Audiobook Review: The Lighning Thief by Rick Riordan

Ali Listens is my new review title for Audio book Reviews.  I wanted to start splitting up my reviews into categories.  Something I've been wanting to do for awhile, just haven't had the chance.  More categories coming soon, but this is the one I wanted to start with.

Title: The Lightning Thief 

Author: Rick Riordan 

Publisher: Disney Hyperion Books

Audio Publisher: Listening Library

Narrated by: Jesse Bernstein

Length: 10 Hours and 1 Minute

Read From: February 23 to March 19, 2016

Reading Challenges: 2016 TBR Challenge 

Percy Jackson is a good kid, but he can't seem to focus on his schoolwork or control his temper. And lately, being away at boarding school is only getting worse—Percy could have sworn his pre-algebra teacher turned into a monster and tried to kill him. When Percy's mom finds out, she knows it's time that he knew the truth about where he came from, and that he go to the one place he'll be safe. She sends Percy to Camp Half Blood, a summer camp for demigods (on Long Island), where he learns that the father he never knew is Poseidon, God of the Sea. Soon a mystery unfolds and together with his friends—one a satyr and the other the demigod daughter of Athena—Percy sets out on a quest across the United States to reach the gates of the Underworld (located in a recording studio in Hollywood) and prevent a catastrophic war between the gods.

I must say right away that listening to this one was the right way to go for me.  The Lightning thief is one that is slow in the beginning, but once it takes off it's a whirlwind of an adventure. If I'm being honest, in the beginning I almost turned this audiobook off and didn't finish, but I'm glad I forced myself to continue.  The movie however is way different than the book, fair warning.  I didn't realize how different it was till I started listening and was a bit surprised at all the differences.  Not that it's a bad thing, not in any way it's just not what I had expected.  

The characters in this story are pretty much kids, ones that have monsters following them and attacking them, what's more fun than that?  I did enjoy some of the changes when it comes to the book to movie adaptations.  I really got upset with the book when Posideion, who is Percy's father, sorry if I just spoiled it for you, but to make my appoint I had to. Anyway, in the book he isn't very nice to Percy at all and that really made me angry.  I loved the movies take on it, he had wanted Percy and loved him. 

The writing style is fabulous and the author is great at details.  The only complaint I have with his writing is that his words when showing emotion just weren't as good as they could have been. All and all though, The Lighning Thief is a great book for anyone that would like a quick read. 

Now let's talk about the audio, this is where my thoughts get a bit harsher.  The voice that told the story, to me seemed a bit one denominational and I had to force myself to keep listening.  I own the book in paperback and could have just stopped and read it myself, but I wanted to hear this story.  Really I wish they would have found someone else to voice this story.

I will continue reading this series, but I think I will read them myself instead of listening.  If you like books that are packed full of adventure and clues, this is the perfect series/book for you. 

So for audio books I like to give two ratings.  One for the story itself and one for the audio. 

Story Rating: 

Audio Rating: 

 Here at Ali's Bookshelf we accept books in exchange for a honest review. The book above came from my own self.   The Audio, I bought myself through Audible. We also use Amazon Affiliate links at times.

 

Harry Potter Moment of the Week #7

Harry Potter Moment of the Week is a meme that is hosted by Uncorked Thoughts and Lunar Rainbows Reviews.  Each week there is a question based off of Harry Potter that we have to answer.  I love these types of posts. 

 

This Weeks Question: 

 

 Ship that you wish had sailed but didn't?

 Now this is a hard question for me to answer, mostly the ships I wanted to sail, did said in the movies and books.  I know a lot of people wanted Hermione and Harry or Hermione and Malfoy, but me I really love who ended up with who.  Ginny was perfect for Harry and Ron was perfect for Hermione.  I also really loved Neville and Luna, not sure they would have made it long term, but they were cute in the end of the movies. 

My other favorite ship is Lupin and Nymphadora.  I would say that I would have loved Sirius to have been alive long enough to find love, but what can you do. I guess the ship I really wanted to see more of would be Hagrid and his giant lady (Olympe Maxime).  That's the one I would have to pick.

Not really sure my answer works this week, but it was a hard one this week.  LOL

 

Bloggiesta: Day 3 Daily Update

So it's day three of Bloggiesta and I feel like I'm off to a good start, I knocked a few things off my list yesterday and now it's time to do the same today.  Below is my to do list for today and hopefully I can accomplish each thing.  As I go along throughout the day, I will mark each one off as I finish the task.  Also if there's a task that I don't finish the day before, it will be the first thing I work on the next day.

To learn more about Bloggiesta: CLICK HERE

To Do List 

• Post a Daily update on how I'm doing throughout the week
• Work on Upcoming Giveaway posts
• Set up my post schedule for April and then add at least one personal post in there
• Complete 1 mini challenge (Organizing ARCS)
• Schedule 1 Week Worth of Posts

Super excited about the Twitter Chat tonight as well, I didn't like missing yesterday's, but real life can get in the way sometimes.  Anyway, there is my list for today, I better get started.

Waiting on Wednesday

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event that is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine where she spotlights upcoming releases.

I haven't done one of these posts in awhile, but thought it was a great time to bring it back. 

Title: Ever the Hunted 

Author: Erin Summerill

Publisher: Harcourt Childrens Books

Date to be Released: December 27th 2016

Add it to your TBR: Goodreads

 Seventeen year-old Britta Flannery is at ease only in the woods with her dagger and bow. She spends her days tracking criminals alongside her father, the legendary bounty hunter for the King of Malam—that is, until her father is murdered. Now outcast and alone and having no rights to her father’s land or inheritance, she seeks refuge where she feels most safe: the Ever Woods. When Britta is caught poaching by the royal guard, instead of facing the noose she is offered a deal: her freedom in exchange for her father’s killer.

However, it’s not so simple.

The alleged killer is none other than Cohen McKay, her father’s former apprentice. The only friend she’s ever known. The boy she once loved who broke her heart. She must go on a dangerous quest in a world of warring kingdoms, mad kings, and dark magic to find the real killer. But Britta wields more power than she knows. And soon she will learn what has always made her different will make her a daunting and dangerous force.

 I have been dying to get my hands on this book ever since I first heard about it.  Love the cover and it sounds fantastic and the perfect read for me.   What is the one book you've been dying to get your hands on, but it's not been released yet?

Bloggiesta Daily Update: #2

So it's day two of Bloggiesta and I feel like I'm off to a good start, I knocked a few things off my list yesterday and now it's time to do the same today.  Below is my to do list for today and hopefully I can accomplish each thing.  As I go along throughout the day, I will mark each one off as I finish the task.  

To learn more about Bloggiesta: CLICK HERE

Today's To Do List: 

•  Post daily update and mark off items as I go
• Schedule one weeks worth of posts 
• Work on Upcoming Giveaway posts
• Research readers survey ideas
• Set up my post schedule for April and then add at least one personal post in there

I won't be able to be at today's Twitter Chat, sadly, but I'm taking my daughter for a tour of her school she will be going to next year.  I can't believe she's going to be in middle school.  It's so scary when you realize how much time has flown by.

 Anyway, I wish you all luck with your to do lists for today and I hope you get to mark off each item.