The Vision by Jen NadolThe Vision by Jen Nadol

The Vision by Jen Nadol is the sequel to The Mark.  In this book, Cassie has moved to Chicago and is living with her friend, Petra. Although she's made some friends, Cassie's real purpose in leaving everyone in Pennsylvania behind after her grandmother dies is to find out more about her special ability.  Cassie can see "the mark" on a person who is going to die with in 24 hours.  Believing there must be more like her, Cassie asks Petra, who works in a mental hospital, to identify anyone who fits the description of her mother.  That's how Cassie meets Demetria.  Despite the fact that Demetria doesn't talk to Cassie, she is convinced that they share the same power and Cassie visits her often.  At school, Cassie begins dating a bad boy, Zander, who knows more about Cassie than she even knows about herself.  At work (in a funeral home), Cassie tries to learn as much about death and different religious customs as possible, thinking there may be a link between that and her ability.  Cassie's real struggle is knowing whether or not to save one person who is marked for death, risking the life of another.

This was a really interesting book.  I haven't read the first one, The Mark, but I was able to understand the story just fine.  I may go back and read The Mark so I can learn the back story, though.  I like the inner struggle Cassie faces as she tries to determine how to decide who is worth saving.  I also like the references to Greek mythology and various religious belief.

The Lost Hero by Rick Riordan

The Lost Hero by Rick Riordan is the first book in his new Heroes of Olympus series. Jason wakes up on a school bus traveling to a field trip with his class, and holding his girlfriend's hand. The only problem is, he doesn't remember getting there, doesn't remember the school, his girlfriend Piper, his friend Leo... anything! After being attacked by storm spirits at Niagara Falls, Jason, Leo and Piper find out they are half-bloods (one of their parents is a Greek god and one is a mortal) and are whisked away to Camp Half-Blood, a safe haven for demigods. While there, they find out that one of the camp's heroes, Percy Jackson, is missing and their savior Annabeth is searching for him. The trio also learns that their entire world is threatened by the rise of Gaea (mother earth) and her titan children, having kidnapped Hera. Hera has been visiting the demigods through their dreams, trying to lead them to her in hopes they'll free her before the worst titan rises on the eve of the summer solstice. Jason, Piper, and Leo go off on their first quest, to free Hera and save the world. Unfortunately, all three have their own ulterior motives - Piper is desperate to save her father from the clutches of an evil giant even though she knows her friends will be hurt if they go with her. Jason just wants to find out who he is and where he came from. And Leo, terrified that his ability to produce fire will hurt or kill another person he loves, just wants to belong somewhere. They meet many different characters along the way, including Midas who turns anything he touches into gold, Medea one of Ancient Greece's most evil mortals, Coach Hedge a crazy satyr bent on protecting them, and even some interesting gods/goddesses. And of course, they are plagued by mystery and danger the whole way. Will the succeed in holding off another war between gods and titans? Will Gaea rise and take back the world?

This was a great adventure! It was really fun to have some of my favorite characters brought back from the Percy Jackson series - Chiron, Annabeth, Clarise, etc. The story was really engaging and I loved the new characters. I also really liked the way the author brought in the Roman side of the characters and stories. I can't wait to read the next book, The Son of Neptune, coming out in fall of 2011.

Zeus: King of the Gods by George O'Connor

Zeus: King of the Gods by George O'Connor is a graphic novel telling the story of Zeus's rise to power among the Olympians. It begins with Gaea, mother earth, and her creation of the sky, Ouranos, to end her loneliness. Together, they spawned the Titans, the one-eyed Cyclopes, and the fifty-headed Hekatonchieres. Ouranos was so disgusted by his monstrous children that he banished them to a deep chasm called Tartarus. Gaea was so upset by this she asked her Titan children to fight against their father. Only Kronus was brave enough to take the sickle Gaea offered and attack Ouranos. After a mighty fight, Kronus won, but he did not free his brothers from the depths of Tartarus! Gaea cursed him to the same fate as his father - that a son of his own would one day defeat him and take over the world. As a result, Kronus ate every single one of his newborn children... until his wife got smart and fed him a stone instead of his final child. Instead, Zeus was raised far away from his father's rule. When he grew up, Gaea gave him a plant to feed his father that would cause all of his children to be vomited up and freed. When Kronus saw Zeus, he immediately ate him! But, because he also ate the special plant, he violently threw up Zeus and all of his brothers and sisters: Hera, Poseidon, Hades, Demeter, and Hestia. These OIympian Gods fought together against Kronus and the Titans for years, until finally The Olympians won. Zeus imprisoned the Titans in Tartarus, punished anyone else who had fought against him, and began his rule over the heavens and earth from his seat in Mount Olympus.

This was a really cool book! I already knew the story of Zeus's rise to power, so it was really cool to see it in pictures! The battle scenes were awesome! I actually read this book aloud to my family and showed the pictures on each page. It was a great way to spend a Saturday evening. Everyone loved it - from the 6 year old boy to the 16 year old girl to my 34 year old husband! Here is a link to the author's blog, Olympians Rule!