Bambbles Rambles

I've heard a lot about this book from people of different ages. The first time I heard about it was a few years ago from my then 7 or 8 year old cousin. He adored it! Loved the quests and the gods (having never known anything about Greek mythology before this). Putting myself in his place, at 8 years old I was in the mythology club (yes we had one at my grade school) and trying to read Edith Hamilton's Mythology, but being unable to get into it. This book would have been a godsend.

I understand its appeal to a younger audience. Fast paced, scary monsters, winning in the end. But for me reading it as a 23 year old, it's just alright. I enjoyed how the author modernizes the greek myths and guessing who the gods and monsters were before we were told, but I just couldn't get into it. 

Don't get me wrong; it was fun and I'll probably pick up the next book. It just seemed a little too easy. Before his quest, he was struggling, trying to find his way, screwing up. But any time he faced an adversary slash boom dead? I don't buy it. Especially the climax. No one can mature that much in a week. 

For kids, thumbs up. I'd give it 4 as an adult rating it for kids. As a kid, I'd have give it s 5. But for me, a 3. It was just too easy. (And I can hear Percy in my head "You think that was EASY?!")

Originally published on GR in June 2010