Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Book Three: The Titan’s Curse by Rick Riordan

You don’t need a black Pegasus to fly through the pages of The Titan’s Curse. It will still have its “new book smell” when you’re done with it.

Author: Rick Riordan

Released: May 1, 2007

#1 New York Times children’s best seller series

Book Sense Top Ten Summer Pick for 2007

Synopsis

It has been prophesied that a child of the ‘Big Three’; Zeus, Poseidon or Hades, will either make or break Mount Olympus. Bringing the mythological world asking who the prophecy is about, Percy Jackson, son of Poseidon, or Thalia, daughter of Zeus?

Grover, a satyr (demigoat?), has found two sibling demigods and has asked assistance from his demigod friends: Thalia, a temperamental high school student, punk demigod and a former tree, brandishes her Medusa-engraved shield in battle, Aegis, alongside Percy and Annabeth, daughter of Athena.

Rescuing two new demigods brought them across Artemis’ path, which Thalia is not so happy about, and also ended with the loss of Annabeth, which Percy, in turn, is not so happy about. But Artemis isn’t the only well-known mythological character they encountered. Aside from the scheming Titan, Kronos, another ominous unnamed Titan seem to be orchestrating the string of events from behind the scene, ending in an unprecedented battle.

Reading Experience

My copy of The Titan’s Curse still has its new book smell after dashing across its pages with Percy Jackson and the rest of the demigods. Riordan started the book with Percy in search for newfound demigods whose lineage remains indefinite. More familiar Greek mythology characters are introduced, this time, having more bearing with the main plot rather than delaying the heroes from their goals. Perhaps the most popular would be Artemis, the maiden Olympian goddess who has evaded all love pursuits and leads an unending hunt. And I’d rather keep you guessing on who the others are or I might give away the whole plot.

As expected with a children’s book, the writing is fast-paced and every word easily gets through. But what is more noticeable is the flawless balance between the good and necessarily bad turns. Perhaps every children writers’ challenge is to achieve a sense of gloom but not despair for these needed pivotal twists, concepts of death and bereavement are downplayed but not to the point of forfeiting their significance. More importantly, humor and maintaining a child-friendly read further proves Riordan’s writing skill.

In Conclusion

This third instalment in the Percy Jackson series is by far the most engaging and thrilling read. The Titan’s Curse is definitely enjoyable for ages 7 and up.