by Brittany Wiesner (Staff Writer)
Email: cascade.arts@ufv.ca
Rick Riordan found fame with his Percy Jackson series. It was a successful book-series-turned-movie with millions of adoring fans. Riding on this success, he has expanded the Percy Jackson and the Olympians universe to create the Heroes of Olympus, a sequel. The book is based on both Roman and Greek mythology, whereas the Percy Jackson series was just based on Greek mythology. In this book the story is not just told in first person by one protagonist, but in third person, focusing on the three main characters: Jason, Piper and Leo.
The story focuses on Jason, who wakes up on a school bus holding hands with a girl who is apparently his girlfriend. Jason has no memory of anything before that moment; all he knows is that something is wrong. Then there’s Piper, who can’t understand why her boyfriend doesn’t remember her and is terrified because her famous actor father is missing, and she’s been having strange dreams. Lastly there’s Leo, who loves his new found home and siblings, but there’s a curse that’s on their cabin, and Leo’s trying to forget his haunting past. Jason, Leo and Piper all end up at Camp-Half Blood, each confused and each with their own motives to undergo a quest to find their respective answers.
If you haven’t read Percy Jackson and the Olympians, there are many aspects of The Lost Hero you won’t understand. Many characters and events are referenced, and if you don’t have the necessary plot knowledge, you’ll find yourself lost. Having said that, if you have read the series then this book is perfect for getting the update on your favourite characters (like Percy and Annabeth). In this book you’re able to read about your most loved characters as well as meet a few new ones, who you’ll grow to love as well.
Rick Riordan was worried about the change in writing style, from first to third person, but it has been well received by fans. The third person style has granted the ability to get to know the other characters better and is helpful in understanding the events. This novel also contains much more Roman mythology, which makes it very interesting. All of Riordan’s books are full of mythology, intertwining myth with a modern-day-twist.
The book itself is excellent, while it may be geared towards children, using their vernacular and focusing on teenagers, it can be entertaining and informational to all ages. Any lover of Greek and/or Roman mythology will love not only this book but Riordan’s Percy Jackson series too. Also if you’re an Egyptian mythology fan, Riordan has begun a series about that as well; the first book is called The Red Pyramid. Riordan may be banking in on the success of **Percy Jackson and the Olympians**, but it’s no surprise that he has not run out of ideas yet. He still has many myths left to use and quite a few ideas up his proverbial sleeve. He has the perfect outlet with his new series the Heroes of Olympus and the book The Lost Hero.
