 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
The Son of Neptune: The Heroes of Olympus, Book 2
- By Rick Riordan
- Genre: Fantasy
Common Sense Media says
Percy is back! And on a quest with Roman demigods.
Parents say
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this is the second book in a spin-off series to the very popular Percy Jackson books. Percy is back in this one but has lost his memory and ends up in a Roman camp filled with heroes descended from the gods' Roman aspects -- making this a rather painless lesson in how the Greek and Roman gods differ. Two heroes traveling with Percy on his quest are constantly reminded that death could claim them at any time; one is also dealing with the recent loss of his soldier mother. There are many monster battles with fearsome creatures, but, as in all of Rick Riordan's books, the tension is broken by plenty of humor, and the heroes' bravery and loyalty always win out.
What's the story?
Pursued by gorgons and with no memory of who he is or how he got to California -- or why, after killing the gorgons more than once, they won't just stay dead -- Percy finds his way to the entrance of a secret camp. Camp Jupiter is a special place for Roman demigods, organized neatly like an ancient Roman army. Percy arrives just in time for some serious warnings from the gods: Gaea the earth goddess is waking and has a force of monsters on the way to attack the camp in just four days. And even worse than that, Thanatos -- who usually guards the gates of death -- is chained in Alaska, where an ancient giant is also awakening. With no one to control death, no monsters will ever die. Can Percy and two new Roman friends, Hazel and Frank, make it to Alaska, free death, and get back in four days? Even for Percy, that's a tall order.
Is it any good?
With the introduction of Jason in the first book in the Heroes of Olympus series, fans of Camp Half-Blood got hints that somewhere, there was another special place for heroes. It's fun to see the differences between the Greek and Roman camps, their war games, and their ways of making predictions about the future (all those poor stuffed animals!). Readers also meet two new heroes in THE SON OF NEPTUNE whose back stories are thoroughly fleshed out: Hazel and Frank. They're not as lively and fun as Leo and Piper from the first book, but they're even bigger underdogs who really come into their own -- and Frank's big mystery gift is pretty cool.
There are some slow moments during the heroes' travels to Alaska and a few too many detailed flashbacks, but Riordan makes up for it in the final rush for Percy and friends to save the day.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about the return of Percy. Is he the same, even with his memory gone? Did you miss him in The Lost Hero? How are Jason (from The Lost Hero) and Percy similar? Different?
Talk about what you learned about Greek vs. Roman gods. Were you surprised by all the differences? Were the details hard to follow? Did it make you want to learn more?
What makes a fantasy series stand out? Which are your favorites, and why?
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AGE
awesome book
i loved it sooooo much! just as i thought it would be! suspense, humor, and action. it was the best book in the whole wide world. it is so great it makes me sound like a little kid!<3
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Kid, 12 years old
October 19, 2011
AGE
Percy Jackson is back!!!!!
I loved this book!!! It was amazing!! I'm really looking forward for the third book, The Mark Of Athena. Rick Riordan is my favorite author, and the Percy Jackson And The Olympians series is my favorite series! It was amazing to have Percy back, I hadn't seen or heard from him since The Last Olympians! I have to say, I was super dissapionted that he didn't have his memory, but read the book and find out how he overcomes it! I was relieved that he remembered Annabeth though! I loved this book and highly anticepate the Mark Of Athena!!!!
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AGE
Percy is back and better then ever.
Percy is back! The 2nd book is amazing. You can't even describe this book with words. Even if you tried, you wouldn't get the exact words you needed. Read this book!
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AGE
awesome
Fantastic book! horse curse but we will never know. and one kiss of a 13 years old girl and a 15 years old boy. Just love it
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AGE
This is a really good book!
This is one of the best books of 2011. With an easy-to-follow, yet exciting plot and likable characters, it's sure to be a hit with your kids.
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Kid, 12 years old
October 20, 2011
AGE
Better than the 1st
this book is really good!!! it was much better than the 1st one in the series but alot more violent. otherwise it was completly appropriete and gave good messages on how to keep trying etc...
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Kid, 10 years old
October 20, 2011
AGE
The Son Of Neptune
I think this book is really great for kids that have read the former percy jackson series-(including the lost hero)-it is so good i read it twice today! not necessarily meant for under nines because it contains a bit of violence.
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Kid, 12 years old
October 19, 2011
AGE
AWESOME!
I think this book is as successful as any other book by riordan. It is both funny and exciting. Just what i had hoped for!
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| Topics: | magic and fantasy, adventures, friendship, great boy role models, great girl role models, history |
| Author: | Rick Riordan |
| Book type: | Fiction |
| Genre: | Fantasy |
| Publisher: | Hyperion Books for Children |
| Publication date: | October 4, 2011 |
| Number of pages: | 544 |
| Hardcover price: | $19.99 |
| Publisher's recommended age(s): | 9 - 12 |
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