobek and despite it being a lot of fun watching the girls rock the girl power thing, I really missed Carter and Percy!
Luckily, The Crown of Ptolemy - novella number three - brings all four of them together for the final battle against the mad magician who is determined to make himself a god by combining Greek and Egyptian magic.
This final instalment was from the pov of Percy and I never wanted it to end!
My favourites, rocking their power and magic, battling a big bad to save the world, making new friends, making me laugh with their banter and keeping me throroughly entertained from beginning to end... Can't really ask for more than that!
I'm not entirely sure I'd recommend these novellas to someone who hadn't read at least one of the series - Percy Jackson or Kane Chronicles - but if you have read one then it's a nice introduction to the other and if you've read both? I can't see how you'd fail to enjoy them.
If Rick Riordan ever decides to write full length cross over novels, I'm here for it.
It was like being read a bedtime story by your dad... Soothing and nice but not what you'd expect of an audiobook.
However! You get used to it pretty quickly and the content of the novellas more than made up for any complaints about the narration.
I've been super excited at the thought of the Egyptian magicians meeting the Greek demigods since Carter's uncle Amos made a comment about "Manhatten having its own problems" - all the way back in the first book of the Kane Chronicles - and the meeting of the two worlds didn't disappoint!
Up first was the Son of Sobek - a kick-ass adventure featuring Carter Kane and Percy Jackson.
The story was pretty basic - giant crocodile terrorising an area - but it provided all that was needed to introduce both worlds while opening the door to future co-operation.
It was told from the pov of Carter and I almost died in happiness at seeing Percy through his eyes... (Little Percy Jackson has grown into one kick ass dude and I love him.)
I loved how, despite being super short, the Son of Sobek highlighted the strengths and weakness of both characters and didn't elevate one above the other. It was made clear that they are different but neither of them is better or worse for being/not being the child of a god.
It was funny, it was exciting and I immediately wanted more!
The Staff of Serapis was the second novella and told from the pov of Annabeth. A funky monster catches her attention in the subway station - a strange blending for Greek and Egyptian - so using that big brain of hers, Annabeth deduces that it's somehow related to Percy's adventures a month earlier with some Egyptian guy and resolves to take care of it. Her path crosses with that of Sadie Kane - Carter's sister - and they join forces to stop the rise of Serapis.
It was hilarious watching Annabeth with Sadie. Both are smart, fierce and resourceful but Sadie is also impulsive and a bit random - much like Percy! So Annabeth's commentary had me in stitches.
The Staff of Serapis was a much longer novella than The Son of Sobek and despite it being a lot of fun watching the girls rock the girl power thing, I really missed Carter and Percy!
Luckily, The Crown of Ptolemy - novella number three - brings all four of them together for the final battle against the mad magician who is determined to make himself a god by combining Greek and Egyptian magic.
This final instalment was from the pov of Percy and I never wanted it to end!
My favourites, rocking their power and magic, battling a big bad to save the world, making new friends, making me laugh with their banter and keeping me throroughly entertained from beginning to end... Can't really ask for more than that!
I'm not entirely sure I'd recommend these novellas to someone who hadn't read at least one of the series - Percy Jackson or Kane Chronicles - but if you have read one then it's a nice introduction to the other and if you've read both? I can't see how you'd fail to enjoy them.
If Rick Riordan ever decides to write full length cross over novels, I'm here for it.
Interesting that Riordan chose to narrate these stories himself. I guess there's a certain coolness factor in that - who know his stories better? - but also a little disappointing because why not let a professional voice actor do it? Even so, it sounds like the novellas a fun additions to the overall series.
ReplyDeleteThey were fun stories but it's just little things like the author being unable to do an English accent for the English character, not differentiating voices etc... Should have definitely left it to the actors. :(
DeleteSo weird that he narrated the book after having good narration for the previous series! What a let down 🙄. I really need to finish the Kane chronicles. I started them years ago, but then was waiting for the next release and kind of just forgot about them. Glad you overall enjoyed it!
ReplyDeleteMy assumption is that it was a "novelty" thing by the publisher because they were bonus novellas and not a full-length novel.
DeleteWhat a bummer about the author narration - usually it is the opposite in that it's the best because it was the author reading! Glad the story itself made up for it though.
ReplyDeleteI think it probably works best for autobiographies and other non-fiction but then again this is the first author narrated book I've listened to! :)
DeleteI haven't read any of this series because I'm not sure I would like it but it does sound interesting.
ReplyDeleteI have not read any of Riordan's books. I know I should (probably right after Harry Potter) but just haven't made the time. I am a little hesitant when I see an author narrating their own book since it can work but it isn't always the best. Great review!
ReplyDeleteI love mythology and all these sound so fun. I really need to try his books!
ReplyDeleteOooh this sounds like such a fun read! I would def want to read the other two series first to appreciate it as much as you have.
ReplyDeleteGreat reviews Nicci :)
Chanzie @ Free To Be Me