Review of Rick Riordan’s The Son of Neptune a Heroes of Olympus series book

 

*warning this has spoilers*

*From Books A Million’s website*

In The Lost Hero, three demigods named Jason, Piper, and Leo made their first visit to Camp Half-Blood, where they inherited a quest:
Seven half-bloods shall answer the call,
To storm or fire the world must fall.
An oath to keep with a final breath,
And foes bear arms to the Doors of Death.
Who are the other four mentioned in the prophesy? The answer may lie in another camp miles away, where a new camper has shown up and appears to be the son of Neptune, god of the sea. . . .

*From the inside the book cover*

PERCY IS CONFUSED.  When he awoke from his long sleep, he didn’t know much more than his name.  His brain fuzz is lingering, even after the wolf Lupa told him he is a demigod and trained him to fight with the pen/sword in his pocket.  Somehow Percy manages to make it to a camp for half-bloods, despite the fact that he has to keep killing monsters along the way.  But the camp doesn’t ring any bells with him.  The only thing he can recall from his past is another name: Annabeth.

HAZEL IS SUPPOSED TO BE DEAD.  When she lived before, she didn’t do a very good job of it.  Sure, she was an obedient daughter, even when her mother was possessed by greed.  But that was the problem—when the Voice took over her mother and commanded Hazel to use her “gift” for an evil purpose, Hazel couldn’t say no.  Now, because of her mistake, the future of the world is at risk.  Hazel wishes she could ride away from it all on the stallion that appears in her dreams.

FRANK IS A KLUTZ.  His grandmother says he is descended from heroes and can be anything he wants to be, but he doesn’t see it.  He doesn’t even know who his father is.  He keeps hoping Apollo will claim him, because the only thing he is good at is archery---although not good enough to win camp war games.  His bulky physique makes him feel like an ox, especially in front of Hazel, his closest friend at camp.  He trusts her completely---enough to share the secret he holds closely to his heart.

Beginning at the “other” camp for half-bloods and extending as far as the land beyond the gods, this breathtaking second installment in the Heroes of Olympus series introduces new demigods, revives fearsome monsters, and features other remarkable creatures, all destined to play a part in the Prophecy of Seven.

The second book in the Heroes of Olympus series was a real seat clinger.  Every minute of it was like looking into a new world similar to our own.  I was definitely surprised to see Percy Jackson was back as a main character along with seeing another child of Hades/Pluto Hazel.  Frank is someone who reminds me of kids I grew up with, kind, shy, and rising to the occasion to being a leader.  The next book Mark of Athena has me wondering if it is about Annabeth and her reaction to the Roman half-bloods and the return of Jason Grace.  We’ll just have to see what Mr. Riordan brings to us next.  So Mr. Rick Riordan, once again, another one of your books has deserved an A+ and you sir a gold star.