Out goes Mr. Moo, in comes Mr. Ladon.
So after my wanting to not go so long between chapters, I…went a long time between chapters. But it’s not my fault! I’ve been away at the Pacific Northwest Writers Association Conference for the past 4 days. Great conference. Exciting stuff that I can’t yet tell you about. But I didn’t have time to read Percy Jackson! But now, without further ado, let’s get to the 16th chapter in Michael Reads Percy Jackson: The Titan’s Curse…
We Meet the Dragon of Eternal Bad Breath
A lot happens in this chapter. Grover heads off back to camp with Mr. Moo (again, my blog, an’ that’s what I’m callin’ it), Percy sacrifices the Golden Fleece, and we meet Annabeth’s mortal family. Oh, and of course there’s also the apples of immortality, Hesperides, the multi-headed serpent-dragon Ladon, and General Atlas, all hangin’ around up around the Garden of Twilight.
And I hope to gods that no one reading this book ever expected sparkly “vampires” up there.
NO!
I thought this chapter worked really quite well. Even with the little pit-stop to borrow a car from Annabeth’s father, the pacing was good and everything that happened was either exciting or interesting. I enjoyed the glimpse we got of Annabeth’s family. Her dad felt maybe just a little bit too spacey, but that added to his charm. I felt bad for him when he didn’t get a chance to talk to Zoe more about WWI. And his wife felt genuine.
I just hope his car was insured, and that the policy covers acts of god(s).
Amid the action, we also got a number of other nice character touches: Percy not wanting to steal a car despite the world being at stake. Zoe waking up Ladon, tackling head-on the problem he presented. (I suppose that’s the confidence that one develops after 1,000 years.) The implication that Kronos is trying to trick Thalia into thinking Zeus is trying to kill her via the lightning. Not a bad trick, that. Respectable guy, this Kronos. …Er, I mean, he’s terrible, but he’s at least got a bit of respectable cunning in ‘im, obviously.
Very possibly a dragon.
I also learned that dragons chew eucalyptus leaves. And that it really doesn’t help.
I’ll close with a few quotes and reactions that I can’t think of a more artful way to work in at the moment.
“Can’t this thing go any faster?” Thalia demanded.
Zoë glared at her. “I cannot control traffic.”
“You both sound like my mother,” I said.
“Shut up!” they said in unison.
I’ve no specific reaction here other than to say I grinned at this little exchange. 😀
“Wait a second,” I said. “You’re Atlas?”
The General glanced at me. “So, even the stupidest of heroes can finally figure something out.
And so did I! The stupidest of let’s-read bloggers! 😀
“Yes,” Zoë said bleakly. “Atlas is my father.”
Welp, Zoe’s going down. I mean, probably. It is, after all, foretold in the prophecy! But then again, maybe Riordan’s setting me up for a fake-out. I can’t blame him. That’s what I’d do, if I were me, after all. As usual, I guess I’ll find out soon…
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