Where is this set?

This is a little different from the last book, as now we have switched back to our old friend, Percy Jackson. However, Annabeth, Percy’s girlfriend is not in this book. We have also switched camps to a tropical island (figuratively) for Heros. We’re now in New Rome, America. It’s sort of like this East vs. West America thing played out in a Rome vs. Greek world. This is a whole new civilisation that we discover and uncover in this book. It turns out they also did some things in the last books (that were never mentioned).

Percy is the son of who?

Now that Percy has swapped sides, he’s kind of mixed. He’s the son of Poseidon, but he’s also the son of Neptune (not really, the book will explain this). We also are introduced to two new support characters: Hazel (daughter of Hades/Pluto), and Frank (son of Aries/Mars). He’s lost his memory except for Annabeth (I mean, who would forget their girlfriend?).

Giants are the enemy

As with the last book, the Giants are the enemies of the Gods and demigods alike. Percy, Hazel, and Frank go on a quest to destroy a giant and bring temporary peace to the world (until the next book). Again, with the last book, I think the new characters need warming up to.

Prophecies

If you liked the last book, I forsee you liking this book. But still, I feel this new series doesn’t live up to the old series. It feels slightly more serious, and I loved the goofiness that came with Percy Jackson.

First things first - was on Reddit, in r/books earlier today, when I came across this handy guide to the most interesting books that have been published this year.  As a frugal person above all else(at least, when it comes to books), it's good to know what the important pieces are, so that when I see them heavily discounted I won't brush past them as I look through the slush.   Above you should be able to see a selection of just some of the stuff in the first half of this year's list that I've found interesting enough to keep an eye out for, myself.

Besides that, I feel as though I've been neglecting my reading and reviewing, due to heavy, end-of-the-year school work, but although I will not be leaving school (yet!) things are about to get much easier shortly, due to the fact that for the first time - since I entered the school system proper back in grade school - I will no longer be a full-time student, but rather a part time student.  By the best of my estimations, I should be graduated by the end of summer.  No big fan fare, I just want out - desperately - at this point in time.

I don't know how to feel - maybe exhilarated? - but I can't help being frightened.  Money problems, mostly, which pisses me off, because I feel as though all of my money problems are due to the fact that I attended school to start with.  I really feel as though all of my personal problems are due to my having gone to college to begin with.

Anyway - I did a "head-count" of the books that I currently own, and I have estimated that I currently own *921 books* at this moment in time!   My best instincts tell me that I should give up buying books for now - what with the future being as tumultuous and uncertain as it seems to be, at the moment, but I think that it's impossible for me to pass up a book I want when it's at a price I cannot pass up.

Winter break is coming up - and with it, the freedom to do a little game playing, a lot of movie watching and even more reading and reviewing!