Demigods and Monsters: Your Favorite Authors on Rick Riordan's Percy Jackson and the Olympians Series

By Rick Riordan

Which Greek god makes the best parent?
Would you want to be one of Artemis' Hunters?
Why do so many monsters go into retail?

Spend a little more time in Percy Jackson's world—a place where the gods bike among us, monsters man snack bars, and each of us has the potential to become a hero.

Find out:


   • Why Dionysus might actually be the best director Camp Half-Blood could have

   • How to recognize a monster when you see one

   • Why even if we aren't facing manticores and minotaurs, reading myth can still help us deal with the scary things in our own lives

Plus, consult our glossary of people, places, and things from Greek myth: how Medusa got her snake hair extensions, why Chiron isn't into partying and paintball like the rest of his centaur family, and the whole story on Percy's mythical namesake.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Random House Publishing Group
• Release date: Jul 2, 2013
• ISBN: 9781937856373

Reviews for Demigods and Monsters

[reannon_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This young adult series is also great for adults. This is the final book in the series. The main character is Percy Jackson, son of a human woman and the Greek God Poseidon. It is current day, and Olympus is now in New York City. The Titan Kronos is trying to destroy Olympus and its gods, and Percy and the other demigods are fighting on the side of Olympus.There is a lot of action in this book, but also good characters who have developed over the course of the series. The series has been really popular, and it is worthy of that popularity. Can't wait to see what Rick Riordan comes up with next.

[bell7_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

In this fifth and last installment of the "Percy Jackson" series, Percy's 16th birthday is fast approaching - and with it, the fulfillment of the Great Prophecy. When he returns to Camp Half-Blood, Percy finds a lot of things changed. Campers are gearing up for war with Kronos, and the Ares and Apollos cabins are at odds. Percy finally hears the Great Prophecy in its entirety, and is weighed down with its implications: Will his decision spell the end of Olympus?I've so enjoyed this series of humorous Greek myth set in the United States and told from a boy hero's perspective. This one didn't disappoint, and though I'm sorry to see Percy go, the end seemed to leave open the possibility of more stories coming from Camp Half-Blood.

[hopeevey · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Satisfying conclusion to a fun series :)

[8f_sam · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book was awesome!! I think in this book the the author wanted to focus on the Great Prophecy that's been bugging us the entire series! So yea, Kornos has risen, and he's more powerfull than ever, and he's targetting Olympus, and it's up to the Half-Bloods to save it! So who's up for the Challenge? of Course Percy and Annabeth! The ending was amazing! I would've never guessed!!!

[lesleydawn · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A very satisfying end to the series. Plenty of closure, but left you wanting more, which is perfect since Riordan is writing a new series set in the same world.

[smg5flonergan · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

It has lots of action and it gives you a great idea of what greek mythology.

[jwarren42 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A great end to the series. MUCH better than the previous book because the sense of humor is present again, even with the seriousness. Interesting 9/11 metaphors at work.

[richardtu · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A complete and satisfying end to this great series.The Last Olympian, serves to wrap up all the series' loose ends in one epic battle to save Mount Olympus.Again we journey through Percy Jackson's view as he attempts to fight against a rising force of Titans and a resurrection of Kronos. With the gods busy with mutinous minor gods, and ancient gods bent of revenge, Percy must protect Mount Olympus from Krono's ever strengthening army. All the while unsure of his own fate as the prophetic son who will destroy Mount Olympus upon turning 16.I remember reading the first one for a school project.Managed to finish the entire series after the first book.Awesome Book.

[pnh002 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I don't even know where to start with this book, besides saying that it was WONDERFUL! It was a tear-jearker, it had plenty of adventure, and it finally came through with the little spot of romance that I've been hoping for Percy to have. Riordan made this one of the best stories in the series. I was a little upset, but just because this was the last book in the series. I've heard that the next series he started mentions Percy and Annabeth and I'm kind of excited. I already know by Riordan's writing style I will be reading that series too.As far as the characters, I learned alot from the group of demi gods and their parents and adventures. There was a time when I had to read The Illiad for class and I really hated trying to remember all the gods and what they were famous for and things like that. With this though, it was easy. All the monsters and gods (both major and minor) mentioned in the huge battle I was able to remember this time around. Lastly, I LOVED the ending (no pun intended). It made me happy to see how everything worked out for the greater good.

[philae_02 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The fifth and final book in the series was absolutely fantastic. Riordan writes with non-stop action as Percy, Annabeth, and their army of 40 half-bloods defends the Empire State Building (AKA Mt. Olympus). Kronos/Luke continues to cause havoc with their never-ending Titan army -- with tricks and traps that are fashioned to ensnare Percy and the Half-Blood army. Finishing the book in 2 days, it’s safe to say that I thoroughly enjoyed this book -- especially with the character development of Luke (which we find out his back story), Rachel Dare (and her new powers), Nico, and Hades. In the end, oaths are sworn and kept, and the Oracle prophesizes again with the next Great Prophecy.

[lindenstein · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Oh, Percy Jackson, I have grown so attached to you, your friends and your crazy extended family, the gods of yore. I've loved every minute of the brief time we spent together, and I'm sad to say that I'm done with the series. It was only a week, but it was super-fun. At least you're going to have this movie, which I hope does your book justice. Big thumbs-up to Rick Riordan, who brought this smartly written, well-planned and extremely enjoyable series to life. I could read many more books of Percy's hijinks, but I'm intrigued by your note at the end of the book (the first Half-Blood series? Is there something else in the works?) and can't wait to see what else you have up your sleeve. I appreciated that his story had a sense of closure, but also leaves him open for the future. As for The Last Olympian specifically, I really thought that the series ended very well. The book took the themes that had been building throughout the series and brings them all to a great few culminating episodes. The characters are all allowed to have their specific moment-in-the-sun, and are all necessary in order to save humanity. Riordan brings the gods to life in ways that are clever and apropos to the story at hand.One of the greatest aspects of this book is that Percy can't do it alone. In other sagas, it seems to all come down to the hero as an individual character, but in the Percy Jackson series, Percy relies on his peers and friends to help him overcome all obstacles, which is a really good message for the 5th-7th grade target audience. Percy also never loses sight of what is really important in the world, and he does not compromise himself in order to accomplish what is necessary. I won't give any synopsis of the book, because I think that this series is something that everyone can enjoy, and I don't want to spoil the twists and surprises at the end of the book.

[zodac13 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

An amazing book, the end of the the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series. As the series has been wonderful, so has its conclusion, though as with most conclusions, it was bitter sweet, knowing that it was the end. I think there was some good symbolisim with the heroes choice between Rachel and Anabeth, between the human and the divine, though if thats the case, I think theres no irony on what wins out. If the Never Ending Story tells us that we must walk with one leg in the clouds and the other firmly on earth, I think this book tells us to walk with a spring in our steps and to enjoy the clouds and the sea a bit more. And to appreciate our family, regardless of squables and foibles, no matter how terrible. And to live and love the camp of life. Overall the ending leaves one with a nostalgic desire to attend a summer camp somewhere, hopefully one with half blood heroes, and an insane wish for adventure and magic. Oncemore truly a wonderful book, and no doubt part of the golden age that children's and young adult books seem to be having at this time.

[stormraven_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

As one might expect, all of the hanging plot threads, character issues, and conflicts left over from the previous books featuring Percy Jackson all culminate in The Last Olympian the final volume of the Percy Jackson & the Olympians series. While many series experience something of a let down in their final act, as the author struggles to bring his carefully laid plots to a satisfying conclusion, happily The Last Olympian avoids this problem and finishes off this excellent young adult series with a strong story and in a manner that is both unpredictable and yet fully in character for all the participants.Following the attack on Camp Half-Blood in The Battle of the Labyrinth, Kronos had retired to rally his forces, but also set various plans in motion. After an awkward interlude with plot complication Rachel Dare, the book opens with Percy, along with the demigod Beckendorf (a child of Hephaestus), heading off to try to destroy Kronos' cruise ship of the damned and weaken the forces of the Titans. Although the series has had its share of lethal consequences before - Bianca di Angelo's death, Daedalus' death, and so on, the book signals that things will be getting rough for the final act when Beckendorf becomes the first of the half-bloods to meet his end a scant handful of pages into the story.[More forthcoming]

[annekiwi · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

great finish to a great series

[gelario20 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This Riordan Book is the best book in the series, the Titan War is described perfectly by Riordan. This book has a lot action.

[purlewe · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

a fitting end to the Percy Jackson Series. I loved it. I always love when you can feel that point of a book when you know you can't put it down.

[hoosgracie · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A great end to the series. While the narrator of the audio is not the best at voices, the story has been wonderful. This is a culmination to a great series. It wraps up the main storylines but still leaves room for continuing adventures of the heroes.

[calibrary1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Book review by Nick D., posted by CA Library:"The Last Olympian is a fiction book by Rick Riordan about a teenager named Percy Jackson, the protagonist, who happens to be the sun of a Greek god. The book is told in first person from Percy's point of view, and it is filled with a lot of action, adventure, mystery, and a little bit of mystery.The story starts with 15 year old Percy driving along a beach with his friend Rachel when he is called to go to Camp Half-Blood, a camp for children of the gods. Percy finds out that in a week's time, which happens to be on his birthday, he will have to make a very important decision. Percy goes through many twists and turns throughout this book as he endeavors to find out what his fate will be, ultimately leading him to certain danger.I liked this book because it was filled with action, adventure, mythology, with a little bit of mystery. This book is the last in the series of Percy Jackson and the Olympians. Other books in this series are The Ligthning Thief, The Sea of Monsters, The Titan's Curse, and The Battle of the Labyrinth. I suggest reading these books in order before you read this book, or else none of what happens will make any sense at all. I recommend this book to anyone who likes mythology. Overall, I give this book a 4 out of 5 stars."

[lisamaria_c · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is the fifth and last book in the Percy Jackson series, rather blatant Harry Potter clones, only Percy is a demigod, not a wizard. Although the series had been developing its own personality as it went along, and Riordan's writing has been getting stronger. I was quite pleased with the last book, and I find that rather rare in series, which tend to lose steam or jump the shark by the end. In some ways I even could say I found the ending more satisfying than the conclusion to Harry Potter. There the way Rowling chose sides between the houses always bugged me, while here, though some might find it too pat, I liked how Riordan developed the arc of the characters and the houses. I do love Riordan's way of using classical myth. How he used the trope of the "Achilles's Heel" was a really nice touch, one that played well with the themes laid out from the beginning. The books are all fast-paced, quick reads. The story scrolls before your eyes like an action film or role playing video game. And how can I not get a kick of a Battle of the Gods set in my own New York City? The city's geography was used to good effect here. And the end, while giving closure, also sets things up for the sequel series, Heroes of Olympus. This concluding book is my favorite of the Percy Jackson books, and I'm tempted to give it five stars. The reason I'm withholding it, is that I still wouldn't put this up there with Harry Potter, Narnia and His Dark Materials, children's works with enough depth in ideas, characters and world-building to be fully satisfying to adults. I can't imagine ever rereading these, and I'm not rushing to read Heroes of Olympus. (Although my resistance may break when the new book in that series comes out in October.) But--this was fun.

[arianaderalte_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is an excellent and satisfying ending to the Percy Jackson series. Riordan competently clears up all the missing plot threads, and gave us a book that left you content, but also happy to read more adventures if he decides to write about other half-blood heroes some day.The book starts off a little slow (disregarding a quick action scene) because he's trying to fill in the back story gaps before the action starts. Percy's dreams were particularly useful and transparent this time ...more This is an excellent and satisfying ending to the Percy Jackson series. Riordan competently clears up all the missing plot threads, and gave us a book that left you content, but also happy to read more adventures if he decides to write about other half-blood heroes some day.The book starts off a little slow (disregarding a quick action scene) because he's trying to fill in the back story gaps before the action starts. Percy's dreams were particularly useful and transparent this time around, but I'm not sure if that's a bad thing or not. Meanwhile, the massive battle in the second half of the book was fantastic, with an excellent climax and resolution at the end.I'm very happy with this whole series and wish it'd been around to read when I was younger.

[dk_phoenix_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Finally, I got around to reading this! And I wasn't disappointed in the least... I wish I'd finished the series months ago!This final installment -- don't worry, I won't put any spoilers in this review -- starts off with a bang and continues at a breakneck pace throughout the ENTIRE book. There's literally not a moment to breath (or put the book down) until the final page. I couldn't believe Riordan was able to write such an incredibly fast-paced book all the way through... but it worked.As series go, I think the Percy Jackson series is excellent for that very reason -- it grabs hold and doesn't let go. There are few 'down' moments in the books, which is exactly what kids (young boys in particular) need to keep them reading. The final book also doesn't use a cop-out ending, or kill off all your favorite characters, or finish with an anti-climactic scene that makes you wonder "is that it?". No, Riordan ends with a bang. What else can I say? The man knows how to tell a story, and how to tell it well. I'm eager to get a hold of his new series, because if anything, you know it'll be packed with well-written action scenes and a hero that resonates with each of us in some way.I'm sad the Percy Jackson series is over, but in case you hadn't heard -- also not a spoiler, it's on Amazon -- this isn't the end of Riordan's stories about Camp Half-Blood! A new series is coming in October (if I remember correctly), though I don't know what time period it'll be set in (present? past? future?). Either way, I'll definitely be picking it up.

[laf_78 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The Last Olympian, by Rick Riordan, concludes the Lightening Thief series. It is about Percy, a demigod, who has to fight Kronos and his army to save the world while all the mortals are sleeping.Kronos is the Titan Lord. The Titans are gods that existed before the current Greek gods. Kronos is super, super powerful. He is the Titan of Time, so he can control time to pause, play, fast forward or rewind it. In other words, he is very powerful.Percy is the son of Poseidon, the ocean god. He can control water, like making waves and stuff. He can make bubbles in water, and he can go in water without getting wet.Around the beginning of this story, Percy bathed in the River Styx, the underground river that goes through the Underworld, Hades' domain or kingdom. This made him invincible.Kronos attacks the world so he can destroy Olympus, the city of the gods where Zeus lives above the Empire State building in New York City. He wants to take over the world.In the end, it isn't Percy who saves the world. It's Luke, Kronos' spy who used to go to Camp Halfblood with Percy. After he finished spying, he bathed in the River Styx like Percy and Kronos took over his body. Like Achilles, Luke had a weak spot where he stabbed himself so that Kronos would be destroyed. Luke was going to die anyway, so he killed himself to save the world from Kronos.I think the main idea of the book is that even if you've done things the same way for thousands of years, you can change for the better. Also, you should always accept others even if they're a bit of an oddball or different. I think this because at the very end, when Kronos had been defeated, the gods were granting the demigods who helped defeat them wishes. Percy's wish was that all the demigods be accepted and claimed by their god parents.I recommend this book to anybody because it's really good. I think it is the best one in the Lightening Thief series. I liked this book because there's tons of action in it, it's got a bunch of cool twists, there's a cool dragon and also a flying pig.

[demmiee · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The last installment to the Riordan Percy Jackson series. I'm going to say it again as I've said it before, the simplistic writing style of this series makes these books a good read and they are even better read alouds to elementary age children. Though I didn't want to have to say good-bye to the hero it was a great ending to a great series.

[conner23456 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Like the other books this one did not make me mad. I love this book. The story continues for Percy Jackson and his friends. Even thought this book is a childrens type book and I am 18. I still enjoyed reading the book and hope that young adults and even older people will pick up this book. Because like the other books in the sereis this one did not take long to read. I am happy with the way that Riordan ended the series and everything that I thought was going to happen from book one did happen in the end of the series.

[sethkim · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book is about kid named Percy. The final battle begins. The evil Titan Kronos and his army attack Olympus. Percy and the other demigods try to defend Olympus with low supplies. Will Percy and his friends save Olympus or not? If you like action and fantasy, you'll like this book!!!

[faith_murri · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is my favorite book in the series and rereading it reminded me of that. I love how everything plays out, how the threads tie up. The titular character and their main theme is the best part though. It makes the entire series more than just a fun middle-grade adventure. It's a story about the meaning and importance of family, whether that be by blood or by friendship, and how it can literally change the world.

[tiffanyak_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Awesome! I'm not really fully satisfied with the series ending, since I was left wondering what the heck happens to everyone, but it was a great addition to the series, and a great end to the main storyline. I loved it.

[reb922 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This was a great series and the last was probably my favorite. In the final installment the true meaning of the prophecy is revealed and the battle with the Titian comes to a head. It is definitely necessary to read the previous four books to understand and enjoy the story and its many characters, but well worth the time. Riordan does a great job of reminding you of what occurred in the previous books with out being repetitive, though in a few instances I could have used a bit more of a reminder. He also has the great talent of writing a book that while primarily market to kids doesn't seem like a kids book while reading it by adding just enough random references that are clever if you pick up on them but don't stand out and seem awkward if you don't get the reference. As a native New Yorker I loved the random New York references. I walk by the statue on 23rd street mentioned every day but had never know about it or noticed it until a few years ago, a few others mentioned i may have to seek out and may actually think about going in the Empire State Building. I have never been that big on mythology but after reading this series I want to learn more. I cant wait to read read his next series set in this world.

[jfoster_sf · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Wonderful finish to a great series.

[magickislife · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

An excellent end to a fantastic series.