Finally, we get into the really good stuff. It felt likes this is the story Riordan wanted to be telling all along, and that THE SEA OF MONSTERS and THE TITAN'S CURSE were just necessary set-ups. Nico di Angelo has rapidly become a really engaging character, too.



I was glad that Riordan finally seemed to find the balance between referencing Greek myths and just retelling them with his characters - sure, we had Percy cleaning out Geryon's stables as Heracles once did, but that was one small, relevant part of a larger quest, not the be all and end all as these "references" were in the last two books.



The ending had me a bit peeved, though - we keep learning how nutso the gods can be, but when Hera is pissed at Annabeth, she doesn't just smite her. What gives?



Anyway, I've gone from wanting the series to hurry up and get better to being disappointed there isn't much more to go. Great stuff!