The Lost Hero

Today's book is The Lost Hero by Rick Riordan. It is the first in The Heroes of Olympus series.

(Will probably have some spoilers.)

I have not read the Percy Jackson series. I probably should have - there are apparently many overlapping characters, whom it is just kind of assumed that you know. There is also the whole Greek and Roman mythology thing that I am not completely familiar with - it was just kind of assumed that you had read the previous series and would be well versed in the god/demi-god/greek/roman myths. It was not hard to catch up though.

This is the story of Jason Grace - who just wakes up one day on a bus on the way to a delinquent camp and has no idea who he is. He has a girl holding his hand and a guy talking his ear off - but no memories of who they are or how they got there. About 10 minutes after they arrive at this camp - they are attacked by storm spirits, or venti, and saved at the last minutes by Jason's skill from who knows where - and some kids from Camp Half-Blood. Camp Half-Blood is where children of Greek Gods and mortals go to learn to channel their powers.

Jason ends up being the son of Zeus (or the Roman Jupiter) and finds out that Hera (Juno) has been captured and they have to free her before Gaea brings all the evil things back from the underworld and destroys the Gods. His friends, Leo and Piper, end up being ridiculously powerful demi-gods themselves and end up helping Jason in his quest. They are challenged at every step, and of course - end of saving the day- for now.

We learn at the end that Percy Jackson was sent to the Roman camp that Jason was from, without his memory. They are supposed to bring both sides together for the ultimate battle coming up with Porphyrion - the King of Giants.

I liked this book. I thought it was fine. I think my main issue with it was that I am used to reading books toward an older audience. This story is just so linear - its so simple. You see what is coming a mile away - and even all the bad guys that they face are formulaic. Its see bad guy + realize how much more powerful they are - two demi-gods because they get hurt = one of the three rising amazingly to the occasion and saving them all at the last moment! Then! Just when you think its safe! Oh no! Repeat.

Except the last battle of course - they all have to work together - the parts are stronger than the whole and they win the day.

It was fine, pretty fun, easy to read. I am very intrigued as to how they will bring the two camps together - I think that has the most potential for me.  The rest will probably be like this story - predictable but fun. I'll read, and I'll be looking forward to when the little man is big enough to read them. I can see a boy around 8-10 would really like these stories.