Heroes of Olympus, Book 3: Mark of Athena (Heroes of Olympus)

Fans of Riordan’s blockbusters
know that the author wastes no time putting the pedal to the metal in his
stories and book three in The Heroes of Olympus series does not disappoint.
Annabeth, Leo and Piper, representatives from Camp Half-blood are
returning Jason to his comrades at Camp Jupiter, where Annabeth and her
friends will reunite with Percy. The two camps are prepared to take the first
wary steps toward working together to defeat Gaea. Unfortunately, Gaea has
plans to thwart this fragile peace and does so via Leo. Luckily, the seven who
are prophesied to journey to Rome escape on the Argo II, but not without an
army of Roman demigods aloft on an air force of eagles and hot on their tails
intent on destroying them.

Another hallmark of a Riordan adventure is the road trip. The seven need
to stop in Utah, Atlanta, Charleston and the Strait of Gibraltar where
they encounter Bacchus, Phorcys, Aphrodite and Hercules, respectively
and attempt to match wits, beg, plead and/or steal what they need to
be successful in their quest. Along the way, readers get to know each
demigod a bit more as they ease into working as a team. Each has strengths
and weaknesses as well as doubts about his or her ability. Each will face
increasing terror but find moments of release through humor, sometimes
slapstick and occasionally subtle. Readers already familiar with the
mythology of Greece and Rome will marvel at how seamlessly Riordan
weaves the ancient mythology with modern civilization. Less familiar gods
on both sides are introduced for readers to research during the interminable
wait for the next installment. And the wait will seem interminable given the
cliffhanger ending. How does he manage to keep the formula from becoming
stale? Who knows? Just buckle up and enjoy the ride.  600 pages  Ages 10 and up

978-1423140603

Series:  LOST HERO, SON OF NEPTUNE, MARK OF ATHENA

Recommended by:  Brenda Kahn, Librarian, New Jersey USA

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This is the third installment in the Heroes of Olympus series. It brings the Greek and

Roman demigods together for a daring quest. Percy Jackson is living with the Roman demigods

at the beginning of the book. His pals, Annabeth, Jason, Piper and Leo find their way to the

Roman camp in a trireme that Leo built. The Roman demigods are just starting to trust the

Greeks when Leo starts firing on the Roman camp. Percy, Annabeth, and the Roman demigods

Hazel and Frank, who will be going on the quest with him, are just able to get away alive. To

add to their troubles, the demigods must also enlist the help of the gods, which is very difficult

to do. Their quest takes them to ancient Rome where they need to find the statue of Athena

and also close the doors to the underworld to prevent Gaea from taking over the world. Each

demigod must be able to use his or her special ability as well as learning to work together to

accomplish their task. There are lots of adventures and lots of interesting characters awaiting

this group of demigods on their way to save the world.

I highly recommend this book for Older and Mature Readers. It continues the adventures of

the demigods in a manner that is very interesting. Rick Riordan has created some inventive

situations for the demigods and characters and creatures new to the demigods. You definitely

don’t want to put the book down until you have finished it. I can’t wait for the next book in the

series.

Submitted by Karen Limbaugh, MLIS, Retired High School Librarian, Texas USA

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