Diksia.com - The Son of Neptune is the second book in the Heroes of Olympus series, a spin-off of the popular Percy Jackson and the Olympians series. The book was written by Rick Riordan, an American author who is known for his works based on Greek and Roman mythology. The book was published in 2011 by Disney-Hyperion Books and has received positive reviews from critics and fans alike.
The book follows the adventures of Percy Jackson, a demigod who is the son of Poseidon, the Greek god of the sea, and Neptune, the Roman equivalent. Percy has lost his memory due to the interference of Hera, the queen of the gods, who has swapped him with Jason Grace, another demigod who is the son of Zeus and Jupiter.
Percy finds himself in Camp Jupiter, a place for Roman demigods, where he meets Frank Zhang and Hazel Levesque, two other demigods who have their own secrets and problems. Together, they embark on a quest to free Thanatos, the god of death, from the clutches of the giant Alcyoneus, and to stop the rise of Gaea, the primordial goddess of the earth, who is planning to destroy the world.
Plot Summary
The book begins with Percy Jackson waking up in a wolf house, where he is trained by Lupa, the she-wolf who nurtures the future heroes of Rome. He escapes from the house and makes his way to Camp Jupiter, where he is attacked by two gorgons who are after his blood. He is saved by Hazel Levesque, a daughter of Pluto, and Frank Zhang, a son of Mars, who take him to the camp.
There, he meets Reyna, the praetor of the camp, who recognizes him as a Greek demigod. She also reveals that she knows Jason Grace, who was her co-praetor before he disappeared. Percy also meets Octavian, the augur of the camp, who dislikes him and tries to sabotage his chances of joining the camp.
Percy is accepted into the camp after he proves himself in a war game against the Fifth Cohort, the most disgraced unit in the camp. He is assigned to the same cohort as Hazel and Frank, who become his friends. He also learns that he has a girlfriend named Annabeth Chase, who is a Greek demigod and a daughter of Athena. He feels a strong connection to her, even though he can’t remember her.
Meanwhile, in Alaska, the giant Alcyoneus has captured Thanatos, the god of death, and has prevented the souls of the dead from passing on. This causes the rise of the undead, who are loyal to Gaea, the earth mother. Gaea is also awakening her other children, the giants, who are destined to fight the gods. She plans to use the blood of two demigods, one Greek and one Roman, to awaken her fully during the Feast of Fortuna, a festival that celebrates the goddess of luck.
Percy, Hazel, and Frank are chosen by Mars, the god of war, to go on a quest to free Thanatos and stop Gaea. They are given a prophecy that says:
Go to Alaska. Find Thanatos and free him. Come back by sundown on June twenty-fourth or die.
They also receive a gift from Mars: a piece of wood that can turn into any weapon, but can only be used by Frank. Frank is told that his life is tied to the piece of wood, and that he will die when it burns up.
The trio leaves the camp and heads to Alaska, facing many dangers and enemies along the way. They encounter Iris, the goddess of the rainbow, who gives them a jar of wind to help them fly. They also meet Phineas, a blind seer who has a harpy named Ella, who can recite prophecies and books from memory. Phineas challenges them to a contest of finding the true source of the gorgons’ blood, which he needs to restore his sight. Percy wins the contest by using his water powers, and Phineas agrees to tell them where to find Alcyoneus. He also reveals that one of them will die during the quest.
The trio continues their journey and reaches Alaska, where they find Alcyoneus and his army of undead. They also discover that Hazel’s brother, Nico di Angelo, a son of Hades, has been captured by the giant and is being used as a bait for Percy. Hazel, who has the power to manipulate the metals and jewels of the earth, decides to face Alcyoneus alone, while Percy and Frank free Thanatos and Nico. Hazel manages to trick Alcyoneus into leaving his home territory, where he is invincible, and defeats him with the help of Arion, a super-fast horse that she befriends.
Percy and Frank succeed in freeing Thanatos and Nico, but they are attacked by a horde of monsters. Frank uses his gift from Mars and transforms into different animals, fighting off the enemies. He also learns that he is a descendant of Poseidon, and that he has a special bond with Percy. He also realizes that he is in love with Hazel, and that she feels the same way.
The trio escapes from Alaska and flies back to Camp Jupiter, where they are welcomed as heroes. They also learn that the camp is under attack by the forces of Gaea, led by Polybotes, the giant who hates Neptune. Percy leads the campers in a battle against the invaders, using his water powers and his skills as a leader. He also faces Polybotes, who is aided by a traitor from the camp: Octavian. Percy defeats Polybotes with the help of Terminus, the god of boundaries, who can’t stand anyone breaking his rules.
The battle is won, and the camp is saved. Percy is elected as the new praetor of the camp, along with Reyna. He also receives a message from Annabeth, who tells him that she is coming to find him, along with six other demigods from Camp Half-Blood, the Greek camp. She also warns him that something terrible is happening in Greece, and that they need to work together to stop it.
The book ends with Percy, Hazel, and Frank waiting for the arrival of the Greek demigods, who are flying in a giant bronze dragon named Festus. Percy hopes that he can reunite with Annabeth, and that they can prevent the war between the Greeks and the Romans, and the awakening of Gaea.
Themes and Analysis
The Son of Neptune explores the themes of identity, memory, loyalty, friendship, and destiny. The main characters, Percy, Hazel, and Frank, all struggle with their pasts and their futures, and how they affect their present. Percy has lost his memory, and has to rediscover who he is and what he stands for. He also has to deal with the differences between the Greek and the Roman aspects of his heritage, and how they influence his personality and his powers.
Hazel has a dark secret that haunts her, and that makes her feel unworthy of happiness. She also has to cope with the fact that she was born in a different era, and that she has a second chance at life. Frank has a low self-esteem, and feels insecure about his appearance and his abilities. He also has to face the reality of his family legacy, and the burden of his destiny.
The book also shows the importance of loyalty and friendship, as the characters rely on each other to survive and succeed. Percy, Hazel, and Frank form a strong bond, and learn to trust and support each other. They also make new friends and allies, such as Iris, Ella, Arion, and Terminus, who help them in their quest. They also face betrayal and deception, such as from Octavian, who tries to undermine and harm them.
The book also deals with the concept of destiny, and how it affects the choices and actions of the characters. The prophecy that Mars gives them is vague and ominous, and leaves them wondering who will die and how. They also learn that they have a role to play in the bigger prophecy, the one that involves seven demigods who will decide the fate of the world. They have to face their fears and doubts, and embrace their potential and their purpose.
Reception and Impact
The Son of Neptune was well-received by critics and readers, who praised the book for its humor, action, suspense, and character development. The book was also a commercial success, selling over 3.7 million copies worldwide. The book was nominated for several awards, such as the Goodreads Choice Award for Best Middle Grade and Children’s Book, and the Children’s Choice Book Award for Author of the Year.
The book also had a significant impact on the popularity and the fandom of the Percy Jackson series, as it introduced new characters, settings, and plotlines. The book also increased the interest and the knowledge of the readers about Greek and Roman mythology, culture, and history. The book also inspired fan art, fan fiction, fan videos, and fan communities, who expressed their love and appreciation for the book and the series.
Conclusion
The Son of Neptune is a captivating and entertaining book that takes the readers on a mythological adventure across the United States and Alaska. The book features a diverse and likable cast of characters, who face various challenges and overcome various obstacles and enemies. The book also offers a humorous and insightful perspective on Greek and Roman mythology, culture, and history, and how they relate to the modern world.
The book is a must-read for fans of fantasy, adventure, and mythology, and for anyone who enjoys a good story with memorable characters and a thrilling plot. The book is also a part of a larger series, the Heroes of Olympus, which consists of five books that follow the adventures of seven demigods who have to save the world from the wrath of Gaea and the giants.
The next book in the series is The Mark of Athena, which continues the story of Percy and his friends, and introduces new challenges and surprises. The Son of Neptune is a book that will keep you hooked from the first page to the last, and will leave you wanting more.
