By: Melissa Zhao
Rick Riordan’s “The Son of Neptune,” the second book in the “Heroes of Olympus” series, continues the alluring story of both brave and treacherous demigods, greedy, angry, monsters, and ancient prophecies foreseeing the fate of the world. Full of plot twists and deep mysteries, every step forward keeps readers engaged in the story as Rick Riordan once again brings a tale of excitement and suspense into the world of reading.
Seamlessly following Riordan’s previous series “Percy Jackson and the Olympians,” Rick Riordan blends a mix of classic Greek mythology with deeper Roman mythology. He highlights both the distinctions between Ancient Greece and Rome as well as the traits they share.
The story follows Percy Jackson, a demigod, who wakes up with no memory and finds himself at Camp Jupiter, a Roman training camp. As he finds his way through the camp and the adventures it offers, Percy must embark on a dangerous quest with two new friends that he bonds with. Hazel Levesque, daughter of Pluto, and Frank Zhang, son of Mars, join Percy on a mission that will determine the fate of Camp Jupiter.
In order to reclaim his identity, Percy must succeed on his quest. He has no choice, as if he fails, he will face horrible consequences from both the gods and the monsters he is battling for his life. Hazel, Frank, and Percy are all fighting with their own doubts and worries, and despite the fact that the demigods are in a whole new imaginary world, Rick Riordan grounds them with human emotions and insecurities.
The narrative’s strength lies in its representation of themes like friendship, sacrifice, and teamwork. Hazel and Frank accepted Percy into their group instead of treating him rudely like many others in the camp had, and they worked together as a team to succeed in their dangerous journey. In addition, during the adventure, the three were forced to sacrifice things that were extremely important to them. The trio have all suffered their own grievances, but this book offers a new way to look at sacrifices and losses.
Overall, “The Son of Neptune” is a worthy book to spend hours immersed in, with both witty humor and deep loss that adds feeling and relatability to the storyline. Rick Riordan once again delivers a thrilling story full of heart, mythology, and mystery, blending the ancient stories with a touch of the modern world, creating an enchanting and captivating world to pull yourself into.
“The Son of Neptune” deserves no less than a 5 out of 5 stars, for any ages 10 or older. It is an entirely new world that sweeps readers away and into the story without a look back at the world they left behind.