Mark of Athena by Rick Riordan - Review

Mark of Athena by Rick Riordan

Hardcover, 608 pages

Published October 2nd 2012 by Hyperion Book CH

Summary:

Annabeth is terrified. Just when she’s about to be reunited with Percy—after six months of being apart, thanks to Hera—it looks like Camp Jupiter is preparing for war. As Annabeth and her friends Jason, Piper, and Leo fly in on the Argo II, she can’t blame the Roman demigods for thinking the ship is a Greek weapon. With its steaming bronze dragon masthead, Leo’s fantastical creation doesn’t appear friendly. Annabeth hopes that the sight of their praetor Jason on deck will reassure the Romans that the visitors from Camp Half-Blood are coming in peace.
And that’s only one of her worries. In her pocket Annabeth carries a gift from her mother that came with an unnerving demand: Follow the Mark of Athena. Avenge me. Annabeth already feels weighed down by the prophecy that will send seven demigods on a quest to find—and close— the Doors of Death. What more does Athena want from her?
Annabeth’s biggest fear, though, is that Percy might have changed. What if he’s now attached to Roman ways? Does he still need his old friends? As the daughter of the goddess of war and wisdom, Annabeth knows she was born to be a leader, but never again does she want to be without Seaweed Brain by her side.
Narrated by four different demigods, The Mark of Athena is an unforgettable journey across land and sea to Rome, where important discoveries, surprising sacrifices, and unspeakable horrors await. Climb aboard the Argo II, if you dare. . . .
In The Son of Neptune, Percy, Hazel, and Frank met in Camp Jupiter, the Roman equivalent of Camp Halfblood, and traveled to the land beyond the gods to complete a dangerous quest. The third book in the Heroes of Olympus series will unite them with Jason, Piper, and Leo. But they number only six--who will complete the Prophecy of Seven? 

The Greek and Roman demigods will have to cooperate in order to defeat the giants released by the Earth Mother, Gaea. Then they will have to sail together to the ancient land to find the Doors of Death. What exactly are the Doors of Death? Much of the prophesy remains a mystery. . . . With old friends and new friends joining forces, a marvelous ship, fearsome foes, and an exotic setting, The Mark of Athena promises to be another unforgettable adventure by master storyteller Rick Riordan.

My Review:

You guys. I have been waiting for this since I finished The Son of Neptune a year ago. You guys should know, I am obsessed with Percy Jackson and Rick Riordan. I have the whole Percy Jackson series, the Kane Chronicles, and I'm planning to own the whole Heroes of Olympus series too.

I'll get straight into what I just didn't understand. I don't know, but when I was reading about Annabeth. I just. I can't even. I don't even think I know her anymore. She seems different. Like, I can't really explain, but she feels weak. Not as strong as she seemed in the past books. I don't know. She changed emotionally I think, not physically. I think it's because of everything that's happened.  Everything with Percy and the threats Camp Half Blood's had over the years and now, with the Mark of Athena, I think it was just too much for her.

But, now on to better things! Like Jason and Piper's romance. -Sigh- I really do love them. I knew that Reyna could never get in between them. I really hoped that Rick Riordan would make things more, romantic-y, for them. He didn't, but he did strengthen Percabeth's! Now back, to Jasper. There were only two sweet moments for them that I noticed. Two. Just two. Once, when Piper was feeling jealous that Reyna was beautiful and powerful and so Roman and he reassured her, telling her that she was beautiful and powerful and that he just wanted her to be Piper. Another when he said a 'breakup line' and he reassured her with a kiss and promised her, "No breakups. I may have busted my head a few times, but I'm not that stupid." I thought that those two moments were really sweet. I really hope that in the next books, their relationship will be more mentioned. Okay. That was way too long.

And now, Percabeth. I read a few lines of the third chapter before and I was literally squirming around in my chair. I read the part where Percy was saying to Annabeth, Just you and I. Agh! So cute. Really though, Rick really hyped up the romance factor for them. They even fell asleep together. Haha.

Ok, so this book's prophecy is:

Wisdom's daughter walks alone,
The Mark of Athena burns through Rome.
Twins snuff out the angels breath,
Who holds the key to endless death,
Giants bane stands gold and pale,
Won through pain from a woven jail.

If you've read the books, you better know the first line. It is the easiest. Really. If you don't, you are not a fan.  

Anyways, I think I'm going to love the 4th book's cover. It's called, The House of Hades. Nico anybody? I really like him. He's my favorite guy character after Percy. Actually, he might even be my favorite. But anyways, I'd really love to read his POV. We haven't learned very much about the Underworld and I bet it'll be exciting!

Also, even though on Goodreads it says this book is 608 pages, it is not. It's 574 pages.  Those liars..

RICK RIORDAN. How dare you end this book with such a heartbreaking cliff hanger like that! GAH. But at least Percy and Annabeth are together. As long as they're together.

Overall, I cannot wait till the next book! Seriously. I. Can. Not. Wait. I. Will. Die. I really do hope the next book will pass the 600 pages mark. Haha. Most of my friends think I'm crazy! Oh well. They just don't understand like us book freaks. 5 Stars!