Okay, but can we just take a moment to appreciate this cover?

My twelve to thirteen-year-old self waited one agonizing year for this book to release. It is the only book that I've waited for with such devotion, counting down the days for its release. I wrote fanfiction to help myself last until its release. And I was not disappointed.

Percy and Annabeth's jaunt through Tartarus was insane. And, like, so well done? All the monsters that they've fought, lingering there--terrifying. And the way the two of them operate as a team is so much fun to read. I loved that we got POVs from both of them again, like in MoA.

I will say that the others' storyline wasn't as riveting. I don't know if that's just me being impatient for more Percabeth, but it took a lot of self-control not to skip the chapters with Hazel and Frank and Leo and just go straight back to Tartarus. Leo's little trip to a certain island from the first series is interesting, and I honestly have mixed feelings about it. I do think he and Calypso make a good team, though, even if their romance kind of weirds me out. (I mean, fifteen-year-old dude with an immortal titan? Anyone else a little uncomfy?)

Also, reading this as an adult, there was kind of a lot of suspension of disbelief happening. Specifically in the end, when they all came together at the same time. I feel like there could have/should have been some more help offered or something to make it all feel more believable. I don't /really/ care, but it was a little hard to believe that they could all just end up at the doors at the exact same time at the exact right moment without any intervention from the gods, at the very least. (Though, well, do a titan and a giant count?)

But the last page will never not break my heart. Ugh.