Look, he never wanted to be a high schooler.
It’s been 14 years since our favorite son of Poseidon narrated a book, but he is back. “Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Chalice of the Gods” is the first of a new trilogy by Rick Riordan in honor of the Disney+ show coming out in December.
In this new series, the original trio from Riordan’s first series is back. Percy Jackson is a senior in high school. He wants to go to New Rome University with his girlfriend Annabeth, but something is missing from his application: three letters of recommendation from the gods.
Each of the books will feature a Greek god sending Percy on yet another quest. In this quest, we meet Ganymede: supposedly the prettiest god on Olympus (don’t tell Aphrodite. Or Hera. Or Athena). He needs Percy to find his chalice — THE chalice that he serves the Olympians with.
I have been rereading Percy Jackson and the Olympians and subconsciously compared this book with the earlier series. I was afraid the book would not meet my expectations, but I did not expect my inner child to reawaken through it.
Riordan’s familiar humorous style of Percy’s everlasting sarcasm and view of the world is cause for laughter. Percy and Annabeth’s interactions with each other made me melt — since when were they this in love? Every time Percy says something so shamelessly romantic, I want to throw the book across the room. Endearingly.
One thing I loved about this book is the amount of Sally scenes we got. It is no secret that Percy’s mom is one of the most beloved characters of the series, yet we barely see her. With Percy at home for the school year, he gets to spend more time with her and Paul, his stepdad. His family at the dinner table serves as a warm, domestic advisory council for Percy. It makes me crave a wholesome sitcom with Percy, Annabeth, Sally and Paul.
Surprisingly, the book made me cry as well. Percy reflected on his future with Annabeth, his deep friendship with Grover and his relationship with his mom and stepdad. His fears, regrets and dreams shine through the adventures the trio takes. It reminded me of my own fears.
In a way, this message is Riordan’s way of telling his long-time fans, “It’s okay to grow older. It’s okay to be afraid of the future. You’re not alone.”
The next book in the series deals with a goddess we haven’t experienced enough: Hecate, the goddess of magic. Hecate is an intriguing goddess as she’s known to be morally gray, so I look forward to what the author has in store for the readers!
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