Review: The Blood of Olympus

Title: The Blood Of Olympus
Author: Rick Riordan
Publisher: Disney Hyperion//Listening Library
Published: October 7th 2014
Series: The Heroes of Olympus #5
How I Served It: Audiobook (Read by Nick Chamian)
How I Got It: Borrowed (Library) (purchased the hardcover)


"Though the Greek and Roman crewmembers of the Argo II have made progress in their many quests, they still seem no closer to defeating the earth mother, Gaea. Her giants have risen—all of them—and they're stronger than ever. They must be stopped before the Feast of Spes, when Gaea plans to have two demigods sacrificed in Athens. She needs their blood—the blood of Olympus—in order to wake.

The demigods are having more frequent visions of a terrible battle at Camp Half-Blood. The Roman legion from Camp Jupiter, led by Octavian, is almost within striking distance. Though it is tempting to take the Athena Parthenos to Athens to use as a secret weapon, the friends 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 west; the Argo II will go east. The gods, still suffering from multiple personality disorder, are useless. How can a handful of young demigods hope to persevere against Gaea's army of powerful giants? As dangerous as it is to head to Athens, they have no other option. They have sacrificed too much already. And if Gaea wakes, it is game over."  --- Goodreads

I hate endings.  I mean, this book had an amazing ending but I hate the thought that this was the last time I'll get to delve into this world.  A huge part of me was hoping Riordan would pull another Last Olympian and throw in another prophecy at the last moment and give us another series and... he didn't.  I guess it makes sense, what with them all being pretty close to too old to be the subjects of YA/middle grade books... but... :(  I hate letting go of books.  

Review: The House of Hades

Title: The House of Hades
Author: Rick Riordan
Publisher: Listening Library
Published: October 8th 2013
Series: Heroes of Olympus # 4
How I Served It: Audiobook
How I Got It: Library

Summary: "At the conclusion of The Mark of Athena, Annabeth and Percy tumble into a pit leading straight to the Underworld. The other five demigods have to put aside their grief and follow Percy's instructions to find the mortal side of the Doors of Death. If they can fight their way through the Gaea's forces, and Percy and Annabeth can survive the House of Hades, then the Seven will be able to seal the Doors both sides and prevent the giants from raising Gaea. But, Leo wonders, if the Doors are sealed, how will Percy and Annabeth be able to escape? 

They have no choice. If the demigods don't succeed, Gaea's armies will never die. They have no time. In about a month, the Romans will march on Camp Half-Blood. The stakes are higher than ever in this adventure that dives into the depths of Tartarus." -- Goodreads

The hardcover edition of this book has been sitting on my shelf since October 8th, 2013.  It was at the point where I'd forgotten I bought it!  Call me a wimp but Riordan's hardcover books are a commitment and, frankly, my purse isn't big enough to squeeze them into.  So for the past summer every time I've thought about reading The House of Hades, I'd end up opting for a smaller book or a book that my library had in e-book form instead.  I know, I know, wimpy.  But then suddenly it was late August and The Blood of Olympus already had cover art and I knew it was time to suck it up and... the library had it on audiobook. Audiobook is actually how I experienced all five of the original Percy Jackson books, so in many ways it felt like coming home.