From Goodreads:

Seven half-bloods shall answer the call,
To storm or fire the world must fall.
An oath to keep with a final breath,
And foes bear arms to the Doors of Death.

Percy is confused. When he awoke from his long sleep, he didn’t know much more than his name. His brain fuzz is lingering, even after the wolf Lupa told him he is a demigod and trained him to fight with the pen/sword in his pocket. Somehow Percy manages to make it to a camp for half-bloods, despite the fact that he has to keep killing monsters along the way. But the camp doesn’t ring and bells with him. The only thing he can recall from his past is another name: Annabeth

Hazel is supposed to be dead. When she lived before, she didn’t do a very good job of it. Sure, she was an obedient daughter, even when her mother was possessed by greed. But that was the problem – when the Voice took over her mother and commanded Hazel to use her “gift” for and evil purpose, Hazel couldn’t say no. Now because of her mistake, the future of the world is at risk. Hazel wishes she could ride away from it all on the stallion that appears in her dreams.

Frank is a klutz. His grandmother says he is descended from heroes and can be anything he wants to be, but he doesn’t see it. He doesn’t even know who his father is. He keeps hoping Apollo will claim him, because the only thing he is good at is archery—although not good enough to win camp war games. His bulky physique makes him feel like an ox, especially in front of Hazel, his closest friend at camp. He trusts her completely – enough to share the secret he holds close to his heart.

Beginning at the “other” camp for half-bloods and extending as far as the land beyond the gods, this breathtaking second installment of the Heroes of Olympus series introduces new demigods, revives fearsome monsters, and features other remarkable creatures, all destined to play a part in the Prophesy of Seven.

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I really enjoyed the Percy Jackson series, and when Riordan decided to continue the story of our beloved characters in his Heroes of Olympus series, using both Greek and Roman mythology, I was hooked.  This is a fabulous sequel to The Lost Hero, a novel in which Percy is mysteriously absent.  Instead we meet Jason, a Roman demigod who has lost his memory and ends up a Camp Half-Blood.  It’s a great read, but I was extremely excited to get ahold of The Son Of Neptune because this book is all about Percy, and I do love Percy. 

Much like Jason, Percy has lost his memory as well, and he finds his way to Camp Jupiter—the Roman camp—with some help from the gods.  From there we are sent on a rollercoaster ride as Percy struggles to remember his identity, fit in with the Roman legion, save the world and, ultimately, stay alive.  Riordan has written another fascinating novel, intertwining both Greek and Roman mythology, and it was extremely interesting to note the subtle differences between the gods and goddesses as the story progressed. 

Though more so a middle grade book, in my opinion, this is a great read for all.  The amount of action in the novel alone is enough to keep the reader glued to the pages, but the characterization and mystery surrounding the novel as a whole is what really makes it worth the read.  Riordan is a master storyteller, building up the climax in every chapter, yet leaving the reader with a cliffhanger, making it impossible to put down.  Although I’ll admit that some of the characters irked me a bit with their childish actions, it is easy to overlook them as the story creates a riveting world and journey that the reader won’t soon forget.  Four stars.