PERCY JACKSON & THE SEA OF MONSTERS

                       

Even though I LOVE this book, it is my least favorite of the series. 

NO, I do not hate this book, its just that this series just keeps getting better and better!

In this book Percy is now 13, the story starts off in New York with Percy back living with his mother, getting ready to finish school and return to Camp Half Blood. He has also befriended an unusual friend named Tyson who goes to the same school as him. Meanwhile Percy's strange dreams tell him something's wrong at Half-blood Hill and the monster attack (also the dodge ball game!) at his school's gym proves it. While fighting the monsters, Annabeth comes to their rescue and Percy blows up his school (AGAIN), and he escapes with Tyson and Annabeth. Annabeth seems to have some bad-blood with Tyson and is seen giving him the stink eye.

When they reach camp, there’s already a lot of trouble going on there and Percy and Tyson have to fight off a giant metal bull. We come to know that Tyson is a CYCLOPS!! (the good kind) And apparently fire-proof too. 

Then later Tyson is claimed by his Godly Parent. And *cough*- its Poseidon! AGAIN! Percy and Tyson are now half- brothers and Percy is not so happy about getting a Cyclops for a brother, even though Tyson is ecstatic. 

The camp is still not in a very good condition as the tree which protects the camp- Thalia’s tree, is poisoned by Luke and the camp’s protection is wearing down. Only the Golden Fleece can cure the tree, so now they need a quest to find it. The leaders give the quest to another camper, Clarisse (who also has bad-blood with Percy since he fought with her father- Ares and kicked arse in the first book). Urged on by Hermes, the messenger god, Percy, decides to find the Fleece himself. Annabeth and Tyson join him on this unauthorized journey.

From here the rest of the story is spent exploring the Sea of Monsters where Riordan weaves Greek mythology into our world seamlessly, building on an already established environment in a fantastical yet completely believable way. Moving the story away from the Camp and New York was the perfect choice for the second book, allowing us to further delve into the worlds Riordan has so cleverly woven together.

Now Percy is no longer the doe eyed teenager we first met in The Lightning Thief - he is filled with a lot more confidence and is starting to understand the importance of his position and heritage. The constant reminder of his daddy issues add depth and intrigue to the unveiling of his character. The relationship between Annabeth and Percy intensifies in this book and a lot of new characters are introduced too.

This book has many hilarious points, my favorite being the one where Grover is kidnapped and is acting as a drag queen Cyclops just to save himself from getting killed by the Cyclops who has no idea that he’s a Satyr. Yes that is crazy. 

This book is full of emotions too. After seeing how Tyson can sacrifice even his life for Percy, he comes to love and respect his half- brother. Tyson not only stands out as an asset on this journey but also helps to shape the books main message of accepting other people no matter who or what they are. (Tyson is my favorite character in this book as he is totally adorable and fiercely loyal to his friends).

Rick Riordan has not only made these characters instant classics, he also has woven an intricately layered story between a collision of world and cultures to create a sequel worthy of its prequel.