Under the cover, between the lines.....

Raven: The Mark of Athena (Heroes of Olympus #3)

A novel by Rick Riordan

Tempest & Blackjack! <3

Publication Date: January 1st, 2012

Publisher: Hyperion Books

Pages: 574

Targeted Audience: Hyper Demigods

Summary: Annabeth is terrified. Just when she's about to be reunited with Percy—after six months of being apart, thanks to Hera—it looks like Camp Jupiter is preparing for war. As Annabeth and her friends Jason, Piper, and Leo fly in on the Argo II, she can’t blame the Roman demigods for thinking the ship is a Greek weapon. With its steaming bronze dragon masthead, Leo's fantastical creation doesn't appear friendly. Annabeth hopes that the sight of their praetor Jason on deck will reassure the Romans that the visitors from Camp Half-Blood are coming in peace.

And that's only one of her worries. In her pocket Annabeth carries a gift from her mother that came with an unnerving demand: Follow the Mark of Athena. Avenge me. Annabeth already feels weighed down by the prophecy that will send seven demigods on a quest to find—and close—the Doors of Death. What more does Athena want from her?

Annabeth's biggest fear, though, is that Percy might have changed. What if he's now attached to Roman ways? Does he still need his old friends? As the daughter of the goddess of war and wisdom, Annabeth knows she was born to be a leader, but never again does she want to be without Seaweed Brain by her side.

Narrated by four different demigods, The Mark of Athena is an unforgettable journey across land and sea to Rome, where important discoveries, surprising sacrifices, and unspeakable horrors await. Climb aboard the Argo II, if you dare.... 

(Psst! It's a Rick Riordan book! You don't even need to read the summary to buy it and read it!)

So I start reading this book, desperate to see more of percabeth since the last book (The Son of Neptune) had a major cliffhanger in it. Their reunion was hilarious and sweet at the same time.

Now, as I said. The beginning was cute, awesome, funny... you name it. There are people rejoicing as Jason comes back to the Romans and we get to know more about what the Mark of Athena is really about. Apparently Athena wasn't the strongest female warrior among the Romans (Bellona was) and The Mark of Athena was a statue that was stolen from the Greeks by the Romans. Now this statue is the base of enmity among the Roman and the Greeks.

Annabeth's job is to get this statue and restore peace between the two enemies. Sound easy right? Well, it isn't. One of Athena's brightest child is chosen every century to get back the statue but none have been successful, but will Annabeth finally get it back? Now that's a question I ain't answering.

But the Romans and Greeks were just beginning to trust each other (Since Jason had come back to them with the Greeks) when Leo fires at New Rome with his spanking-hot Argo 2. Now why did Leo do this? Was he crazy? Was he possessed? Yup, another question I ain't answering. 

By the end of the last book (The Son of Neptune) you find out that Nico Di Angelo is kidnapped and in this book they go to free him because if they don't free him then the original Rome will be destroyed. And to save Nico they would have to voyage across the Mediterranean Sea, which is not safe for half bloods at all.

In the end of the last book we also find out that Hazel's old lover looks just like Leo (I am really sorry if I'm ruining it for you guys out there who haven't read SON) so is Leo, Sammy? Was he brought back to life? And hence we see the love triangle of sorts between Hazel, Frank and Leo.

There were a few minor gods introduced in this book, like Nemesis, Echo, Narcissus, Hercules, Achelous, etc. Percy and Jason have a few problems adjusting since both were meant to lead but nothing major. The book has funny scenes in it as usual. I will be adding two of them at the end of the review. *grinning* I love Percy Jackson!

All in all, every character got their chance to shine. I fell in a deeper abyss of love for Leo. I don't understand why Riordan would not give him a girlfriend! He is soooo cute!

Also.... This book has another MAJOR!! cliffhanger. And this cliffhanger is true to it's word. Your soul will be hanging off a cliff to know what happens next! I think it's chapter 51 that you should beware. *evil grin*

I rate this a 5!! And as I promised here are a couple of the books funny excerpts:

"Behold!" Percy shouted. "The god's chosen beverage. Tremble before the horror of Diet Coke!"

And here's the other one:

"We have trained all the famous mer-heroes! Name a mer-hero, and we have trained him or her!"

"Oh, sure," Leo said. "Like... um, the Little Mermaid?"

P.S: I am really angry with Rick Riordan. He no fair! *randomly losing ability to speak proper english* HE GIVING CLIFFY HANGERS WHICH R OUTRAYGAS! 

*smart part of the brain butts in* You mean outrageous?

WATEVAAA!!!

Please! Don't do this to me. I need House of Hades and it's going to take some time before I have it. Before I can savour it... *sobbing uncontrollably*

Five Eiffel Towers! with cooookies!

Lots of Love & Pasta

Raven (who is still sobbing... even after the cookies)