The Mark of Athena (The Heroes of Olympus): 3 Stars

 

The Mark of Athena (The Heroes of Olympus #3) by Rick Riordan 

In Son of Neptune, we heard part of a prophecy.  We finally hear the whole thing in Mark of Athena:

Wisdom's daughter walks alone,
The Mark of Athena burns through Rome,
Twins snuff out the angel's breath,
Who holds the key to endless death.
The Giants' bane stands gold and pale,
Won through pain from a woven jail.

The team is all together for the first time in the third book of the series: Percy, Annabeth, Jason, Piper, Frank, Hazel, and of course, my favorite, Leo.  Unfortunately, the two camps end up at each others throats and Reyna knows that Annabeth must find the Mark of Athena to end Hera/Jupiter's plans, and bring the camps together. This is not an easy task and could very well end with Annabeth dead. The book ends with a rather steep cliffhanger (I shake my fist at you Riordan!)

Riordan reminds us that these heroes are only teenagers through Piper. Piper, now dating Jason for real, shows crazy, irrational jealousy with Reyna. No matter how often Jason explains that Reyna is his friend and a great warrior that they need to trust for this impending war, Piper can't help but let her jealousy get the best of her. As an adult reading this, she drove me crazy, but then again, she is a teenager and that is fairly accurate teenager actions. 

I also found it very interesting that the seven have been paired off with each other (all expect the seventh-wheel, Leo). Each of them seems to have found their match with each other, which is very coincidental.

Rating: PG

Recommended for those who enjoy: mythology, action, YA, and young love.