A review by katymul
The Son of Neptune by Rick Riordan

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75

I think a lot of the fandom receives this book as return to form -- or at least to Percy Jackson! -- but I love it chiefly for the fascinating project of rolling out a parallel world within the Riordanverse. The Lost Hero really only teases the Greek demigods project, and the reality of it is much more difficult to orient the reader to and make enjoyable. I was particularly fascinated on re-read at all the connections already between the two worlds (mostly Reyna I suppose but the war with Kronos and being suspicious of powerful demigods who didn't fight the Titans with you...holes in your own war story that you can't believe you never noticed, no idea what Nico DiAngelo is even doing most of the time but I guess he's on our side?)

The character rollout of Frank and Hazel is top tier first appearance. Even Leo and Piper didn't get this strong and introduction, and the book also felt, in a way, like a second First Percy Jackson book

...with him swanning about making bold, insulting gestures to the gods along the quest, defeating several foes he has no business defeating (including a literal army of the dead just like Lightning Thief), bringing back a lost powerful item (that spews lightning), and solo-ing someone who he really has no business defeating...

Who says you can't read your favorite book for the first time again?