Alas, we have finally gotten to the point where I haven't read these before. Don't ask me why I got to book 4 in this series and never finished it. The only answer I have for you is I think I was in grad school when this book first came out. But I digress!

Despite their length, Riordan books are quick reads for me because of the way they are paced. I can see why kids of all kinds come into the library and say they've flown through these books because it is easy to do! Not only are all of the characters fun, but there's action and humor and it's just an all around good time, despite the impending doom.

Also, Nico! I can see why people say he's one of their favorite characters because I just want to wrap him in a big hug. I'm glad we finally get to see from his point of view. And his interaction with Percy at the end? Gold.

While this one doesn't end on a cliffhanger, you can kind of tell that Riordan is setting up for another series. It's an overall good conclusion to this story arc, but there's an opening there at the end for another series.