Originally posted at Riffs And Reviews

Actual rating: 4.5 stars

Percy Jackson is growing up right along with his fans. Now 16 years old, Percy is on a new quest to save the world – and keep his relationship with fellow demigod Annabeth on an even keel. After six months apart, Percy and Annabeth are finally reunited in Rick Riordan’s fantasy/adventure The Mark of Athena - with a kiss and a judo flip. Yes, romance is now as much a part of the Heroes of Olympus series as action and adventure.

Annabeth, Jason, Piper and Leo have flown their ship, the Argo II, from Camp Half-Blood to Camp Jupiter where they are united with Percy, Hazel and Frank. Along for the ride as chaperone is satyr Coach Hedge, the ultimate fighting machine (at least in his own mind). When the peace between the two camps is once again broken, the seven demigods find themselves fighting for their lives to escape Camp Jupiter and begin their quest to defeat the earth goddess Gaea. But they are on a deadline; their friend – and Hazel’s brother – Nico is being held as bait by giants and has less than a week to live. As if saving the world is not enough, Annabeth has been given a secret mission of her own by Athena – to find the “Mark of Athena” and avenge the goddess for transgressions made against her by the Romans millennia ago, a quest that has killed every demigod who has attempted it. Along the way the seven heroes will face giants, mutant-dolphin pirates, fish centaurs, killer nymphs – and even pick up the ultimate brownie recipe.

Told in the third person from the viewpoints of Annabeth, Leo, Percy and Piper, The Mark of Athena has a slightly more mature feel to it. The narrative is more developed and complex, and yet still very accessible to younger readers. Rick Riordan’s style has grown up along with Percy, which has this book straddling the border between middle-grade fantasy and YA paranormal. Adding to the complexity is the way Riordan has woven Greek and Roman mythologies together and made them almost toxic to each other. The similarities and differences between the gods and goddesses has become the foundation of this series, and is critical in this third book.

As I noted above, romance is becoming an important part of the Percy Jackson world. Percy and Annabeth, Jason and Piper, Hazel and Frank…or Leo? Yes, we actually have a bit of a love triangle here! The only relationship to show both points of view is Percy’s and Annabeth’s, and it is very cute to see them worrying over the direction of their relationship. The few moments these two manage to have together – out from under the watchful eye of Coach Hedge – are the quietest and most heart-felt of the book. I enjoyed Piper’s point-of-view, but I missed having Jason’s. A lot happens to him here (I think this poor guy ends up with the most injuries) and there are hints that he is feeling some insecurity in regards to his abilities and measuring up to Percy. I would have liked to get inside his head and see this explored a little more closely. Leo, meanwhile, is dealing with his feelings for Hazel and trying to understand why they are so drawn to each other. Thankfully, this mystery is answered as we finally learn why Hazel is so confused and keeps calling Leo “Sammy.” Frank continues his clumsy, and endearing, attempts at a relationship with Hazel while trying to gain control of his various abilities – neither with a great deal of success (I don’t think I can look at a Koi fish again without thinking of him).

Even while romance blooms, action and humor continue to propel the story. Reeling from battle to battle, and adventure to adventure, our seven heroes go up against demigods, full-blown gods, and heroes and monsters of old. From New Rome to Atlanta, from Fort Sumpter to Rome itself, there is A LOT of action. There is a nice mix of famous myths and more obscure ones, with wit and cunning sometimes playing just as big a role as force of arms in defeating the threats and monsters that appear. Humor is everywhere, mostly in regards to Coach Hedge (who is a kick) and Leo. Leo’s confrontations with Narcissus (“Team Leo!”) and the fish centaurs are particularly memorable and laugh-out-loud funny. There is so much going on that the story simply flies.

And, ohhhh, the finale! Riordan has come up with the most “cliff-hangerly” cliff-hangers of any of his books. When the explosive battle to recover Nico collides with Annabeth’s quest for Athena, a shocking sacrifice is made – an ending that will leave you breathless and sets up what could be the most dangerous adventure yet.

Rick Riordan’s third entry in his fantasy/adventure series The Heroes of Olympus, packs in action, romance, and a boatload of humor that will enthrall everyone from middle-grade readers to adults. The Mark of Athena hits the mark and will leave you cheering for more.