Re-post: Thoughts on Percy Jackson

I just finished reading the whole series(all five books) and I conclude that: I AM NOT NORMAL. Like I ever was, right? Funny thing is that I’ve realized that long before reading this book. It’s just that this book isn’t about your normal teenage life. I reckon not say my life is like the one Percy Jackson leads, not even close to a demigods life. AS far as surviving life is concerned, I don’t think any sane mind would do it. But we do have occasional demon teachers and blessing from the gods once in a while, right? Those little everyday miracles we don’t even count because we think they are too petty, those misfortunes that we heighten its importance in life even they would be just passing ones. Back to the part that I said I’m not normal. Sane but not normal, I think people these days call that weird. That sort of type that people would say, “You’re different.” Just so they won’t actually offend the emotional side left of you. Also they’d be too careful not to get to your dark side because they know too well that you can unleash pure terror. It’s that sort when you don’t fit in any norm. And this, I must say, is normal.  Wait what? Therene, are you trying to confuse yourself(…and the readers, as well.)? Well, no. It seems logical enough to say that everyone cannot fit in certain norm all at once. Tell me then, how many norms does one person need to live by? A person needs to be a son/daughter, a student, a child, sometimes a follower, sometimes a leader, sometimes a pawn…and all those roles one person needs to bear doesn’t have a guidebook to follow. It’s not like some checklist exists so one can be whoever he/she wants, right? Being normal means following a certain norm. Would you believe me if I tell you that when you are admitted to a mental hospital, it is normal to be crazy? If you acted by any means sane, they’d kick you out of the hospital for being abnormal. Exist in the real world and be crazy(or just take a risk of some sort…), they’ll kick you into the mental hospital for institutionalization. It’s the majority that determines the norm. Strangely enough, we, humans, weren’t all meant to be normal. IF it were just as easy as that, the world would be a better place. But, no…we have to make it more complicated. So yeah, if some of you out there feel you are not normal, you are not alone. J

I don’t have ADHD nor am I dyslexic. But I keep wondering who’d be my god parent (that’s separated, mind you.) if I were a half-blood. I like the water way too much but I’d also like to fly once in a while. Sons of Poseidon (no daughters were mentioned in the story, at least as a demigod) can fly riding a pegasi. That would be awesome because I like riding horses. But then again, I don’t like drowning. I like swimming, yes. But ever since my drowning “accident” (quote and note: I simply forgot how to swim. Right then and there, I would’ve slapped myself and cursed, “Vlacas!”), the ocean and I haven’t been friends. Scratch that, I FEAR the ocean and its powers. But hey, a daughter of Zeus can have her fear of heights, right? Just a fancy. lol

Fatal flaw. That played a huge part on saving the world part. I thought about it. Could Hubris possibly be my fatal flaw? Sure, I have an ego that flares up once in a while. I don’t think I can outdo the gods (in my case God. Hey! I still have faith. Once in a while, it asks around for logic and a reason to believe. Ironically, it finds one in the midst of my foolishness. But this discussion would be a better subject later on.) nor do I believe I can fix everything. Would personal loyalty be my flaw? Errr…We’ve discussed this before. I am a detached person. If by any means I made you believe I actually would go far enough to kill myself to save you, please rid of that idea. Sometimes my treacherous mind would tick and not hesitate on cursing bad luck. I am aware of this and I am trying to be more caring. Would jealousy be likely my fatal flaw? Come to think about it. I am mostly jealous of everyone. Well, at least people assume I am, but sadly; it is others who happen to notice your fatal flaw before you can rectify yourself. I am not condoning that is actually my fatal flaw but it might be. Sometimes it is illogical…and most times, it is destructive. But just like most flaws, it can be conquered. I’m still trying to figure out a flaw so fatal I might struggle with myself fighting. Could it possibly be laziness?

Thanks the gods. I am a Roman Catholic by birth and my education supported that. It is a belief spoon-fed into my system. But honestly, one would appreciate their belief more after reading the series. Whatever faith you have, this book is philosophical enough to tell you believing in something can take you far enough. But it is also philosophical enough to tell you that you cannot rely everything to the gods (or God, whichever way you prefer it). Going through the book, you’d realize how much moral you have too. It’ll make you think how well…or bad you’ve been doing in your lifetime. Also, the author is wise enough to tell you can believe in everything but some things aren’t what they seem to be. It’ll rearrange some things you believe in (not about the myths though) but how you’d see real life. It’s like convincing yourself it exists and it ends up existing. First, it all happens in your head. Then you realize everything is possible and the next second, it already exists. Strange as it may be, believing is strong driving force. Thank Elpis for that. I got to appreciate tons of stuff while going through the book.

Misleading titles. It’s funny that I used to have a problem with misleading titles when it comes to the videos I watch. It seems like titles are like prophecies. The reader won’t be able to comprehend until you’ve read through. That’s exactly the point. Making titles isn’t that easy. One needs to consider a lot of things upon making a title. Then I realized. I am not erred by titles such as Man Boobs and Sexy Lady Dancing but more of the content that either displays surplus or lack thereof. I mean really. Half way reading into something, you’ll ask yourself “Why in the world is this chapter titled as this?” Every single line makes you tick and wanting to know, is this the very reason? I start arguing with myself that the title didn’t matter. But I would know so well that titles are given effort upon conjuring. The Olympians series had tons of titles that would make you snicker (not that type, you perv. Previous example does not apply to this one.) It’s like every chapter would be opened with a modern prophecies. Tell me. Flying Pig is the title of the chapter where the demigods are recuperating from Kronos’ previous attack. Compelling fact is that Mr. Riordan would reveal the meaning almost at the end of the chapter. Somewhat like in a movie. When things have reached the climax, there’s nowhere else it’s going but down.

War movies + Elemental movies + Ancient History= oh what joy! And yes, I’m a girl. I’ve always been big on history. I was either hunched over historical books or looking through a find-and-look. Either ways, they are both mindless activities I enjoyed as a kid. As for war movies, I actually enjoyed the destruction and wonder how I can recreate it (maybe I should follow a friend’s advice about locking me into a room. Seriously.) Playing with the elements has been my serious addiction when it comes to movies…or even series. So when you throw all those element together in a book, guess who’d be drooling? Either a hellhound or me. Most likely, me. But honestly, the war part on Percy Jackson isn’t the best. Considering it’s the worst war of the millennium, no words can explain it. XD

Fiction is fiction. But you have you have to give credit to someone who can make you rethink the facts. Honestly, it’s not easy writing fiction. You have to make it believable. I salute anyone, as much as Rick Riordan to Dan Brown, who can create fiction so entertainingly intertwined with the facts. That’s very difficult. Take another fiction for instance, the vampire book*cough* oh, you know what I mean. It’s like a cardboard cutout of a fiction. The vampire culture has long been established as much as Greek mythology. If you’re going to mess up something solidified through time, you better make it look good. But really, sparkling?! How can you support that from the age old belief? Something in the Olympians series made it so believable is that it didn’t throw Greek mythology out the window. It told a modern story with respect to the myths. Culture is sacred. Tearing it down altogether by making another dimension of truth in one blow would be sacrilegious. Painful, even.  Verisimilitude. That’s a million dollar word for a factor that makes fiction writing difficult. With logical response and empathy on the front line, your last straw would be verisimilitude. It’s that sort of thing that make readers cling unto your novel for more. Rick Riordan did that. Except maybe for the Battle of Labyrinth. I expected better and it seemed like that the war scenes felt force. Maybe because Mr. Riordan is a peace-loving person? The flow seemed unnatural. I don’t know if it’s the demigods ADHD but it made me feel hyperactive as well. No, not because I’m excited to read on. I just want it over. Too much. Just too much unnecessary words. I also must say that throughout the series, Mr. Riordan shifted back and forth with his old style and his new. I commend his growth as a writer. It is very evident in his books. It felt like that the character actually matured. Like when Percy first talked in the Lightning Thief opposed to his eloquence in the Last Olympian. It came so naturally. At times rusty, but hey, that’s writing. I couldn’t even manage to write a single story straight on. Much more would I be able to write a book…then a whole series, when would that ever happen?

So yeah, I just finished five thick books in a span of three days. I’m a geek like that. I also concluded that given enough water, mashed potatoes, and good amenities, I can survive more than 24 hours without sleep. Ah, those bring back memories. The ones I busied myself being totally alone in the company of friends.

Rating: Seven thunderbolts out of ten. Fresh out of Zeus’ master bolt.

Genre: Young Adult

Next up: Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul II. I’m not too sold out. I may not review it. But we’ll see.

IMDB this: Little Miss Sunshine anyone?

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