What a ride!

After a much-anticipated library loan following what at least seemed to be an impossibly lengthy wait, I’ve finally been able to devour the last book in the Percy Jackson series, and boy was it a masterpiece.

Rick Riordan, I have to apologize. The only criticisms I’ve really given you have been about your lack of spending much time on anything, from characterization to plot—simply roaring through from one event to the next in a nonstop action adventure—which, as I’ve mentioned, is thoroughly enjoyable; simply not great for really bonding with the characters and whatnot.

Well, in The Last Olympian, we are finally provided the depth we so dearly needed in the first few books in an epic, book-long battle that included poignant deaths from the first chapter, betrayals, love, and a lot of growing on behalf of our heroes—Percy, Annabeth, Grover, Rachel, and even Clarisse. (Spoilers ahead.)

Like the amazing but short battle in the previous book, we are awarded a splendid weaving of various battles within the final few days of the war that feature a multitude of mythological characters and creatures that certainly does not disappoint. Percy finally gets to meet his father in his own realm, which is also being destroyed (as well as his father’s wife, who doesn’t care much for Percy!).

He also makes an unexpected treacherous journey into the underworld yet again to acquire an invincibility direly needed to protect Mount Olympus for a final time—and beats hundreds of warriors and beasts, including Hades’ own army, in the process. Percy’s friend Rachel, whom he may have had a brief romance with if not for the war, also discovers a surprising destiny—while Percy and his friend Niko discover more about Luke’s past and what has made him become Kronos’s servant.

And yes, Percy finally defeats Kronos—but with the help of someone he never thought he’d be able to trust again, regaining that person redemption before death (hint, hint). And the gods grant the heroes each a wish—though Percy’s was certainly not what Zeus was expecting.

Do I feel let down now that the series has come to a conclusion? Absolutely. I will miss the anticipation and the adventure very much. However, Riordan has written that this was the final book in the “first of the Camp Half-Blood series,” which gives me goose bumps right now just thinking about even more adventures to come! Let’s just keep our fingers crossed.