Book Review #1 - The Mark of Athena by Rick Riordan

Product details:
Publisher: Disney Hyperion
Format: Hardcover
Length: 568 pages
Published: 2012
Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆
Source: Purchased

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.

So what did I think of it? Well as the third instalment to Rick Riordan's Heroes of Olympus series, I had to say that this book impressed me. Straight from the first few lines I was hooked into the action that was constantly reappearing throughout the book. You were given a deeper insight into Annabeth's own quest which was constantly referred to throughout, especially when she has to embark on her own to retrieve the Athena Parthenos from the spider goddess, Arachne. The demigods find themselves constantly at peril with some of the characters often being possessed by eildons, often causing the greek and roman demigods to turn against themselves. The plot was intense and there was often twists that even shocked myself, and being classed as a middle grade book, it even surprised me that they weren't predictable. I think however that the biggest shocker was when Percy and Annabeth clung for their lives onto the edge of the rock face, and after some romantic dialogue, plunge into the depths of Tartarus, unknown to the reader or watching characters whether they survive. Of course, we do know that they survive thanks to the reveal of the House of Hades cover reveal. Linked below.

So overall with the climactic cliffhanger left at the end of this book, I feel that October 8th, release date for Book 4, the House of Hades, cannot come sooner! Definitely need some more Percybeth adventure in my life! On a scale of 1-5 stars, this book definitely hits the full 5! Definitely an easy read full of adventure and action that will keep your eyes glued to the pages.

Links to the House of Hades (Book #4) cover reveal:
US COVER:http://static.hypable.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/house-of-hades-us-cover.jpg
UK COVER: http://static.hypable.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/house-of-hades-uk-cover1.jpg