Perseus Jackson, did your mother not teach you to never accept gifts from strangers?
Honestly, I didn’t enjoy this as much as the first book, but I still found myself highly entertained and curious to continue seeing where Percy and his friends would go on their next quest. This sequel is still fun. We follow Percy and Annabeth, as well as Tyson and then other campers and characters making appearances, as they make their way to the Sea of Monsters to save Grover from being married to a Cyclops. The characters Rick has created are the highlight of this series so far, and I know it’s only book 2, but they make the reading experience highly memorable. Percy is still his sassy self, although we are seeing some potential and future growth; Annabeth remains highly strong and purposeful; and instead of Grover, we meet a new cast member, Tyson, a Cyclops who ends up being Percy’s half-baby brother, son of Poseidon. Seeing this trio was amusing, full of uncertainties, snark, and juvenile but realistic banter. Tyson is a fun addition to the cast, adorable and vulnerable but still solid and optimistic. He has the personality and intelligence of a kid still, but he’s witty, loving, and courageous, never letting himself be brought down. He provides the necessary laughter between Percy and Annabeth. I wish the best for him, and I hope this isn’t the last time we’ll hear from him.
One thing I’ve already noticed in Rick’s writing is how there is never a dull moment. His writing is entertaining, allowing the reader to become fully immersed in his characters and their journeys. Rick’s writing is never settled down, never dull, and overall has an enjoyable tone. I can easily see how this series was entertaining for kids and teens, showing a world of laughter and humor but also vulnerability underneath it. The journey overall has never grown unpleasant. There is always something new happening, never a moment where the characters aren’t either saving themselves, trying not to be killed, or trying to save others.
That said, I found this story less funny than the first book and a little more serious. I’m not exactly complaining, as it never felt boring or overwritten. However, because of the tone of the first book, I expected this to follow a similar pattern. Percy’s character felt a little less witty, even though I loved seeing how his character genuinely came to life as the story progressed. I don’t doubt Annabeth’s character will become a favorite. She’s stronghearted, brave, and trustworthy, all while remaining cautious, and for good reason. Her friendship with Percy has been delightful to see. They’re still kids, but they both have big hearts and want to make a positive outcome in the future. There is also less Greek mythology in this, in my opinion. There are even newer characters, newer names, and more people to remember. Still, they didn’t feel as relevant as most characters in the first book, even if they were just side characters or characters who were there for their appearances.
There are a few other characters who I am not the biggest fan of, but they all have their intentions. My friend told me Clarisse has her redemption, and I’m hoping it will be enough because right now, she has me pulling my hair out of frustration. I cannot imagine her and Percy being anything other than rivals, especially after everything that happened with Ares. I don’t hate her, especially after witnessing her dad be his true, cruel self towards her, but I still don’t hold out the most sympathy. There are other characters like Luke, that traitorous child I can’t bring myself to hate for some reason. Maybe it’s because he’s a kid who just wants his father’s recognition and love. Perhaps it’s because he feels abandoned by him. Maybe it’s because deep down after being let down by the good side, he thinks the other side is the way to go.
All in all, this was delightful to read. I’m ending this review here, as I am impatient and need to get to book 3 ASAP after that ending.