Waiting on Wednesday (65)

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that highlights future releases that we are excitedly anticipating.


By Rick Riordan, Attila Futaki, Tamas Gaspar, Robert Venditti 
Publication Date: July 2, 2013


Seventh grade has been surprisingly quiet for Percy Jackson. Not a single monster has set foot on his New York prep-school campus. But when an innocent game of dodgeball among Percy and his classmates turns into a death match against an ugly gang of cannibal giants, things get...well, ugly. And the unexpected arrival of his friend Annabeth brings more bad news: the magical borders that protect Camp Half-Blood have been poisoned by a mysterious enemy, and unless a cure is found, the only safe haven for demigods will be destroyed.
In the follow-up to the wildly popular "The Lightning Thief, The Graphic Novel, "Percy and his friends must journey into the Sea of Monsters to save their camp. But first, Percy will discover a stunning new secret about his family--one that makes him question whether being claimed as Poseidon's son is an honor or simply a cruel joke.
Featuring a faithful adaptation by Robert Venditti, stunning artwork by Attila Futaki, and sumptuous colors by newcomer Tamas Gaspar, Rick Riordan's blockbuster book comes to life in The Sea of Monsters, The Graphic Novel.

Son of Neptune by Rick Riordan

*****

Son of Neptune (“SoN”) picks up the story introduced in The Lost Hero tracking the progress of seven heroes who will rise against a burgeoning evil. In the final installment of the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series we first heard the prophecy which foretold the struggles to come:

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

 

The Lost Hero introduced Jason, Leo and Piper to us and Camp Half-Blood (see Nat’s review here). The Lost Hero also warned us that our beloved Percy had gone missing, causing frantic searches by Annabeth, Tyson and Percy’s friends.

SoN picks up several months after The Lost Hero and finds Percy fighting to survive without his memory. He knows he is a demi-god and he remembers his girlfriend, Annabeth, but other than that, he has no memory. Percy is led to a hidden camp filled with the descendants of the Roman gods. Percy is declared a son of the Sea God, Neptune, and the goddess Juno vouches for him. He is accepted into camp and befriended by two warriors, Hazel and Frank. The three set out on a quest to the land beyond the gods to stop the rise of powerful giant.

The Heroes of Olympus series is a little more complex and confusing than Percy Jackson and the Olympians because of the distinction between the Romans and Greeks and the duality of the gods, monsters and even the heroes. My nieces and nephew (5, 7 & 9) just finished a family reading of Percy Jackson and the Olympians and I am not sure they would understand the duality in SoN. These themes were hinted at in The Lost Hero; however, Hero took place in the familiar world of Camp Half-Blood and the Greeks. The issues and differences are much more pronounced and essential in SoN. While Camp Half-Blood deals with life and death situations, the Roman camp seems much more intense, making Camp Half-Blood seem light-hearted in comparison.

All this aside, it was wonderful to spend time with Percy again, like hanging out with an old friend you had not seen in a long time. SoN allows you to catch up with Percy and see how he has grown and changed in the 10 months since the Battle of Olympus. We also get to meet some fun new heroes and friends, as they try to defeat Gaea and her giants.

Unlike Percy Jackson and the Olympians series, where each book seemed self-contained, Heroes of Olympus leaves you hanging and clamoring for answers. SoN ends just when things were getting good and left you needing to know what happens next. I hope that Mark of Athena starts where SoN left off, but if Lost Hero and SoN are any indication, I cannot begin to guess where Rick Riordan is going to pick up the story.

Heroes of Olympus is darker, funnier and more mature than the Percy Jackson series. Riordan really brought the funny in SoN, there were several sections that had me laughing out loud. I thoroughly enjoyed Son of Neptune and was sad to see it end. I rarely give 5 stars, but I am giving them to Son of Neptune because Riordan really is brilliant to enthrall me so…

~Shel

Art of Fictional Love Spotlight #3

It's been a while since we put the spotlight on some of the fantastic fanart that is out there.  Our last Spotlight was on Percy Jackson.  This time we have decided to put the focus on characters from The Heroes of Olympus series.

SPOLIER ALERT!!! 

A few of these pictures definitely contain SPOILERS. And thanks to the bomb Mr. Riordan dropped on us at the end of The Lost Hero, the last couple pictures are most definitely SPOILERS to both the ending of The Lost Hero and The Son of Neptune.

Jason Grace

This is a rendition of Jason Grace by DeviantArt artist ~germanmissiles.  View ~germanmissile's gallery here.

The Flaming Valdez

There were a few Leo Valdez art out there but THIS particular drawing depicts Leo perfectly!  Drawing by DeviantArt artist Thatu.  Thatu's gallery can be viewed here .

Piper McLean

This is a rendition of Piper McLean by DeviantArt artist ~germanmissiles. View ~germanmissile's gallery here.

Leo and Festus

Lovely Leo/Festus drawing by DeviantArt artist, GirlNamedEd.  GirlNamedEd's gallery can be viewed here.

Children of Zeus

Jason and Thalia drawing by DeviantArt artist, HiThereSmiley. HiThereSmiley's gallery can be viewed here.

Son of Neptune

Son of Neptune drawing by DeviantArt artist, Phoenix67. Phoenix67's gallery can be viewed here.

I'll Never Forget

Percy and Annabeth drawing by DeviantArt artist, blindbandit5. blindbandit5's gallery can be viewed here.

Art of Fictional Love Spotlight #2

Perseus

Our second Spotlight is on DeviantArt.com artist sacha11410.  Last week we posted her lovely picture of Peeta Mellark when I confessed my love of the boy with the bread.  Today we are showing her Percy Jackson inspired art with original line art done by DeviantArt.com artist, burdge-bug.

Good Luck

Invulnerable

Together Again

If you enjoyed Sacha's Percy Jackson art, check out her DeviantArt.com gallery.  She has some amazing art out there inspired by Harry Potter, Twilight and The Hunger Games!