I got to the end and wanted more. I think this is a good sign. I think I'm going to wait to start the 3rd book until The Newest Olympian podcasts gets to it, and that'll be a at least a couple of months. Again, I just couldn't wait and only read the book at the chapter per week pace of the podcast.

Again, the voices of the characters ring pretty true to their age and experiences. Riordan infuses the characters with humor and sass while they deal with their frustration and fears. I'd like more about Luke's motivation. It just doesn't seem like enough that he's willing to take down all of western civilization because of his daddy issues.

My favorite parts of the book are the parallels to the Greek myths, like the sea of monsters and Polyphemus with Odysseus, and a particularly like that the characters know those stories, that those stories were real.

I'm not sure how I feel about the whole story line being a manipulation to get to the surprise(ish) ending. I like the direction things are going, but I'd like it better if this whole adventure wasn't the machinations of the bad guy.