Book Review - Blood of Olympus

Blood of Olympus
Author: Rick Riordan
Series: Heroes of Olympus #5
Genres: Mythology, Urban Fantasy | Young Adult
Release Date: 7th October 2014
Publishers: Puffin
No. Pages: 592
Source: Borrowed
Rating:

Though the Greek and Roman crew-members of the Argo II have made progress in their many quests, they still seem no closer to defeating the earth mother, Gaea. Her giants have risen - all of them, and they're stronger than ever. They must be stopped before the Feast of Spes, when Gaea plans to have two demigods sacrificed in Athens. She needs their blood - the blood of Olympus - in order to wake.

The demigods are having more frequent visions of a terrible battle at Camp Half-Blood. The Roman legion from Camp Jupiter, led by Octavian, is almost within striking distance. Though it is tempting to take the Athena Parthenos to Athens to use as a secret weapon, the friends know that the huge statue belongs back on Long Island, where it might be able to stop a war between the two camps.

The Athena Parthenos will go west; the Argo II will go east. The gods, still suffering from multiple personality disorder, are useless. How can a handful of young demigods hope to persevere against Gaea's army of powerful giants? As dangerous as it is to head to Athens, they have no other option. They have sacrificed too much already.

And if Gaea wakes, it is game over.

The following review may contain spoilers concerning earlier books in the series.
If you have not read the previous installments, please proceed with caution.

First, let me start by saying what an amazing rollarcoaster of reading it's been, making my way through Riordans work. It's been quite the experience, to have visited Percy Jackson and seen him develop into a hero alongside Annabeth and Grover, with many other heroes by his side, to seeing Carter and Sadie fight Chaos in The Kane Chronicles, to now, seeing even more heroes - Jason, Piper, Frank, Hazel, Leo, Reyna, Nico, Coach Hedge - come to the forefront and fight their demons, their enemies, their fears and come out better, stronger and more powerful than ever, it's been something I'll never forget, and Riordan has most definitely become an author I would recommend every, single, time. But even of my soppy show of emotion, I've got a finale to review..

That is, of course, easier said than done, since Blood of Olympus delivered so much more than I ever could have expected it too, it both blew my mind and kept me firmly in it's grasp, it was both beautiful and hilarious and I've come to expect such great things from Riordan that I'm still surprised when he continues to deliver. I'd have to say the most enjoyable thing about Blood of Olympus was having perspectives we hadn't had before, seen in a while, or were underrated, and I think this only lifted the novel higher. Jason perspective hadn't been seen since the Lost hero and I mentioned in my House of Hades review that he seemed to be the only person out of seven without a voice, so I was so pleased to seem him return - and return in such a different way than we'd left him. His voice seemed so much stronger, so much wiser and more developed, he was not as confident as he once was, he'd been touched, emotionally and physically, draining him quite a lot, he'd seen his friends, people he wanted to be a leader for, get hurt, get taken, change in front of his eyes and this all showed in his character, in his feelings, in his actions. It was also a breath of fresh air to finally see his and Piper's relationship from both angles and perspectives, to see that Piper wasn't the only nervous party in their couple and that she wasn't the only one powered on by intimidated by the others power, but there was a level of honesty, of adoration and trust between the two, and it really helped develop and lift their relationship, which only made to compliment the story as a whole.

Talking of perspective, I cannot not talk about how fantastic it was to delve into Nico and Reyna's characters more from a person point of view, to see such damaged and distressed characters comfort each other and trust in the other, but in a completely platonic and friendship reserved way. Nico's support and shoulder he gave to Reyna really showed his development most from Percy Jackson and the Olympians - it only highlighted how he was no longer the little scared boy who'd lost his sister, he was powerful, he had strength and passion, he knew right from wrong, he was confident in himself, day by day, he felt he belonged, and he found a home in the people he knew, and the people he came to love and for a child of Hades, that is definitely something you don't expect when you first meet him. Reyna's character was also developed so much within a short space of time, seeing - hearing about her background, appreciating the loses she went through, seeing just what powered her, what supported her, seeing her friendship with Nico was just beautiful, and seeing her lead was without a doubt, wonderful.

I would love to talk about Leo, but I don't think my heart could bare any more than a few sentences because that boy, that beautiful boy, so underrated, so talented, so absorbed in his love for his friends, so, lost around people but willing to do anything - anything for the people he loves, I - *dabs watering eyes* - yeah, his development was out of this world, his relationship and connection with everyone was just, perfection, his development, his personality, his utter character, his emotions, his humour.. and if I hadn't already known his ending, I would have been a blubbering mess, alas, I was still pretty prone to tears none the less, but Leo, this guy people, there is no Heroes of Olympus without Leo, and I really really cannot thank Riordan enough for his ending. Please bare with me while I grab some tissues.. *sniffles*

Of course, there are other things to discuss, such as the fact that the major battles were both a little disappointing and also so insanely mesmorising at the same time, well, different battles had different reactions - I do have to say - I was pretty disappointed with the battle against the Giants with the Gods, because we just didn't see enough, and to have all of them physically there, I had expected much more detail, much more action, so much more, amazingness - although Poseidons shirt was just spot on, that had me howling, but that final battle against Gaea, well oh my days, Jason and Piper's development was just fantastic and out of this world, and Leo, he was just - no, I'll cry again - it was just so good, so so good, I was immersed, I was amazed, I was completely glued to Blood of Olympus at every section. Ever perspective was wonderful, every other character we got to meet was wonderful, wrapping up the series with meetings of The Hunters and the Amazons once more, seeing Apollo and Artemis again, seeing friendships and connections being made in the most unlikely of places, it was seriously wonderful to read, but I think even though the action was insanely fantastic and the world is, as always, to die for,literally, there's one very important thing about this series in particular that Riordan focused on..

Heroes of Olympus was never just about Percy, Annabeth, Jason, Piper, Frank, Hazel and Leo. It was never just about their quest, or their roles in the great battle, it was about everyone, Greek or Roman, friends and allies and how no matter who you are, no matter where you're from, no matter what god you represent, you can be a hero. Nico, the perfect example - who would have thought that the brooding son of death could not only development and created friendships, but find a family, find, people he loved and would die for, who would have thought that he would step out of the shadows and fight, confidently and bravely for his future. Coach Hedge - who could have seen the loud-mouth, unbearing and always in the way Satyr becoming the charcater he was, full of love and adoration for the seven, but always serious and father-like, the hilarious joker when needed, but the support when that was needed too. Every character in Heroes of Olympus have the chance to be a hero, even Octavian, the least likely of all, played a large part. Riordan proved that anyone can be a hero, as long as you have something, or someone to fight for.

Riordan brings his work alive with his characters, that is without a doubt the truth. His world is always perfect, always vivid, always easy to imagine, I feel like I'm there, with the characters when I read his work, and his writing is so digestable, so absorbable, if that's even a word, he's just a genius. Heroes of Olympus highlighted and developed characters and plot lines I could only have dreamed of, he created heroes out of nobodies, he created world savers out of scared, underrated characters, and he created a love for him in me that will, for as long as he keeps writing, stay firmly in my heart. Blood of Olympus, despite ever so minor issues, which completely boil down to personal preference, was perfect, and to not state it as so is a crime. I don't know what I'm going to while I wait for Gods of Asgard, but I'll definitely be eagerly awaiting it's release..