The Son of Neptune (The Heroes of Olympus, #2) by Rick Riordan

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.

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 wished 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 infront 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 of the Heroes of Olympus series introduces new demigods, revives fearsome monsters, and features other remarkable creatures, all destined to play a part in the Prophesy of Seven.

• Genre: fantasy,mythology,magic,urban fantasy
• Age: young adult
• Source: owned ebook
• Read from October 24 to 26, 2013

FINAL RATING: ★★★★★/★★★★★

 

“Life is only precious because it ends, kid.”

Whoa, that was interesting read. I am beginning to enjoy these much more than PJ books - probably because of vast variety of characters - and all of them are unique and interesting. And is it just me, or is this series a little bit darker than PJ?

That aside, i really enjoyed it - it was a fast page turner and it had a gripping plot. The start of the book was kind of slow, but it still held my attention. The whole new world is now revealed - the Roman aspect of the story = camp Jupiter = the place where Roman demigods stay for safety and for training. You will notice that things are quite different there than in camp Half Blood. It's far more crueler and more power oriented place.

STORY :

Three demigods have been chosen to go on a quest to save their camp Jupiter. Those three are Percy (who has amnesia), Hazel (daughter of Hades/Pluto) and Frank (the unclaimed one). They have to go to Alaska and to free god Thanatos so the dead can stay dead. Because if they don't, the camp won't survive an attack from giants that have arisen from their slumber under the command of their mother Gaea.

CHARACTERS :

This time, we are introduced to new characters Hazel & Frank, as well as the already known Percy Jackson. Except...there is one problem: he has amnesia. Same as Jason whom we met in the previous book.

♦ Percy was once a leader of camp half blood until he was kidnapped by Hera and been wiped of his memories. It doesn't help him any less that he went to camp Jupiter - where rules are something different. There he meets Hazel, Frank and Nico (who already knows him but is going with the flow "hi, nice to meet you too"). The gods have different plans for him and being in camp Jupiter is one of them. The only thing he does remember is Annabeth, his girlfriend and best friend. And its the name which keeps him going forward.

I have to say, that i really missed this idiot, and i am glad he is back :D He didn't change, he is still strong,dependable and sarcastic and funny as hell!

♦ Hazel ,daughter of Pluto, should have been dead. Except she was saved by her brother Nico, son of Hades(Pluto) and is given a second chance in life. No one knows her secret and her cursed gift makes her life even more miserable.

Hazel is really sweet, strong and interesting character and i definitely love her the most of all female characters in this series.

♦ Frank is good at archery and while still being unclaimed, he hopes it will be by Apollo, since Apollo is most likely his father. Alas, things are not as they seem to be, and his history and roots go far more deeper than anyone else's. But he also has secrets, and one of them lies in a burned stick.

He is kind, peaceful and adorable. Frank is just simply interesting and sweet character, and he doubts himself and his destiny, but he has no choice but to accept it. Or face the consequences.

♦ Other characters such as Renya, Octavian (whom i hate with passion) and harpy Ella and so on, were quite interesting and nice addition. I couldn't help myself but ship them all together - especially Hazel and Frank (they are born for each other). And i am happy that Nico is finally back (i missed that grim idiot lol)...

OVERALL :

Well done, just so well done. I am enjoying these more than i hoped for. It's just well done and really interesting (and still i recommend you to read PJ series if you haven't already). And as soon as i have finished this one, i just HAD to start the next book already. I really have no idea what i will do when i finish House of Hades T_T. That's all :D

MY REVIEW ON GOODREADS