Most certainly kept me reading. I worried in the beginning that I would quickly grow tired of the unrequited love between Hazel and Frank, but the bit by bit discovery of their hidden pasts kept their characters likable. This and discovering Percy's story through their points of view helped hinder the tiresome struggle of teen romance and kept the story entertaining as well.
It was nice not getting a review of the previous series every time more of Percy's memory returned and getting to share the revelation with his two new friends, creating delightful moments where Hazel and Frank wonder "Where did he learn that?" while the reader gets to reminisce "Oh, yeah. I remember when he figured how to do that."
As a faithful reader of the series, it was nice to be rewarded with a new adventure while gently encouraged to relive some of the highlights of the previous. Even more so when some beloved characters of the earlier series returned to the foreground.
It was nice not getting a review of the previous series every time more of Percy's memory returned and getting to share the revelation with his two new friends, creating delightful moments where Hazel and Frank wonder "Where did he learn that?" while the reader gets to reminisce "Oh, yeah. I remember when he figured how to do that."
As a faithful reader of the series, it was nice to be rewarded with a new adventure while gently encouraged to relive some of the highlights of the previous. Even more so when some beloved characters of the earlier series returned to the foreground.
Karissa E. (ophelia99) reviewed The Son of Neptune (Heroes of Olympus, Bk 2) on + 2527 more book reviews
This was an excellent addition to this series. There are five books planned for this series. The fourth book, The House of Hades, is scheduled for an October 2013 release date. This book takes us to the sister camp for Camp Half Blood, Camp Jupiter.
I listened to this on audiobook and the audiobook was well done. The narrator does do some kind of over-the-top and silly voices for some of the characters and some of these were a bit annoying. The main characters however have well done voices and the narrator conveys emotion well. So all in all this was a good listen.
The book starts with Percy battling for his life and struggling to get to Camp Jupiter. Percy has lost his memory and really has no idea what is going on. In Camp Jupiter he meets Hazel and Frank. Both of them have complicated pasts and are outcasts at Camp Jupiter. The three of them are given a desperate quest; free the Thanotos (Death) by the Feast of Fortuna or Gaias armies will begin their takeover of the world.
As with the first book, this book is very formulaic. A group of three kids (including Percy this time), must go on a quest facing more and more difficult monsters in order to free Thanatos (Death) and thwart Gaia in her evil plan to take over the world. Like usually they are on a time crunch and only have a very short amount of time to do what needs to be done. If this sounds familiar it is, it is pretty much what happens in every single Rick Riordan book I have ever read. Still it is very well done and entertaining.
The characters are all well done and engaging. Again we have a memoryless Percy, Frank (who has powerful and mysterious origins), and Hazel (who is a cursed daughter of Pluto). They all have major issues, but are easy to relate to and like. Percy of course is struggling with memory lost the whole time, he is also learning more about the Roman version of his dad, Neptune.
Frank still needs to discover who his Godly parent is. In addition to that he is kind of a goof and a klutz who needs to gain some confidence and find out how he can contribute to things. Frank also finds out he has some seriously awesome powers at his beck and call.
Hazel should be dead and has a very mysterious backstory, she originally lived in another time and ended up here through a series of strange coincidences. She is a solid heroine with some serious guilt and baggage.
Another absolutely hilarious and wonderful addition to the story was the Harpy, Ella, who is just crazy and had me laughing my butt off a number of times.
I love the mythology throughout and in this book we hear a lot more about Roman mythology versus Greek. It was interesting to learn about the differences between the Greek Gods and their Roman versions; I didnt realize how differently some of the similar gods are portrayed in the two different mythology sets. There are many wonderful new monsters introduced in this book. We also get to meet the Amazons and some crazy wheat loving minions.
As I said the books are predictable and they all follow the same formula. There is a lot of humor in here (some of it a bit campy) but the stories are engaging and fun. The book will have you laughing out loud for sure. There are excellent action scenes, lots of interesting mythology, and some great characters as well.
Overall this was a fun read and a great addition to the series. The plot is formulaic, but there are a number of new and interesting characters introduced...as well as some excellent new monsters. There is a ton of humor in here and some excellent action scenes. I really enjoyed the contrast between the Greek and Roman mythology and getting to learn more about the differences between the two. If you are a fan of Riordan books you will be pleased with this one. I found it entertaining and easy and fun to read.
I listened to this on audiobook and the audiobook was well done. The narrator does do some kind of over-the-top and silly voices for some of the characters and some of these were a bit annoying. The main characters however have well done voices and the narrator conveys emotion well. So all in all this was a good listen.
The book starts with Percy battling for his life and struggling to get to Camp Jupiter. Percy has lost his memory and really has no idea what is going on. In Camp Jupiter he meets Hazel and Frank. Both of them have complicated pasts and are outcasts at Camp Jupiter. The three of them are given a desperate quest; free the Thanotos (Death) by the Feast of Fortuna or Gaias armies will begin their takeover of the world.
As with the first book, this book is very formulaic. A group of three kids (including Percy this time), must go on a quest facing more and more difficult monsters in order to free Thanatos (Death) and thwart Gaia in her evil plan to take over the world. Like usually they are on a time crunch and only have a very short amount of time to do what needs to be done. If this sounds familiar it is, it is pretty much what happens in every single Rick Riordan book I have ever read. Still it is very well done and entertaining.
The characters are all well done and engaging. Again we have a memoryless Percy, Frank (who has powerful and mysterious origins), and Hazel (who is a cursed daughter of Pluto). They all have major issues, but are easy to relate to and like. Percy of course is struggling with memory lost the whole time, he is also learning more about the Roman version of his dad, Neptune.
Frank still needs to discover who his Godly parent is. In addition to that he is kind of a goof and a klutz who needs to gain some confidence and find out how he can contribute to things. Frank also finds out he has some seriously awesome powers at his beck and call.
Hazel should be dead and has a very mysterious backstory, she originally lived in another time and ended up here through a series of strange coincidences. She is a solid heroine with some serious guilt and baggage.
Another absolutely hilarious and wonderful addition to the story was the Harpy, Ella, who is just crazy and had me laughing my butt off a number of times.
I love the mythology throughout and in this book we hear a lot more about Roman mythology versus Greek. It was interesting to learn about the differences between the Greek Gods and their Roman versions; I didnt realize how differently some of the similar gods are portrayed in the two different mythology sets. There are many wonderful new monsters introduced in this book. We also get to meet the Amazons and some crazy wheat loving minions.
As I said the books are predictable and they all follow the same formula. There is a lot of humor in here (some of it a bit campy) but the stories are engaging and fun. The book will have you laughing out loud for sure. There are excellent action scenes, lots of interesting mythology, and some great characters as well.
Overall this was a fun read and a great addition to the series. The plot is formulaic, but there are a number of new and interesting characters introduced...as well as some excellent new monsters. There is a ton of humor in here and some excellent action scenes. I really enjoyed the contrast between the Greek and Roman mythology and getting to learn more about the differences between the two. If you are a fan of Riordan books you will be pleased with this one. I found it entertaining and easy and fun to read.
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 wold 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 close 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.
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 wold 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 close 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.
Heather D. (daylily77) reviewed The Son of Neptune (Heroes of Olympus, Bk 2) on + 236 more book reviews
Everyone in our family loves this series.
