Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Last Olympian (Book 5)

If there were ever such a thing as a perfect novel, The Last Olympian would be it. The novel was flawless, the action was perpetual and incredible, and everything from the previous novels was tied together and wrapped up neatly.

The concluding novel increases the action from the very first page. Percy and Camp Half-Blood have been planning tactics and war strategies all year in preparation for Kronos’ rise and the final war the prophecy has alluded to for years. Titans, few gods and several half-bloods have joined Kronos’ invasion and will stop at nothing until Olympus is in ruins. A major issue is the4 gods are unable to directly interfere with prophecies and so Percy and the Heroes are basically left to defend Olympus and Western Civilisation all on their own.

What stood apart in this novel is that the adventure has ended and war is imminent. The novel features several small battles, instead of just one final battle at the end of the novel which I supremely enjoyed. This made the war feel more realistic and accurate. I couldn’t help but notice, which I’m sure was intentional on Riordan’s part, that the novel followed the same framework of the Trojan War but in reverse: Titans are involved in the conflict instead of the gods; a beloved and famous hero, remanent of Hector, is killed at the beginning of the war; a hero, like Achilles, takes offence to something and refuses to partake in the war; another hero, like Patroclus, attempts to take the hero’s place and is killed, as well as several more similarities. As the Titan Prometheus said, “History repeats itself.”

Like The Battle of the Labyrinth, Riordan’s modern take on classical events and Greek mythology is unparalleled and shows what a creative mastermind he is. We are introduced to countless Titans and gods I never knew existed which increased the action and the plot by tenfold. My personal favourite was Prometheus, who is supposedly the Titan who created humans, much to the chagrin of other Titans and gods. Prometheus, and few other Titans, remind us that not all Titans are evil, like Kronos. Some have kindness and virtue within them, and their treatment by the Olympians was cruel and unjustified.

I was so excited to finally experience the endgame for many of these cherished characters; some outlines resulted in death, misery and sadness, while other characters get the ending they truly deserved. Don’t think this novel was all action and no heart. That is definitely not the case. The Last Olympian combines history, mythology and action with humour and whimsy, Riordan’s trademark stamp. I laughed so much while reading this novel that I would frequently have to put the novel aside to wipe the tears from my eyes. As always, Riordan’s writing was on point as he was perfectly able to get into the mind and heart of a teenage boy. The frank and comical tone of the novel made for a lighter read, as many of the scenes in the book were quite dark.

The conclusion was simply stunning. As I first began reading this novel, I had several questions that I hoped would be answered throughout the text, namely, how the Olympians can change their ways to ensure something like this never happens again. Riordan answered every question and concern I had in a manner that I did not see coming. I also loved that the hero of the day was an unlikely one and so glad Riordan made that particular decision as this god is someone who is frequently ignored and left out, not only in the novels but also in mythology.

I don’t think it is possible to choose a favourite character after reading this book. Percy, Annabeth, Grover, Nico, Berckendorf, Silena, Clarisse … every one of these character has touched my heart in some way and are the reason The Percy Jackson series has become one of my absolute favourite books.

The Last Olympian is by far the strongest novel in the series. It was a fun, touching and action-packed book that concluded in a truly satisfying way. Now I understand the hype surrounding Riordan and his novels.

A great ending to a great series. Sad that it is over, but happy that I got to experience this.
Also, this was a very action packed quest! One of my favorites.

* reviewed by Chance

Oh no! The great Percy Jackson series has come to end for me. I wish that it didn't end here, but it does, so I have to suck it up. I guess I can read the Heroes of Olympus and The Kane Chronicles, but I have a feeling that they will never bet this amazing series.

All year the half-bloods have been preparing for battle against the Titans, knowing the odds are against them. Kronos is stronger than ever, and with every god and half-blood he recruits, his power only grows.

In this momentous final book in the New York Times best-selling series, the prophecy surrounding Percy’s sixteenth birthday unfolds. And as the battle for Western civilization rages on the streets of Manhattan, Percy faces a terrifying suspicion that he may be fighting against his own fate.

I wish that this wasn't a goodbye to this amazing series, but it is. I only hope that one day that I will find a series that can match it. Rick Riordan is truly the myth master. I wonder how he found out all this information. Maybe in the near future he will not only write about Egyptian and Greek/Roman god's but maybe Incan, Aztec or another dead civilisation that has many gods......

A brilliant ending to a brilliant series. Mnay lives were lost but many relationships became stronger. I'll miss these books.

Reader reviewed by Linda L

*previously posted on my book blog, Most Important Letter*

The Last Olympian
Author: Rick Riordan
Publisher: Hyperion Books
Release date: May 5, 2009

Age genre: Young adult fiction
Sexual content: Hes sixteen now. You dont want the bullies at school to say that hes never had a kiss before, you know.
Profanity: Good here.
Violence: War. War. War.
Other notables: No, were good.

Genres: Greek mythology, adventure, romance

L: The showdown. Thats the word that always comes to mind whenever I think of the last book in series, because honestly, thats what everything leads to.

The end.

If any of you had a suspicion that Percy might die in this final book &

You might be right.

But, hey, no spoilers, eh?

Copy: Hardcover, borrowed from friend
Rating: 5 out of 5 letter blocks

Reader reviewed by Alex W.

Things were just calming down at camp when the titans start a war with the gods. It is up to Percy and his friends to save the world. They will face many obstacles and a monster that brought some bad memories. They find out that one of the campers ins a spy for Kronos! Oh No! Annabeth still believes that Luke is good. Can they save him and all the other innocent mortals. With teamwork an the help of the gods they are extremely powerful.

I love the Percy Jackson books but this one is unbelievably cool. It is action packed and cliffhanging in suspense. I love the part when Percy battles the Minotaur. The monsters at unbelievable. The characters are so lifelike. You can almost picture the battles in your head. Rick Riordan uses incredible wording in every situation.

If you are into myths then this book is perfect for you. It is action packed. If you like comedy or Sci-fi this book may not be the best choice. This book has some nice friendly relationships. There is a surprise at every corner. I prefer books with a war or fight of sorts. If you love Greek myths this is perfect. It takes the ancient gods an puts them into situations that could happen today.

Reader reviewed by Katie

This series keeps getting better and better. When a mission turns out horribly wrong, Percy goes to talk with his father - and finds out that he is stretched way too thin to help. The half-bloods will have to defeat Kronos all by themselves. With a dip in a deadly river, the Great propehcy revealed, and a lot of fighting - not to mention a satyr turning into a shrub - this book is a great conclusion to the series. From Chapter 1: I Go Cruising With Explosives to Chapter 20: We Say Good-Bye, Sort Of, this book will make you sad to leave Camp Half-Blood.

Reader reviewed by Hayli

This is the last book in the series.  Percy and his friend, Elizabeth Dare, were on a drive in his stepdad's Prius.  Then thud, thud, on top of the Prius drops Pegasus.  It's time to go to battle.  So, Elizabeth drives the Prius back to Percy's house and Percy get on Pegasus and flies to the evil Titan ship.  There, he and his friend, Beckanoff, plant a bomb in the engine room.  Percy tries to draw away some of the monsters and then Beckanoff was captured, but the bomb was still there.  And Becakanoff tells Percy to jump off the boat and read the rest to find out what happened to Beckanoff...and the bomb....and Percy...and the Olympians...