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A review by theglossreview
The Lost Hero by Rick Riordan
5.0
4.5 stars. It’s the fourth-best book of the series, not as strong as volumes 2-4, but following closely behind. Can’t believe “The Gloss Review” haven’t reviewed The Lost Hero yet! Here it comes:
I adore this book. I reread it every year around the time of the winter solstice. Only now, in 2022, do I see how much of the characters’ future is foreshadowed here. It’s a nostalgic read. Of course I’m dearly missing Percy in this one, but at least Annabeth gets a few moments to shine. How sad that Percabeth only had 2-3 months together before this happened!!! Everyone (including the readers) was tempted to join Hera‘s anti-fan club. I LOVE how the Demi-Gods have the sass to tell her so, especially Jason.
As Jason is the hero who lost his memory. While he is being introduced, it is difficult to feel connected to him or get to know him. He seems to have few feelings or personality traits outside of his roles of being “lost” and being “a hero”. Hence, the title.
Piper has a deeply interesting backstory and personality. Her POV is great. The only thing that’s missing is her reckoning with her relationship with her mother and siblings. What do they really mean to her?
Leo is a favourite, of course. I just wish he’d speak about his feelings instead of staying silent or joking around.
The writing is great. It’s definitely much better than in the original series. The switches between the 3 POVs are perfect. The only issue is with Aphrodite. She talks in such a strange way. Also, what exactly are the powers of Aphrodite’s kids besides charmspeak? Because only a few of them have that power. The rest is apparently just good at “seeing possibilities” and “speaking French”? And, I’m sorry, but there’s no way black leggings, a turquoise dress and a snowboarding jacket will make Piper the best dressed ANYTHING in town. The combo is said to “work surprisingly well” because I’d be surprised if it worked even a little bit. I see that there is more diversity in Heroes of Olympus than in the Percy Jackson series, but it’s brought into it in such a strange way. It is quite obvious that it’s always the same narrator telling us about “someone from a diverse background”, rather than a truly authentic POV. Some sensitivity readers would have improved Leo’s and Piper’s POVs.
I adore this book. I reread it every year around the time of the winter solstice. Only now, in 2022, do I see how much of the characters’ future is foreshadowed here. It’s a nostalgic read. Of course I’m dearly missing Percy in this one, but at least Annabeth gets a few moments to shine. How sad that Percabeth only had 2-3 months together before this happened!!! Everyone (including the readers) was tempted to join Hera‘s anti-fan club. I LOVE how the Demi-Gods have the sass to tell her so, especially Jason.
As Jason is the hero who lost his memory. While he is being introduced, it is difficult to feel connected to him or get to know him. He seems to have few feelings or personality traits outside of his roles of being “lost” and being “a hero”. Hence, the title.
Piper has a deeply interesting backstory and personality. Her POV is great. The only thing that’s missing is her reckoning with her relationship with her mother and siblings. What do they really mean to her?
Leo is a favourite, of course. I just wish he’d speak about his feelings instead of staying silent or joking around.
The writing is great. It’s definitely much better than in the original series. The switches between the 3 POVs are perfect. The only issue is with Aphrodite. She talks in such a strange way. Also, what exactly are the powers of Aphrodite’s kids besides charmspeak? Because only a few of them have that power. The rest is apparently just good at “seeing possibilities” and “speaking French”? And, I’m sorry, but there’s no way black leggings, a turquoise dress and a snowboarding jacket will make Piper the best dressed ANYTHING in town. The combo is said to “work surprisingly well” because I’d be surprised if it worked even a little bit. I see that there is more diversity in Heroes of Olympus than in the Percy Jackson series, but it’s brought into it in such a strange way. It is quite obvious that it’s always the same narrator telling us about “someone from a diverse background”, rather than a truly authentic POV. Some sensitivity readers would have improved Leo’s and Piper’s POVs.