The Heroes of Olympus #2: The Son of Neptune

We now delve deeper into the roman territory with Percy in The Heroes of Olympus #2 The Son of Neptune by Rick Riordan.

Here is the summary of the book:

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 tol 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 and 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 he mother and commanded Hazel to use her "gift" for and 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.

So as I said above with this book we delve deeper into the roman camp and also see it through with our beloved Percy Jackson but the thing is he doesn't remember what happened to him or even who he really, aside from the fact that somehow he can control water and realizes enough that he is the son of the sea god. Somehow he makes it to the camp....well Camp Jupiter to be exact of the Romans and they are rather an unfriendly bunch. 

Even if Percy like Jason in the previous book that lost his memory but he can still kick butt and being the son of Poseidon/Neptune also doesn't hurt if you get awesome abilities over water. It is Percy leadership quality or should I say blatant honesty that makes the Romans suck it up and show that the Greeks had already perfected the art of war even before the great Roman Empire was even born (although the romans are much more disciplined and I am loathe to say modern). So even without the memory Percy fast makes his into the Roman camp and makes some new friends Hazel and Frank. Hazel who gets a second chance at life and Frank is a klutz. Then as luck would have they are sent on a quest.....well the next great prophecy might actually be upon them already.

Now with such a long summary I really don't feel like explaining the story, so i'm leaving it to you guys but lets discuss the finer aspects of the book now shall we? 

So like its predecessor The Son of Neptune also focuses on three point of views - Percy, Hazel and Leo to be exact. Since the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series mainly focused on Percy's POV so it was a bit refreshing to hear about Percy from Hazel and Frank's point of view. Another point of order is that the Percy Jackson & the Olympians is wholly based on the Greek Myths and The Lost Hero, a little of both the Greek and the Roman Myths but this one is solely based upon Roman myths, which is well rather disorienting because I am truly not well versed in the roman aspect of it all other than the fact that all the planets of our solar system our named after the Roman appearances of the Olympians. So, it takes a bit longer to get into the book rather that necessary.

Next lets look at our characters here. Aside from the fact that Percy literally doesn't remember anything about his life or what had happened to him during the seven months he went missing but he still remembers how to fight and with Riptide with him, he knows nothing can stop him. Frank he is well a mystery, whereas at first when we see he seems week but as he starts to uncover the truth about himself, he again an edge over his circumstances. Hazel is another mysterious character, she was supposed to be dead long ago but there you go, she gets a second chance at life. She is also rather strong, powerful and full of secrets of her own. The Gods of the Roman territory are also different rather civilized and sterner than their Greek counterparts. To sum it up every character is hidden behind millions of layers which peels off as we proceed further. 

And there you go Mr. Riodan just had to finish it of with a giant cliffhanger and The Mark of Athena doesn't even release until next year.

"Percy Jackson is back"

Genre :      Young Adult, Fantasy


Publisher: Hyperion Books for Children


Rate:              4/5 (Really Liked It)