The House of Hades (The Heroes of Olympus #4) by Rick Riordan
Published by Disney – Hyperion Books
Copyright 2013
The Mark of Athena ends on a cliff hanger with Percy and Annabeth falling into Tartarus. This starts back on the Argo II fighting monsters. As the seven travel on their mission, each one meets with one or two or more challenges. Most of the challenges are individual. Several are set up from minor gods and goddesses to test or kill the heroes. Each one undergoes change. And it’s pretty darn exciting too.
I think the biggest disappointment in this book is that it feels more cookie-cutter type. Jason was tested. Now Leo needs to be tested. Now it’s Nico’s turn. While the tests are wildly different and highlight each hero’s abilities, it still plods a little from one challenge to another. This book may just be a book setting things up for the big finish. But it disappointed in both its length and its method. A shorter, tighter story may have been better.
Having said all that, I’m a big Riordan fan and I own a personal copy and bought two for my library. I just look forward to the next one.
Recommended: Grades 5 & up
Caught in Middle School 