Author: Rick Riordan

Publisher: Disney Hyperion

Release Date: October 2, 2012

In The Son of Neptune, Percy, Hazel, and Frank met in Camp Jupiter, the Roman equivalent of Camp Half-blood, and traveled to the land beyond the gods to complete a dangerous quest. The third book in the Heroes of Olympus series will unite them with Jason, Piper, and Leo. But they number only six—who will complete the Prophecy of Seven?

The Greek and Roman demigods will have to cooperate in order to defeat the giants released by the Earth Mother, Gaea. Then they will have to sail together to the ancient land—Greece itself—to find the Doors of Death. What exactly are the Doors of Death? Much of the prophecy remains a mystery…

With old friends and new friends joining forces, a marvelous ship, fearsome foes, and an exotic setting, The Mark of Athena promises to be another unforgettable adventure by master storyteller Rick Riordan.

     I didn’t realize how badly I missed this series until I started reading it. I had finished the initial Percy Jackson series in sixth grade and read The Lost Hero when it came out, then finally picked up The Son of Neptune sometime in freshman or sophomore year. Now, as a high school graduate, I’m finally continuing the series.

     After so much time between books, it was a little hard to remember everything from the previous novels, but as soon as I started reading it all just came rushing back to me- especially the book from the first series that had the all the dam jokes when they went to the Hoover Dam, I don’t know why. This is probably the easiest series to get sucked into just because it feels so real and magical, and even now I still wish that all of this existed, or at least that I was part of it.

     Even at eighteen, I still really appreciate Riordan’s writing because he makes so many comments that in any other book (The Young World) would sound like an adult trying to relate to a young audience, but he does it so flawlessly and in a way brings the story to life. Like in this novel he talks about how Leo redesigns a trireme to be flown by using a Wii controller. If I read that in any other book I’d be holding down vomit, to be honest, but I love it in this series. Because of all the modern references, it feels like all of this could actually be happening around the world today (seriously, I wish it was).

     SPEAKING OF LEO. I love him, I really do. *heart eyes*

     He developed so well in this book. In the past two, I remember not really liking him as much as the others, which now I feel bad for, but in this book I feel like he really comes into himself. At first he started out with his usual goofy yet lovable personality and causes a little mayhem like always, but he comes to realize his part in the prophecy and the group of seven. Honestly, I think he played the biggest part in the quest, behind Annabeth of course.

     Behind Percy and Annabeth who will always be my otp, I think Leo is actually my next favorite character in here now.

     Other than Leo, all the characters developed really well, except Coach Hedge who even eventually started to grow on me. I really like how the characters are noticeably growing and becoming more mature while staying youthful, like the scenes of Piper and Jason discussing her jealousy and figuring out how to grow through it. Percy and Annabeth have grown into each other so well, by the end of the novel, when Annabeth comes out of the hole and Percy goes to her and tells her “it’s ok, we’re together,” I was ready to burst.

     Also, in this book, I truly realized Riordan’s knowledge of Greek mythology. He connected each god to one another and included so many tales and myths, it’s like getting a Greek lesson in the most entertaining way possible because you do really learn so much. How he keeps all theses facts straight and adds his own twist to each god is amazing! He adds so much depth to the series with all the history he includes. I’ve grown a love for Greek mythology because of this series.

     I didn’t want this book to end. I really wish I had gotten the fourth and fifth books when I got this one because I’m so sad to be coming back out of this series to read a different book. I would HIGHLY recommend this series to anyone who hasn’t read it, and let me know down below what you’ve thought of it if you have read it.

     The next book I will be reading, and probably reviewing, is The Looking Glass Wars by Frank Beddor, so stay tuned!

     Thanks for reading!

                       -Taylor