The Sea of Monsters by Rick Riordan

Thalia's tree on Half-Blood Hill has been poisoned, weakening and potentially destroying Camp Half-Blood's borders. No demigod is safe, monsters are free to roams the camp's lands. To top that, the camp gets a new activities director who happens to be cursed and doesn't seem to have the demigod's safety at the top of his priority list. Percy and Annabeth go on a new quest to save their only true safe place on Earth. In order to do so, however, they must sail through the Sea of Monsters.

To be honest, I like The Lightning Thief better. This is also my least favorite out of the Percy Jackson and the Olympians Series; sorry to disappoint you. Nonetheless, I still liked this book. It still was filled with action, suspense, and humor, but I guess I did not like the story line and setting as much. I still recommend you read this though, as the content is essential to the series as a whole.

   

The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan

Percy Jackson lives an anything but average life. Diagnosed with ADHD and dyslexia, as well as being expelled from school every year for the past six years, it is safe to say Percy was different. When his pre-algebra teacher tries to kill him, life changes forever. He is sent to Camp Half-Blood and learns that he is the son of the mighty Greek god Poseidon. If thats not enough, he is accused of stealing Zeus' master lightning bolt. Percy, desperate to clear his name and prevent World War III, embarks on a dangerous quest to recover the bolt and reveal the true lightning thief.

If you saw the movie and expect to read the same story in book-form, think again. The movie is NOTHING like the book. The only things consistent are some of the names and a few of the places. That being said, I enjoyed the book much more than the movie. Don't get me wrong, I liked the movie. I just think it left out some cool things like a week of Camp Half-Blood and some huge battles.

I am very glad that there is now some modern-written, modern-setting Greek (and Egyptian) mythology. On a basic level, the Percy Jackson series is a re-telling of the old tales, and I think it still has the same air. It brings the stories to life in quite a nice, fast paced-way. A great(but unfortunately quick) read.
   

City on Our Knees by Toby Mac

Ever wonder what could happen if you answered God's call? If you stopped ignoring that nagging feeling that you should stop doing this or you start doing that? This book is filled with those stories. Stories of people "when we step across the line". And reminding us that "through the fog there is hope in the distance". Read these stories, and see how God uses people to get cities on their knees.

“City on Our Knees” is one of my very favorite songs. It has been ever since I first heard it. So you can imagine as, being a book lover, how excited I was to see a book titled after a song that deeply touched my soul. Of course, I read it and I happened to use it as a devotion reading a story a day(in case you are wondering, that is not quite how it is designed but it works just fine that way). In some ways they are simple stories. God tells Bob to do this, and Bob does. But in many more ways they reach much deeper and implant the question into your soul what if I actually did what God told me? My only dissatisfaction was a couple of the stories seemed a little plain and regular, but then who am I to judge? A single lost soul finding its way is a thing to ecstatically rejoice. Let this book be an illustration of when "two worlds collide in a beautiful display."
   

Rooms by James L. Rubart

Micah Taylor is rich, successful, powerful, good-looking, and young. What more could you ask for? Micah is about to find out. He gets a somewhat suspicious letter from his deceased great uncle claiming he built a house for him. In Cannon Beach. The one place he'd try to avoid all these years. Of course, Micah goes to the house planning to sell it, but the house feels....right. It feels like...him. As time goes on, strange things go on in the house. Micah is torn in two. And the things chewing at his heart are...rooms.

Overall, this was an excellent book. It dives into the subjects of redemption and the supernatural and wont let you escape to you hear the whole thing. However, it does have a few flaws, from my perspective. For one thing it was somewhat predictable. The first chunk is quite a mystery, but once the meat is revealed, the rest seems pretty obvious. My other problem is it seems somewhat repetitive. Not dreadingly so, but enough to have you occasionally think okay, I get the point. Lets move on now. Overall - great book. My only wish would be a few more unexpected twists.
   

Immanuel's Veins by Ted Dekker

It is 1772 in the country of Moldavia. Toma Nicolesecu and Alek Cardei are assigned the task of protecting the inhabitants of the Cantemir estate. During a party occurring almost immediately upon their arrival, they meet a strange group of Russians. They are shockingly rich and unbelievably attractive, so what's not to like? The seemingly easy job of protecting the Cantemirs gets increasingly difficult, and the strange becomes unnaturally queer. Love is displayed; watch the blood flow through Immanuel's Veins.

I am always anxious to get my hands on Ted Dekker's newest novel, and this one was no exception. I love Ted's mega-series: The Books of History Chronicles, and I was ecstatic to learn that Immanuel's Veins has ties to it. If you love BOHC, and are looking for more, have no fear - this book lives up to those expectations in a way that I did not imagine. Now, don't worry I am not saying that you must read the whole Circle Series first, I am simply saying this is the newest addition to the fantasy collection as far as I'm concerned. However, it is a stand-alone novel and can be read independently. That being said, this was a book of constant suspense that had me clenching my fists desperate to see the outcome. It is a tale of true sacrificial love - the willingness to give everything, even your life, for the sake of another. I recommend this book to anyone who likes fantasy, suspense, or romance novels. I hope you enjoy this book as much as I did!

Here is the trailer for the book:

To anyone who enjoyed Immanuel's Veins: I am giving away a free Immanuel's Veins t-shirt. If you are interested, please leave a comment below by September 30th. The winner shall be selected at random.  
     

The Skin Map by Stephen R. Lawhead

Kit Livingstone is on his way to his girlfriend's house when an old man named Cosimo approaches him. The man goes on about some psychotic theology that the world has multiple dimensions and alternate realities; saying more than what’s required for Kit to make an assessment that the old man is insane. The problem is however, that what we think is correct, isn’t always in line with the truth. Kit finds himself thrust into a world where time is... different. He must find the Skin Map at all costs, but it won’t be easy – for others share the same goal.

This is the first book I have ever read by Stephen Lawhead. I didn’t really know much about him, but the book looked good so I decided to read it. I must say, I was quite impressed! It was well written, and pulled me right in at the beginning instead of waiting a hundred pages. I am not a huge fan of sci-fi, but still, I enjoyed this one. A few of the concepts were in line with Ted Dekker’s Blink but that was fine by me because it is a perplexing line of thought. My only complaint is that I don’t think the ley lines and how the other worlds came to be were explained well enough; but can’t wait to read the next book! Overall, a great work!

Here is the trailer: