Karissa E. (ophelia99) reviewed The Mark of Athena (Heroes of Olympus, Bk 3) on + 2527 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
This is the third book in the Heroes of Olympus series by Riordan. As with all of Riordans book he follows his normal formula. The story is well done and entertaining; although with all the different characters we are following now things get a bit drawn out.
I listened to this on audiobook and, like the previous two audiobooks in this series, this one was very well done. The narrator does a good job of keeping all of the voices straight...and there are a ton of voices to keep straight.
Finally the two groups of Demi-gods meet. The meeting results in our group of heroes, basically the groups from the first two books, joining forces and journeying to Rome to confront some giants. Additionally Annabeth is told by her mother Athena to follow the Mark of Athena, which also takes them to Rome....but leads Annabeth on a solo quest. The fight against Gaia continues.
Great continuation of this series. There is a lot of action and adventure and some great monsters just like in previous books. We even get to meet Hercules/Heracles. This story follows the same formula as previous ones...the heroes leave on a desperate quest to save the world, then find out they only have seven days to complete their mission. They fight monsters, journey, fight tougher monsters, journey, and then fight the big baddie at the end.
The story gets a bit drawn out because it's following seven different characters and we hear from all of their different points of view. It's just a lot of characters to try and stay engaged with. It ends up making for a long story. The characters are pretty easy to distinguish between; Riordan has done a good job of giving them all outstanding characteristics.
Despite the multitude of characters the story never gets confusing though and moves at a fast pace. The majority of the story is about these characters learning each others secrets and learning to trust each other. Of course they are also trying to prevent Gaia from ending the world.
My favorite part was Annabeths solo quest to follow the Mark of Athena, I love her character and she confronts some truly creepy things.
Overall I enjoyed this book and found it entertaining. These books are formulaic but also fast-paced and engaging. I look forward to the Doors of Hades when it comes out later this fall. Recommended to those who enjoy fantasy/adventure reads...or who have enjoyed previous Riordan books.
I listened to this on audiobook and, like the previous two audiobooks in this series, this one was very well done. The narrator does a good job of keeping all of the voices straight...and there are a ton of voices to keep straight.
Finally the two groups of Demi-gods meet. The meeting results in our group of heroes, basically the groups from the first two books, joining forces and journeying to Rome to confront some giants. Additionally Annabeth is told by her mother Athena to follow the Mark of Athena, which also takes them to Rome....but leads Annabeth on a solo quest. The fight against Gaia continues.
Great continuation of this series. There is a lot of action and adventure and some great monsters just like in previous books. We even get to meet Hercules/Heracles. This story follows the same formula as previous ones...the heroes leave on a desperate quest to save the world, then find out they only have seven days to complete their mission. They fight monsters, journey, fight tougher monsters, journey, and then fight the big baddie at the end.
The story gets a bit drawn out because it's following seven different characters and we hear from all of their different points of view. It's just a lot of characters to try and stay engaged with. It ends up making for a long story. The characters are pretty easy to distinguish between; Riordan has done a good job of giving them all outstanding characteristics.
Despite the multitude of characters the story never gets confusing though and moves at a fast pace. The majority of the story is about these characters learning each others secrets and learning to trust each other. Of course they are also trying to prevent Gaia from ending the world.
My favorite part was Annabeths solo quest to follow the Mark of Athena, I love her character and she confronts some truly creepy things.
Overall I enjoyed this book and found it entertaining. These books are formulaic but also fast-paced and engaging. I look forward to the Doors of Hades when it comes out later this fall. Recommended to those who enjoy fantasy/adventure reads...or who have enjoyed previous Riordan books.
Heather D. (daylily77) reviewed The Mark of Athena (Heroes of Olympus, Bk 3) on + 236 more book reviews
Have to say this is a keeper. I love Rick Riordan and so does my son and my father-in-law! Educating and fun! Pick up his Egyptian series too! His Norse series is coming out this winter!
Victoria T. (justicepirate) reviewed The Mark of Athena (Heroes of Olympus, Bk 3) on + 350 more book reviews
This was a really great addition to the story as we know it thus far. The narration varies from person to person. I think Jason was the only one who didn't receive his own perspective.
The team of 7 come together after the first two books had separate groups of two. Percy, Jason, Annabeth, Leo, Hazel, Piper, and Frank hear a prophesy and need to figure out just exactly what they need to do. For certain, Annabeth is going to need to seek out the Mark of Athena, which worries everyone!
Although I loved this story, I don't think it showed enough about the growing team, other than perhaps between Percy and Jason and Leo and Frank. I do love the character development and how things tie together! The action was well done and I loved the entire ending! It was great!
The team of 7 come together after the first two books had separate groups of two. Percy, Jason, Annabeth, Leo, Hazel, Piper, and Frank hear a prophesy and need to figure out just exactly what they need to do. For certain, Annabeth is going to need to seek out the Mark of Athena, which worries everyone!
Although I loved this story, I don't think it showed enough about the growing team, other than perhaps between Percy and Jason and Leo and Frank. I do love the character development and how things tie together! The action was well done and I loved the entire ending! It was great!
Holy crap! I was not expecting so much of what was in this book. For some reason I got the impression that this was going to be a trilogy. I was pleasantly surprised about halfway through the book to find out that this was not in fact going to be the conclusion to the series. I mean when one is enjoying a series, one always wishes that it would continue just bit more, and the great [author:Rick Riordan|15872] kindly granted that wish. However, this does not justify leaving us hanging like this!?
With all these larger than mythical-life characters pooled together, it would seem inevitable that a few would start to at least slightly outshine the others. However, each found moments to glow a bit brighter. Even the characters who before may have only been a bit less entertaining, played some catch-up to step in rank of their beloved companions. Truthfully, the there will always be a place in the my heart for Percy & Annabeth how hooked me into this little adventure in the first place; and I adore Leo, who delightfully disarmed my well built defenses against comic relief characters in the first installment and has continued to delight.
In previous stories, there as has always been some conclusion the foreground of that particular installation. Yes, there were still some parts of the whole picture left to be discovered, yet there has always been some significant resolution to that predominant segment of the story. So why now, with these demigods that he has enchanted us into investing so much and the fact that I've finally caught up, does Riordan choose to end with a "cliff-hanger". It's just plain cruel.
With all these larger than mythical-life characters pooled together, it would seem inevitable that a few would start to at least slightly outshine the others. However, each found moments to glow a bit brighter. Even the characters who before may have only been a bit less entertaining, played some catch-up to step in rank of their beloved companions. Truthfully, the there will always be a place in the my heart for Percy & Annabeth how hooked me into this little adventure in the first place; and I adore Leo, who delightfully disarmed my well built defenses against comic relief characters in the first installment and has continued to delight.
In previous stories, there as has always been some conclusion the foreground of that particular installation. Yes, there were still some parts of the whole picture left to be discovered, yet there has always been some significant resolution to that predominant segment of the story. So why now, with these demigods that he has enchanted us into investing so much and the fact that I've finally caught up, does Riordan choose to end with a "cliff-hanger". It's just plain cruel.
