Author: Rick Riordan

Book: The Heroes of Olympus: The Lost Hero

Publisher: Hyperion      

When readers last left the world of Percy Jackson, the evil Titan Lord Kronos had been defeated, the Greek gods had acknowledged their long-neglected children, and the young Percy was walking hand in hand with his girlfriend into the sunset, thus ending the Great Prophecy and the series of books with it. Fortunately, readers and demi-geeks have a new reason to rejoice, The Heroes of Olympus, the sequel series written by best-selling author Rick Riordan. Riordan's follow up book, The Lost Hero, once again plunges readers into the world of Greek Mythology where new heroes, new quests, and a new prophecy lay waiting between the pages.

For those unfamiliar with the series, both Percy Jackson and The Lost Hero take place in a world where the Greek gods are not only real, but apparently still up to their old shenanigans. Children sired by these powerful deities run the risk of attracting monsters due to their special blood, so they are taken to Camp Half-Blood for protection. Here they train alongside their estranged siblings to become heroes, and also occasionally go on quests to save the world. (Think if Hogwarts were a summer camp that used broadswords instead of wands)

The Lost Hero begins by introducing readers to Jason, a young boy who awakens to find he has no memory of who he is or where he came from. He is accompanied by Leo, a mischievous delinquent who's good with machines, and Piper, a shy girl with the power to charm anyone. As the story progresses, the trio make their way to Camp Half-Blood, where we learn that nearly everything has gone wrong. The Olympians have gone silent, Percy Jackson, the hero of the former series, is missing, and a new Prophecy of Doom has already started to rear its ugly head. The book continues to center on the three new teens, but fan-favorites of the old series make appearances that help smooth the transition into new content.    

Anyone worried that The Lost Hero would end up as fan-service can relax. The book has over a dozen new plot lines to explore and several twists for some added excitement. Riordan seamlessly weaves ancient mythology into the modern world with a stroke of whimsical brilliance. Whether it's a robotic dragon with a few crossed wires or an evil witch who runs a designer clothing store, Riordan makes the book fun to read, and while knowledge of the past series is helpful, it isn't required.

The biggest change reader's will face is actually Riordan's style of writing. Unlike his past works where the protagonists narrated their adventure, Riordan chooses to take a step back and write his new book in third person. The change doesn't really upset the story, but it does make the new characters less endearing then their predecessors. Jason's personality in particular could stand to be a little sharper, and picky readers may find him too much like Percy for their own taste. Overall though, it's a small bump on an otherwise smooth ride.

The Lost Hero is a great opening into Riordan's new series. It's a fun, easy read that gives readers plenty to enjoy. Most will cringe with disappointment when they discover the next book won't be out for another year, but until then they'll have to settle for googling Greek myths. The book is a welcome addition to the Percy Jackson universe, but it's no doubt The Lost Hero can certainly stand on its own.    

**This Review First Published October 27, 2010