Percy Jackson and the Titan's Curse by Rick Riordan

May 2008, Puffin
294 pages, Paperback
Review Copy

Children's, Fantasy, 9+

Cushions: 4
Daggers: 2
Smiles: 4
Nayuleska's recommended rating: ♥♥♥♥♥

Summary from Penguin

It's the last Friday before the winter holidays but Percy Jackson isn't at school: he's battling the fearsome Manticore (half human, half lion), which in itself isn't ideal... but with Annabeth missing and the goddess of the hunt held captive, things get a whole lot more serious...

I knew Percy's adventures were good. Annabeth is my favourite character. I was distraught when she got kidnapped in this story - not only because she was in danger, but it meant that the story wouldn't have a super cool female main character for a bit. I was wrong.

This is the best installment to date! The sadness at (temporarily) not having Annabeth in the story was eclipsed by the awesome debut of Artemis and her hunters! As a former ancient history student, I'm familiar with Artemis. In Percy's world, she's much more approachable than ancient historians depicted her. Well, that's not entirely true. She and her hunters aren't fond of males. So much so that she doesn't choose Percy to accompany her on the quest to save Annabeth. Don't worry, he finds a way to accompany her hunters.

I think it's the humour in the characterisation of Artemis, the hunters and all the other gods and goddesses in Percy's world which makes this book so appealing. There is a lot of very real danger which I can't figure how Percy will get out of it in one piece. In some respects he doesn't get out unscathed, because there is the knowledge that there is worse up ahead, somewhere in the not too distant future. Percy's getting accustomed to his abilities, and is improving at working together in a team. In my eyes, every single character ought to have their own books because they stand away from the page every time they appear in the story (please, Rick Riordan, please create the odd spin off story!).

As usual there were surprising twists to the story, including who helps Percy out with the Titan's curse. It's a nasty one. One which is true to the ancient tales (and funny too).

I'm soon about to embark on Percy's fourth adventure: Percy Jackson and the Battle of the Labyrinth.

Check out Rick Riordan on his website.

Make sure you've read book one: Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief and book 2: Percy Jackson and the Sea of Monsters.

Artemis and her hunters are similar in a lot of ways to the Amazons. For older readers, Amazon Ink by Lori Devoti is a brilliant book. I think there's a sequel out now/soonish.