The Fandom Friday is a weekly feature, with each blog post written by a new contributor.

This is the weekly post where either myself, or a guest blogger, talks about a new fandom. See, I’ve had the experience in my life where I’ve been made fun or put down about my particular fandoms. And that has made me feel pretty crappy. But I’ve also put down other fandoms as well.

So I’ve decided to change that. I’m opening my world up to new fandoms, and the best way to do that is to bring people in to write about various fandoms. I’m very excited about this segment.

If you guys are interested in becoming a guest blogger for the Fandom Friday, feel free to email me at whatanerdgirlsays at gmail.com or contact me HERE

I am SO excited about this week’s Fandom Friday guest blogger. Her name is Erin Albert, and she is an up-and-coming young adult author, whose debut novel, The Prophecy, is coming out in November of this year.

Erin Albert is an author and fitness trainer.  Since she picked up Morris the Moose Goes to School at age four, she has been infatuated with the written word.  She went on to work as a grammar and writing tutor in college and is still teased by her family and friends for being a member of the “Grammar Police.”  In her free time, Erin enjoys acting, running, kickboxing, and, of course, reading and writing. 

Today, Erin is going to delight you all with her take on the very popular Rick Riordan series, Percy Jackson and the Olympians and The Heroes of Olympus.

Check it out!

Rick Riordan and Percy Jackson

About the Series

For those unfamiliar with the awesomeness that is Percy Jackson, let me tell you a bit about the series (good news—there are actually two series).  The first is entitled Percy Jackson and The Olympians, and it includes five books:  The Lightning Thief, The Sea of Monsters, The Titan’s Curse, The Battle of the Labyrinth, and The Last Olympian.  Percy starts out as a twelve year old and progresses to the age of sixteen by the final book.  Thankfully, readers didn’t have to say goodbye to Percy because Rick Riordan, the author, wrote a second series called Heroes of Olympus.  It is still being written but currently includes:  The Lost Hero, Son of Neptune, Mark of Athena, and (coming in October) House of Hades.

When The Lightning Thief begins, we meet Percy Jackson, a twelve year old dyslexic, ADHD troublemaker.  He soon finds out he’s a demigod, meaning he’s part human and part Greek god.  Shortly after receiving that hefty news, Percy learns he’s “Suspect #1” in a crime against the king of the gods, Zeus.  He collects a loveable group of friends throughout the story:

1) Annabeth, daughter of Athena with a chip on her shoulder

2) Grover, a hapless satyr tasked with Percy’s protection

3) Chiron, a centaur in charge of training the demigods.

He also manages to pick up his fair share of enemies as well:

1) Clarisse, the combative daughter of Ares.

2) Dionysus, a god sent to watch over the demigods as punishment.

3) Hades, god of the Underworld and castigated brother of Zeus

4) Ares, god of war with a short temper

3) The typical list of Greek oddities:  Furies, a Minotaur, Medusa, and an Echidna

In the other four books, Percy goes on numerous adventures—makes more friends, and plenty more enemies—all while trying to save the Greek gods from an attack by the Titans.  Just your everyday demigod stuff…   J

Heroes of Olympus picks up with a whole new cast of characters, the Roman demigods.  Though the Greeks and Romans worshipped basically the same gods, they appreciated different aspects of the gods’ personalities.  Thus, the gods behave one way in Greece and another in Rome, and they keep their demigods separated as a result.  Someone creates a way for the Roman and Greek demigods, natural enemies, to meet with calamitous, often amusing, results.

How I Discovered It

My friends told me I simply “had” to read this fun, engaging series called Percy Jackson and The Olympians.  I asked them to describe the story.  When they mentioned the MC was only twelve, I tuned out.  I LOVE young adult fiction, but I don’t often get into middle grade fiction.  These friends insisted that I would enjoy the series and, despite Percy’s age, I had to read it.  One day at the library, I saw The Lightning Thief and picked it up on a whim.  I honestly did not think I would like it.  From the first page, I took off with Percy on his epic adventure.  I went from someone only half interested to someone completely absorbed in the world.  I couldn’t read the books fast enough.  When I finished The Last Olympian, I had a major book hangover.  The thought of not traveling on another adventure with Percy saddened me more than I thought possible.  Then, my friend Danielle delivered outstanding news…Percy and his band of demigods would make a comeback in a new series!  I snatched up each book as soon as it got released, and I’m willing October to come faster so I can rejoin the group again for another thrill ride.

Why I Love The Percy Jackson Series

First and foremost, Percy makes me laugh.  He’s got this super snarky attitude.  Some snarks can be downright rude, but others use sarcasm to their advantage.  Percy falls into the latter group.

Sidebar (forgive me, I can’t help myself):  In the YA writing/publishing/reading world, debates have arisen about the use of first person verses third person.  I personally don’t care which way the story is told, just tell me a good one.  LOL!  There are benefits to both styles, but I think Rick Riordan made the best possible decision when he wrote the original series in first person (the second series is in third person).  Living inside Percy’s head and hearing his thoughts are part of what make the series so outstanding.  Percy’s thoughts often made me laugh harder than the words he spoke out loud—although those were hilarious too.

While Percy is completely hysterical (and I do mean com-plete-ly…), he possesses a great number of other endearing characteristics.  One of his most swoon worthy qualities is his desire to do the right thing and fight for the underdog.  His own experiences shape this aspect of his personality.  All his life, those in positions of authority underestimate Percy and bring him down though he is actually quite smart and witty.  His acceptance of his role as demigod highlights his quick thinking and clever problem solving.

When asked, women often say the characteristics they most want in a man are humor and loyalty.  Percy has both.  His loyalty to his friends and family really defines his personality.  Yes, he’s snarky and temperamental, but he always has his friends’ backs.  So, yeah, when he becomes “legal,” he’s a total catch!  J

In addition to Percy, I really loved the supporting characters.  Each character had loveable, annoying, and quirky traits—just like real people.  Percy’s mother, for example, ate as much blue food as she could find after someone told her blue food didn’t exist.  Annabeth had complicated family issues, and Grover wanted to belong.  Riordan uses all of his characters to explore different feelings and situations that many readers can relate to in their own lives.  Sidebar:  Leo, a character in the Heroes of Olympus series, is the second coming of Percy Jackson.  I literally spit out my drink a few times laughing at him.  Love Leo!  J

Let’s go for the obvious one here—who doesn’t love Greek mythology??  I remember sitting in school, bored out of my mind, but if my teacher told a tale from Ancient Greece, my head popped up!  Greek mythology ignites the imagination.  It’s a world where so many things are possible.  I love how Rick Riordan merges that world with the modern day one.  All these mythical beings and grand gods and goddesses spring to life right on the page.  I feel like I “know” Zeus, Athena, Poseidon, Medusa, etc. in a way I never did as a child hearing their stories.  Books transport us to new place, and Rick Riordan (through the voice of Percy Jackson) makes an excellent tour guide.

Thank you again, Sara, for having me on your site!  I’m honored to serve as guest blogger and to gush about my love for all things Percy Jackson and Rick Riordan!!

If you want to know more about me and my upcoming book, The Prophecy, you can like me on FB (Erin Albert Books), follow me on Twitter (@ErinAlbertBooks), or subscribe to my blog (www.erinalbertbooks.com).

Until next time,

Erin

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Thank you SO much Erin for contributing to the Fandom Friday!

Please visit Erin at her website, which is linked above, and keep an eye out for The Prophecy in November!

Don’t forget to check out previous Fandom Fridays!

And stay tuned for more awesome to come!