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| The Battle of the Labyrinth (Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Book 4) | 
 enlarge | Author: Rick Riordan
Creator: Jesse Bernstein
Publisher: Listening Library (Audio)
Category: Book
List Price: $37.00
Buy New: $20.97
You Save: $16.03 (43%)
New (33) Used (5) from $20.97
Avg. Customer Rating:  89 reviews
Sales Rank: 98949
Format: Audiobook, Unabridged
Media: Audio CD
Edition: Unabridged
Reading Level: Ages 9-12
Number Of Items: 9
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.5
Dimensions (in): 6 x 5.1 x 1
ISBN: 073936474X
EAN: 9780739364741
ASIN: 073936474X
Publication Date: May 13, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Condition: BRAND NEW
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| Customer Reviews:
Will Blow You Off Your Feet November 5, 2008
This is, by far, one of the best books that I've read all year. I've been a fan of Rick Riordan's Percy Jackson and the Olympians series ever since I picked up The Lightning Thief a few months ago, and the series hasn't let me down yet. I would even say that this book is the best one in the series so far. It had me constantly flipping pages to see what new and exciting adventures my favorite demigod hero got himself mixed up in.
This time, Riordan builds on the myth of the labyrinth and the minotaur for his story. Hero-in-training Percy must traverse the many perils of the ancient and mysterious labyrinth with his demigod friends and recent mortal friend, Rachel Elizabeth Dare to protect Camp Half-Blood. There is absolutely no lack of action in this book. The characters are constantly getting in and out of trouble while plot moves forward and thickens.
This book really made me feel like a kid again. I got so caught up in Percy's adventures that I felt the same excitement that he did as he explored this rich, modern version of Greek mythology. The story would be a little bit difficult to understand if you haven't read the previous books, but it's a treat for those who have. Riordan effortlessly weaves together previous characters andplot lines into something new while throwing in an occasional reminder of how his world works.
I thought Battle was a great novel of adventure and helped me escape from the world for a little. Even if you are older than the series' target audience, it's worth picking up. If not for the action, than for the modern humor that Riordan infuses into something ancient and traditional. Highly recommended!
WOWOWOWOW October 16, 2008
This book i soooo gooo it keeps you on the edge i would reccoment this to every one
The Saga Deepens October 7, 2008
In this installment of the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series, the characters mature in parallel to the scope and urgency of the conflict. Annabeth, Percy, Grover, Clarisse and others wisen and deepen as the conflict takes on a more personal edge.
It opens light-hearted enough: Percy has a run-in with some not-so-peppy cheerleaders and manages to put Annabeth in a jealousy-inspired fit in the process. However, as we find out more about the approaching war with the Titans, the reader is quickly drawn into a literal maze of difficulties.
All of the main characters have crucial choices they have to make, and this drives the plot forward: Percy has to deliberately decide several times to renounce his own desires in favor of others' needs; Annabeth has to exercise both her wisdom and humility; Grover has to simply grow; and we even see some beautiful character-deepening in Clarisse and Mr. D.
My favorite aspect of this part of the series is how the personal choices of the characters--whether major or minor characters--so profoundly affect the overall battle between good and evil. In literature, it is too easy to allow these forces to runaway and not ultimately be affected by individual decisions, but if it is to be real, and real fantasy, this element is essential. Riordan masters this chillingly well; even in the stunning, picturesque comeback of Kronos he reminds us of the importance of individual choice. Book 4 goes necessarily deeper than the previous books, so much so that I am still mulling over it several days after completing it.
While it cannot exactly be a cliffhanger, Riordan is definitely segueing into The Last Olympian. Book 4 is a wonderful story in and of itself, but we are painstakingly set up for the conclusion, and it's just a shame we have to wait so long to get it!
Percy's adventures continue at a frenetic pace! October 6, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I had purchased The Lightning Thief (1st book in the series of 4, so far...) for my 11 year old son who does NOT like to read silently, figuring that we could read it aloud together, and to try to get him interested in non-fiction. It also coincided with Greek Mythology a social studies subject in 6th grade. It was fabulous, and we have since read books 2 and 3. He was THRILLED that a new installment was avaailable and even read it himself! Can't wait for book 5, Riordan is a genius!
 Standardized Sphinxes October 3, 2008
These books are always enjoyable. I've been a mythology enthusiast since I was a kid and am still a sucker for creative variations on Greek Myths. I had to particularly laugh at the Sphinx who ditches the traditional riddle contest for a standardized test. Her lines are classic.
"Think? How am I supposed to test whether you can think?, that's ridiculous!"
"If you won't pass, you fail. And since we can't allow any children to be held back, you'll be eaten!"
"My grading machine! I can't be exemplary without my test scores!"
OK, I'm a teacher. I probably found this much more amusing than the kids that this book is targeted toward.
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