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thelibrarianofalexandria's review
dark
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
hughjass's review
4.0
I liked that Rick included stories from authors of color here - it was a nice way to read about mythology from all over. The writing style is also very captivating, reminds me of my childhood days reading quirky fiction way past my bedtime. A good, easy-to-space-out, lighthearted read
liz_keeney's review
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
story_goblin's review
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
This collection was exactly what you’d expect if you’re familiar with Riordan and Riordan Presents. Each story was fun and unique to its mythology/setting. I have only read some of the Riordan Presents authors, but I had no trouble with stories from series I haven’t read yet. It might even be a good way to get a “taste” of several of those series to help you decide which you’d like to read!
the_one_and_only_maddie's review
3.0
I decided to read this not as an entry point for the series it contains but more like a writing sample for other authors. I read the first chapter months ago and DNF until now. Ngl, twas a slog, but I get thats because I haven't read the series.
TLDR; They were all mid but the last one by Rick was pretty good.
Calamity Juice-3/5, Loved the wackyness but it lost me at multiple points.
Beware the Grove of True Love-2/5, I liked the myth they got sucked into but like did not care around that.
The Cave of Doom-3/5, My eyes glazed over at this point like I didn't realize how all these stories followed the Percy Jackson formula so rigidly it feels.
The Initiation-3/5, The premise seemed a bit of a stretch.. nothing was special, I didn't like the main character much, and in the time span we didn't get to know the others that much.
The Gum Baby Files-4/5, This was actually good, I do like stories where its like up to the side kicks to figure it out. Little shit child rep gets points with me, but Gum Baby never crossed a line into insufferable.
The Demon Drum-3/5, This was a sentimental rating because I love pow wows, but overall it was kinda mid. I get that its hard to make a little story in the middle of your series that has enough juice to be good but not enough plot shaking that readers who didn't catch the story will be lost, but like nothing wow happened.
Bruto and the Freaky Flower-3/5, I enjoyed this more probably because the other stories have been eh, but it was fine. Solid.
The Loneliest Demon- 2/5, A little cute but like by the title I knew where it was going.
My Night at the Gifted Carnival-2/5, Hattie should be the main character, did nothing for me.
My Life as a Child Outlaw-5/5, It was honestly crazy to go from these repetitive stories to this one that outshines them all. You can totally tell Rick is a much more experienced author, but I also think he didn't have the pressure of the story being within something greater because I remember his Percy Jackson/Kane Chronicle short stories were good, not great.
TLDR; They were all mid but the last one by Rick was pretty good.
Calamity Juice-3/5, Loved the wackyness but it lost me at multiple points.
Beware the Grove of True Love-2/5, I liked the myth they got sucked into but like did not care around that.
The Cave of Doom-3/5, My eyes glazed over at this point like I didn't realize how all these stories followed the Percy Jackson formula so rigidly it feels.
The Initiation-3/5, The premise seemed a bit of a stretch.. nothing was special, I didn't like the main character much, and in the time span we didn't get to know the others that much.
The Gum Baby Files-4/5, This was actually good, I do like stories where its like up to the side kicks to figure it out. Little shit child rep gets points with me, but Gum Baby never crossed a line into insufferable.
The Demon Drum-3/5, This was a sentimental rating because I love pow wows, but overall it was kinda mid. I get that its hard to make a little story in the middle of your series that has enough juice to be good but not enough plot shaking that readers who didn't catch the story will be lost, but like nothing wow happened.
Bruto and the Freaky Flower-3/5, I enjoyed this more probably because the other stories have been eh, but it was fine. Solid.
The Loneliest Demon- 2/5, A little cute but like by the title I knew where it was going.
My Night at the Gifted Carnival-2/5, Hattie should be the main character, did nothing for me.
My Life as a Child Outlaw-5/5, It was honestly crazy to go from these repetitive stories to this one that outshines them all. You can totally tell Rick is a much more experienced author, but I also think he didn't have the pressure of the story being within something greater because I remember his Percy Jackson/Kane Chronicle short stories were good, not great.
viivacious's review against another edition
3.0
I thought it was standalone stories but it turned out to be they were part of previous series. I was already planning to read some so I spoiled myself.
That being said, I really enjoyed them, some more than others but they were generally very heartfelt, funny, and cute. The last one just came for my heart. I was devastated. Will need a reread once I catch up with the other series.
On the audiobook narration, there were other languages spoken, and I can't tell on most of them, but the ones in Spanish, most of the narrators did not speak it and it showed.
It was a bit annoying in the beginning when they kept saying "caca seca" in one of the stories and it was making me lose my mind. But these are for children and I'm an adult, and I remember when my 6-11 year old little cousins thought saying caca was the height of comedy and would not stop. So the kids might enjoy that.
That being said, I really enjoyed them, some more than others but they were generally very heartfelt, funny, and cute. The last one just came for my heart. I was devastated. Will need a reread once I catch up with the other series.
On the audiobook narration, there were other languages spoken, and I can't tell on most of them, but the ones in Spanish, most of the narrators did not speak it and it showed.
It was a bit annoying in the beginning when they kept saying "caca seca" in one of the stories and it was making me lose my mind. But these are for children and I'm an adult, and I remember when my 6-11 year old little cousins thought saying caca was the height of comedy and would not stop. So the kids might enjoy that.
cowardthedog18's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
Now Imma be honest with y’all I didn’t read all the stories because I didn’t want to spoil myself so I will only list three. The 1st one I read was about my old childhood friends taking place before Aru Shah and the Tree of Wishes after Aru 13th Birthday before anyone else entered the picture; when everyone was alive and well and everything felt innocent enough to not be one with adulthood. I love how Aru still referred movies, Brynne being hangry and blunt and Mini being cautious but witty with her remarks. This short story of love is somewhat symbolic to Aru’s life. That love can end hate as well as start it. 10/10 // The 2nd Story I read was about Min from Dragon Pearl ; now I’m upset Sebin wasn’t in it. But what else you expect it takes place a few days after Dragon pearl and she will be in the spy school for 2 months. I am happy they mentioned phoenix’s and expanded on lore. It’s like Scobby Doo Mysteries. 8.5/10 // And the final the last one I was confused about when I read the series was about Riley and Hattie from The Last Fallen Star; taking place before the events of it. I love the fact on how it hints the ending and solution of The Last Fallen Realm. I also like on how this explains on how a soul can escape the seven hells. Riley is indeed a heroine. Besides that I like how in her version of the cursed carnival (within her door) there is a hint for other doors (stories). 100/10
danacoledares's review
3.0
This was all right but not great. Somehow the stories all had a very similar style. There was very little change in flavor between the authors.
bookishcarli's review
5.0
Finally here’s my review of The Cursed Carnival and Other Calamities!! I was fortunate to have gotten an ARC from a local bookstore that gives away ARCs if you give a donation to cancer, and I was so excited to pick this up!! It didn’t disapoint, almost all of the stories are amazing!! Here’s a mini review/more like just a few words about some and a whole paragraph for Aru for each!!
Calamity Juice
I loved this one!! It was funny and cute and I especially loved Gabi!! She’s an amazing character!!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
Beware the Grove of True Love
I loved Aru’s story possibly as much as I loved Finn’s. Okay, I think I actually I loved it more. Don’t get me wrong, Rick’s story was amazing (as always) but it was my least favorite in the Riordanverse so far, but it still is amazing. The others just have the bar way too high lol for most stories to compete. But anyways, but to Aru. I love Aru’s perspective, she’s super funny and likable and just a really overall amazing character!! And I feel like she has a little bit for everyone: the aru shah series is more middle grade readers, I usually read more ya though but found her more likable than lots (if not most) ya characters!! Aru is an icon and I will stand by that fact. Another thing I want to say was done amazingly was that I never had to reread because because I didn’t understand anything. And I feel like even somebody who has not read the series could understand what was happening in it just fine. I may be a little biased because I have read the first two Aru Shah‘s, but I feel like with some of the stories it would be very hard to comprehend them without any previous background knowledge of the characters or the world or anything like that. I had a little bit of trouble with some of the ones that I had no knowledge of and hadn’t read any of the books, which is completely my fault, I should be reading these amazing books but I just wanted to say that Roshani Chokshi did an amazing job with making sure that even if you hadn’t read any of these books you could probably understand it fine. One last thing I want to add I also love Brynn and Mini they are also great characters and I love how it has an amazing main character and great side characters I mean it’s a perfect trifecta.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Calamity Juice
I loved this one!! It was funny and cute and I especially loved Gabi!! She’s an amazing character!!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
Beware the Grove of True Love
I loved Aru’s story possibly as much as I loved Finn’s. Okay, I think I actually I loved it more. Don’t get me wrong, Rick’s story was amazing (as always) but it was my least favorite in the Riordanverse so far, but it still is amazing. The others just have the bar way too high lol for most stories to compete. But anyways, but to Aru. I love Aru’s perspective, she’s super funny and likable and just a really overall amazing character!! And I feel like she has a little bit for everyone: the aru shah series is more middle grade readers, I usually read more ya though but found her more likable than lots (if not most) ya characters!! Aru is an icon and I will stand by that fact. Another thing I want to say was done amazingly was that I never had to reread because because I didn’t understand anything. And I feel like even somebody who has not read the series could understand what was happening in it just fine. I may be a little biased because I have read the first two Aru Shah‘s, but I feel like with some of the stories it would be very hard to comprehend them without any previous background knowledge of the characters or the world or anything like that. I had a little bit of trouble with some of the ones that I had no knowledge of and hadn’t read any of the books, which is completely my fault, I should be reading these amazing books but I just wanted to say that Roshani Chokshi did an amazing job with making sure that even if you hadn’t read any of these books you could probably understand it fine. One last thing I want to add I also love Brynn and Mini they are also great characters and I love how it has an amazing main character and great side characters I mean it’s a perfect trifecta.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
fiction_gryphon's review
2.0
Overall… disappointing. Riordan’s story just didn’t have the typical flair, the usual panache. I was so excited to see him delve into Celtic mythology, but if this is any indication of what’s to come, I’m no longer looking forward to it.
I only marginally enjoyed 2 or 3 of the other “Riordan Presents” author’s short stories in the collection… the rest were a drag to get through. The majority read like poor Riordan remakes, just utilizing a few different mythologies.
Breaks my heart to dislike anything by Riordan, but between this and his other recently published work “Daughter of the Deep”, I’m starting to feel wary of insta-buying his books… hoping this doesn’t become a trend!
I only marginally enjoyed 2 or 3 of the other “Riordan Presents” author’s short stories in the collection… the rest were a drag to get through. The majority read like poor Riordan remakes, just utilizing a few different mythologies.
Breaks my heart to dislike anything by Riordan, but between this and his other recently published work “Daughter of the Deep”, I’m starting to feel wary of insta-buying his books… hoping this doesn’t become a trend!