Publisher: HyperionPublished: 2010-2014
Pages: 2,796
Source: Borrowed
Rating: 4 Stars
Synopsis for The Lost Hero:
Jason has a problem. He doesn’t remember anything before waking up in a bus full of kids on a field trip. Apparently he has a girlfriend named Piper and a best friend named Leo. They’re all students at a boarding school for “bad kids.” What did Jason do to end up here? And where is here, exactly?
Piper has a secret. Her father has been missing for three days, ever since she had that terrifying nightmare. Piper doesn’t understand her dream, or why her boyfriend suddenly doesn’t recognize her. When a freak storm hits, unleashing strange creatures and whisking her, Jason, and Leo away to someplace called Camp Half-Blood, she has a feeling she’s going to find out.
Leo has a way with tools. When he sees his cabin at Camp Half-Blood, filled with power tools and machine parts, he feels right at home. But there’s weird stuff, too—like the curse everyone keeps talking about. Weirdest of all, his bunkmates insist that each of them—including Leo—is related to a god.
Jason has a problem. He doesn’t remember anything before waking up in a bus full of kids on a field trip. Apparently he has a girlfriend named Piper and a best friend named Leo. They’re all students at a boarding school for “bad kids.” What did Jason do to end up here? And where is here, exactly?
Piper has a secret. Her father has been missing for three days, ever since she had that terrifying nightmare. Piper doesn’t understand her dream, or why her boyfriend suddenly doesn’t recognize her. When a freak storm hits, unleashing strange creatures and whisking her, Jason, and Leo away to someplace called Camp Half-Blood, she has a feeling she’s going to find out.
Leo has a way with tools. When he sees his cabin at Camp Half-Blood, filled with power tools and machine parts, he feels right at home. But there’s weird stuff, too—like the curse everyone keeps talking about. Weirdest of all, his bunkmates insist that each of them—including Leo—is related to a god.
In short: The Heroes of Olympus by Rick Riordan is an entertaining and creatively engaging series.
When I read Rick Riordan's first demigod series last year, Percy Jackson and the Olympians, my overall thoughts were that it was a very fun, easy series, but it read a bit too young for me personally. It's the kind of series that I am sure I would have LOVED as a tween, but as an adult in her late twenties, I tend to prefer series that challenge me a bit more, be it with more challenging language, or more nuanced plots and characters, or more emotional complexity, etc.
Well, when I posted that review last year, there were a number of commenters urging me to read on, to read the next set of demigod adventures by Rick Riordan in which Percy and co. are older and the tone is maybe a bit more mature and relatable. I'm telling you book bloggers really do know what they're talking about because they were right - I DID end up liking The Heroes of Olympus more than Percy Jackson and the Olympians!
Percy Jackson and the Olympians was Percy's story whereas in The Heroes of Olympus, the spotlight is shared with six other main characters and we get to see their POVs in equal parts. Now it's not that I don't like Percy (I do!), but it was nice to get some new characters with different viewpoints and back stories. I wouldn't say I was blown away by the characterization and relationships because Rick Riordan's writing still definitely tends to err on the cliched side, but I was impressed at least with the diversity of characters.
These books are just entertaining. How could they not be when they involve teen demigod warriors with special powers who fight all manner of mythological monsters in a creatively engaging plot? Add to that Rick Riordan's knack for clever humour and we have a winner! As I said, I do prefer more nuanced characterization and less predictable plots than what we get in The Heroes of Olympus, but overall I had a fun time with this series and I'm glad I decided to read it!
Previously, my series review of Percy Jackson and the Olympians
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Yay :D Gorgeous review Aylee. <3 I'm so glad you decided to read these books too :D And so happy you loved them! Yay! I love all these books SO MUCH. <3 Though.. I have not gotten myself to read Blood of Olympus yet :p I want to, so badly, but I'm still upset about there being no Percy point of view in it, lol :D But planning on re-reading all the books this year. <3 (Though I just read them all for the first time a year ago.. but still :D) ANYWAY. I'm still a bit sad that you didn't love the first 5 Percy Jackson books. Hmph. As I loved them a whole bunch, hih. But I do understand you as well :) Probably :D Either way, so glad you gave the rest of the books a chance. <3 Thank you for sharing your thoughts sweetie :)
ReplyDeleteOhhh, yes that was a bit surprising not to have Percy's POV in the last book. I found that I didn't mind at all personally, but I can totally see why die hard Percy fans would've been a little turned off by that.
DeleteAnd aww, just because I didn't LOVE the first books doesn't mean I didn't LIKE them!! I truly did enjoy them... I wish I could say the same about the movies :p
I'm so glad you liked the series! I loved the first PJ&O series so I was really excited about this one. Sadly I was a bit disappointed in half of it but I absolutely loved all of the Percybeth!!! That ship will sail forever! :)
ReplyDeleteAw, that's too bad. I can't say I'm really into any of the relationships in the series... they're cute, but none of them really blow me away. Just not what I love most about the series is all!
DeleteMaybe I should give this a try. I read the first series but had the same feelings - it was great but a bit young for me.
ReplyDeleteKaren @For What It's Worth
Well, it couldn't hurt! Maybe just start with the first one and see if it catches your interest.
DeleteWell, I have yet to read the Heroes of Olympus series but I definitely felt exactly like you did regarding the lack of more nuanced characterization and depth to the plot. The Percy Jackson series was a light, fun and exciting read..but it did come off young for my liking. I'm very excited that you enjoyed this series even more though - I got the first book for this series over the holidays and you've made me even more anxious to get started! You said it the best though: these books are highly entertaining hehe. Fantastic review, as usual Aylee!! I'm happy you had fun with the series :)
ReplyDeleteOooh yay, I think you might enjoy this series more too! It has all of the elements from the first series that we loved and just adds to it a bit! Makes me wonder what a series following Percy and co. in adulthood would be like... Thanks, Micheline :)
DeleteI'm glad that you gave this series a try, Aylee. I definitely enjoyed it but in a different way than Percy Jackson series. House of Hades was my favorite book from this series though I was a bit disappointed with the anticlimactic ending of Blood of Olympus.
ReplyDeleteEhh yeah, I understand where you're coming from on the ending. I quite liked the twist, but it wasn't the PERFECT ending. I'm glad I gave the series a try too :)
DeleteI've read all Percy Jackson books (yes, even the companion books) and I loved all of them. I did like the first series more than the second one, only because I need more Percy in my life. I was terribly disappointed with the lack of Percy POV in the last book. But other than that, I think the whole thing is lovely. Awesome review, Aylee! - Joy @ The Bookshelf Intruder
ReplyDeleteAh yes, it seems like lots of people were super disappointed with the lack of Percy POV in the last book. It was a bit odd, I admit... but I guess I just found that I was okay with it. But I can totally see why a Percy FAN would be so disappointed.
DeleteI have the idea I would like this one more than Percy and the Olympians too. I've only read the first book so far and like you, it felt a bit too young for me :) Diversity in characters is always a good thing!
ReplyDelete:) I'm not sure I would recommend just skipping to this second series though. Reading them in order is best. Rick has one of the most diverse cast of characters in this book I have ever seen!
DeletePERCY JACKSON FTW!!
ReplyDeleteI have to admit, though, that I actually enjoyed Percy Jackson and the Olympians better than the Heroes of Olympus. But maybe it's 'cause the first series has a special place in my heart, being the second ever series I read (the first was Harry Potter, of course ;D). I did recently reread it and still loved it to pieces! I'm currently reading House of Hades and I guess I miss reading from Percy's POV all the time. I felt a much stronger connection to him when the books were in first person POV, and I got to experience his humor and personality first hand. Still, I'm enjoying HoH so far, and I'm just glad that you know just how awesome Rick Riordan's stories are. He really is the myth master.
I agree, I'm happy that we get exposed to new characters and their perspectives in this series, too. And the new gods and goddesses! Gets a little confusing at times, but Riordan does a fantastic job of explaining everything and smoothing things out. I'm just hoping I get to connect more with the other characters (especially Jason, because for some reason, I'm just not seeing eye-to-eye with him at all) as I read on.
Great review, Aylee! <3
I think a lot of people enjoyed the first series more. I definitely understand holding a special place in your heart for a special book series! And I can also understand why you'd miss Percy's POV for that reason. I usually tend to prefer 3rd person (I'm sure I'm alone in that feeling), but I know some people only feel like they can truly connect with 1st person stories.
DeleteMyth master is the ultimate title for Rick Riordan. I don't know how he does it, but somehow he never runs out of cool ideas and myths to play with!
I confess I still haven't read the Percy Jackson books, though I'm sure I would like them - they sound like the kind of stuff that would appeal to my forever tween heart - I'm glad this series reads a little older though.
ReplyDeleteMG is great but sometimes you just want a little more meat with you story.
Heh, I think you might enjoy them as well! Give it a go, they're quick reads.
DeleteI haven't read anything by this author, but I'm glad that you listened to all the wise bloggers and found this series a bit more mature and enjoyable! I do like reading MG, and I want to read more, but you're right...it's hard to read some books these days because they just read TOO young.
ReplyDeleteHeh, I'm glad I listened to because I had a lot of fun with this!
DeleteThis is a series that I have not read because I always figured I would read it when my kids do. It sounds like a lot of fun!
ReplyDeleteKate @ Ex Libris
Good idea!
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ReplyDeleteRick Riordan rocks mythology. I liked the Percy Jackson series more and more as it went on, but I agree - I think this new series appeals to adults a little more. Did you know that Rick is going to write a Norse mythology series? I can’t wait for it!
ReplyDeleteI heard that! So awesome. Though I understand that his Egyptian mythology series isn't everyone's favourite.
DeleteDang! I've never ever even tried to get to this series, even though so many people talk about it all the time. I'm glad you found it both interesting and enjoyable. Amazing review!
ReplyDeleteSarika @ The Readdicts
I think you'd enjoy it, Sarika!
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