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Book #21: Throne of Fire, by Rick Riordan
May. 31st, 2011 07:07 amEgyptians are awesome, there's magic everywhere, girls are awesome, boys are awesome, no really: some of this actually happened, pure hilarity, etc.
I was all prepared to give this book a very good grade. As always, it was laugh out loud funny (and if I tried to quote you my favourite lines, we'd be here all week, so given what happened yesterday I'll just leave you with "I'm here to tell you, that comment about weasel cookies probably saved the known universe"), dealt fairly well with some complex issues (growing, being not!white, abandonment, etc), and did an unusually good job of weaving in real history with Riordan's typical insanely adventurous romp.
And yet.
There's a part where the characters climb the Great Pyramid. I have some very, very strong feelings about the Pyramids. When I realized that's where they were going, I was pumped because I thought it meant that I'd get Riordan's take on them, and that it would be just as awesome as his other stuff. I was half right. Instead he says, through Carter, the character who typically has the highest regard for ancient history:
If you ever visit the pyramids, here's a tip: the best place to see them is from far away, like the horizon. The closer you get, the more disappointed you'll be.
Carter then goes on to say that when you get closer, you'll find them strangely small, and that they'll be unimpressive compared to modern buildings. I have no idea if Riordan has ever been to Giza, but I feel I must wholeheartedly reject what he says here. Because, yes, the pyramids are cool from the horizon where you can see the whole thing at once (I particularly recommend sunset), but up close? Probably the second most amazing moment of my life was reaching out with one hand, unable to even really see the top anymore, and just letting it all wash over me.
(People told me this about Stonehenge too, to the point where I was genuinely worried before I got there. I have no idea what's wrong with people that they can't appreciate things like the Pyramids and Stonehenge. It absolutely boggles me that anyone could stand there and think "Meh, whatever!")
I said a couple days ago that it was going to cost him at least a point, and I very nearly made it two, because it really just sapped all the PURE JOY I had in reading the book...but I've gone back and decided to give it an 8 after all.
( And this is why )
So yes, an 8/10 for being funny and (mostly) in love with things I'm in love with, and for Sadie being amazing, and for Carter being awesome, and for me being right about Walt, and for chapter titles like: Major Delays at Waterloo Station (We Apologize For The Giant Baboon).
I was all prepared to give this book a very good grade. As always, it was laugh out loud funny (and if I tried to quote you my favourite lines, we'd be here all week, so given what happened yesterday I'll just leave you with "I'm here to tell you, that comment about weasel cookies probably saved the known universe"), dealt fairly well with some complex issues (growing, being not!white, abandonment, etc), and did an unusually good job of weaving in real history with Riordan's typical insanely adventurous romp.
And yet.
There's a part where the characters climb the Great Pyramid. I have some very, very strong feelings about the Pyramids. When I realized that's where they were going, I was pumped because I thought it meant that I'd get Riordan's take on them, and that it would be just as awesome as his other stuff. I was half right. Instead he says, through Carter, the character who typically has the highest regard for ancient history:
If you ever visit the pyramids, here's a tip: the best place to see them is from far away, like the horizon. The closer you get, the more disappointed you'll be.
Carter then goes on to say that when you get closer, you'll find them strangely small, and that they'll be unimpressive compared to modern buildings. I have no idea if Riordan has ever been to Giza, but I feel I must wholeheartedly reject what he says here. Because, yes, the pyramids are cool from the horizon where you can see the whole thing at once (I particularly recommend sunset), but up close? Probably the second most amazing moment of my life was reaching out with one hand, unable to even really see the top anymore, and just letting it all wash over me.
(People told me this about Stonehenge too, to the point where I was genuinely worried before I got there. I have no idea what's wrong with people that they can't appreciate things like the Pyramids and Stonehenge. It absolutely boggles me that anyone could stand there and think "Meh, whatever!")
I said a couple days ago that it was going to cost him at least a point, and I very nearly made it two, because it really just sapped all the PURE JOY I had in reading the book...but I've gone back and decided to give it an 8 after all.
( And this is why )
So yes, an 8/10 for being funny and (mostly) in love with things I'm in love with, and for Sadie being amazing, and for Carter being awesome, and for me being right about Walt, and for chapter titles like: Major Delays at Waterloo Station (We Apologize For The Giant Baboon).
