Books: culturally defined as the object which civilizations have stored volumes of information, but that’s not all they’re used for. Some permeate your imagination and creativity, some provide knowledge and skill, and then some are John Green books (all John Green emotions put to side), Though in contrast there are Rick Riordan books.
Sarcasm, diversity, bold, and outstanding creativity have shaped Riordan’s current occupation as not only troll of the decade, but an author of many incredible books. In the last 10 years Riordan has kept fans hooked on his most recognized book series, Percy Jackson and The Olympians. With the directly associated Heroes of Olympus series, the recognition of his books about Greek Mythology continue; However the journey ended in October when the last addition to Heroes of Olympus was published, The Blood of Olympus.
Most writers vary in their fashion of writing over time, but Riordan has stayed consistent with the way he writes his books. Although the chapters have changed to names and the perspective are different, you can still tell that the words are his even if you don’t look at the cover of the book. Using appropriate language, by putting “he cursed” instead of putting an actual curse word, Riordan has made every book he has written for reader friendly for everyone from children to young adults.
In The Blood of Olympus, Percy, Annabeth, Jason, Piper, Hazel, Frank, and Leo of the Argo II have made progress in their many quests, but still seem no closer to defeating Gaea (The deity of Earth itself). The giants have risen and they’re stronger than ever. They must be stopped before the Feast of Spes on August 1 when Gaea plans to have two demigods sacrificed in Athens. She needs their blood – the blood of Olympus – in order to awaken. Camp Jupiter’s Roman legion is almost within striking distance of Camp Half Blood and though it is tempting to take the Athena Parthenos to Athens to use as a secret weapon, Reyna, Nico, and Hedge know that the huge statue belongs back on Long Island, where it might be able to stop a war between the two camps. The Athena Parthenos will go to Camp Half Blood; the Argo II will go to Athens. The gods, still suffering from multiple personality disorder, are useless and as dangerous as it is to head to Athens, they have no other option. They have sacrificed too much already. If Gaea wakes, it’s game over.
Despite being the shortest book of The Heroes of Olympus series (at 516 pages), The Blood of Olympus is filled with much more information than The House of Hades (597 pages), The Mark of Athena (608 pages), The Son of Neptune (560 pages), and The Lost Hero (592 pages). Riordan has done a fantastic job filling pages after pages with details in the shortest amount of time and space.
The last installment of Heroes of Olympus has fantastic writing and great imagery. Although some parts of Riordan’s book are a bit disappointing, Riordan leaves The Blood of Olympus with an unfinished and unsatisfying ending. Giant hunks of flying metal in the air, our favorite characters are spared, and monsters are annihilated and sent to Tartarus, but at the end of the book, there needs to be more.
Despite some of the faults in the last book, Riordan has done an excellent job in ending The Heroes of Olympus series. Now, if you’ll please excuse me I have the first series to reread for the 4th time.
