#especially with the focus on percy's feelings towards nico and annabeth's towards luke

[lizzibennet]

the thing about each pjo book is that each of them is uniquely the best in what it sets out to do. each is so monumental in what the story ends up amounting to, picking a favorite is almost like pointless. you could not have all 5 work so well if one was missing

[low-key-lucy]

Insane TTC Ramblings

BRB thinking about the parallels between all the female characters in TTC (specifically Thalia with Zoë and Bianca)

(There will be a heavy focus on Thalia throughout this post btw for no reason except that i love her and think about her more than any other character in fiction ever)

Zoë Nightshade & Thalia Grace - The main parallel i have found for them is each of their relationships with their respective ‘Love Interests’ (That being Heracles and Luke). It must have been so hard for Zoë to watch Thalia go through, with Luke, exactly what she went through with Heracles. Even after she had warned Thalia that Luke would betray her. So, even though it annoyed me so much as 9y/o, it does make perfect sense for Thalia to join the hunters at the end of TTC. Her and Zoë ended up in the same boat, just as Zoë said they would, Thalia almost owes it to Zoë to become a hunter.

Another parallel i found, now bear with me because this is kind of a reach, was Zoë’s sisters ostracising her, banishing her and blotting her out as if she never existed, while they still stayed together, is sort of similar of how of Thalia’s ‘family’ grew up without her, only mentioning her very rarely, or not even knowing her at all, and i’m sure that if Thalia didn’t come back she would be forgotten about, a camp legend, a ghost story, how i’m sure Zoë was to the people who used to know her. But they found another family through the hunters.

Also Mommy/Daddy issues, but what Percy Jackson character doesn’t have those.

Bianca Di Angelo & Thalia Grace - The obvious parallel that everyone mentions for them is them both being older sisters and Thalia’s annoyance with how easily Bianca left her little brother, when Thalia would give anything to see hers again.

Sidebar: i have no beef with Bianca for leaving Nico for the hunters, i’m just saying this in the way Thalia views it. I for one know how hard it is to be a big sister.

Thalia and Bianca also parallel in having to grow up and be the ‘Responsible one’ at a young age and ultimately failing at that. Bianca having to be a mother figure to Nico while she was still a kid, then the minute she thinks he’s safe and she joins the hunters, she dies, which causes Nico to feel completely lost without her. Thalia has to take care of Annabeth and remind Luke that he has to stop seeking out danger, but all her carefulness gets her nowhere, in the end its her who ‘dies’, again this causes Annabeth and Luke to feel lost without her, they kind of don’t really have that familial connection without Thalia, and Luke is especially effected by her ‘death’ it being one of the main factors that grows his resentment towards the Gods.

Now this is almost definitely illegible, but if you somehow made it this far, thanks for listening to my INSANE ramblings. And please if you have any more points please add them, i eat up anything to do with PJO.

[nyxvamps]

acceptance. a quick pjo story.

Acceptance only goes so far. They can laugh with you, eat with you, hug and hold you, but that doesn't mean they don't watch you. Follow you with their eyes after an intense training session. Take a step back after the ground rumbles a little too much. Percy knows acceptance and he knows tolerance.

His mother accepts him. She never looks scared when he gets angry, never at her though. No, never at his mother, but at others. When the green of his eyes goes dark and his muscles tense and the sky gets cloudy and the air gets humid. She never backs away. She stands in the middle of his hurricane because for him to be this way, he must be hurting. Be scared or angry.

Grover accepts him. He stands at his side and stands firm when the winds get rough. As rain pours down and it gets hard to make Percy take his laser focus off of the enemy. He knows that being one of the people Percy protects is a blessing. Percy protects with his entire being and if that means using some of the things he learned while underground, then so be it.

Annabeth accepts him. This took a little while. There were times when Annabeth almost let her rational thoughts take over and change how she sees Percy. When Percy finished off Misery and broke open the ground and brought hundreds of monsters to death within minutes. Someone else might have been scared, but it only made Annabeth realize that Percy will do anything, and that means anything, to protect the people he cares about. The people he loves, and cherishes. The people he sees as his.

Tyson accepts him. Tyson admires him. Percy is his little-big brother and he can do no wrong. Anything Percy does is amazing and brave and Tyson loves him for protecting him with everything he has. Especially since Tyson knows not many would do that for someone like him.

Even Clarisse accepts him. Sees his mounting powers as something to respect. Knows that, even with their tense past, Percy would demolish the world for anyone on his side inluding her. All she needs to do was ask. He fights with is entire being and entire self to protect others and never wants anything in return. It confused her at first. How someone can be so selfless at the expense of their own life, but then she got to know him. And it all made sense.

There are other people that accept him. His father, Rachel, Thalia, Hazel and Nico, in another life, Luke.

Then there are people who tolerate him.

Chiron tolerates him. Now Chiron can say that he loves all of his children. All of the demigods that have walked through this camp no matter where they ended up with their short lives. But he can see a path infront of Percy that makes him uneasy. A path that could lead to destruction for many. At the end of the day, Chiron knows Percy is loyal. Aggressively loyal to his cause and that cause is the demigods. Many people see this and know that at the end of the day, if the gods continue to act the way they do, he would bring it all down to protect the demigods.

Jason tolerates him. They got to know each other pretty well on their last quest together, but not enough for any fears to be squashed out. They have fought before and this is how Jason knows. Knows that Percy is strong. His aura but itself is so strong it almost makes you feel as though you're drowning. He likes Percy, don't get him wrong, but he also knows that he needs to be careful.

Demigods at both camps tolerate him. They see Percy as a big hero with amazing powers that would fight to the ends of the world for them. But they also know that he is powerful and in their eyes, powerful people aren't the most forgiving. Percy himself has had conflicts with monsters, deities, gods. This makes him dangerous. Only someone, not mortal, could get away with acting this way towards the gods, to titans, to primortals. Only someone with a suffocating aura of sea salt and dirt and strength. Only someone who is not afraid to die. These people don't see that it's because he isn't afraid to die. That he would die for any of them. They might think that Percy isn't able to die, but really, it's because he doesn't care. As long as the people he protects lives, he accepts death like an old friend.

[auroraescritora]

THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE HOME - PERCY/NICO AU HIGH SCHOOL - CHAPTER II

Hey, how's everyone doing? I wasn't going to post it so soon, but since I had some time over the weekend, here it is. I'm sorry if there are any mistakes.

Good reading!

Previous chapters: CHAPTER I

“How did you like the first lesson?” Percy had to ask, only to see the expression of annoyance cross Nico's face, something cute between a grimace and a purse of lips. He knew what the answer would be, but nothing could compare to seeing it all in person. No one could blame him if Nico had become a lot more expressive in recent years, as if the boy had given himself the right to feel and express himself however he wanted, without any kind of fear or hesitation.

"It was normal. I think. I'm a little behind, but nothing some reading can't fix." Nico shrugged and continued walking beside him, running his hands through his own hair and throwing it back, preventing it from falling into his eyes; long hair that seemed to shine in the sun, long and black, but not like he would in the past, it was a more expansive and relaxed gesture that Percy couldn't say how he could differentiate. In the end, Grover had to be right. He was obsessed. He always were.

"Hungry?”

"Not much.”

But even so, they walked through the cafeteria side by side, walking between the tables and benches until they reached the cafeteria counter Percy couldn't help but notice, it felt like they were being paraded, if only by the way people were looking at them; whether they were looks of admiration, envy or disgust, it was hard to tell them apart, he was too busy staring at the profile of Nico's face, especially when Nico brought his fingers to his mouth and bit them lightly, looking indecisive.

“What are you going to order?” Nico asked, finally looking up at him.

“A juice is fine. How about sharing a pie?” He knew that the one with vegetables and cheese was Nico's favorite.

And just to prove his point, Nico smiled and waved, ordering a milkshake for himself.

It was all so familiar that Percy felt his heart sink. Why did that hurt so much? Shouldn't he be happy to have his best friend back? Well, Nico seemed to be very happy with his milkshake and half of the vegetable pie now that they had found an unoccupied place to sit, a faint flush of happiness spread over his dark face, intensifying with every moment he continued to watch Nico eat.

"Aren't you going to eat? It's just as good as I remembered.”

“Nico.” Percy complained, frustrated.

"What is it?”

"Could you eat with less pleasure?"

Certain things never changed. Nico looked at him with his mouth around the straw and smiled, sucking the ice cream heartily. Percy just shook his head and looked away, taking the first bite. And Nico was right, the pie still tasted the same, the dough smooth and soft, the cheese melting in your mouth and the gratin crunchy on top. Since Nico had been gone, he hadn't had the heart to eat that pie, it brought back memories he preferred to leave behind.

“Per-cy.” Nico called out to him, practically humming, smiling, resting his head in his hands and blinking slowly at him, his bright black eyes distracting him for a moment.

“Hm?”

"Shouldn't you eat with your friends?"

"Why?”

“They're looking at us.”

Maybe it was true.

Percy shifted his gaze towards them quickly and returned his focus to Nico. They weren't important, even if he felt trouble looming for the simple reason that Annabeth was among them. Annabeth, Thalia, Luke, Grover, Chris and Clarice. All of his and Nico's old friends. And okay, maybe it wasn't right to keep Nico all to himself when he wasn't the only one who missed him.

"Do you want to talk to them?"

“Nah. Later. What I want to know is, who are you seeing?”

"What? I’m not--"

“Annabeth or Luke?”

"I’d never!” When Nico scowled unimpressed, Percy confessed, “Okay! We had a thing, but it's a thing of the past. I'm free as a bird.”

"Are you sure?”

"I promise.”

“Why don’t I believe you?” Then, Nico leaned back against the back of the bench and crossed his arms. "I'm not going to get a little surprise from your ex-boyfriends, am I?"

“Why would that happen?”

"The way things are looking…”

Percy couldn't pretend any longer, he smiled at Nico and leaned towards the boy, holding his hands and brought them to his own lips, kissing them for a long time: "I promise nothing will happen. I'm not that kind of man.”

“Hmm, I know. Am I supposed to know anything else?”

“I only have eyes for you, darling.”

That made the flush on Nico's cheeks come back in full force. Maybe it was because he was still holding Nico's hands or maybe it was because they were sitting side by side in the middle of all those people.

After that neither of them spoke again and no one approached them, which didn't affect them at all. They continued to eat and hold each other's hands until the bell rang, and they had to split up; Nico would go to history class and Percy to advanced math, and Percy like the perfect knight that he was, led Nico into the correct classroom, for a moment thinking about acting like the cliché Nico had accused him of being and kiss him right there where anyone could see. In the end, he decided to give him a long, tight hug before letting Nico into the classroom. The good news was that they would have their last class together, advanced physics.

***

Percy had barely set foot inside the room when a barrage of voices surrounded him. It seemed that everyone had something to say about the newly transferred Italian boy, as apparently, he was the only one who knew about Nico's return.

"I told you!" One of them said.

"Who would say.” Another commented with far less enthusiasm.

And Percy? Well, he didn't care what they had to say. He walked calmly to his desk, took his books out of his bag and looked straight ahead, like the model student he never was. What could Percy say? Daydreaming about Nico was far more pleasant than feeding more gossip.

"Dude! You can’t do this to me.” It was Grover, once again, who now sat beside him and put his hand on his shoulder, squeezing it and looking proud for some reason. It wasn't Grover's words that irritated him, it was his tone of voice; it was pure mockery. “You have to tell me everything.”

"And here I thought cheerleaders were gossips." Percy returned.

“Percy!”

“It’s alright.”

"It’s alright? Aren't you forgetting anything?”

"Like what?”

“Since when are you and Nico still speaking?”

“We always have been. Since the age of eleven.”

"But how! Was he not in Italy?”

"And?”

"Dude." This time who spoke was Luke who was nearby just listening. “I feel used.”

That was a joke! The boy with the biggest cheating record he had ever met, feeling used! And just because they had something quick during Nico's absence?

"I thought we had something special." But when Percy turned to Luke, his friend had a strange glint in his eyes and a smile like he was about to do something. "You know who wouldn't like to hear that?"

“Annabeth.” Grover completed for him, now much quieter so that only he and Luke could hear.

"What I have to do with it? She's not my girlfriend.”

"Are you sure about that? Annabeth doesn't seem to think the same.”

"That's her problem, not mine."

“Dude, this is going to be a problem. Don't say I didn't warn you.” Luke said and touched his arm, pretending to be understanding.

"How about you mind your own business?"

"If I were you, I'd be careful. I remember how helpless little Nico used to be. And nobody wants that to happen again.”

Percy looked closely at Luke, trying to decide if this was a threat or if it was a reminder of what Annabeth was capable of to get what she wanted. In the end, he decided it was just a warning, because in the past Luke had been one of the few people to defend Nico when he couldn't. He just hoped the past wouldn't repeat itself.

***

Nico felt he should’ve done the rational thing and left after the music club was over, like any normal person would do. But there he was, walking through the now empty halls with his guitar and backpack in hand, heading towards the uncovered court that was further down the far end of the school's grounds. Wasn't he the perfect cliché? The new kid going to meet the cute and popular boy after school just because that same cute boy asked him to. Now it was too late. He’d already crossed the entire school and was sitting in the stands, putting the guitar into his lap while he strummed some loose notes. He was an idiot, he had avoided this kind of gesture for so long only to fall into his own trap without even realizing it.

What could he do but let things roll and see where they went? He shrugged and took a pen and notebook out of his bag, jotting down notes and possible melodies. It didn't take long, soon he heard the noise of a ball hitting the ground and footsteps running close to where he was sitting. He looked up and there was Percy, bouncing the ball down and looking up at him, his smile almost reaching his ears, as if the most wonderful thing was happening just because Nico was there. That was why he couldn't say no to Percy, how could he when someone smiled at him like that?

“Nico.” Percy said, as if tasting the name on his lips like the tastiest candy. "Another ten minutes? It’ll be fast.”

Nico shrugged and tried not to meet Percy's eyes, knowing his face had to be hotter than a pepper, preferring instead to enjoy his bare, defined shoulders and arms.

“Okay, I'm not in a hurry.”

"I can see.”

In the end, Nico had to finally face Percy. There was something in his voice that made Nico want to pay closer attention.

“What?”

“Are you writing a song?”

"I think so.” Without realizing it, he had even written a few words to accompany the melody.

"It’s about me?”

"Could be.”

How sincere of him. This could only be a habit, it was so normal for Nico to say whatever came to mind without needing to police himself around Percy that these truths would come out without permission.

"Beautiful.” Now Nico was confused. What was beautiful? The music or… something else?

Percy smiled once more and the doubt was soon gone. He wondered since when Percy's smiles expressed so many things and how each of them was so clear to him, like a perfect, complete, error free language.

"So, after school?”

“I know a place you'll love.”

"Do you know me that well?" Another smile and a nod, as if Percy were saying, ‘Of course, silly.’

He rolled his eyes and turned his attention to his guitar.

"Don't you have practice?"

“Nothing is more important than you.

Nico would have liked to say that they were friendly words and that Percy was joking, but he had spoken with such resolution and confidence that Nico believed him. You know, Percy was a great communicator, sometimes the smiles would dessapear, as if Percy wanted there to be no misunderstandings. It was in those moments that Nico liked to pretend that he hadn't heard a thing, that he hadn't understood, or that nothing had happened. It’s easier when these things happened over connections where thousands of kilometers separated them, but here, less than five meters away? It made his heart race and his palms sweat.

"Hurry up.” He muttered back, trying to ignore Percy's words. "It's getting late.”

"Wait for me.”

So Nico waited, listening to Percy's footsteps retreat down the court.

What else could he do? Besides waiting and behaving, waiting for the moment when Percy would have some time to spare to him? Nico continued strumming the strings of his guitar and didn’t raise his head again for long minutes, that is, until someone sat down next to him, remaining silent until he gave up and stared at them. It was Annabeth, of course, with her intense blue-gray eyes and long golden hair, slender and tall, looking down on him just as he remembered, making him feel like he was a bug she wouldn't kill out of pity.

“Nico, is nice to see you again. How is Bianca doing?”

"Good.” Was all he said. Maybe she still intimidated him, maybe she still had the power to make him cry like a helpless baby.

"What brings you here?”

And again, he felt like the same lonely, outcast kid, the helpless boy anyone could use and abuse. Nico was so tired of it. He wouldn't give that power to Annabeth or that kind of person who, when they didn't have something the want, they took it by force.

"It's none of your business. Is that envy? Did it hurt a lot when he dumped you?”

Annabeth merely smiled, studying him, pretending she was on top when they both knew that was far from the truth.

“Ah, looks like some things have changed, then.”

"Looks liked it.”

"You know you're not going to win, don't you?"

“This isn't a game.”

“Look, I wasn't very nice to you. That’s why I’ll give you a chance. If you walk away, I promise I won't stand in your way. Things are like that…”

How kind of her, isn't it? Did she know what happened all those years he was abroad? How had Percy been the first to get back in touch less than a week after he’d left for Italy? And that in the end, there was nothing to be gained or lost? It’s for that exact reason that Nico chose to remain silent, watching Annabeth toss her platinum hair back as she kept talking.

“…you'll do very well around here if you do as I say.”

"Anne?" Someone behind them called out to her. It was Silena and Grover, they were both dressed in cheerleading clothes. Grover  was wearing lycra pants and Silena, a skirt, mini-blouse and pompoms in her hand. “Drew is calling for you.”

“She always is.” Was Annabeth's turn to roll her eyes and get up. “I think that's it. Do us both a favor, will you? It’ll be better this way.”

Tha way, tucking in her skirt and climbing the steps to the bleachers, he, Grover, and Silena watched Annabeth strut away, taking with her the tension Nico hadn't even realized had built up. Well, now he remembered one of the main reasons he had gone so far away from there.

“We are very sorry.” Grover was the first to break the silence, taking a seat next to him.

“She doesn't do it on purpose.” Silena sat down on the other. “It's not personal.”

“Never is with her.” Nico muttered back.

He didn't even know why he tried. Now, looking at things closely… maybe he should have stayed in Italy. The situation there was chaotic, but at least it was manageable. Having to go back and face the same traumatic things might not have been the best of his ideas.

“Don't mind her.” Grover said once more as the three of them watched the basketball team practice just as Percy made a basket and looked towards him, smiling victoriously.

Maybe, in the end, all this drama would be worth it if the reward was the smile lighting up Percy Jackson's face.

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Tell me what you think! And thanks for reading.

Also, a forgot to warn you, this will be a +18, ok?

Thanks again^^

[mikaey43]

#15 Percy Jackson & the Olympians:

The Last Olympian by Rick Riordan

Rating: 4.5/5

Pages: 381 (with a brief excerpt from the first book of Heroes of Olympus: The Lost Hero)

Publisher: Disney-Hyperion Books (an imprint of Disney Book Group)

I'm glad to say that this story is definitely one of those you hope won't end. Let's start with the part where I needed to savor the ending as long as I could. I forcefully read this book in about five days—about 1.5 to 2 hours a day—because I didn’t want to finish it too quickly. I forcefully stopped myself reading. And wow. Just wow. I am posting this review so late in the year because I wanted to take time to really think about this last book. (Okay, I have been very busy and lost this file a few times.) I'm going to try and put all this information as best I can on paper. I've been trying to mull this last piece of Percy Jackson over in my mind. I tried to let my thoughts settle as much as possible but only one word comes to mind to describe this adventure: wow. Of course, I'm talking about the fifth and final book in the series: Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Last Olympian by Rick Riordan.

(WARNING: Reader discretion is advised. Spoilers up ahead of PJO.)

My journey into the world of Percy Jackson started the day I saw the teaser trailer for The Lightning Thief  during the previews of the latest Harry Potter movie. At that time I didn't know it was a book. I began to wonder where I had seen that title before. Only until I became a bit more interested did I begin to see the dull glow of the burnt orange of the cyclops's eye following me around; the havoc of the lightning storm of the first installment as I passed it by heading to the saturated table of Harry Potter merchandise. But I never reached for it. That is until the oldest of my twin brothers became interested in reading this series. That helped me to finally read it a full five years after they both finished reading the series plus Heroes of Olympus.

As I said in my review of The Battle of the Labyrinth I wasn't expecting anything extraordinary, just a satisfying conclusion to this great series. But wow, did Riordan deliver beyond my meager expectations. He saved the best adventure for last. There isn't much to the plot that won't give something away. We're already five books immersed into this story so everything said is a spoiler. (I have my disclaimer at the beginning, if you haven't been spoiled already.)

Although this series has been compared to Harry Potter, it shouldn't be. They do have similarities, such as: their middle grade audience (yet most adults enjoy it too). The magical elements. They can be classified under the urban fantasy subgenre. And of course, the ultimate evil; but, that can be said for any book in the fantasy genre. That is mostly where the similarities end. What makes Percy Jackson different is in the most obvious details: the use of mythology with the participation of the Greek pantheon, where there is nothing of the sort in Harry Potter. The gods mate and leave it all to the mortal parents (male or female). The half-bloods educations is also different, it is a camp. The story is told during the summer months (and one winter) as opposed to the whole year around. Yes, there is a “trio,” but one is a satyr, another the daughter of Athena who is born out of (one can only hope) her mother's forehead. The most glaring difference is, of course, the characters themselves who make up this world. And while you may have similar “stock characters” in each story, just as with real people, it's the experiences of each one that makes them uniquely different from the other. These are just a few points I think are pretty obvious that show the comparison of both stories is unnecessary to them and the authors. It is very apple and oranges.

This adventure is a fast-paced read with an immense amount of action as the previous installments. The setting of this story takes place in New York City as Kronos's forces close in on Mount Olympus (located on the 600th floor of the Empire State Building). This is a strong point of the series: the sheer amount of traveling, exploration and “world building” in each book of the mythological world of the gods and the real world. Amazingly, we still travel before the major battles. Percy goes to a few places before returning to NYC. First, we travel to Long Island on a secret mission out on the Hudson River, then dive into the depths of the ocean and then back to camp Half-Blood. There's a pit stop in Connecticut (to visit Luke's mother) and then we journey to Percy's home for a blessing. Unbeknownst of Nico's intentions, we travel to the underworld and finally to the battleground. Lots of traveling until the very end. Even through dreams Percy travels with Rachel to her vacation on a Caribbean island. I like it. Exhausting at time, but really like it.

Usually when the reader is taken on an adventure there is a period of at least a chapter or so where he or she is reacquainted with the story and the world. In this adventure Percy takes off from the get-go without really taking a moment to breathe. Technically, he did since he had about a “year” to rest. But  the reader—especially if you binge read the series—doesn't have time to take that figurative breath before diving headfirst into the story. There might be a tiny breath but that's about it until you come up for air during the moments of exposition.

Most of the characters mentioned in my previous reviews (The Lightning Thief, The Sea of Monsters) where either mortal or half-bloods. I would like to focus on the reason theses adventures have taken place. Although there are other gods mentioned, to me these stood out for their involvement in the overall scheme of the “prophecy” of this tale. On the outskirts of Connecticut we meet Hestia, the goddess of the hearth, who proclaims herself to be the “last Olympian.” We find out that she has been present at Camp Half-Blood in the form of a girl as the sons and daughters of the pantheon offer up the best portions of their meals to their respective mothers and fathers before they eat. There is Percy's father, the god of the sea, Poseidon. He can be considered the middle child in his importance and demeanor in more ways than just the order of birth of the “big three.” He is more relaxed than his older brother Zeus but less rebellious than his younger brother, Hades. Speaking of Hades, we know that he is Nico's father and god of the underworld. He is ironically linked to the self-fulling prophecy because he cursed the oracle when she reveals that his children's fates (Nico and Bianca) are involved in the prophecy. And finally there is Hermes. Besides being messenger of the gods, we know that he is Luke's father and was May's lover. He carries with him the burden of knowing the destiny of May and Luke and the knowledge of what was to come.

I like that this book was dramatic (like ancient Greek literature) and not melodramatic (like a soap opera) filled with endless unnecessary theatrics of cat fights just for the sake of causing a commotion. Although, in my opinion, Annabeth was being too catty at times for my taste. As highbrow as it may sound, the loves stories between characters in classics seldom have over-the-top obstacles and have legitimate concerns. And when it comes to “love triangles” it also has relatable choices with reasons why the protagonist would choose either the love interest or the “obstacle.” Rarely did any of the protagonists lead the “obstacle” on. If there was a pair, the “obstacle” could pine (if they wanted) but the protagonist would not play with anyone's emotions for the sake of drama (unless it was a “coquettish” drama and even those had consequences for doing so). Romance (in today's definition and not the early 19th century artistic movement) are novels with melodrama (again changed from their early definition). Melodrama now is a work that has sensational and an exaggerated plot with sensational and exaggerated characters. It's what, I believe can be compared with soap operas. For some, these are considered “guilty pleasures”  for stress relief and enjoyment, but for me, as good stories go, I like that the “romance” of this series is the minutest of details because there is so much more then the attraction between Annabeth and Percy. So much more. There were hints of the budding romance and it wasn't spoken of or made concrete until the end of this series. I think that gives young readers a great message: everything in due course.

Another thing that I like very much is the parting of Rachel and Percy. It ended not because they didn't share a mutual attraction, it just wasn't in the cards. And that's fine. They have different paths in life. There is no reason to lead someone on or have this incessant drama of an unnecessary “love triangle.” I really liked the importance Riordan gives Rachel. I applaud how Riordan handled the relationship between them. I like that Rachel is given a bigger role in the story and not just seen as an obstacle. I'm glad Riordan gave her something more than the role of an obstacle to the main romantic pair—if you want to call them that. And that's more to the relationship Rachel is given a bigger overall arc in the story and Percy is a gateway rather than the object. One downside is Annabeth's coldness and cattiness towards Rachel. It was a bit unnerving at times throughout the series. It was annoying how it melted once she saw that Rachel wasn’t a “threat” anymore. I remembered back in the The Battle of the Labyrinth Annabeth treated Rachel as if she was stupid or unimportant because she was a mortal girl who might have the slightest interest in Percy. I don't think Riordan was successful there.

Speaking of battles, which may be the climax of adventures series, but for me, reading them is always a challenge. They make better visual than they do written experiences. So much happens during that moment that I feel that written storytelling can be a bit restrictive because I don’t think that it can envelope all the chaos. It may be written with short sentences to make it fast paced; or with longer, more detailed sentences to make it slow paced and perhaps focus on a scene or a moment. These things make combat scenes a miss for me since I get apathetic or too zealous and I don't absorb the necessary details of something important. I am either overflowing with too much information or none at all. However, these battle scenes made me feel as everyone else. I was low in spirits, high on adrenaline and yet emotionally exhausted as the battles raged past the “climatic” fight of one moment/day. And bonus: I was always worried about the characters I cared about, hoping they wouldn’t die. I'm glad Tyson didn't. (phew!) Riordan did what few authors have done (and usually the setting is historical battle.) Wow.

Another downside is that I didn't find Silena's reason to become a spy for Kronos justifiable. I understand why she stayed a spy. I mean, once you're in a clandestine organization it's hard to get out and that was the consequence. For Silena to make things right again she had to sacrifice herself wether she lived or died. It seemed too much of a “shock value” factor. It appeared awkward, forced, and seemed to me used for the sole purpose to have Kronos be one step ahead. It appeared very much like a “deus ex machina” as Silena then becomes the “hero” as she usurps Clarisse's place to have all of Ares's children go to battle. It could be seen a hundred miles away.

I gave this last book a 4.5 out of 5 stars. This has been a great book and definitely a great series. I am immensely happy that I finally read it and discovered this awesome world of mythology come to life. There were times when I have questioned that half star. But the couple of points I mentioned had me take away half of that 5th star. I appreciated Riordan's imagination and the work it took to bring all of this world to us. Hopefully soon, we can get a series or reboot of the movies because it's a shame that this series has not been optioned again. I would love to see it as a live-action anything. On any screen. (Maybe Netflix!) I am going to miss it very much. I plan on reading the follow-up series Heroes of Olympus soon. Until next time.

Thanks for reading!

[audarcy]

heroes of olympus?

Five things I’d change:

1. Redo the entire final book, the Book That Must Not Be Named, The Forgotten Book. What the hell even happened there. I could type out every one of my grievances with it but I’m going to save myself the trouble and sum it up as follows: it was bad. If you’re thinking about what I would change in that book the answer is all of it.

2. I’d have taken Percy and Annabeth out of the prophecy itself. They didn’t really have a place in that adventure, and I didn’t like seeing a lot of their past characterization and everything they worked towards go out the window for the sake of Fun New Plot. Plus, they really got in the way of the new characters - as much as I love that Sweet Percabeth Content (and that one scene in Charleston Bay), this series should have been about the other kids especiallyfrankandhazel! I think it would’ve been better to have percy and annabeth in more of a mentor kind of role to the newbies, which would’ve been a more interesting shift in the group dynamic and left more room for them to step out of the picture when they needed to.

3. Fully removed Calypso from the equation. Her arc felt very much like Let’s Give Leo a Love Interest! And even with everything attempted to give her a reason to be there, it fell flat. It just felt like a half-assed attempt at...I’m not even sure what. Her “curse” harming Percy because he “forgot” about her, in addition to a lot of the narration and everything she said, made it seem like she was an example of someone harmed by Percy’s flaws, but the reasoning behind that is as flimsy as a cardboard bridge. 

4. Plus, the implication that the gods failed to keep their promise ruins so much of the ending of the Last Olympian - so much of this series does, really, and not in the sort of “the gods did well at first but after many years they slipped back into their old ways” kind of way, but the “Luke’s sacrifice was meaningless lmao” kind of way. Like, the gods shutting out their kids? Barely a few months after the Titan War? The hell? What was the point? It just spoils a lot of the Good Feelings that The Last Olympian gave.

5. I would’ve made Thalia and Reyna bffs, seriously, how did they never meet in canon, also I’d have handled Nico’s plot...differently, given more focus to his relationship with Hazel and make HER central to his arc rather than jason and percy, because HAZEL knows a thing or two about oppression and stigma!!!! Especially!!!!!!! In the nineteen gotdamn forties!!!!!!!!!!! I’d also not have killed as many insignificant side characters and killed more main characters because it was so disappointing to have an ending that was so inconsequential! The war might as well not have happened!!!!!! I’m angry about the Book That Must Not Be Named again so I’m cutting myself off here