PERCY JACKSON AND THE OLYMPIANS: THE LAST OLYMPIAN
Author: Rick Riordan
Publisher: Miramax Books
Age Range: 11+
Summary:
The final book from the Percy Jackson series. Percy is a week away from turning 16 years old, a week away from the Great Prophecy coming true. Kronos is also a few days away from rising. As if Kronos wasn't bad enough, the gods were busy dealing with Typhon, which was at the verge of wrecking Olympus. And to put the cherry on top, Percy was dealing with some non-demigod, real normal teenager problems. Basically, the situation was awful as always
Review:
The final book definitely outdid every other book in the series. The plot is just too good and you know that feeling when everything actually starts making sense and you are just left in shock, this is exactly what happens in this book. I’ll be honest, while reading the previous 4 books I had so many questions and part of me was also a little confused, but this book answered every single one of those questions.
There is so much to say about this book, hence this post might be longer than usual so bear with me. I’m just gonna give little details about the plot aside from the actual battle with Kronos (because I don't wanna spoil it) . First off, Rachel Elizabeth Dare. Her character development is so amazing; definitely one of the main characters of this book. Her ability to see through the Mist was one thing but I never really thought that she could possibly replace the old mummy and become the Oracle of Delphi. Even her visions and their interpretations are something to actually look forward to.
Another thing. Throughout the entire series I had this whole question about what actually happened to Luke’s mom that caused him to run away. Nico di Angelo’s past was also a hot topic on my mind, because this kid and his sister were in the Lotus Hotel and Casino for decades and they had no memory before that. Well, what if I tell you that the answers to these questions are connected? I know, really shocking and makes no sense but here’s what happened.
Rewind back to the 1940’s when the Great Prophecy had first been made. Zeus wanted Hades to turn over Nico and Bianca to camp half blood, before a deadline, for proper training, but Hades wasn't convinced because he knew that Zeus would find a way to destroy them before they turned sixteen in order to avoid the prophecy. Hades wanted Maria di Angelo, Nico and Bianca’s mom, to stay in the Underworld where he could protect them. However Maria was didnt want to raise her kids in the land of the dead so she refused. The deadline for handing over the kids ended so Zeus killed Maria di Angelo. Hades was absolutely devastated, and in order to protect his children he washed their memories in the river Lethe and put them in Lotus Hotel and Casino. The Oracle of Delphi appeared in front of Hades (let me tell you that back then the Oracle was actually an alive human being and not a mummy) and told him that hiding Nico and Bianca was useless because he would just delay the prophecy. Hades was already in an awful mood and he blamed the Oracle for the death of Maria because the Oracle made the prophecy. He couldn't kill her because the spirit of Delphi protected her but he did curse her that as long as his children remained outcasts and until the great prophecy came true the oracle of Delphi will never be able to have another mortal host. She would wither and die but the spirit of the oracle would be trapped inside her and would speak bitter prophecies. Basically, she would never be able to rest in peace. That explains why the oracle is an old withered mummy.
Anyway, fast forward to when Luke was just a baby. His mom, May Castellan, also had clear sight, that is, she could see through the Mist. So she was like 'Cool, I am already blessed with clear sight. I should become the oracle of Delphi'
Although hesitant, Chiron agreed to let her try probably since he was also kinda sick of that old mummy rotting in the attic. Hermes was against the idea but May was stubborn. None of them knew that the oracle had been cursed to not have a mortal host and so when May tried to be the Oracle, she was driven mad. It caused her to randomly have these green glowing eyes and she would see glimpses of Luke's future where he turned into Kronos.
This book also goes very much into actual tales of Greek Mythology like Pandora’s Box and Hestia, goddess of the hearth. It also explains the bad side of the gods and how it might seem like they aren't worthy of being gods. The Titan, Prometheus tried toying Percy’s mind by telling him about how the gods aren't good rulers in general. He made some really valid points like Zeus killing Maria di Angelo, an innocent woman, just because he was scared of the Great Prophecy; Hades cursing the Oracle through no fault of her; Hermes not trying to save his son despite knowing his terrible fate. Besides all that there is the main stuff about Kronos and the battle.
“A half-blood of the eldest gods
Shall reach sixteen against all the odds
And see the world in endless sleep
The hero’s soul, cursed blade shall reap
A single choice shall end his days
Olympus to preserve or raze”
~Avani Endait
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