25.8k reviews for:

The Sea of Monsters

Rick Riordan

4.13 AVERAGE

ava_loves_to_read's review against another edition

4.5

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I reread this book to get ready for season 2 in December. But I loved it all over again. If you haven't read this series yet add it to the top of your tbr. ♥ 

jennifermilanovic's review against another edition

3.5

adventurous medium-paced

starcrossed_fiction's review against another edition

4.0

funny lighthearted tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

faeriology's review against another edition

4.0

adventurous dark funny hopeful lighthearted fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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Original review: 04 October 2025
Rating: 4 stars

I'm not sure what to say about this book; it's probably the worst out of the series, but that doesn't make it any less lovable. I absolutely loved the progression this book takes, and how each of the characters are adjusting to being one more year older; their relationships with the people around them begin to flourish into something tangible.

This book would have been a 4.5 star rating for how it dealt with Tyson being a cyclops, and how Annabeth's trauma got in the way of her being able to connect with him in the beginning - but also how she processed that Tyson wasn't like the others she faced growing up. However, in the start of the book, Tyson is called the "r-word" which made me uncomfortable, but other than that, there wasn't much wrong with the book. This book did a good job of coming to terms with having a disabled sibling, and learning to love them the way that they are.

I think my favourite part of the story is that it is a reimagining of Odysseus' own journey through the Sea of Monsters - I also think it's funny that it is the shorted novel in the series, but it is telling the longest journey. The irony in that is unmatched. I do think an extended explanation on Circe's island would have been better, and while I know that the story is in Percy's perspective, and that we won't see what the other character's see due to the limited p.o.v, it would have been interesting to see / hear Annabeth's thoughts and see her perspective during their time on Circe's island.

lime_seltzer's review against another edition

3.0

funny lighthearted mysterious fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

nachos_reader's review against another edition

3.75

adventurous tense fast-paced

btemplet's review against another edition

3.0

adventurous funny lighthearted fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

kels_jo_143's review against another edition

4.75

adventurous emotional funny lighthearted mysterious fast-paced

overgrowntbr's review against another edition

5.0

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So much action. Since the very first or second chapter. Never talking time to relax, it was just go, go, go; and I loved it. I loved the relationship Tyson and Percy had, all of the things revealed about all kinds of things, and I just loved it.

astr4n0mical's review against another edition

3.0

adventurous lighthearted slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: No