GIRLS IN PANTS : The Third Summer of The Sisterhood (The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, #3)

The third installment of the Sisterhood Saga is much brighter and upbeat than the previous book. The four friends have become more pro-active, accepting and willing to take the gigantic leap into adulthood. It’s their last glorious summer together before they head off to their respective colleges and their new lives.

The world as they know it is slowly shifting on it's axis, changing continuously and extending beyond their control. Carmen has to face her mum’s imminent pregnancy coupled with her summer job of babysitting Lena’s cantankerous and recently widowed grandmother, Valia. Lena needs her parents’ support and approval regarding her decision to join Art School. Tibby is plagued with feelings of guilt when her kid-sister falls out an open-window and fractures her skull. And mad, impulsive Bee discovers that old, unrequited crush Eric is her fellow coach at the soccer camp.

Departing from the whiny note of ‘Second Summer of The Sisterhood’, this book has an echo of maturity. It dwells on the strengths of the four individual girls as they handle each complex situation with uncharacteristic aplomb. And then of course, they have the power of their friendship.....bolstering and pushing or ensconcing them comfortably ......as the situation demands.

For reviews on the other Sisterhood books, please click on the following links:

> The Sisterhood of The Traveling Pants

> The Second Summer of The Sisterhood

> Forever in Blue : The Fourth Summer of The Sisterhood

What with everyone waxing poetic about their dads on the occassion of Father's Day, this strip kind of gave mums their place in the limelight too! :)

The Titan's Curse (Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Book #3)

A distress call from best-friend, the satyr Grover sends young demi-god Perseus Jackson (son of Poseidon) on his new mission. Accompanying him are his friends Annabeth (daughter of Athena) and Thalia (daughter of Zeus). Grover has discovered two powerful new half-bloods of unknown parentage and they need to be escorted safely back to Camp Half-Blood.

Little do the unsuspecting demi-gods know that they are merely pawns in a dark and dangerous plot. The Titan lord, Kronos is slowly but surely reassembling. His latest recruit Luke is putting together a horrifying army of mythical monsters. The clash between the Titans and The Olympians is teethering on the brink. Adding to their woes is the fact that an ancient monster has risen…a monster so powerful, it could lead to the downfall of the Olympians. And the only person, who can track this creature down; the goddess of the Hunt, Artemis is M.I.A.

Entering into a reluctant truce with the Hunters of Artemis, Percy and gang launch into unknown territory yet again. Guided by an ambiguous prophecy, they have to find the new beast and recover Artemis before the Winter Solstice. Their path is obviously strewn with danger, but what lies at the end of the journey : The Titan's Curse, is something which could very well put all previous adventures to shame.

Continuing in the vein of the previous two books, Percy remains an endearing hero.....reluctant but ready to do the “right” thing. The prose is light and uncomplicated. No long ramblings here.....the plot is clear and well-defined leaving enough room for future instalments. Interesting new characters are the Goddess Artemis,a 12 year old; auburn haired goddess who never ages……her brother Apollo, the ever-so-cool Sun God with his penchant for quoting haikus….and the seriously scary General, the head of the Titans’ army.

Definitely a fine read and a wonderful way to learn more about Greek myths, gods, goddesses and the fine soup they manage to land themselves into occasionally. All in all, reinforcing the fact that Gods do indeed have feet of Clay.