Michael G. Munz

The official website of Seattle sci-fi/fantasy author and geek Michael G. Munz

Archives for 2014

Michael Reads Percy Jackson: The Lightning Thief (Ch 11)

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"Snakes. Why did it have to be snakes?"

“Snakes. Why did it have to be snakes?”

Percy learns what 93% of all D&D players already know: Mysteriously detailed statues are a certain indication of imminent danger. Yes, it’s time for the 11th installment of Michael Reads Percy Jackson: The Lightning Thief…

We Visit the Garden Gnome Emporium

I need to start by saying that the opening paragraph of this chapter is just downright charming. I was reminded a little of David Sedaris with the way it waltzes through the details, beginning the chapter via in a little narrative dance with just the right measure of snark. (Okay, so it’s admittedly been a while since I’ve read anything by Sedaris, so I could be way, way off here, but that’s the connection my brain made.) In fact, I’m going to bump the “favorite line” portion of this post to the front so I can quote the whole thing: [Read more…]

Michael Reads Percy Jackson: The Lightning Thief (Ch 10)

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We're into double-digit chapters here, people. Things're gettin' serious.

We’re into double-digit chapters here, people. Things’re gettin’ serious.

Ambrosia in Ziploc bags and a busload of Furies! It must be time for the tenth chapter of Michael Reads Percy Jackson: The Lightning Thief, a.k.a…

I Ruin a Perfectly Good Bus

Hey, wait. Isn’t “Busload of Fury” a Quiet Riot album? (No? AC/DC?)

Regardless, Percy’s quest has begun! I wonder how long the journey just to get TO Hades will take? He starts out his quest as any self-respecting Greek hero and/or MI-6 agent should: with a few special goodies to help him on the way. That the ambrosia was given to him in a baggie was a nice modern touch (Was the nectar in a Thermos?), and Chiron re-loaned him Anaklusmos, the sword that’s as mighty as the pen. [Read more…]

Michael Reads Percy Jackson: The Lightning Thief (Ch 9)

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The square root of nine is three! And what does that tell us?Absolutely nothing.

The square root of nine is three! And what does that tell us?
Absolutely nothing.

Oracles in the Attic! No, it’s not a V.C. Andrews novel; it’s time for the ninth chapter of Michael Reads Percy Jackson: The Lightning Thief…

I Am Offered a Quest

After a bit of good ol’ fashioned teenaged social ostracizing (on what could arguably be termed an officially “epic” level, given the mythological connections), Percy is offered a quest! It’s an exciting development that would have been completely surprising were it not for the spoiler in the chapter title. (I’m teasing, The Lightning Thief, I’m teasing. I still likes ya!) [Read more…]

Movie Review: Interstellar

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scientifically realistic black hole depiction

Gargantua: Humanity’s new sun? It really is quite pretty.

Last night I saw Christopher Nolan’s latest, Interstellar, a film about a desperate mission through a black hole to find a new home for humanity before the Earth becomes uninhabitable. It’s mostly hard sci-fi, softened with a bit of metaphysics, but at its heart is a story about a father and his daughter. [Read more…]

Michael Reads Percy Jackson: The Lightning Thief (Ch 8)

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Did you know you can click the image to see all of the previous posts in this series?Did you know elephants can't jump?

Did you know you can click the image to see all of the previous posts in this series?
Did you know elephants can’t jump?

Well it’s about danged time! And it’s also time for chapter eight in my series, Michael Reads Percy Jackson: The Lightning Thief…

We Capture a Flag

This will be a quick post. A lot happened but my reactions are pretty brief. Finally it’s made official that Percy is Poseidon’s son! I was boggling at the idea that even after he’s found to be good at canoeing and energized by having water dumped on him, people “weren’t having an easy time of” figuring out who his father was. It occurred to me that perhaps some of them were simply good at keeping their suspicions from Percy. [Read more…]