Book Review: Son of Neptune

The Son of Neptune (Heroes of Olympus #2)

By: Rick Riordan

Published by Hyperion

Release Date: Oct. 4, 2011

Genre: Young Adult

513 pages
Buy it on Amazon or IndieBound

Source: I own it

My thoughts:

I think I love this series even more than the Percy Jackson series. 
Even though it reads very much like a continuation of the same series, this is clearly Percy Jackson for big kids. The plot development doesn't suffer for the sake of marketing to the upper elementary audience, and there are fewer slapstick-silly jokes. The humor is definitely still there, but with a flavor that is a bit more grown-up. 

It is really fun to watch a character I've grown to love interact with a whole new set of characters. Percy isn't a little kid any more; even when he doesn't know who he is, he still portrays a confidence that shows that he's ready, willing and able to save the world. He can refer to Annabeth as his girlfriend and not be embarrassed. He seems to accept hero status with grace.

At least part of this can be attributed to the fact that this series isn't told from Percy's point of view, so we see him as other characters do, rather than hearing all of his self-doubting inner monologue. The viewpoint change is refreshing.

This book spotlights two other characters as well- Hazel and Frank, as described in the summary blurb below. These are two more examples of Riordan's classic dork-turned-hero characters. I love recommending Riordan's books to students because so many of them can relate to the kid who doesn't belong, is made fun of, and seems to mess everything up- yet, manages to save the world in the end. 

If you know a kid around 10-14 years old for whom you'll need to do some holiday shopping, take the easy way out, and give him or her some Riordan to read. 

Summary from GoodReads:

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.