Okay so I finished this book in like a day, mostly just so I could get to the parts where it was Nico's POV, because he's always been my favorite. It was really strange finding out that both he and his sister Hazel are 14, because I'm 14, and it really sort of puts everything else they've done into perspective; like how young Nico had to have been during the first war and during the "The Battle of the Labyrinth". Since I read the first part of the series in fourth or fifth grade, Percy Annabeth and everyone else were always older than me, but now that isn't the case for all of them. Now that I'm the same age as they are in the third book, it's really quite strange reading about someone the same age as you or younger having to go through all that they do. It sort of gives the characters more depth because you're no longer a nine-year-old kid reading about these awesome grown up "mature" teenagers; you're a kid they're age realizing how insane and ridiculous the things they're doing really are. In two years I'll be the same age they were in the last book of the first series when they were 16 years olds fighting in a war that they could not afford to loose; or else the entire human race would suffer endlessly. It's really hard to put yourself in that position because it's so much stress and unbelievable expectation. Like seriously, no wonder most demi-gods don't make it to adulthood when the adults and deities that should protect them put them into the very situations that get them killed!!
Now, going back to the topic of the book. My favorite characters were definitely Nico and Reyna because they're characters that never got much time to be developed on their own. The seven are cool and I like them and all but we got three whole books for them. Reyna was always sort of Jason's version of Annabeth, and Nico, despite the pivotal role he's played in both wars, (Making Percy nearly invincible so he wouldn't be killed in the last battle of the first series, bringing his father Hades up with an army of dead to help the demigods fight off the Titans, keeping both camps secret from one another so war wouldn't break out, literally jumping into Tartarus to find out why monsters weren't staying dead when they were killed and to find out some of Gaea's plans ) has never really gotten the recognition or character arch he deserves; making their quest to bring the Athena Parthenos as a peace agrement from the Romans to Camp Halfblood absolutely perfect.
The way Reyna and her sister were given backstories that I won't go into was really well done on part of the author. It didn't feel forced. The hints as to what happened blended in with what else is going on until she decides to open up to Nico herself. Speaking of her and Nico, the relationship that developed between them was really sweet and caring, and somewhat sibling-like.
I also really enjoyed the development of their powers as well, and while Nico's are more prominent, (and slightly worrying) Reyna's were also quite interesting. Since I don't wan't to ruin it for the people who haven't read it yet but will, I won't go into detail, but some interesting things do happen. ("Nico's a scary gloomy child", I say about the character who's literally the same age as me.)
Now, about what trouble the seven get into, I won't say much, but Piper gets some much needed moments where she gets to kick butt, and her friendship with Annabeth is the cutest platonic ship I will ever have. They're problem solving skills are amazing, since Piper thinks emotionally while Annabeth thinks theoretically. They balance very well. Jason is a sweetheart as usual, Percy still has an immature sense of humor, the gods fight along side their children in their own special ways, (Aphrodite is good at causing a distraction, in more so the throwing things to get your attention way than what probably was your first thought) Hades and Nico are as awkward around one another as to be expected, Leo tries to keep his friends in good spirits despite his own cloudy mood, and Reyna gains the title of "Horsefriend".
A lot happens.
It's all very exciting.
Now, going back to the topic of the book. My favorite characters were definitely Nico and Reyna because they're characters that never got much time to be developed on their own. The seven are cool and I like them and all but we got three whole books for them. Reyna was always sort of Jason's version of Annabeth, and Nico, despite the pivotal role he's played in both wars, (Making Percy nearly invincible so he wouldn't be killed in the last battle of the first series, bringing his father Hades up with an army of dead to help the demigods fight off the Titans, keeping both camps secret from one another so war wouldn't break out, literally jumping into Tartarus to find out why monsters weren't staying dead when they were killed and to find out some of Gaea's plans ) has never really gotten the recognition or character arch he deserves; making their quest to bring the Athena Parthenos as a peace agrement from the Romans to Camp Halfblood absolutely perfect.
The way Reyna and her sister were given backstories that I won't go into was really well done on part of the author. It didn't feel forced. The hints as to what happened blended in with what else is going on until she decides to open up to Nico herself. Speaking of her and Nico, the relationship that developed between them was really sweet and caring, and somewhat sibling-like.
I also really enjoyed the development of their powers as well, and while Nico's are more prominent, (and slightly worrying) Reyna's were also quite interesting. Since I don't wan't to ruin it for the people who haven't read it yet but will, I won't go into detail, but some interesting things do happen. ("Nico's a scary gloomy child", I say about the character who's literally the same age as me.)
Now, about what trouble the seven get into, I won't say much, but Piper gets some much needed moments where she gets to kick butt, and her friendship with Annabeth is the cutest platonic ship I will ever have. They're problem solving skills are amazing, since Piper thinks emotionally while Annabeth thinks theoretically. They balance very well. Jason is a sweetheart as usual, Percy still has an immature sense of humor, the gods fight along side their children in their own special ways, (Aphrodite is good at causing a distraction, in more so the throwing things to get your attention way than what probably was your first thought) Hades and Nico are as awkward around one another as to be expected, Leo tries to keep his friends in good spirits despite his own cloudy mood, and Reyna gains the title of "Horsefriend".
A lot happens.
It's all very exciting.
I agree about what you mentioned having to do with the age of the characters. I kinda wish when Percy was twelve, I was twelve. Like that I could grow along with Percy and the other characters. NO character was ever the same age as me and reading that Nico is the same age is like what you said it's strange. Funny blog post Emily!
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