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Eo took out a pen and autographed the arm of one of the nymphs. "Narcissus is a loser! He's so weak, he can't bench-press a Kleenex. He's so lame when you look up lame on Wikipedia, it's got a picture of Narcissus-only the picture is so ugly , no one ever checks it out." Narcissus knit his handsome eyebrows. His face was turning from bronze to salmon pink. For the moment, he'd totally forgotten about the pond, and Leo could see the sheet of bronze sinking into the sand. By Rick Riordan Nymphs Narcissus Pen Autographed Arm

Poseidon raised his eyebrows as they shook hands. "Blowfish, did you say?""Ah, no. Blofis, actually.""Oh, I see," Poseidon said. "A shame. I quite like blowfish. I am Poseidon.""Poseidon? That's an interesting name.""Yes, I like it. I've gone by other names, but I do prefer Poseidon.""Like the god of the sea.""Very much like that, yes. By Rick Riordan Poseidon Blowfish Hands Poseidon Raised

WARNING:The following is a transcript of a digital recording. In certain places, the audio quality was poor, so some words and phrases represent the author's best guesses. Where possible, illustrations of important symbols mentioned in the recording have been added. Background noises such as scuffling, hitting, and cursing by the two speakers have not been transcribed The author makes no claims for the authenticity of the recording. It seems impossible that the two young narrators are telling the truth, but you, the reader, must decide for yourself. By Rick Riordan Warning Recording Transcript Digital Author

Tell her I'm sorry I sold the diamond, eh?" Sammy said. "I broke my promise. When she disappeared in Alaska ... ah, so long ago, I finally used that diamond, moved to Texas as I always dreamed. I started my machine shop. Started my family! It was a good life, but Haze; was right. The diamond came with a curse. I never saw her again." "Oh, Sammy," Hazel said. "No, a curse didn't keep me away. I wanted to come back. I died!" The old man didn't seem to hear. He smiled down at the baby, and kissed him on the head. "I give you my blessing, Leo. First male great-grandchild! I have a feeling you are special, like Hazel was. You are more than a regular baby, eh? You will carry on for me. You will see her someday. Tell her hello for me. By Rick Riordan Diamond Sold Sammy Hazel Started

Apophis the god of Chaos Anubis the god of funerals and death Babi the baboon god Bast the cat goddess Bes the dwarf god Disturber a god of judgement who works for Osiris Geb the earth god Gengen-Wer the goose god Hapi the god of the Nile Heket the frog goddess Horus the war god, son of Isis and Osiris Isis the goddess of magic, wife of her brother Osiris and mother of Horus Khepri the scarab god, Ra's aspect in the morning Khonsu the moon god Mekhit minor lion goddess, married to Onuris Neith the hunting goddess Nekhbet the vulture goddess Nut the sky goddess Osiris the god of the Underworld, husband of Isis and father of Horus Ra the sun god, the god of order; also known as Amun-Ra Sekhmet the lion goddess Serqet the scorpion goddess Set the god of evil Shu the air god, great-grandfather of Anubis Sobek the crocodile god Tawaret the hippo goddess Thoth the god of knowledge By Rick Riordan God Goddess Osiris Isis Horus

Get off!" Leo tried to shove him away, but Passalos did a backward somersault and landed out of reach. Leo's pants promptly fell around his knees. He stared at Passalos, who was now grinning and holding a small zigzaggy strip of metal. Somehow, the dwarf had stolen the zipper right off Leo's pants. "Give - stupid - zipper!" Leo stuttered, trying to shake his fist and hoist up his pants at the same time. By Rick Riordan Leo Passalos Pants Give Zipper

The raft finally got here," he said.Calypso snorted. Her eyes might have been red, but it was hard to tell in the moonlight. "You just noticed?""But if it only shows up for guys you like-""Don't push your luck, Leo Valdez," she said. "I still hate you.""Okay.""And you are not coming back here," she insisted. "So don't give me any empty promises.""How about a full promise?" he said. "Because I'm definitely-"She grabbed his face and pulled him into a kiss, which effectively shut him up.For all his joking and flirting, Leo had never kissed a girl before. Well, sisterly pecks on the cheeck from Piper, but that didn't count. This was a real, full-contact kiss. If Leo had had gears and wires in his brain, they would've short-circuited.Calypso pushed him away. "That didn't happen.""Okay." His voice sounded an octave higher than usual. By Rick Riordan Leo Snorted Raft Finally Saidcalypso

No other way off the hill. He'd managed to get himself cornered. He stared at the stream of cars flowing west toward San Francisco and wished he were in one of them. Then he realized the highway must cut through the hill. There must be a tunnel ... right under his feet. His internal radar went nuts. He was in the right place, just too high up. He had to check out that tunnel. He needed a way down to the highway - fast. He slung off his backpack. He'd managed to grab a lot of supplies at the Napa Bargain Mart: a portable GPS, duct tape, lighter, superglue, water bottle, camping roll, a Comfy Panda Pillow Pet (as seen on TV), and a Swiss army knife - pretty much every tool a modern demigod could want. But he had nothing that would serve as a By Rick Riordan Hill Managed Tunnel Highway San

Hapi?" I asked."Why, yes, I am happy!" Hapi beamed. "I'm always happy because I'm Hapi! Are you happy?"Zia frowned up at the giant. "Does he have to be so big?"The god laughed. Immediately he shrank down to human size, though the crazy cheerful look on his face was still pretty unnerving."Oh, Setne!" Hapi chuckled and pushed the ghost playfully. "I hate this guy. Absolutely despise him!"Hapi's smile became painfully wide. "I'd love to rip off your arms and legs, Setne. That would be amazing!"Setne ... drifted a little farther away from the smiling god."Oh!" Hapi clapped excitedly. "The world is going to end tomorrow. I forgot!""You'd never get to Memphis without my help. You'd get torn into a million pieces!"He seemed genuinely pleased to share that news. By Rick Riordan Setne Hapi Happy Zia Asked

Grover was an easy target. He was scrawny. He cried when he got frustrated. He must've been held back several grades, because he was the only sixth grader with acne and the start of a wispy beard on his chin. On top of all that, he was crippled. He had a note excusing him from PE for the rest of his life because he had some kind of muscular disease in his legs. He walked funny, like every step hurt him, but don't let that fool you. You should've seen him run when it was enchilada day in the cafeteria. By Rick Riordan Grover Target Easy Scrawny Frustrated

When in doubt," Calypso said, "Tater Tots. By Rick Riordan Calypso Tater Tots Doubt

Yeah, but the satyrs you have are working super hard," I said. "I think they're scared of you." Grover blushed. "That's silly. I'm not scary." "You're a lord of the Wild, dude. The chosen one of Pan. A member of the Council of - " "Stop it!" Grover protested. "You're as bad as Juniper. I think she wants me to run for president next." He By Rick Riordan Yeah Hard Satyrs Working Super

I tried to help you make better choices. You could have saved yourself. But you defied me at every step. You built your ship. You joined that foolish quest. Now you are trapped here, helpless, while the mortal world dies. Leo's hands burst into flame. He wanted to melt Gaea's sandy face to glass. Then he felt Calypso's hand on his shoulder."Gaea." Her voice was stern and steady. "You are not welcome. By Rick Riordan Choices Make Gaea Saved Calypso

I thought: 'You in there, Horus?''What?' he said testily.'Bird form, please.''Oh, I see. You don't trust me. But now you need my help.''Man, come on. Just do the falcon thing.''Would you settle for an emu? By Rick Riordan Horus Thought Bird Man Testily

Then she laughed for real, and put her hands around my neck. 'I am never, ever going to make things easy for you Seaweed Brain. Get used to it.' When she kissed me, I had the feeling my brain was melting right through my body. I could've stayed that way forever, except a voice behind us growled, 'Well it's about time!' Suddenly the pavilion was filled with torchlight and campers. Clarisse led the way as the eavesdroppers charged and hoisted us both onto their shoulders. 'Oh, come on!' I complained. 'Is there no privacy?' 'The lovebirds need to cool off!' Clarisse said with glee. 'The canoe lake!' Conner Stoll shouted. With a huge cheer, they carried us down the hill, but they kept us close enough to hold hands. Annabeth was laughing, and I couldn't help laughing too, even though my face was completely red. We held hands right up to the moment they dumped us in the water. By Rick Riordan Real Neck Brain Laughed Put

Leo cried, "Hold on! Let's have some manners here. Can I at least find out who has the honor of destroying me?""I am Cal!" the ox grunted. He looked very proud of himself, like he'd taken a long time to memorize that sentence."That's short for Calais," the love god said. "Sadly, my brother cannot say words with more than two syllables--""Pizza! Hockey! Destroy!" Cal offered."--which includes his own name," the love god finished."I am Cal," Cal repeated. "And this is Zethes! My brother!""Wow," Leo said. "That was almost three sentences, man! Way to go."Cal grunted, obviously pleased with himself."Stupid buffoon," his brother grumbled. "They make fun of you. But no matter. I am Zethes, which is short for Zethes. And the lady there--" He winked at piper, but the wink was more like a facial seizure. "She can call me anything she likes. Perhaps she would like to have dinner with a famous demigod before we must destroy you? By Rick Riordan Hold Cal Zethes Cried Leo

Wait," Percy said. "So you mean - " "Right," Nico said again. "But it's cool. We're cool. I mean, I see now ... you're cute, but you're not my type." "I'm not your type ... Wait. So - By Rick Riordan Percy Wait Nico Cool Type

She was probably my age, maybe a couple of inches taller, and a whole lot more athletic looking. With her deep tan and her curly blond hair, she was almost exactly what I thought a stereotypical California girl would look like, except her eyes ruined the image. They were startling gray,like storm clouds; pretty, but intimidating, too, as if she were analyzing the best way to take me down in a fight. She glanced at the minotaur horn in my hand, then back at me. I imagined she was going to say, You killed a Minotaur! or Wow you're so awesome! or something like that. Instead she said, "you drool when you sleep." Then she sprinted off down the lawn, her blond hair flying behind her. By Rick Riordan Age Taller Couple Inches Lot

Something was wrong with Luke," Annabeth muttered, poking at the fire with her knife. "Did you notice the way he was acting?""He looked pretty pleased to me," I said. "Like he'd spent a nice day torturing heroes.""That's not true! There was something wrong with him. He looked ... nervous. He told his monsters to spare me. He wanted to tell me something.""Probably, 'Hi, Annabeth! Sit here with me and watch while I tear your friends apart. It'll be fun! By Rick Riordan Luke Annabeth Muttered Poking Knife

Do you have a favorite constalation, Percy?'I was still kind of wondering about the little green snakes he'd shoved into his jogging shorts, but i said. 'Uh, I like Hercules.''Why?''Well ... because he had rotten luck. Even worse than mine. It makes me feel better.The jogger chuckled. 'Not because he was strong and famouse and all that?''No. By Rick Riordan Percy Constalation Shorts Favorite Kind

I tried to imagine how things could get much worse. The gods were in the Midwest fighting a huge monster that had almost defeated them once before. Poseidon was under siege and losing a war against the sea Titan Oceanus.Kronos was still out there somewhere. Olympus was virtually undefended. The demigods of Camp Half-Blood were on our own with a spy in our midst.Oh, and according to the ancient prophecy, I was going to die when I turned sixteen - which happened to be in five days, the exact same time Typhon was supposed to hit New York. Almost forgot that. By Rick Riordan Worse Imagine Things Midwest Titan

Thankfully,two old friends stood next to the throne. Horus wore full battle armor and a khopesh sword at his side.is kohl-lined eyes-one gold, one silver-were as piercing as ever. At his side stood Isis in a shimmering white gown, with wings of light. "Welcome," Horus said. "Um, hi," I said. "He has a way with words," Isis muttered, which made Sadie snort. By Rick Riordan Thankfullytwo Throne Horus Isis Friends

Ever since my famous battle with Python, I've had a phobia of scaly reptilian creatures. (Especially if you include my stepmother, Hera. BOOM!) By Rick Riordan Python Creatures Hera Boom Famous

Oh, don't be afraid of dreams," a voice said right next to me. I looked over. Somehow, I wasn't surprised to find the homeless guy from the rail yard sitting in the shotgun seat. His jeans were so worn out they were almost white. His coat was ripped, with stuffing coming out. He looked kind of like a teddy bear that had been run over by a truck. "If it weren't for dreams," he said, "I wouldn't know half the things I know about the future. They're better than Olympus tabloids." He cleared his throat, then held up his hands dramatically: "Dreams like a podcast, Downloading truth in my ears. They tell me cool stuff." "Apollo?" I guessed, because I figured nobody else could make a haiku that bad. He put his finger to his lips. "I'm incognito. Call me Fred." "A god named Fred?" "Eh, well ... Zeus insists on certain rules. Hands off, when there's a human quest. Even when something really major is wrong. But nobody messes with my baby sister. Nobody." "Can By Rick Riordan Dreams Afraid Voice Fred Looked

Meg turned and gazed out the rear windshield, probably checking for any shiny blobs pursuing us. "At least we're not being - ""Don't say it," Percy warned.Meg huffed. "You don't know what I was going to - ""You were going to say, 'At least we're not being followed,'" Percy said. "That'll jinx us. Immediately we'll notice that we are being followed. Then we'll end up in a big battle that totals my family car and probably destroys the whole freeway. Then we'll have to run all the way to camp."Meg's eyes widened. "You can tell the future?""Don't need to." Percy changed lanes to one that was crawling slightly less slowly. "I've just done this a lot. By Rick Riordan Percy Windshield Meg Turned Gazed

I'm nobody's sidekick," Annabeth growled. "And, Percy, his accent sounds familiar because he sounds like his mother. We killed her in New Jersey."Percy frowned. "I'm pretty sure that accent isn't New Jersey. Who's his - ? Oh."It all fell into place. Aunty Em's Garden Gnome Emporium - the lair of Medusa. She'd talked with that same accent, at least until Percy had cut off her head. "Medusa is your mom?" he asked. "Dude, that sucks for you. By Rick Riordan Annabeth Percy Sidekick Growled Accent

The rivalry ends here," [Percy] said. "I love you, Wise Girl. By Rick Riordan Percy Wise Girl Rivalry Ends

But beauty is about finding the right fit, the most natural fit, To be perfect, you have to feel perfect about yourself avoid trying to be something you're not. For a goddess, that's especially hard. We can change so easily.-Aphrodite By Rick Riordan Fit Perfect Aphrodite Beauty Finding

His family included all the demigods who fought at his side, Roman and Greek, new friends and old. He wasn't going to let anyone break his family apart. By Rick Riordan Roman Greek Side Family Included

We crept along, following the line of new arrivals that snaked from the main gates toward a black-tented pavilion with a banner that read: JUDGMENTS FOR ELYSIUM AND ETERNAL DAMNATION Welcome, Newly Deceased! By Rick Riordan Judgments Newly Deceased Elysium Eternal

Writing is like a sport. If you don't practice, you don't get any better. By Rick Riordan Writing Sport Practice

They send a person who can never stay,: she whispered. "Who can never accept my offer of companionship for more than a little while. They send me a hero I can't help ... Just the sort of person I can't help falling in love with." The night was quiet except for the gurgle of the fountains and waves lapping on the shore. It took me a long time to realize what she was saying. "Me?" I asked. "If you could see your face." She suppressed a smile, though her eyes were still teary. "Of course, you." "That's why you've been pulling away all this time?" "Itried very hard. But I can't help it. The Fates are cruel. They sent you to me, my brave one, knowing that you would break my heart." "But ... I'm just ... I mean, I'm just me." "That is enough," Calypso promised. By Rick Riordan Stay Whispered Send Person Time

Curled up at the base of the scales, fast asleep, was the oddest monster I'd seen yet. It had the head of crocodile with a lion's mane. The front half of its body was a lion, but the back end was sleek, brown, and fat - a hippo, I decided. The odd bit was, the animal was tiny - I mean, no larger than an average poodle, which I suppose made him a hippodoodle. By Rick Riordan Curled Scales Fast Asleep Base

The intercom crackled. Buford's Mini-Hedge yelled over the speakers, PUT SOME CLOTHES ON! By Rick Riordan Crackled Put Intercom Clothes Buford

Then suddenly Percy was next to her, lacing his fingers in hers. He turned her gently away from the pit and wrapped his arms around her. She buried her face in his chest and broke down in tears. "It's okay," he said. "We're together." He didn't say you're okay, or we're alive. After all they'd been through over the last year, he knew the most important thing was that they were together. She loved him for saying that. Their friends gathered around them. Nico di Angelo was there, but Annabeth's thoughts were so fuzzy, this didn't seem surprising to her. It seemed only right that he would be with them. "Your leg." Piper knelt next to her and examined the Bubble Wrap cast. "Oh, Annabeth, what happened?" She started to explain. Talking was difficult, but as she went along, her words came more easily. Percy didn't let go of her hand, which also made her feel more confident. When she finished, her friends' faces were slack with amazement. "Gods of Olympus," Jason said. "You did all that By Rick Riordan Lacing Suddenly Fingers Annabeth Percy

Remind me again-why do you hate me so much?"I don't hate you."Could've fooled me."She folded her cap of invisibility. "Look ... we're just not supposed to get along, okay? Our parents are rivals."Why?"She sighed. "How many reasons do you want? One time my mom caught Poseidon with his girlfriend in Athena's temple, which is hugely disrespectful. Another time, Athena and Poseidon competed to be the patron god for the city of Athens. Your dad created some stupid saltwater spring for his gift. My mom created the olive tree. The people saw that her gift was better, so they named the city after her."They must really like olives."Oh, forget it."Now, if she'd invented pizza-that I could understand. By Rick Riordan Hate Remind You Invisibility Againwhy

The crew of the Argo II assembled at the rail and cut the grappling lines. Piper brought out her new horn of plenty and, on Percy's direction, willed it to spew Diet Coke, which came out with the strength of a fire hose, dousing the enemy deck. Percy thought it would take hours, but the ship sank remarkably fast, filling with Diet Coke and seawater. "Dionysus," Percy called, holding up Chrysaor's golden mask. "Or Bacchus - whatever. You made this victory possible, even if you weren't here. Your enemies trembled at your name ... or your Diet Coke, or something. So, yeah, thank you." The words were hard to get out, but Percy managed not to gag. "We give this ship to you as tribute. We hope you like it." "Six million in gold," Leo muttered. "He'd better like it. By Rick Riordan Diet Coke Argo Percy Lines

Thats what happens to Snow in Texas, lady. It freaking MELTS!! Leo Valdez- The Lost Hero By Rick Riordan Lady Texas Snow Melts Valdez

Leo gestured to the empty core. "The syncopator goes here. It's a multi-access gyro-valve to regulate flow. The dozen glass tubes on the outside? Those are filled with powerful, dangerous stuff. That glowing red one is Lemnos fire from my dad's forges. This murky stuff here? That's water from the River Styx. The stuff in the tubes is going to power the ship, right? Like radioactive rods in a nuclear reactor. But the mix ratio has to be controlled, and the timer is already operational."Leo tapped the digital clock, which now read 65:15. "That means without the syncopator, this stuff is all going to vent into the chamber at the same time, in sixty-five minutes. At that point, we'll get a very nasty reaction."Jason and Piper stared at him. Leo wondered if he'd been speaking English. Sometimes when he was agitated he slipped into Spanish, like his mom used to do in her workshop. But he was pretty sure he'd used English. By Rick Riordan Stuff Leo Core Gestured Empty

My heroes, our time together is short," Juno said. "I am grateful that you called upon me. I have spent weeks in a state of pain and confusion...my Greek and Roman natures warring against each other. Worse, I've been forced to hide from Jupiter, who searches for me in his misguided wrath, believing that I caused this war with Gaea." "Gee," Annabeth said, "why would he think that? By Rick Riordan Juno Heroes Short Time Gee

If he's survived as a loner all this time, maybe he's seen Jason. By Rick Riordan Jason Time Survived Loner

I wondered if I should start a small fire in Percy Jackson's sink, perhaps burn some bandages in thanks, but I decided that might strain that Jackson's hospitality. By Rick Riordan Jackson Percy Sink Hospitality Wondered

Kronos couldn't have risen if it hadn't been for a lot of demigods who felt abandoned by their parents," I said. "They felt angry, resentful, and unloved, and they had a good reason."Zeus's royal nostrils flared. "You dare accuse-""No more undetermined children," I said. "I want you to promise to claim your children-all your demigod children-by the time they turn thirteen. They won't be left out in the world on their own at the mercy of monsters. I want them claimed and brought to camp so they can be trained right, and survive." "Now, wait just a moment," Apollo said, but I was on a roll."And the minor gods," I said. "Nemesis, Hecate, Morpheus, Janus, Hebethey all deserve a general amnesty and a place at Camp Half-Blood. Their children shouldn't be ignored. Calypso and the other peaceful Titan-kind should be pardoned too. And Hades-""Are you calling me a minor god?" Hades bellowed. By Rick Riordan Felt Kronos Parents Risen Lot

How do you greet a god? If there's an etiquette guide for that, I haven't read it. I'm never sure if I'm supposed to shake hands, kneel, or bow and shout, "We're not worthy!" I knew Hermes better than most of the Olympians. Over the years, he'd helped me out several times. Unfortunately last summer I'd also fought his demigod son Luke, who'd been corrupted by the Titan Kronos, in a mortal combat smack-down for the fate of the world. Luke's death hadn't been entirely my fault, but it still put a damper on my relationship with Hermes. I decided to start simple. "Hi. By Rick Riordan God Greet Hermes Luke Olympians

Mostly they're harmless, but I've never seen them so agitated." "They're staring at me," Percy said. "That ghost kid called me Greggus. My name isn't Greg." "Graecus," Hazel said. "Once you've been here awhile, you'll start understanding Latin. Demigods have a natural sense for it. Graecus means Greek. By Rick Riordan Harmless Agitated Percy Graecus Greggus

Huh," Leo said. "Well, if you ever get off this island and want a job, let me know. You're not a total klutz."She smirked. "A job, eh?" Making things in your forge?""Nah, we could start our own shop," Leo said, surprising himself. Starting a machine shop had always been one of his dreams, but he'd never told anyone about it. "Leo and Calypso's Garage: Auto Repair and Mechanical Monsters. By Rick Riordan Leo Huh Job Nah Shop

Nico," I said at last, "shouldn't you be sitting at the Hades table?"He shrugged. "Technically, yes. But if I sit alone at my table, strange things happen. Cracks open in the floor. Zombies crawl out and start roaming around. It's a mood disorder. I can't control it. That's what I told Chiron.""And is it true?" I asked.Nico smiled thinly. "I have a note from my doctor."Will raised his hand. "I'm his doctor.""Chiron decided it wasn't worth arguing about," Nico said. "As long as I sit at a table with other people, like ... oh, these guys for instance ... the zombies stay away. Everybody's happier."Will nodded serenely. "It's the strangest thing. Not that Nico would ever misuse his powers to get what he wants.""Of course not," Nico agreed. By Rick Riordan Hades Nico Table Shrugged Technically

He touched the screen as if trying to reach through with his hand. "You're a wonderful young lady. I don't tell you that often enough. You remind me so much of your mother. She'd be proud. And Grandpa Tom" he chuckled "he always said you'd be the most powerful voice in our family. You're going to outshine me some day, you know. They're going to remember me as Piper McLean's father, and that's the best legacy I can imagine. By Rick Riordan Hand Touched Screen Reach Lady

Well, until next time.' Sadie threw her arms around Annabeth. Annabeth was a little shocked to be getting a hug from a girl she'd just met - a girl who could just as easily have seen Annabeth as an enemy. But the gesture made her feel good. In life-and-death situations, Annabeth had learned, you could make friends pretty quickly. She patted Sadie's shoulder. 'Stay safe. By Rick Riordan Annabeth Time Sadie Girl Stay

What exactly did you find in Atlanta?"Frank unzipped his backpack and started bringing out souvenirs. "Some peach preserves. A couple of T-shirts. A snow globe. And, um, these not-really-Chinese handcuffs."Annabeth forced herself to stay calm. "How about you start from the top - of the story, not the backpack. By Rick Riordan Atlanta Frank Souvenirs Find Unzipped

When he pulled away, he smiled kindly at me. I felt so good, I'll admit I teared up a little. I guess until that moment I hadn't allowed myself to realize just how terrified I had been the last few days."Dad-""Shhh," he said. "No hero is above fear, Percy. And you have risen above every hero. Not even Hercules- By Rick Riordan Pulled Smiled Kindly Dad Shhh

And," Annabeth continued, "it reminds me how long we've known each other. We were twelve, Percy. Can you believe that?""No, he admitted. "So ... you knew you liked me from that moment?"She smirked. "I hated you at first. You annoyed me. Then I tolerated you for a few years. Then - ""Okay, fine."She leaned in and kissed: him a good, proper kiss without anyone watching - no Romans anywhere, no screaming satyr chaperones. She pulled away. "I missed you, Percy."Percy wanted to tell her the same thing, but it seemed too small a comment. While he had been on the Roman side, he'd kept himself alive almost solely by thinking of Annabeth. I missed you didn't really cover that. By Rick Riordan Continued Percy Reminds Long Annabeth

At this point, you may be wondering how I felt seeing my son with Nico di Angelo. I'll admit I did not understand Will's attraction to a child of Hades, but if the dark foreboding type was what made Will happy ... Oh perhaps some of you are wondering how I felt seeing him with a boyfriend rather than a girlfriend. If that's the case, please. We gods are not hung up about such things. By Rick Riordan Angelo Nico Point Felt Wondering

Right," Nico said again. "But it's cool. We're cool. I mean, I see now ... you're cute, but you're not my type, By Rick Riordan Nico Cool Cute Type

Hey!" said the guy in the video. "Greetings from your friends at Camp Half-Blood, et cetera. This is Leo. I'm the ... " He looked off screen and yelled: "What's my title? Am I like admiral, or captain, or-"A girl's voice yelled back, "Repair boy.""Very funny, Piper," Leo grumbled. He turned back to the parchment screen. "So yeah, I'm ... ah..supreme commander of the Argo II. Yeah, I like that! Anyway, we're gonna be sailing towards you in about, I dunno, an hour in this big mother warship. We'd appreciate it if you'd not, like, blow us out of the sky or anything. So okay! If you could tell the Romans that. See you soon. Yours in demigodishness, and all that. Peace out! By Rick Riordan Hey Video Leo Guy Camp

Greetings from your friends at Camp Half-Blood, et cetera. This is Leo. I'm the ... " He looked off screen and yelled: "What's my title? Am I like admiral, or captain, or - " A girl's voice yelled back, "Repair boy." "Very funny, Piper," Leo grumbled. He turned back to the parchment screen. "So yeah, I'm ... ah ... supreme commander of the Argo II. Yeah, I like that! Anyway, we're gonna be sailing toward you in about, I dunno, an hour in this big mother warship. We'd appreciate it if you'd not, like, blow us out of the sky or anything. So okay! If you could tell the Romans that. See you soon. Yours in demigodishness, and all that. Peace out." The parchment turned blank. By Rick Riordan Camp Halfblood Cetera Leo Friends

I touched the combination lock. I concentrated so hard I felt like I was dead-lifting five hundred pounds. My pulse quickening. A line of sweat trickled down my nose. Finally I felt gears turning. Metal groaned, tumblers clicked, and the bolts popped back. Carefully avoiding the handle, I pried open the door with my fingertips and extracted an unbroken vial of green liquid.Hal exhaled.Thalia kissed me on the cheek, which she probably shouldn't haven't done while I was holding a tube of deadly poison."You are so good," she said.Did that make the risk worth? Yeah, pretty much. By Rick Riordan Lock Touched Combination Felt Pounds

Annabeth, thank goodness, would be staying in New York. She'd gotten permission from her parentsto attend a boarding school in the city so she could be close to Olympus and oversee the rebuildingefforts."And close to me?" I asked."Well, someone's got a big sense of his own importance." But she laced her fingers through mine. Iremembered what she'd told me in New York, about building something permanent, and I thought - justmaybe - we were off to a good start. By Rick Riordan Annabeth York Goodness Staying Close

Yeah, join you. Right. Until you get bored of me and turn me into a Leosicle? Lady, nobody messes with my dragon and gets away with it. I can't believe I thought you were hot. By Rick Riordan Yeah Join Leosicle Lady Hot

How did you decide when someone was irretrievably lost - when they were so evil or toxic or just plain set in their ways that you had to face the fact they were never going to change? How long could you keep trying to save them, and when did you give up and grieve for them as though they were dead? By Rick Riordan Lost Change Decide Irretrievably Evil

Frank scooted back like the disk might explode. He had an orange-juice mustache and a brownie-crumb beard that made Piper want to hand him a napkin. By Rick Riordan Frank Explode Scooted Back Disk

Identify the moral dilemma driving the novel. the successful novel will haunt a reader because it deals with some ethical or moral dilemma that makes the reader wonder what he or she would do in the protagonist's place. By Rick Riordan Moral Dilemma Identify Driving Reader

Fat men in tank tops drank beer while the women and children streamed back and forth between the tables and their battered station wagons, bringing ice chests and boxes of potato chips and marshmallows. A little dog was doing circles around the kids' legs. The far curb of the turnout lane was lined with semis, the cabs dark and the drivers inside sleeping or shaving or eating, staring at the horizon and thinking whatever it is truckers think. By Rick Riordan Fat Wagons Bringing Marshmallows Men

Must've been hard on your mom," Frank said. "I guess we'll do anything for someone we love."Hazel squeezed his hand appreciatively. Nico stared at the cobblestones. "Yeah," he said bitterly. "I guess we will. By Rick Riordan Frank Mom Hazel Hard Guess

She held up her calloused, grimy fingers. Leo couldn't help thinking there was nothing hotter than a girl who didn't mind getting her hands dirty. But of course, that was just a general comment. Didn't apply to Calypso. Obviously. By Rick Riordan Calloused Grimy Fingers Held Calypso

No one should know his entire fate. It's too dangerous and too depressing. Just keep going, do your best, and hope it's good enough. That's all any of us can do. By Rick Riordan Fate Entire Depressing Dangerous Hope

Oh, I believe you. It's too ridiculous not to be true. It's just that each time my world gets stranger, I think: Right. We're at maximum oddness now. At least I know the full extent of it. First, I find out my brother and I are descended from the pharaohs and have magic powers. All right. No problem. Then I find out my dead father has merged his soul with Osiris and Why not? Then my uncle takes over the House of Life and oversees hundreds of magicians around the world. Then my boyfriend turns out to be a hybrid magician boy/immortal god of funerals. And all the while I'm thinking, Of course! Keep calm and carry on! I've adjusted! And then you come along on a random Thursday, la-di-da, and say, Oh, by the way, Egyptian gods are just one small part of the cosmic absurdity. We've also got the Greeks to worry about! Hooray! By Rick Riordan Find World True Ridiculous Osiris

The god's expression was calm and content, as if he'd just come home from a lovely evening strolling through the Fields of Punishment, enjoying the screams of the damned. By Rick Riordan Punishment Fields Content Enjoying Damned

She twisted her hair as if the question made her uncomfortable. "Seeing the past is simple magic. Seeing the present or the future - that is not." "Yeah, well," Leo said. "Watch and learn, Sunshine. I just connect these last two wires, and - " The bronze plate sparked. Smoke billowed from the sphere. A flash of fire raced up Leo's sleeve. He pulled off his shirt, threw it down, and stomped on it. He could tell Calypso was trying not to laugh, but she was shaking with the effort. "Not a word," Leo warned. She glanced at his bare chest, which was sweaty, bony, and streaked with old scars from weapon-making accidents. "Nothing worth commenting on," she assured him. "If you want that device to work, perhaps you should try a musical invocation." "Right," he said. "Whenever an engine malfunctions, I like to tap-dance around it. Works every time. By Rick Riordan Leo Uncomfortable Twisted Hair Question

Look, some people prefer they,' Alex said. 'They're non-binary or mid-spectrum or whatever. If they want you to use they, then that's what you should do. But for me, personally, I don't want to use the same pronouns all the time, because that's not me. I change a lot. That's sort of the point. When I'm she, I'm she. When I'm he, I'm he. I'm not they. Get it?''If I say no, will you hurt me?''No.''Then no, not really.'She shrugged. 'You don't have to get it. Just, you know, a little respect.''For the girl with the very sharp wire? No problem.'She must have liked that answer. There was nothing confusing about the smile she gave me. It warmed the office about five degrees. By Rick Riordan Alex People Prefer Nonbinary Midspectrum

I will accept only the best from you, Percy Jackson. I took a deep breath. I picked up the mythology book. I'd never asked a teacher for help before. Maybe if I talked to Mr. Brunner, he could give me some pointers. At least I could apologize for the big fat F I was about to score on his exam. I didn't want to leave Yancy Academy with him thinking I hadn't tried. I walked downstairs to the faculty offices. Most of them were dark and empty, but Mr. Brunner's door was ajar, light from his window stretching across the hallway floor. I was three steps from the door handle when I heard voices inside the office. Mr. Brunner asked a question. A voice that was definitely Grover's said " ... worried about Percy, sir." I froze. I'm not usually an eavesdropper, but I dare you to try not listening if you hear your best friend talking about you to an adult. I inched closer. By Rick Riordan Jackson Brunner Accept Percy Asked

The goddess smiled. "You are a good hero, Percy Jackson. Not too proud. I like that. But you have much to learn. When Dionysus was made a god, I gave up my throne for him. It was the only way to avoid a civil war among the gods.""It unbalanced the Council," I remembered. "Suddenly there were seven guys and five girls."Hestia shrugged. "It was the best solution, not a perfect one. Now I tend the fire. I fade slowly into the background. No one will ever write epic poems about the deeds of Hestia. Most demigods don't even stop to talk to me. But that is no matter. I keep the peace. I yield when necessary. Can you do this? By Rick Riordan Smiled Goddess Percy Jackson Hestia

You get angry, you punch someone in the face. Simple. Direct. Bloody. Fun! By Rick Riordan Angry Face Simple Punch Direct

He turned, registering a face with blond hair, and for a split second he thought it was Will Solace. When Nico realized it was Jason, he was disappointed. Then he felt angry with himself for feeling that way. By Rick Riordan Solace Turned Registering Hair Face

Percy: "You asked Poseidon for ... me?" Tyson: "For a friend, young cyclopes grow up alone on the streets, learns to make things out of scraps. Learn to survive." Percy: "But that's so cruel!" Tyson: "Makes us appreciate blessings, not be greedy and mean and fat like Polyphemus. But I got scared. Monsters chased me so much, clawed me sometimes" Percy: "The scars on your back?" Tyson: "Sphinx on Seventy-second Street. Big Bully. I prayed to Daddy for help. Soon the people at Meriwether found me. Mey you. Biggest blessing ever. Sorry I said Poseidon was mean. He sent me a brother. By Rick Riordan Percy Tyson Poseidon Asked Learns

I have orders to bring Reyna in alive to stand trial for treason. I have no orders to bring you in alive, or the faun." "Satyr!" the coach yelled. He kicked a skeleton in its bony crotch, which seemed to hurt Hedge more than the redcoat. "Ow! Stupid British dead guys! By Rick Riordan Reyna Orders Bring Alive Treason

Meat!" he said scornfully. "I'm a vegetarian."You eat cheese enchiladas and aluminum cans," I reminded him.Those are vegetables. By Rick Riordan Meat Scornfully Vegetarian Vegetables Eat

We did all the standard camp numbers: "Down By The Aegean," "I Am My Own Great-Great-Great-Great Grandpa," "This Land is Minos's Land. By Rick Riordan Grandpa Aegean Land Minos Numbers

I named my camel Katrina. She was a natural disaster. She slobbered everywhere and seemed to think the purple streak in my hair was some kind of exotic fruit. She was obsessed with trying to eat my head. I named Walt's camel Hindenburg. He was almost as large as a zeppelin and definitely as full of gas. By Rick Riordan Katrina Named Camel Hindenburg Disaster

I'll admit that I was staring. Suddenly my whole perspective had flipped inside out, like when you look at an inkblot picture and see just the black part. Then your brain inverts the image and you realize the white part makes an entirely different picture, even though nothing has changed. That was Alex Fierro, except in pink and green. A second ago, he had been very obviously a boy to me. Now she was very obviously a girl. By Rick Riordan Staring Admit Picture Part Fierro

Fair ... You'd be amazed how often I hear that word, Frank Zhang,and how meaningless it is. Is it fair your life will burn so short and bright? Was it fair when I guided your mother to the Underworld? No, not fair. And yet it was her time. There is no fairness in Death. If you free me, I will do my duty. By Rick Riordan Fair Frank Zhangand Underworld Death

Poseidon put his weathered hand on my shoulder. "Percy, lesser beings do many horrible things in the name of the gods. That does not mean we gods approve. The way our sons and daughters act in our names ... well, it usually says more about them than it does about us. And you, Percy, are my favorite son." He smiled, and at that moment, just being in the kitchen with him was the best birthday present I ever got. By Rick Riordan Percy Poseidon Shoulder Put Weathered

Can't pretend I hadn't thought about Rachel. She was so much easier to be around than ... well, than some other girls I knew. I didn't have to work hard, or watch what I said, or rack my brain trying to figure out what she was thinking. Rachel didn't hide much. She let you know how she felt. By Rick Riordan Pretend Thought Rachel Easier Knew

Leo laughed. "I keep forgetting about your amnesia. Heh. Forgetting about amnesia. That's funny. But yeah, her dad's Tristan McLean." "Uh - Sorry, what was he in?" "It doesn't matter," Piper said quickly. By Rick Riordan Leo Laughed Amnesia Forgetting Heh

Outcast!" When he'd disappeared into the bushes, Juniper wiped her eyes. "I'm sorry, Percy. I didn't mean to get you involved. Leneus is still a lord of the Wild. You don't want to make an enemy of him." "No problem," I said. "I've got worse enemies than overweight satyrs." Nico walked back to us. "Good job, Percy. Judging from the trail of goat pellets, I'd say you shook him up pretty well. By Rick Riordan Outcast Percy Juniper Wild Bushes

The cord, a familiar voice said. Remember your lifeline, dummy!Suddenly there was a tug in my lower back. The current pulled at me, but it wasn't carrying me away anymore. I imagined the string in my back keeping me tied to the shore."Hold on, Seaweed Brain." It was Annabeth's voice, much clearer now. "You're not getting away from me that easily."The cord strengthened.I could see Annabeth now- standing barefoot above me on the canoe lake pier. I'd fallen out of my canoe. That was it. She was reaching out her hand to haul me up, and she was trying not to laugh. She wore her orange camp T-shirt and jeans. Her hair was tucked up in her Yankees cap, which was strange because that should have made her invisible."You are such an idiot sometimes." She smiled. "Come on. Take my hand."Memories came flooding back to me- sharper and more colorful. I stopped dissolving. My name was Percy Jackson. I reached up and took Annabeth's hand. By Rick Riordan Annabeth Back Familiar Suddenly Cord

Before I could figure out how to apologize for being such an idiot, she tackled me with a hug, then pulled away just as quickly. "I'm glad you're not a guinea pig.""Me, too." I hoped my face wasn't as red as it felt. By Rick Riordan Idiot Hug Quickly Figure Apologize

Being a hero doesn't mean you're invincible. It just means that you're brave enough to stand up and do what's needed.And if I don't know what's needed?That's what your friends are for. We've all got different strengths. Together, we'll figure it out. By Rick Riordan Invincible Hero Needed Strengths Brave

People lie. Promises are broken. A By Rick Riordan People Lie Promises Broken

BACK IN SCHOOL, I loved ending stories that way. It's the perfect conclusion, isn't it? Billy went to school. He had a good day. Then he died. The end. It doesn't leave you hanging. It wraps everything up nice and neat. Except in my case, it didn't. Maybe you're thinking, Oh, Magnus, you didn't really die. Otherwise you couldn't be narrating this story. You just came close. Then you were miraculously rescued, blah, blah, blah. Nope. I actually died. One hundred percent: guts impaled, vital organs burned, head smacked into a frozen river from forty feet up, every bone in my body broken, lungs filled with ice water. The medical term for that is dead. Gee, Magnus, what did it feel like? It hurt. A lot. Thanks for asking. I By Rick Riordan Back School Blah Magnus Loved

The medical term for that is dead. Gee, Magnus, what did it feel like? It hurt. A lot. Thanks for asking. By Rick Riordan Magnus Dead Gee Medical Term

How do we beat her? I asked.You pretty much don't, Horus said. She is the incarnation of the sun's wrath. Back in the day when Ra was active, she would have been much more impressive, but still.She's unstoppable. A born killer. A slaying machine"Okay, I get it!" I yelled. By Rick Riordan Beat Horus Unstoppable Wrath Askedyou

Have you any idea how much my kingdom has swollen in this past century alone, how many subdivisions I've had to open?"I opened my mouth to respond, but Hades was on a roll now.More security ghouls," he moaned. "Traffic problems at the judgment pavilion. Double overtime for the staff. I used to be a rich god, Percy Jackson. I control all the precious metals under the earth. But my expenses!"Charon wants a pay raise," I blurted, just remembering the fact. As soon as I said it, I wished I could sew up my mouth.Don't get me started on Charon!" Hades yelled. "He's been impossible ever since he discovered Italian suits! Problems everywhere, and I've got to handle all of them personally. The commute time alone from the palace to the gates is enough to drive me insane! And the dead just keep arriving. No, godling. I need no help getting subjects! I did not ask for this war. By Rick Riordan Open Respond Ghouls Moaned Idea

She looked up through a haze of pain. At the edge of the garden, a dark figure approached - the silhouette of a man whose eyes shone like miniature headlamps, blinding Reyna. She heard the scrape of iron against leather as he drew another arrow from his quiver. By Rick Riordan Pain Looked Haze Reyna Garden

To protect the snack cupboard from late-night nom-nom raids, By Rick Riordan Raids Protect Snack Cupboard Latenight

About the prophecy that Rachel did at the end of "The Last Olympian," Percy Jackson will participate this prophecy, along with Annabeth?Sorry for spelling errors By Rick Riordan Olympian Percy Annabeth Rachel Jackson

She thought about her cousins in Oklahoma, which was odd, since she'd never spent much time with them. She didn't even know them very well. Now she was sorry about that. By Rick Riordan Oklahoma Odd Thought Cousins Spent

I'd been to the British museum before. In fact I've been in more museums than I like to admit - it makes me sound like a total geek.[That's Sadie in the background, yelling I am a total geek. Thanks, Sis.] By Rick Riordan British Sis Total Geek Sadie

We only have a few hours, so listen carefully.If you're hearing this story, you're already in danger. Sadie and I might be your only chance.Go to the school. Find the locker. I won't tell you which school or which locker, because if you're the right person, you'll find it. The combination is 13/32/33. By the time you finish listening, you'll know what those numbers mean. Just remember the story we're about to tell you isn't complete yet. How it ends will depend on you.The most important thing: when you open the package and find what's inside, don't keep it longer than a week. Sure, it'll be tempting. I mean, it will grant you almost unlimited power. But if you possess it too long, it will consume you. Learn its secrets quickly and pass it on. Hide it for the next person, the way Sadie and I did for you. Then be prepared for your life to get very interesting. By Rick Riordan Find Hours Danger Listen Carefullyif

It is woven with the most powerful paradoxes in the Nine Worlds - Wi-Fi with no lag, a politician's sincerity, a printer that prints, healthy deep fried food, and an interesting grammar lecture!''Okay, yeah,' I admitted. 'Those things don't exist. By Rick Riordan Yeah Worlds Wifi Lag Sincerity

I call it Andskoti, the Adversary. It is woven with the most powerful paradoxes in the Nine Worlds - Wi-Fi with no lag, a politician's sincerity, a printer that prints, healthy deep-fried food, and an interesting grammar lecture! By Rick Riordan Andskoti Adversary Call Worlds Wifi

Lou Ellen and the Hecate kids havebeen putting up magic barriers, and the whole Hermes cabinhas been lining the hills with traps and snares and all kindsof nice surprises for the Romans!" Jake Mason frowned. "Most of which you stole fromBunker Nine and the Hephaestus cabin." Clarisse grumbled in agreement. "They even stole the land mines from around the Ares cabin. How do you steal live land mines? By Rick Riordan Romans Ellen Hecate Hermes Lou

She'd just watched Tristan McLean, her cool suave movie star dad, reduced to near insanity. Leo could barely stand to watch that, but for Piper - Wow, Leo couldn't even imagine. He figured that would make her insecure about herself, too. If weakness was inherited, she'd be wondering, could she break down the same way her dad did? "Hey, don't worry," Leo said. "Piper, you're the strongest, most powerful beauty queen I've ever met. You can trust yourself. For what it's worth, you can trust me too." The helicopter dipped in a wind shear, and Leo almost jumped out of his skin. He cursed and righted the chopper. Piper laughed nervously. "Trust you, huh?" "Ah, shut up, already." But he grinned at her, and for a second, it felt like he was just relaxing comfortably with a friend. Then they hit the storm clouds. By Rick Riordan Tristan Leo Piper Wow Trust

I slashed a wide arc with Riptide and vaporized the entire front row of monsters.Back off!" I yelled at the rest, trying to sound fierce. Behind them stood their instructor - a six-foot-tall telekhine with Doberman fangs snarling at me. I did my best to stare him down.New lesson, class," I announced. "Most monsters will vaporize when sliced with a celestial bronze sword. This change is perfectly normal, and will happen to you right now if you don't BACK OFF! By Rick Riordan Riptide Slashed Wide Arc Vaporized

A demigod!" one snarled."Eat it!" yelled another.But that's as far as they got before I slashed a wide arc with Riptide and vaporized the entire front row of monsters."Back off!" I yelled at the rest, trying to sound fierce. Behind them stood their instructora six-foot tall telekhine with Doberman fangs snarling at me. I did my best to stare him down."New lesson, class," I announced. "Most monsters will vaporize when sliced with a celestial bronze sword. This change is completely normal, and will happen to you right now if you don't BACK OFF!"To my surprise, it worked. The monsters backed off, but there was at least twenty of them. My fear factor wasn't going to last that long.I jumped out of the cart, yelled, "CLASS DISMISSED!" and ran for the exit. By Rick Riordan Eat Riptide Yelled Demigod Snarled

I started to walk away, but she [Clarisse] called out, "Percy?""Yeah?""When you, uh, had that vision about your friends ... ""You were one of them," I promised, "Just don't tell anybody, okay? Or I'de have to kill you."A faint smile flickered across her face "See you later.""See you By Rick Riordan Clarisse Percy Yeah Called Friends

call me a nobody. He just had a lot on his mind. 'You ever meet your dad?' I asked. 'Once.' I waited, thinking that if he wanted to tell me, he'd tell me. Apparently, he didn't. I wondered if the story had anything to do with how he got his scar. Luke looked up and managed a smile. 'Don't worry about it, Percy. The campers here, they're mostly good people. After all, we're extended family, right? We take care By Rick Riordan Call Mind Percy Lot Dad

It is true that I once refused to eat haggis in Scotland and this did not sit well with the local population. By Rick Riordan Scotland Population True Refused Eat

He also didn't mind Piper's using him for a pillow. She had a cute way of breathing when she slept - inhaling through the nose, exhaling with a little puff through the mouth. He was also disappointed when she woke up. By Rick Riordan Piper Pillow Mind Slept Inhaling

Suit yourself.' Sadie shouldered her pack, then helped Annabeth up. 'You say Carter drew a hieroglyph on your boyfriend's hand. All well and good, but I'd rather stay in touch with you directly.'Annabeth smirked. 'You're right. Can't trust boys to communicate.'They exchanged cell-phone numbers.'Just don't call unless it's urgent,' Annabeth warned. 'Cell-phone activity attracts monsters.'Sadie looked surprised. 'Really? Never noticed. I suppose I shouldn't send you any funny-face selfies on Instagram, then.''Probably not.''Well, until next time.' Sadie threw her arms round Annabeth. By Rick Riordan Annabeth Sadie Suit Cellphone Carter

I gave the dwarves an arrogant look, like, Yeah, that's right. I've got a talking disco sword and you don't. By Rick Riordan Yeah Gave Dwarves Arrogant Talking

She loved Percy for trying to lift her spirits. Annabeth Chase By Rick Riordan Percy Spirits Chase Loved Lift

As for my brothers,' Zeus said, 'we are thankful -' he cleared his throat, like the words were hard to get out - 'erm, thankful for the aid of Hades.' The Lord of the Dead nodded. He had a smug look on his face, but I figure he'd earned the right. He patted his son Nico on the shoulders, and Nico looked happier than I'd ever seen him. By Rick Riordan Zeus Hades Thankful Erm Brothers

Once he'd even reprogrammed the electronic billboards in Time Square to read: ALL DA LADIES LUV LEO ... accidentally, of course. By Rick Riordan Leo Time Square Ladies Luv

Guy took out his mobile phone and said something into it. Then he looked around, like he was making sure the coast was clear, and started walking down the Mall in the direction By Rick Riordan Guy Mobile Phone Mall Clear

I'm a teacher still, but with a much larger classroom. By Rick Riordan Classroom Teacher Larger

I wondered if I would appear on a temple wall painting someday. A blonde Egyptian girl with purple highlights running sideways through the palm trees, screaming "Yikes!" in hieroglyphics as Neith chased after me. The thought of some poor archaeologist trying to figure that out almost lifted my spirits. By Rick Riordan Yikes Someday Screaming Wondered Temple

Is Tyson okay?" I asked. The question seemed to take my dad by surprise. He's fine. Doing much better than I expected. Though "peanut butter" is a strange battle cry. "You let him fight?" Stop changing the subject! You realize what you are asking me to do? My palace will be destroyed. "And Olympus might be saved." Do you have any idea how long I've worked on remodeling this palace? The game room alone took six hundred years. "Dad - " Very well! It shall be as you say. But my son, pray this works. "I am praying. I'm talking to you, right?" Oh ... yes. Good point. By Rick Riordan Tyson Dad Palace Asked Olympus

Tyson okay?" I asked. The question seemed to take my dad by surprise. He's fine. Doing much better than I expected. Though "peanut butter" is a strange battle cry. "You let him fight?" Stop changing the subject! You realize what you are asking me to do? My palace will be destroyed. "And Olympus might be saved." Do you have any idea how long I've worked on remodeling this palace? The game room alone took six hundred years. "Dad - " Very well! It shall be as you say. But my son, pray this works. "I am praying. I'm talking to you, right? By Rick Riordan Tyson Dad Palace Asked Olympus

We'd spent maybe ten minutes together, during which time I'd accidentally swung a sword at her, she'd saved my life, and I'd run away chased by a band of supernatural killing machines. You know, your typical chance meeting. By Rick Riordan Life Machines Spent Ten Minutes

I've got a few ideas," (Amy) admitted. "But I don't know where we're going in the long term. I mean - have you ever thought about what this ultimate treasure could be?""Something cool." (Dan)"Oh, that's real helpful. I mean, what could make somebody the most powerful Cahill in history? And why thirty-nine clues?"Dan shrugged. "Thirty-nine is a sweet number. It's thirteen times three. It's also the sum of five prime numbers in a row - 3,5,7,11,13. And if you add the first three powers of three, 3 to the first, 3 to the second, and s to the third, you get thirty-nine."Amy stared at him. "How did you know that?""What do you mean? It's obvious. By Rick Riordan Admitted Dan Amy Ideas Thirtynine

Your art ... " I gaped at the field of white. "There was a lovely portrait of me - right there."I get offended whenever art is damaged, especially if that art features me. By Rick Riordan Art White There Damaged Gaped

Normally my sister, Sadie, or some of our other initiates from Brooklyn House would've come with me. But they were all at the First Nome, in Egypt, for a weeklong training session on controlling cheese demons(yes, they're a real thing; believe me, you don't want to know) By Rick Riordan Sadie Brooklyn House Sister Nome

I don't care what your nose says! The last time you smelled half-blood, it turned out to be a meatloaf sandwich!""Meatloaf sandwiches are good! But this is a half-blood scent, I swear. They are on board!""Bah, your brain isn't on board! By Rick Riordan Board Meatloaf Bah Care Nose

[Leo] lunged at Passalos, but the red-furred dwarf was too quick. He sprang from his chair, bounced off Jason's head, did a flip, and landed next to Leo, his hairy arms around Leo's waist."Save me?" the dwarf pleaded."Get off!" Leo tried to shove him away, but Passalos did a backward somersault and landed out of reach. Leo's pants promptly fell around his knees.He stared at Passalos, who was now grinning and holding a small zigzaggy strip of metal. Somehow, the dwarf had stolen the zipper right off Leo's pants."Give - stupid - zipper!" Leo stuttered, trying to shake his fist and hoist up his pants at the same time."Eh, not shiny enough." Passalos tossed it away. By Rick Riordan Leo Passalos Dwarf Lunged Quick

Yeah, we're back to the whole brother-marrying-sister thing. Let's get it out of our systems - all together, One, two, three: GROSS! By Rick Riordan Yeah Thing Gross Back Systems

Just like the good old days: marching together into the unknown, searching for missing magical weapons and risking painful death. I'd missed my buddies! By Rick Riordan Days Marching Unknown Searching Death

I'll be fine." She felt terrified, but she wasn't about to admit it. She drew her dagger Katoptris and tried to look confident. "Anyone gets close, I'll skewer them." Jason hesitated. "I'll leave you the pack. If I'm not back in five minutes - " "Panic?" she suggested. He managed a smile. "Glad you're back to normal. The makeup and the dress were a lot more intimidating than the dagger." "Get going, Sparky, before I skewer you." "Sparky?" Even offended, Jason looked hot. It wasn't fair. Then he made his way to the stairs and disappeared into the dark. By Rick Riordan Sparky Fine Jason Skewer Katoptris

Not long," Zia said. "I wanted to talk to you before [Carter and Amos] come back." [Sadie] raised an eyebrow. "About Carter? Well, if you're wondering whether he likes you, the way he stammers might be an indication." Zia frowned. "No, I'm - " "Asking if I mind? Very considerate. I must say at first I had my doubts, what with you threatening to kill us and all, but I've decided you're not the bad sort, and Carter's mad about you, so - " "It's not about Carter." "Oops. Could you just forget what I said, then? By Rick Riordan Carter Zia Long Amos Sadie

Annabeth nodded. "That's right.Alexander conquered Egypt.After he died, his general Ptolemy took over. He wanted the Egyptians to accept him as their pharaoh, so he mashed the Egyptian gods and the Greek gods together and made up new ones.""Sounds messy," Sadie said. "I prefer my gods unmashed. By Rick Riordan Annabeth Nodded Gods Ptolemy Sounds

Athena's sacred plant was the olive tree, since that was her big gift to the Athenians. Her sacred animals were the owl and the snake. Supposedly, the owl was a symbol of wisdom from the heavens. The snake symbolized wisdom from the earth. Me, I never understood that. If owls were so wise, why would they go around asking Who? all the time, like they couldn't remember their own names? Snakes have never struck me as very smart, either; but apparently the Greeks thought that when snakes hissed, they were whispering important secrets. Yeah, that's right, Mr. Greek Dude. Hold that rattlesnake a little closer to your ear. He's got something to tell you. By Rick Riordan Athenians Sacred Athena Tree Plant

I don't see any option except to stick to the plan. Split up, infiltrate, find out why they're here. If things go bad - " "We use the backup plan," Piper said. Jason hated the backup plan. Before they left the ship, Leo had given each of them an emergency flare the size of a birthday candle. Supposedly, if they tossed one in the air, it would shoot upward in a streak of white phosphorus, alerting the Argo II that the team was in trouble. At that point, Jason and the girls would have a few seconds to take cover before the ship's catapults fired on their position, engulfing the palace in Greek fire and bursts of Celestial bronze shrapnel. By Rick Riordan Plan Option Stick Jason Backup

Greek women were not allowed to be: free and untamed. In fact, Artemis is a bit of a paradox. On the one hand, her commitment to purity must have been greatly admired by Ancient Greeks; yet she is also untamable and answers to no man. She is truly the eternal wild child who never has to grow up and shoulder the responsibilities that adulthood brings. She never has to compromise herself or conform to any of society's standards. No wonder she is associated with the moon - completely untouchable, forever unattainable. If offered the option of becoming one of Artemis' immortal maidens, freed forever from the shackles of marriage or slavery, I think many Ancient Greek women would have jumped on that bandwagon as it careened past By Rick Riordan Greek Free Untamed Ancient Allowed

Don't blame me, boss! he pleaded when he saw me. The weird girl made me do it! By Rick Riordan Boss Blame Pleaded Weird Girl

Leo's biggest surprise: One look from Jason, and all three of them knew the game plan. When had that happened, that they could read each other so well? By Rick Riordan Jason Leo Surprise Plan Biggest

Nothing is more tragic than loving someone to the depths of your soul and knowing they cannot and will not ever love you back. By Rick Riordan Back Tragic Loving Depths Soul

Staying silent, staying away from him ... that was the hardest thing I've ever done. By Rick Riordan Staying Silent Hardest Thing

Keep moving. Don't get bogged down. Don't think about the bad stuff. Smile and joke even when you don't feel like it. By Rick Riordan Moving Stuff Bogged Smile Bad

Victory must be real. It must be earned. That means it must be rare and difficult, against steep odds, and defeat must be the other. By Rick Riordan Victory Real Earned Difficult Odds

The wine god sighed. 'Oh Hades if I know. But remember, boy, that a kind act can sometimes be as powerful as a sword. As a mortal, I was never a great fighter or athlete or poet. I only made wine. The people in my village laughed at me. They said I would never amount to anything. Look at me now. Sometimes small things can become very large indeed.' He left me alone to think about that. And as I watched Clarisse and Chris singing a stupid campfire song together, holding hands in the darkness, where they thought nobody could see them, I had to smile. By Rick Riordan Sighed God Hades Wine Boy

I could always see myself being a teacher. I remember sitting in class as a kid, listening to the teacher and thinking, you know, I'm pretty sure I could explain that a little bit better. By Rick Riordan Teacher Kid Listening Thinking Remember

Man, what is your problem?" Leo grumbled. Percy blinked. "So ... I guess we're not cool?" "Of course we're not cool! You're as bad as Jason! I'm trying to resent you for being all perfect and hero-y and whatnot. Then you go and act like a standup guy. How am I supposed to hate you if you apologize and promise to help and stuff?" A smile tugged at the corner of Percy's mouth. "Sorry about that. By Rick Riordan Man Problem Cool Percy Jason

Brother dear," I said, "did your soul leave your body while Amos was talking, or did you actually hear him? Egyptian gods real. Red Lord bad. Red Lord's birthday: very soon, very bad. House of Life: fussy magicians who hate our family because dad was a bit of a rebel, whom you could take a lesson from. Which leaves us - just us - with Dad missing, an evil god about to destroy the world, and an uncle who just jumped off the building - and I can't actually blame him." I took a breath. [Yes, Carter, I do have to breathe occasionally.] By Rick Riordan Amos Lord Brother Dear Talking

Even though I've never met my dad and don't really want to, I share some of his talents. Along with being the messenger of the gods, Hermes is the god of merchants-which explains why I'm good with money-and travelers, which explains why the divine jerk left my mom and never came back. He's also the god of thieves. He's stolen things like-oh, Apollo's cattle, women, good ideas, wallets, my mom's sanity, and my chance at a decent life.Sorry, did that sound bitter? By Rick Riordan Talents God Met Dad Share

A tai chi principle: If you don't want someone to run away from you, run away from them first. Become yin to make them become yang. I'm not sure why it works, but almost always they'll follow you like air filling a vacuum. By Rick Riordan Run Principle Tai Chi Yang

I'm sorry, Percy. I didn't mean to ... I always mess things up. It was kind of hard to argue with her, though I was glad she was safe. I looked in the direction Annabeth had gone, but she'd disappeared into the crowd. I couldn't believe what she'd just done - saved Rachel's life, landed a helicopter, and walked away like it was no big deal. By Rick Riordan Percy Annabeth Rachel Safe Mess

Annabeth," he said hesitantly, "in New Rome, demigods can live their whole lives in peace." Her expression turned guarded. "Reyna explained it to me. But, Percy, you belong at Camp Half-Blood. That other life - ""I know," Percy said. "But while I was there, I saw so many demigods living without fear: kids going to college, couples getting married and raising families. There's nothing like that at Camp Half-Blood. I kept thinking about you and me ... and maybe someday when this war with the giants is over ... "It was hard to tell in the golden light, but he thought Annabeth was blushing. "Oh," she said ... "I'm sorry," he said. "I just ... I had to think of that to keep going. To give me hope. Forget I mentioned - ""No!" she said. "Gods, Percy, that's so sweet. By Rick Riordan Rome Percy Camp Live Lives

Those movies... ridiculously inaccurate. The real gods of Asgard - Thor, Loki, Odin, and the rest - are much more powerful, much more terrifying than anything Hollywood could concoct. By Rick Riordan Movies Thor Loki Odin Asgard

I love Norse mythology - Thor and Odin and Loki - amazing characters. By Rick Riordan Thor Loki Norse Odin Mythology

Indeed," Kym said. "The original palace of my father, Poseidon"Percy snapped his fingers, which sounded like a muffled explosion. "That's why I recognized it. Dad's new crib in the Atlantic is kind of like this. By Rick Riordan Kym Poseidon Percy Father Fingers

Percy tightened his grip on Annabeth's wrist. His face was gaunt, scraped and bloody, his hair dusted with cobwebs, but when he locked eyes with her, she thought he had never looked more handsome."We're staying together," he promised. "You're not getting away from me. Never again."Only then did she understand what would happen. A one-way trip. A very hard fall."As long as we're together," she said.She heard Nico and Hazel still screaming for help. She saw the sunlight far, far above - maybe the lastsunlight she would ever see.Then Percy let go of his tiny ledge, and together, holding hands, he and Annabeth fell into the endlessdarkness. By Rick Riordan Wrist Annabeth Tightened Grip Percy

THAT Perseus always won. That's why my momhad named me after him, even if he was son of Zeus ann I was son of Posidon. The original Perseus was one of the only heros in the greek myths who got a happy ending. The others died-betrayed, mauled, mutilated, poisoned, or cursed by the gods. My mom hoped i would inherit Perseus's luck. Judging by how my life was going so far, i wasn't too optimistic. By Rick Riordan Perseus Won Son Posidon Zeus

The son of Poseidon frowned across at us. 'All right, who unleashed he giant bronze guy? Apollo, did you do this?''I am offended!' I cried. 'I am only indirectly responsible for this! Also, I have a plan to fix it.''Oh, yeah?' Percy glanced back at the destroyed dinning pavilion. 'How's that going? By Rick Riordan Poseidon Son Frowned Apollo Guy

Mrs. O' Leary is my pet. I couldn't let you stick a sword in her rump, now, could I? That might've scared her. By Rick Riordan Leary Mrs Pet Rump Stick

You see?" Damien leaned over his desk and spread out half a dozen charcoal sketches. "These are only quick studies of course. But my agent in Florence tells me this artist, Leonardo, is a master and also quite an inventor of mechanical deviceswhich, as you know, are my passion. Leonardo just completed a portrait of Lisa de Giocondo. He calls it the Mona Lisa. I thought I might commission him to do a portrait of me, and while he's here, I can pick his mind for mechanical secrets. How does that sound?""Expensive," Gideon murmured. By Rick Riordan Leonardo Lisa Portrait Expensive Mechanical

I lifted my wand, hoping she would see this as a dramatic move, not a threat. "Why once, in my bunker at Charing Cross Station, I stalked thedeadly prey known as Jelly Babies."Neith's eyes widened. "They are dangerous?""Horrible," I agreed. "Oh, they seem small alone, but they always appear in great numbers. Sticky, fattening - quite deadly. There I was, alonewith only two quid and a Tube pass, beset by Jelly Babies, when ... Ah, but never mind. When the Jelly Babies come for you ... you will find out onyour own."She lowered her bow. "Tell me. I must know how to hunt Jelly Babies."I looked at Walt gravely. "How many months have I trained you, Walt?""Seven," he said. "Almost eight.""And have I ever deemed you worthy of hunting Jelly Babies with me?""Uh ... no. By Rick Riordan Jelly Babies Babies Wand Hoping

He'd changed since the last summer. Instead of Bermuda shorts and a T-shirt, he wore a button-down shirt, khaki pants, and leather loafers. His sandy hair, which used to be so unruly, was now clipped short. He look like an evil male model, showing off what the fashionable college-age villain was wearing to Harvard this year. By Rick Riordan Summer Tshirt Changed Bermuda Shirt

Artemis grit her teeth. "I need a favor. I have some hunting to do, alone. I need you to take my companions to Camp Half-Blood." "Sure Sis!" then he raised his hands in a "stop everything" gesture. "I feel a haiku comIng on." The Hunters all groaned. Apparently they'd met Apollo before. He cleared his throat and held up one hand dramatically. "Green grass breaks through snow.Artemis pleads for my help. I am so awesome. By Rick Riordan Artemis Teeth Grit Sis Camp

DIE!" Gleeson Hedge dropped directly behind Orion, smacking his baseball bat over the giant's head so hard the Louisville Slugger cracked in half. By Rick Riordan Die Orion Hedge Louisville Slugger

I tried very hard. But I can't help it. The Fates are cruel. They sent you to me, my brave one, knowing that you would break my heart. By Rick Riordan Hard Fates Cruel Knowing Heart

The meeting was like a war council with donuts. Then again, back at Camp Half-Blood they used to have their most serious discussions around the Ping-Pong table in the rec room with crackers and Cheez Whiz, so Percy felt right at home. By Rick Riordan Donuts Meeting War Council Whiz

Doors vurst open all along the walls, and skeletal warriors marched in, hundreds of them, from every time period and nation in Western civilization. They lined the perimeter of the room, blocking the exits.Hades bellowed, "Do you think I want war godling?"I wanted to say, 'Well, these guys don't look like peace activists'. But I thought that might be a dangerous answer. By Rick Riordan Western Doors Walls Hundreds Civilization

Piper had a new entry in her top-ten list of Times Piper Felt Useless. Fighting Shrimpzilla with a dagger and a pretty voice? Not so effective. By Rick Riordan Useless Piper Times Felt Entry

Frank stared at him. "Unfair? You can breathe underwater and blow up glaciers and summon freaking hurricanes-and it's unfair that I can be an elephant?"Percy considered. "Okay. I guess you got a point. But the next time I say you're totally beast-""Just shut up," Frank said. "Please."Percy cracked a smile. By Rick Riordan Percy Frank Unfair Stared Please

You're probably thinking: Wait, you just charged in without a plan?But Annabeth and I had been fighting together for years. We knew each other's abilities. We could anticipate each other's moves. I might have felt awkward and nervous about being her boyfriend, but fighting with her? That came naturally.Hmm ... that sounded wrong. Oh, well. By Rick Riordan Wait Annabeth Thinking Plan Years

She stared at me. "Fly, ;ole, in an airplane, which you were warned never to do lest Zeus strike you out of the sky, AND carrying a weapon that has more destructive power than a nuclear bomb?""Yeah," I said. "Pretty much exactly like that. By Rick Riordan Fly Yeah Ole Stared Pretty

I just love family meetings. Very cozy, with the Christmas garlands round the fireplace and a nice pot of tea and a detective from Scotland Yard ready to arrest you. By Rick Riordan Meetings Love Family Christmas Scotland

He started toward the entrance. Seriously, how could he not? He stopped when he noticed the girl. She was kneeling in her vegetable garden, her back to Leo. She muttered to herself as she dug furiously with a trowel. By Rick Riordan Entrance Started Leo Girl Garden

Something inside me clicked, like an engine shifting into higher gear. My thinking suddenly became faster and clearer. The anger and fear didn't go away, but I realized they weren't important. They weren't going to help me ... By Rick Riordan Clicked Gear Inside Engine Shifting

Too bad Jason wasn't a metal automaton. At least then Leo would have some idea of how to help his best friend. But with humans ... Leo felt helpless. They broke way too easily. By Rick Riordan Jason Automaton Leo Bad Metal

Mythologically speaking, if there's anything I hate worse than trios of old ladies, it's bulls. Last summer, I fought the Minotaur on top of Half-Blood Hill. This time what I saw up there was even worse: two bulls. And not just regular bulls - bronze ones the size of elephants. And even that wasn't bad enough. Naturally they had to breathe fire, too. By Rick Riordan Bulls Mythologically Speaking Ladies Hill

Lord Bacchus, do you remember me? I helped you with that missing leopard in Sonoma." Bacchus scratched his stubbly chin. "Ah ... yes. John Green." "Jason Grace.""Whatever," the god said. By Rick Riordan Lord Bacchus Sonoma Remember Green

Piper!" Frank yelled. "Counter those empousai! We need some chaos." "Thought you'd never ask." She started catcalling at the female demons: "Your makeup is smeared! Your friend called you ugly! That one is making a face behind your back! By Rick Riordan Piper Counter Thought Frank Yelled

I let loose a guttural roar-the cry of a man who has been deprived of his rightful kibbeh. I drew my sword and smacked the eagle with flat of the blade By Rick Riordan Kibbeh Loose Guttural Roarthe Cry

His left eyebrow crept higher and higher as I told him the strange bits like the glowing letters and serpent staff. "Well, Sadie," Inspector Williams said. "You've got quite an imagination." "I'm not lying, Inspector. And I think your eyebrow is trying to escape." He tried to look at his own eyebrows, then scowled. By Rick Riordan Inspector Higher Sadie Staff Left

Lots of death, huh? Personally, I'm trying to avoid lots of death, but you guys have fun! By Rick Riordan Huh Death Lots Personally Fun

And if I was humming "Happy Birthday" and smiling stupidly as I fled for my life - well, that was nobody's business, was it? By Rick Riordan Happy Birthday Humming Life Business

Leo drummed his fingers. "Great. I should have installed a smoke screen that makes the ship smell like a giant chicken nugget. Remind me to invent that, next time."Hazel frowned. "What is a chicken nugget?""Oh, man ... " Leo shook his head in amazement. "That's right. You've missed the last, like, seventy years. Well, my apprentice, a chicken nugget - ""Doesn't matter," Annabeth interrupted. By Rick Riordan Nugget Great Chicken Leo Fingers

This is for Phoebe,' she snarled in his ear. 'For Kinzie. For all those you killed. You will die at the hands of a girl.'Orion thrashed and fought, but Reyna's will was unshakeable. The power of Athena infused her cloak. Bellona blessed her with strength and resolve. Not one but two powerful goddesses aided her, yet the kill was for Reyna to complete.Complete it she did. By Rick Riordan Phoebe Ear Snarled Kinzie Reyna

She remembered reading how the American South had often compared itself to Rome back before the Civil War. In the old days their society had been all about impressive architecture, honor, and codes of chivalry. And on the evil side, it had also been about slavery. Rome had slaves, some Southerners had argued, so why shouldn't we?Annabeth shivered. She loved the architecture here. The houses and the gardens were very beautiful, very Roman. But she wondered why beautiful things had to be wrapped up with evil history. Or was it the other way around? Maybe the evil history made it necessary to build beautiful things, to mask the darker aspects. By Rick Riordan War American South Civil Rome

She looked like a hippie who'd been kicked to the side of the road maybe forty years ago, where she'd been collecting trash and rags ever since. She wore a dress made of tie-dyed cloth, ripped-up quilts, and plastic grocery bags. Her frizzy mop of hair was gray-brown, like root-beer foam, tied back with a peace-sign headband. Warts and moles covered her face. When she smiled, she showed exactly three teeth. By Rick Riordan Ago Looked Hippie Kicked Side

Leo's expression made him look as serious and dangerous as it was possible for a small elfin demigod to look in a little girl's overalls (a clean pair, mind you, which he'd intentionally found and put on). "I'm a son of Hephaestus, chica. I can problem-solve. This guy Lityerses tried to kill me and my friends once before. Now he's threatened Calypso? Yeah, I'll get us inside that palace. Then I'm going to find Lit and...""Light him up?" I suggested, surprised by pleased to find I could speak again so soon after being told to shut up. "So he's literally lit?"Leo frowned. "I wasn't going to say that. Seemed to corny.""When I say it," I assured him, "it's poetry. By Rick Riordan Pair Mind Expression Made Dangerous

Hazel twirled her hair pensively. "I don't like the idea of you risking your life alone, but you're right. We saw what recovering the golden eagle standard did for the Roman legion. If this statue is the most powerful symbol of Athena ever created - " "It could kick some serious booty," Leo offered. Hazel frowned. "That wasn't the way I'd put it, but yes. By Rick Riordan Pensively Twirled Hair Hazel Leo

Leo grabbed the neasrest thing he could find- a Porta-Potty seat- and threw it at the face. Leve me alone! By Rick Riordan Leo Find Seat Face Grabbed

[Tyson] looked him over with that massive baby-brown eye. "You are not dead. I like it when you are not dead." Ella fluttered to the ground and began preening her feathers. "Ella found a dog," she announced. "A large dog. And a Cyclops." Was she blushing?Before Percy could decide, his black mastiff pounced on him, knocking Percy to the ground and barking so loudly that even Arion backed up. "Hey, Mrs. O'Leary," Percy said. "Yeah, I love you, too, girl. Good dog." Hazel squeaked. "You have a hellhound named Mrs. O'Leary?""Long story. By Rick Riordan Tyson Dead Percy Dog Looked

Monsters don't die. They just dissipate into smoke and dust, which saves heroes a lot of trouble cleaning up after a fight. By Rick Riordan Monsters Die Dust Fight Dissipate

Grilled satyr with mango chutney," Polyphemus mused. He looked back at Clarisse, still hanging over the pot of boiling water. "You a satyr too?" "No, you overgrown pile of dung!" she yelled. "I'm a girl! The daughter of Ares!Now untie me so i can rip your arms off!" "Rip my arms off," Polyphemus repeated. "And stuff them down your throat!" "You got spunk. By Rick Riordan Polyphemus Grilled Chutney Mused Clarisse

Yeah, well," Nico said, "not giving people a second thought ... that can be dangerous." "Dude, I'm trying to say thank you." Nico laughed without humor. "I'm trying to say you don't need to. Now I need to finish this, if you could give me some space?" "Yeah. Yeah, okay." Percy stepped back while Nico took up the slack on his ropes. He slipped them over his shoulders as if the Athena Parthenos were a giant backpack. Percy couldn't help feeling a little hurt, being told to take a hike. Then again, Nico had been through a lot. The guy had survived in Tartarus on his own. Percy understood firsthand just how much strength that must have taken. Annabeth walked up the hill to join them. She took Percy's hand, which made him feel better. "Good luck," she told Nico. By Rick Riordan Yeah Nico Percy Dude Thought

Mr. D, wearing his leopard-skin jogging suit and rummaging through the refrigerator.He looked up lazily. "Do you mind?"Where's Chiron!" I shouted.How rude." Mr. D took a swig from a jug of grape juice. "Is that how you say hello?"Hello," I amended. "We're about to die! Where's Chiron? By Rick Riordan Chiron Wearing Lazily Leopardskin Jogging

Yes, an actual full-sized camel. If you find that confusing, just think how the criosphinx must have felt.Where did the camel come from, you ask? I may have mentioned Walt's collection of amulets. Two of them summoned disgusting camels. I'dmet them before, so I was less than excited when a ton of dromedary flesh flew across my line of sight, plowed into the sphinx, and collapsed on topof it. The sphinx growled in outrage as it tried to free itself. The camel grunted and farted."Hindenburg," I said. Only one camel could possibly fart that badly. "Walt, why in the world - ?""Sorry!" he yelled. "Wrong amulet!"The technique worked, at any rate. The camel wasn't much of a fighter, but it was quite heavy and clumsy. The criosphinx snarled and clawedat the floor, trying unsuccessfully to push the camel off; but Hindenburg just splayed his legs, made alarmed honking sounds, and let loose gas.I moved to Walt's side and tried to get my bearings. By Rick Riordan Camel Walt Actual Fullsized Hindenburg

It's okay," he said. "We're together." He didn't say you're okay, or we're alive. After all they'd been through over the last year, he knew that the most important thing was that they were together. She loved him for saying that. By Rick Riordan Alive Year Knew Important Thing

Naturally, Coach Hedge went ballistic; but Percy found it hard to take the satyr seriously since he was barely five feet tall."Never in my life!" Coach bellowed, waving his bat and knocking over a plate of apples. "Against the rules! Irresponsible!""Coach," Annabeth said, "it was an accident. We were talking, and we fell asleep.""Besides," Percy said, "you're starting to sound like Terminus."Hedge narrowed his eyes. "Is that an insult, Jackson? 'Cause I'll - I'll terminus you, buddy! By Rick Riordan Coach Naturally Ballistic Tall Life

Piper had trouble falling asleep. Coach Hedge spent the first hour after curfew doing his nightly duty, walking up and down the passageway yelling, "Lights out! Settle down! Try to sneak out, and I'll smack you back to Long Island!" He banged his baseball bat against a cabin door whenever he heard a noise, shouting at everyone to go to sleep, which made it impossible for anyone to go to sleep. Piper figured this was the most fun the satyr had had since he'd pretended to be a gym teacher at the Wilderness School. By Rick Riordan Asleep Trouble Falling Piper Sleep

Once they got there, it wasn't a pretty landing. With the oars damaged and the foresail torn, Leo could barely manage a controlled descent. The others strapped themselves in below - except for Coach Hedge, who insisted on clinging to the forward rail, yelling, "YEAH! Bring it on, lake!" Leo stood astern, alone at the helm, and aimed as best he could. Festus creaked and whirred warning signals, which were relayed through the intercom to the quarterdeck. "I know, I know," Leo said, gritting his teeth. He didn't have much time to take in the scenery. To the southeast, a city was nestled in the foothills of a mountain range, blue and purple in the afternoon shadows. A flat desert landscape spread to the south. Directly beneath them the Great Salt Lake glittered like aluminum foil, the shoreline etched with white salt marshes that reminded Leo of aerial photos of Mars. "Hang on, Coach!" he shouted. "This is going to hurt." "I was born for hurt! By Rick Riordan Leo Landing Pretty Coach Lake

My two greatest loves were, of course, Daphne and Hyacinthus, but when you're a god as popular as I amHold on. Did I just tell you who I liked? I did, didn't I? Gods of Olympus, forget I mentioned their names! I am so embarrassed. Please don't say anything. In this mortal life, I've never been in love with anyone!I am so confused. By Rick Riordan Daphne Hyacinthus Greatest Popular Amhold

For now." Nico smiled. "We're still trying to get in touch with the West Coast. You'll have a few dozen people out there who will definitely want to hit you. By Rick Riordan Coast West Nico Smiled Touch

Until we meet again at the Acropolis, bro. I'll be the one killing giants. By Rick Riordan Bro Acropolis Meet Giants Killing

I'm scared," Nico mumbled. He was fiddling with something - a little metal toy soldier of some kind."Stop talking!" Dr. Thorn said. "Face me! By Rick Riordan Nico Scared Mumbled Stop Face

Every child's taste is different. Don't worry if they're not reading 'War and Peace' at age 12. First, build a good foundation and a positive attitude about reading by letting them pick the stories they enjoy. Make friends with a bookseller or librarian. They are a wealth of information on finding books that kids enjoy. By Rick Riordan Child Taste War Peace Enjoy

Hades," Kronos growled. "I hope you and the ladies have come to pledge your allegiance." "I'm afraid not." Hades sighed. "My son here convinced me that perhaps I should prioritize my list of enemies." He glanced at me with distaste. "As much as I dislike certainupstart demigods, it would not do for Olympus to fall. I would miss bickering with my siblings. And if there is one thing we agree on - it is that you were a TERRIBLE father. By Rick Riordan Kronos Growled Hades Allegiance Olympus

I like to have a simple workplace. By Rick Riordan Workplace Simple

We'de have to get in and get out the hard way; and if we made a mistake, there was no telling what sort of curse we'de unleash: monster guardians, plagues, fires, exploding donkeys(don't laugh; they're bad news). By Rick Riordan Plagues Fires Mistake Unleash Monster

Leo. Jason said, you're wierd. Yeah, you tell me that a lot. Leo grinned. But if you don't remember me, that means I can reuse all my old jokes. Come on! By Rick Riordan Leo Yeah Jason Wierd Lot

Whenever Percy stopped by to see her, she was so lost in thought that the conversation went something like this: Percy: "Hey, how's it going?" Annabeth: "Uh, no thanks." Percy: "Okay ... have you eaten anything today?" Annabeth: "I think Leo is on duty. Ask him." Percy: "So, my hair is on fire." Annabeth: "Okay. In a while." She got like this sometimes. It was one of the challenges of dating an Athena girl. Still, Percy wondered what he had to do to get her attention. He was worried about her after her encounter with the spiders at Fort Sumter, and he didn't know how to help her, especially if she shut him out. By Rick Riordan Hey Annabeth Percy Stopped Lost

He whistled, and Mrs. O'Leary bounded after him to the far end of the grove. Leneus huffed indignantly and brushed the twigs off his shirt. "Now, as I was trying to explain, young lady, your boyfriend has not sent any reports since we voted him into exile." "You tried to vote him into exile," I corrected. "Chiron and Dionysus stopped you." "Bah! They are honorary Council members. It wasn't a proper vote." "I'll tell Dionysus you said that." Leneus paled. "I only meant ... Now see here, Jackson. This is none of your business." "Grover's my friend," I said. "He wasn't lying to you about Pan's death. I saw it myself. You were just too scared to accept the truth." Leneus's lips quivered. "No! Grover's a liar and good riddance. We're better off without him." I pointed at the withered thrones. "If things are going so well, where are your friends? Looks like your Council hasn't been meeting lately. By Rick Riordan Mrs Whistled Grove Leneus Exile

The only thing they had in common was Calypso, and every time Leo thought about that he wanted to punch Percy in the face. By Rick Riordan Calypso Leo Percy Face Thing

Are you kidding?" She looked at me as if I'd just dropped from the moon. Her cheeks were bright red."What's the problem now?" I demanded."Me, go with you to the...the 'Thrill Ride of Love'? How embarrassing is that? What if somebody saw me?""Who's going to see you?" But my face was burning now, too. Leave it to a girl to make everything complicated. "Fine," I told her. "I'll do it myself." But when I started down the side of the pool, she followed me, muttering about how boys always messed things up. By Rick Riordan Kidding Thrill Love Moon Fine

Hello Ra," he said in a kindly voice. "It's been a long time." A feeble voice from behind the chair said,"Can't play. Go away." "would you like a treat?" Apophis asked. "we used to play so nicely together. Every night, trying to kill each other. Don't you remember?"Ra poked his head above the throne. "Treat?""How about a stuffed date?" Apophis pulled one out of the air. "You used to love stuffed dates, didn't you? All you have to do is come out and let me devour - I mean entertain you."" Want a cookie," Ra said."What kind?""Weasel cookie."I'm here to tell you, that comment about weasel cookies probably saved the known universe. By Rick Riordan Kindly Voice Treat Apophis Weasel

The tree struck him with such force it would've flattened me into a Percy pizza with extra olives. By Rick Riordan Percy Olives Tree Struck Force

They chose the olive""They must really like olives""Forget it""Now if she invented pizza that i can understand"-Percy to Annabeth in the lightning theif By Rick Riordan Forget Percy Annabeth Understand Theif

Percy pizza with extra olives. By Rick Riordan Percy Olives Pizza Extra

Ceres wanted a united front in the plant war.""The plant war," Percy said. "You're going to arm all the little grapes with tiny assault rifles? By Rick Riordan Percy Plant Ceres War War

He slung off his backpack. He'd managed to grab a lot of supplies at the Napa Bargain Mart: a portable GPS, duct tape, lighter, superglue, water bottle, camping roll, a Comfy Panda Pillow Pet (as seen on TV), and a Swiss army knife - pretty much every tool a modern demigod could want. By Rick Riordan Backpack Slung Mart Gps Pet

Name me or be eaten!" Shezmu bellowed."I name you!" I shouted back. "Shezmu, Slaughterer of Souls, Fierce of Face!""GAAAAHHHHH!" He writhed in pain. "How do they always know?""Let us pass!" I commanded. "Oh, and one more thing ... my brother wants a free sample."I just had time to step away, and Carter just had time to look confused before the demon blew yellowdust all over him. Then Shezmu sank under the waves."What a nice fellow," I said."Pah!" Carter spit perfume. He looked like a piece of breaded fish. "What was that for?""You smell lovely," I assured him. By Rick Riordan Shezmu Eaten Gaaaahhhhh Carter Time

Before you descend into the Underworld, you must go to Santa Monica. By Rick Riordan Underworld Monica Santa Descend

Morning sunlight filtered through my bedroom window. By Rick Riordan Morning Window Sunlight Filtered Bedroom

Nico stepped into the sunlight, blinking and disoriented. Ugh ... Perhaps the cabin's designers had been right about the children of Hades being like vampires. He was not a morning person. By Rick Riordan Nico Sunlight Blinking Disoriented Stepped

I've got this." Apollo stepped forward. His fiery armor was so bright it was hard to look at, and his matching Ray-Bans and perfect smile made him look like a male model for battle gear. "God of medicine, at your service. By Rick Riordan God Apollo Forward Gear Stepped

Let us find the dam snack bar," Zoe said. "We should eat while we can."Grover cracked a smile. "The dam snack bar?"Zoe blinked. "Yes. What is funny?""Nothing," Grover said, trying to keep a straight face. "I could use some dam french fries."Even Thalia smiled at that. "And I need to use the dam restroom." ... I started cracking up, and Thalia and Grover joined in, while Zoe just looked at me. "I do not understand.""I want to use the dam water fountain," Grover said."And ... " Thalia tried to catch her breath. "I want to buy a dam t-shirt. By Rick Riordan Dam Zoe Grover Thalia Bar

And it was the best underwater kiss of all time. Percy Jackson By Rick Riordan Time Jackson Underwater Kiss Percy

Oh, lord. I was beginning to think like Neith. Soon I'd be huddled in an underground bunker eating army rations and cackling as I sewed together the pockets of all the boys who'd jilted me. By Rick Riordan Lord Neith Beginning Huddled Underground

The jogger sighed. He pulled out his phone and my eyes got big, because it glowed with a bluish light. When he extended the antenna, two creatures began writhing around it-green snakes, no bigger than earthworms.The jogger didn't seem to notice. He checked his LCD display and cursed. "I've got to take this. Just a sec ... " Then into the phone: "Hello?" He listened. The mini-snakes writhed up and down the antenna right next to his ear.Yeah," the jogger said. "Listen-I know, but ... I don't care if he is chained to a rock with vultures pecking at his liver, if he doesn't have a tracking number, we can't locate his package ... A gift to humankind, great ... You know how many of those we deliver-Oh, never mind. Listen, just refer him to Eris in customer service. I gotta go. By Rick Riordan Jogger Sighed Antenna Phone Lcd

Once she was gone, I knelt next to Annabeth and felt her forehead. She was still burning up."You're cute when you're worried," she muttered. "Your eyebrows get all scrunched together.""You are not going to die while I owe you a favor," I said. "Why did you take that knife?""You would've done the same for me."It was true. I guess we both knew it. Still, I felt like somebody was poking my heart with a cold metal rod. By Rick Riordan Annabeth Forehead Knelt Felt Worried

Then, finally, we were ready to charge in and save Sadie, and she rides up in a limousine driven by an ugly dwarf in a swimsuit, and she accuses us of being late.So when she told us the dwarf was driving us to Russia, I was like, "Whatever." And I got into the car. By Rick Riordan Sadie Russia Finally Dwarf Swimsuit

Chiron looked surprised. I thought that would be obvious enough. The entrance to the Underworld is in Los Angeles. By Rick Riordan Chiron Surprised Looked Angeles Underworld

I love New York. You can pop out of the Underworld in Central Park, hail a taxi, head down Fifth Avenue with a giant hellhound loping along behind you and nobody even looks at you funny. By Rick Riordan York Love Park Underworld Central

He is funny," a nymph ventured. "And cute, in a scrawny way," another said. "Scrawny?" Leo asked. "Baby, I invented scrawny. Scrawny is the new sizzling hot . And I GOT the scrawny. Narcissus? He's such a loser even the Underworld didn't want him. He couldn't get the ghost girls to date him." "Eww," said a nymph. "Eww!" Echo agreed. By Rick Riordan Scrawny Eww Funny Ventured Baby

ANNABETH WANTED TO HATE NEW ROME. But as an aspiring architect, she couldn't help admiring the terraced gardens, the fountains and temples, the winding cobblestone streets and gleaming white villas. After the Titan War last summer, she'd gotten her dream job of redesigning the palaces of Mount Olympus. Now, walking through this miniature city, she kept thinking, I should have made a dome like that. I love the way those columns lead into that By Rick Riordan Annabeth Rome Wanted Hate Olympus

I may be biased, but I think jackals are cute and cuddly, even if they were known for digging up graves in Ancient Egypt. By Rick Riordan Egypt Ancient Biased Cuddly Jackals

Grover cradeled his laurel sapling in his hands. Well ... sure is good to be back together again. Arguing. Almost dying. Abject terror. Oh, look It's our floor By Rick Riordan Grover Hands Cradeled Laurel Sapling

Dionysus snorted. "Oh, I didn't want you particularly. Any of you silly heroes would do. That Annie girl - " "Annabeth." "The point is," he said, "I pulled you into party time to deliver a warning. We are in danger." "Gee," I said. "Never would've figured that out. Thanks." He glared at me and momentarily forgot his game. Pac-Man got eaten by the red ghost dude. "Erre es korakas, Blinky!" Dionysus cursed. "I will have your soul!" "Um, he's a video game character," I said. "That's no excuse! And you're ruining my game, Jorgenson!" "Jackson." "Whichever! By Rick Riordan Snorted Game Annabeth Dionysus Gee

Suspecting and knowing are not the same. By Rick Riordan Suspecting Knowing

If you asked most kids, "Hey, you want to summon fire or lightning or magical makeup?" they'd think it sounded pretty cool. But those powers went along with hard stuff, like sitting in a sewer in the middle of winter, running from monsters, losing your memory, watching your friends almost get cooked, and having dreams that warned you of your own death. By Rick Riordan Hey Kids Makeup Cool Asked

I don't know if you've ever had a crush on somebody that bad, but Hades became obsessed. He kept sketches of Persephone in his pocket. He carved her name on his obsidian table with a knife-which took a lot of work. He dreamed about her and had imaginary conversations with her where he admitted his love and she confessed that she had always had a thing for creepy older guys who lived in caves full of dead people. By Rick Riordan Hades Bad Obsessed Crush Persephone

Briefly, the nymphaeum glowed with a softer light, like a full moon. Piper smelled exotic spices and blooming roses. She heard distant music and happy voices talking and laughing. She guessed she was hearing hundreds of years of parties and celebrations that had been held at this shrine in ancient times, as if the memories had been freed along with the spirits.'What is that?' Jason asked nervously.Piper slipped her hand into his. 'The ghosts are dancing. By Rick Riordan Briefly Light Moon Nymphaeum Glowed

We walked on the beach, fed blue corn ships to the seagulls, and munched on blue jelly beans, blue saltwater taffy and all the other free samples my mom brought home from work. I guess I should explain the blue food. See, Gabe had once told my mom there was no such thing. They had this fight, which seemed like a really small thing at the time. But ever since, my mom went out of her way to eat blue. She baked blue birthday cakes. She mixed blueberry smoothies. She bought blue-corn tortilla chips and brought home blue candy from the shop. By Rick Riordan Blue Mom Beach Fed Seagulls

Different elevator music was playing since my last visit-that old disco song "Stayin' Alive." A terrifying image flashed through my mind of Apollo in bell-bottom pants and a slinky silk shirt. By Rick Riordan Stayin Alive Song Elevator Music

You sure about this?" I asked Thalia. She turned to me. "Amaltheia leads me to good things. The last time she appeared, she led me to you."The compliment warmed me like a cup of hot chocolate. I'm a sucker that way. Thalia can flash those blue eyes, give me one kind word, and she can get me to do pretty much whatever. By Rick Riordan Thalia Amaltheia Asked Things Turned

He smiled down at the baby, and kissed him on the head. "I give you my blessing, Leo. First male great-grandchild! I have a feeling you are special, like Hazel was. You are more than a regular baby, eh? You will carry on for me. You will see her someday. Tell her hello for me.""Bisabuelo," Ezperanza said, a little more insistently. "yes, yes." Sammy chuckled. "El viejo loco rambles on. I am tired, Ezperanza. You are right. But I'll rest soon. It's been a good life. Raise him well, nieta." The scene faded.Leo was standing on the deck of the Argo II, holding Hazel's hand. The sun had gone down, and the ship was lit only by bronze lanterns. Hazel's eyes were puffy from crying.What they'd seen was too much. The whole ocean heaved under them, and now for the first time Leo felt as if they were totally adrift. "Hello, Hazel Levesque," he said, his voice gravelly. By Rick Riordan Hazel Head Ezperanza Smiled Kissed

Oh," Piper said. "This isn't good." "Why?" Leo asked. "It's bad luck to be here," Jason said. "This is the battle site." Leo scowled. "What battle?" Piper raised her eyebrows. "How can you not know about it? The other campers talk about this place all the time." "Been a little busy," Leo said. He tried not to feel bitter about it, but he'd missed out on a lot of regular camp stuff - the trireme fights, the chariot races, flirting with the girls. That was the worst part. Leo finally had an "in" with the hottest girls at camp, since Piper was the senior counselor for Aphrodite cabin, and he was too busy for her to fix him up. Sad. By Rick Riordan Leo Piper Battle Busy Camp

Teachers and librarians are some of my favorite people, especially since I was a teacher myself. I love talking to them because they have wonderful ideas about how to share books, and especially about how to share my books with kids. By Rick Riordan People Librarians Favorite Share Teachers

Once I got over the fact that my Latin teacher was a horse, we had a nice tour, though I was careful not to walk behind him. I'd done pooper-scooper patrol in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade a few times, and, I'm sorry, I did not trust Chiron's back the the way I trusted his front. By Rick Riordan Latin Horse Tour Fact Teacher

Artemis must be present at the solstice," Zoe said. "She has been the most vocal on the council, arguing for taking action against Kronos's minions. If she is not there, the gods will decide nothing. We will lose another year of war preparations."Are you sugesting the gods have trouble acting together, young lady?" Dionysis asked.Yes, Lord Dionysis."Mr.D nodded. "Just checking. Your right, of course. Carry on. By Rick Riordan Zoe Artemis Solstice Present Gods

Monsters are eternal," she told him, trying to keep herself from sobbing. "We will remember you and Damasen as heroes, as the best Titan and the best giant. We'll tell our children. We'll keep the story alive. Someday, you will regenerate. By Rick Riordan Monsters Eternal Sobbing Told Damasen

Frank Zhang, you should know!" Frank flinched. "I should?" "A son of Ares stood here!" Hedge cried indignantly. "I'm Roman ... so Mars, actually." "Whatever! Famous spot in the American Civil War!" "I'm Canadian, actually. By Rick Riordan Zhang Frank Roman Mars Flinched

Hera: Ohh, Thalia Grace, when I get out of here, you'll be sorry you were ever born.Thalia: Save it! You've been nothing but a curse to every child of Zeus for ages. You sent a bunch of intestinally challenged cows after my friend AnnabethHera: She was disrespectful!Thalia: You dropped a statue on my legs.Hera: It was an accident!Thalia: AND you took my brother By Rick Riordan Thalia Ohh Grace Save Hera

When I met Thanatos," [Hazel] said, "you know ... Death ... he told me I wasn't on your list of rogue spirits to capture. He said maybe that's why you were keeping your distance. If you acknowledged me, you'd have to take me back to the Underworld." Pluto waited. "What is your question?" "You're here. Why don't you take me to the Underworld. Return me to the dead?" Pluto's form started to fade. He smiled, but Hazel couldn't tell if he was sad or pleased. "Perhaps that is not what I want to see, Hazel. Perhaps I was never here." (226) By Rick Riordan Thanatos Underworld Hazel Met Pluto

You began your journey here as a pup. Now you must find your way back. A new quest, a new start. By Rick Riordan Pup Began Journey Back Quest

Speak of the daimon: Leo burst through the door next to the pantry, holding a loft a wheel of cheese like a victor's laurel crown."BEHOLD THE CHEDDAR!" he announced. "ALL HAIL THE CHEESE CONQUERORS!"Josephine, chuckling good-naturedly, lumbered in behind him with a metal pail. "The cows seemed to like Leo.""Hey, abuelita," Leo said. "All da cows love Leo." He grinned at me. "And these cows are red man. Like... bright red."That definitely made me want to weep. Red cows were my favourite. For centuries I had a herd of sacred scarlet cattle before cow-collecting went out of fashion. By Rick Riordan Behold Cheddar Leo Cheese Cows

Your limits. You are small and alone. You need friends to protect you. Without them, you are unable to withstand me. I vowed not to possess you again, but I can still kill you." The armored dudes stepped forward. The points of their swords hovered a few inches from Leo's face. Leo's fear suddenly made way for a whole lot of anger. This eidolon in the wolf helmet had shamed him, controlled him, and made him attack New Rome. It had endangered his friends and botched their quest. Leo glanced at the dormant spheres on the worktables. He considered his tool belt. He thought about the loft behind him - the area that looked like a sound booth. Presto: Operation Junk Pile was born. "First: you don't know me," he told Wolf Head. "And second: Bye." He lunged for the stairs and bounded to By Rick Riordan Limits Leo Wolf Friends Made

To call the place an anthill would be like calling the Versailles Palace a single-family home. Earthen ramparts rose almost to the tops of the surrounding treesa hundred feet at least. The circumference could have accommodated a Roman hippodrome. A steady stream of soldiers and drones swarmed in and out of the mound. Some carried fallen trees. One, inexplicably, was dragging a 1967 Chevy Impala. By Rick Riordan Versailles Palace Home Call Place

Tyson dropped the two warriors he was about to tie into a knot and jogged after us. He jumped on the centaur's back. 'Dude!' the centaur groaned, almost buckling under Tyson's weight. 'Do the words "low-carb diet" mean anything to you? By Rick Riordan Tyson Dropped Warriors Tie Knot

He turned to look at me straight on, and I saw a kind of purplish fire in his eyes, a hint that this whiny, plump little man was only showing me the tiniest bit of his true nature. I saw visions of grape vines choking unbelievers to death, drunken warriors insane with battle lust, sailors screaming as their hands turned to flippers, their faces elongating into dolphin snouts. I knew that if I pushed him, Mr D would show me worse things. He would plant a disease in my brain that would leave me wearing a straitjacket in a rubber room for the rest of my life. 'Would you like to test me, child?' he said quietly. 'No. No, sir. By Rick Riordan Turned Eyes Whiny Plump Nature

Percy pulled Annabeth close and kissed her...long enough for it to get really awkward for Piper, though she said nothing. She thought about the old rule of Aphrodite's cabin: that to be recognized as a daughter of the love goddess, you had to break someone's heart. Piper had long ago decided to change that rule. Percy and Annabeth were a perfect example of why. You should have to make someone's heart whole; that was a much better test. By Rick Riordan Annabeth Piper Percy Pulled Close

At the rear of the bus, the driver wrenched a big chunk of smoking metal out of the engine compartment. The bus shuddered, and the engine roared back to life. The passengers cheered. Darn right!" yelled the driver. He slapped the bus with his hat. "Everybody get back on board! By Rick Riordan Bus Engine Compartment Rear Wrenched

Like the children of Thor? At least their dad had a movie franchise. By Rick Riordan Thor Children Franchise Dad Movie

Purple snow capped mountains marched off in either direction, with clouds floating around their middles like fluffy belts. In a massive valley between two of the largest peaks, a ragged wall of ice rose out of the sea, filling the entire gorge. The glacier was blue and white with streaks of black, so that it looked a hedge of dirty snow left behind on a sidewalk after a snowplow had gone by, only four million times as large. By Rick Riordan Purple Direction Belts Capped Mountains

Blue wasn't my favorite color, By Rick Riordan Blue Color Favorite

He offered to stop the tide for me once. He offered to build me a palace at the bottom of the sea. By Rick Riordan Offered Stop Tide Sea Build

Nico clenched his sword. Sharing his secret crush hadn't been the worst of it. Eventually he might have done that, in his own time, in his own way. But being forced to talk about Percy, being bullied and harassed and strong-armed simply for Cupid's amusement ... Tendrils of darkness were now spreading out from his feet, killing all the weeds between the cobblestones. Nico tried to rein in his anger. By Rick Riordan Sword Clenched Nico Percy Cupid

It's my big secret. By Rick Riordan Secret Big

Annabeth hadn't seen much of Buford during the trip. He mostly stayed in the engine room. (Leo insisted that Buford had a secret crush on the engine.) He was a three-legged table with a mahogany top. His bronze base had several drawers, spinning gears, and a set of steam vents. Buford was toting a bag like a mail sack tied to one of his legs. He clattered to the helm and made a sound like a train whistle. By Rick Riordan Buford Annabeth Trip Engine Leo

I had a crush on Percy," Nico spat. "That's the truth. That's the big secret. By Rick Riordan Percy Nico Spat Crush Truth

Jason's heart lifted when he saw Nico di Angelo on the front lines with the Greeks, slashing his way through a crowd of two-headed men. By Rick Riordan Greeks Nico Angelo Jason Slashing

Her hair is smoldering. Her face was smudged with soot. She had a cut on her arms, her dress was torn, and she was missing a boot. Beautiful. By Rick Riordan Smoldering Hair Soot Beautiful Face

Unless you stop him. Perhaps next we meet.""You'll be just as annoying?" I guessed.He fixed my with those warm brown eyes. "Or perhaps you could bring me up to speed on those modern courtship rituals."I sat there stunned until he gave me a glimpse of a smile-just enough to let me know he was teasing. Then he disappeared."Oh, very funny!" I yelled. By Rick Riordan Stop Meet Annoying Eyes Rituals

I tend to think of a myth and then explore how it would play out if it were happening in the modern-day world. I modify all the myths I use, but I stick very closely to their structure - it is the hidden teacher in me. By Rick Riordan World Tend Explore Play Happening

We don't have much time. Mel will be out of the restroom soon.""You've got a magician named Mel? By Rick Riordan Time Mel Soon Restroom Magician

And then he did rise from his wheelchair. But there was something odd about the way he did it. His blanket fell away from his legs, but the legs didn't move. His waist kept getting longer, rising above his belt. At first, I thought he was wearing very long, white velvet underwear, but as he kept rising out of the chair, taller than any man, I realized that the velvet underwear wasn't underwear; it was the front of an animal, muscle and sinew under coarse white fur. And the wheelchair wasn't a chair. It was some kind of container, an enormous box on wheels, and it must've been magic, because there's no way it could've held all of him. A leg came out, long and knobby-kneed, with a huge polished hoof. Then another front leg, then hindquarters, and then the box was empty, nothing but a metal shell with a couple of fake human legs attached. By Rick Riordan Underwear Rise Legs Chair Wheelchair

On the stern quarterdeck, Leo rushed around like a madman, checking his gauges and wrestling levers. Most helmsmen would've been satisfied with a pilot's wheel of a tiller. Leo had also installed a keyboard, monitor, aviation controls from a Learjet, a dubstep soundboard, and motion-control sensors from a Nintendo Wii. He could turn the ship by pulling the throttle, fire weapons by sampling an album, or raise sails by shaking his Wii controllers really fast. Even by demigod standards, Leo was seriously ADHD. By Rick Riordan Leo Quarterdeck Madman Checking Levers

The stars are out,' Zoe said.She was right. There were millions of them, with no city lights to ruin turn the sky orange.'Amazing,' Bianca said. 'I've never actually seen the Milky Way.''This is nothing,' Zoe said. 'In the old days, there were more. Whole constellations have disappeared because of human light pollution.''You talk like you're not human,' I said.Zoe raised an eyebrow. I am a Hunter. I care what happens to the wild places of the world. Can the same be said for thee?''For you,' Thalia corrected. 'Not thee.''But you use you for the beginning of a sentence.''And for the end,' Thalia said. 'No thou. No thee. Just you.'Zoe threw up her hands in exasperation. 'I hate this language. It changes too often! By Rick Riordan Zoe Thalia Amazing Stars Saidshe

It would be a shame to get expelled from school (or arrested) for trying to stab the principal with a ballpoint pen just because he doesn't use enough deodorant. By Rick Riordan School Arrested Deodorant Shame Expelled

Then there were the giants. Dozens of bright-blue men, each thirty feet tall with gray frosty hair, were wading through the forests, fishing in the bay, and striding across the mountains. By Rick Riordan Giants Dozens Men Hair Forests

So you can't live in Manhattan?' she asked.Amos's brow furrowed as he looked across at the Empire State Building. 'Manhattan has other problems. Other gods. It's best we stay separate. By Rick Riordan Manhattan Building Live Empire State

We tend to think of divorced or complicated families as a modern invention, and that is not at all true. You only have to read the Greek myths to see broken homes, widows, divorce, stepchildren, children trying to get along with new parents. By Rick Riordan Invention True Tend Divorced Complicated

What's the best part of being in Hermes cabin?Connor: You are never lonely. I mean seriously, new kids are always coming in. So you always have someone to talk to.Travis: Or prank.Connor: Or pickpocket. One big happy family. By Rick Riordan Connor Hermes Cabin Lonely Part

This was a few weeks ago," Annabeth said. "Percy told me a crazy story about meeting a boy our near Moriches Bay. Apparently this kid used hieroglyphs to cast spells. He helped Percy battle a crocodile monsters.""The Sob of Sobek!" Sadie blurted. "But my brother battled that monster. He didn't say anything about-""Is your brother's name Carter?" Annabeth asked.An angry golden aura flickered around Sadie's head-a halo of hieroglyphs that resembled frowns, fists, and dead stick men."As of this moment," Sadie growled, "My brother's name is Punching Bag. By Rick Riordan Ago Percy Sadie Annabeth Brother

The guy had literally been through hell and back. Even when he wasn't trying, he made the toilets explode. What would Percy be like if he wanted to act scary? By Rick Riordan Back Guy Literally Hell Explode

Anybody have any money?"Frank checked his pockets. "Three denarii from Camp Jupiter. Five dollars Canadian."Hedge patted his gym shorts and pulled out what he found. "Three quarters, two dimes, a rubber band and - score! A piece of celery."He started munching on the celery, eyeing the change and the rubber band like they might be next. By Rick Riordan Frank Money Pockets Jupiter Checked

Leo glanced back, his face streaked with soot. "Apollo, you sense anything?""Why is it my job to sense things? Just because I used to be a god of prophecy-""You're the one who's been having visions," Calypso reminded me. "You said your friend Meg would be here."Just hearing Meg's name gave me a twinge of pain. "That doesn't mean I can pinpoint her location with my mind!" Zeus has revoked my access to GPS!""GPS?" Calypso asked."Godly positioning system.""That's not a real thing! By Rick Riordan Apollo Leo Back Soot Gps

Percy and Reyna occupied matching praeters' chairs on the dais, which made Percy self-conscious. It wasn't easy looking dignified wearing a bedsheet and a purple cape. "The camp is safe," Octavian continued. " I'll be the first to congragulate our heroes for bringing back the legion's eagle and so much Imperial gold! Truly we have been blessed with good fortune. But why do more? Why tempt fate?" "I'm glad you asked." Percy stood, taking the question as an opening. Octavian stammered, " I wasn't""Part of the quest," Percy said. "Yes I know. And your'e wise to let me explain, since I was. By Rick Riordan Reyna Percy Dais Selfconscious Occupied

Remake the wild, a little at a time, each in your own corner of the world. You cannot wait for anyone else, even a god, to do that for you. By Rick Riordan Remake Wild Time World Corner

Remake the world, a little at a time, each in your own corner of the world. By Rick Riordan World Remake Time Corner

Huh," said Percy. "Never seen Jason fly before. He looks like a blond superman. By Rick Riordan Huh Percy Jason Superman Fly

He was sure now that they'd never known each other before the Grand Canyon. Their relationship was just a trick of the Mist in Piper's mind. But the longer he spent with her, the more he wished it had been real. By Rick Riordan Canyon Grand Mist Piper Mind

She said this in the same way you might say Fields of Punishment or Hades's gym shorts. By Rick Riordan Fields Punishment Hades Shorts Gym

A girl from nowhereCompletes my embarrassmentStupid bananas By Rick Riordan Bananas Girl Nowherecompletes Embarrassmentstupid

Percy smiled at her - that sarcastic, troublemaker smile that had annoyed her for years but eventually had become endearing. His sea-green eyes were as gorgeous as she remembered. His dark hair was swept to one side, like he'd just come from a walk on the beach. He looked even better than he had six months ago - tanner and taller, leaner and more muscular. Annabeth was too stunned to move. She felt that if she got any closer to him, all the molecules in her body might combust. She'd secretly had a crush on him since they were twelve years old. Last summer, she'd fallen for him hard. They'd been a happy couple for four months - and then he'd disappeared. By Rick Riordan Percy Sarcastic Troublemaker Endearing Smiled

She caught the Magic 8 Ball, By Rick Riordan Ball Magic Caught

Shut up, me," Leo said aloud."What?" Piper asked."Nothing," he said. "Long night. I think I'm hallucinating. It's cool." Sitting in front, Leo couldn't see their faces, but he assumed from their silence that his friends were not pleased to have a sleepless, hallucinating dragon driver."Just joking." Leo decided it might be good to change the subject. By Rick Riordan Leo Shut Aloud Long Hallucinating

Perseus Jackson, I do expect you torefrain from causing any more trouble. ""Trouble?" I demanded.Dionysus snapped his fingers. A newspaper appeared on the table-the front page of today'sNew York Post, There was my yearbook picture from Meriwether Prep. It was hard for me tomake out the headline, but I had a pretty good guess what it said. Something like: ... Perseus Jackson, I do expect you torefrain from causing any more trouble. ""Trouble?" I demanded.Dionysus snapped his fingers. A newspaper appeared on the table-the front page of today'sNew York Post, There was my yearbook picture from Meriwether Prep. It was hard for me tomake out the headline, but I had a pretty good guess what it said. Something like: Thirteen-Year-Old Lunatic Torches Gymnasium. By Rick Riordan Trouble Jackson Post Prep York

Coach Hedge shouted, 'Let the movie star go, you big ugly cupcake! Or I'm gonna plant my hoof right up your ... By Rick Riordan Hedge Coach Shouted Cupcake Movie

The Grand Canyon ... " Jason recalled that day on the Skywalk, when one of his jerk classmates turned out to be a wind spirit. "Dylan? Are you kidding me? I'm breathing Dylan?" "Yes," Kym said. "That seems to be his name." Jason shuddered. "I'll let him go as soon as I reach the surface. No worries." "Farewell, then," said the goddess. "And may the Fates smile upon you ... assuming the Fates survive. By Rick Riordan Canyon Grand Dylan Jason Skywalk

Very well! It shall be as you say. But my son, pray this works.I am praying. I'm talking to you, right?Oh ... yes. Good point. Amphitrite - incoming! By Rick Riordan Amphitrite Incoming Son Pray Praying

She wore a pendent - a glittering D - possibly her initial, or her grade average. By Rick Riordan Pendent Possibly Initial Average Wore

Butch hesitated. "Annabeth's okay. You gotta cut her some slack. She had a vision telling her to come here, to find a guy with one shoe. That was supposed to be the answer to her problem.""What Problem?" Piper asked."She's been looking for one of our campers, who's been missing three days," Butch said. "She's going out of her mind with worry. She hoped he'd be here.""Who?" Jason asked."Her boyfriend," Butch said, "A guy named Percy Jackson. By Rick Riordan Butch Hesitated Annabeth Asked Guy

Which of these tasty morsels do you think is the special bait?'Sam pointed at the bull's head. 'Go big or go home?''She said to the homeless kid. By Rick Riordan Sam Bait Head Tasty Morsels

It was if the city knew about Percy's dream of Gaea. It knew that the earth goddess intended on razing all human civilization, and this city, which had stood for thousands if years, was saying back at her: You wanna dissolve this city, Dirt Face? Give it a shot.In other words, it was the Coach Hedge of mortal cities- only taller. By Rick Riordan Gaea Percy City Knew Dream

I stared at him (Dionysus). You're ... you're married? But I thought you got in trouble for chasing a wood nymph- By Rick Riordan Dionysus Stared Married Nymph Thought

What are you doing?" Percy asked."Sending a message," Annabeth said. "I just hope Rachel gets it.""Rachel?" Percy asked. "You mean our Rachel? Oracle of Delphi Rachel?""That's the one." Annabeth suppressed a smile. Whenever she brought up Rachel's name, Percy got nervous. At one point, Rachel had been interested in dating Percy. That was ancient history. Rachel and Annabeth were good friends now. But Annabeth didn't mind making Percy a little uneasy. You had to keep your boyfriend on his toes. By Rick Riordan Rachel Percy Annabeth Sending Delphi

Oh, he's not like that," said Favonius.Jason flinched. "You can read my mind?""I don't need to." Favonius tossed his bronze hoop in the air. "Everyone has the wrong impression of Cupid ... until they meet him. By Rick Riordan Flinched Favoniusjason Cupid Mind Favonius

The metal is called Celestial bronze. It's deadly to monsters, like Imperial gold, but even rarer. By Rick Riordan Celestial Bronze Metal Called Imperial

He climbed up behind Hazel. Arion took off across the water, the nymphs screaming behind them, and Narcissus shouting, "Bring me back! Bring me back!" As Arion raced towards the Argo II, Leo remembered what Nemesis had said about Echo and Narcissus: Perhaps they'll teach you a lesson. Leo had thought she'd meant Narcissus, but now he wondered if the real lesson for him was Echoinvisible to her brethren, cursed to love someone who didn't care for her. A seventh wheel. He tried to shake that thought. He clung to the sheet of bronze like a shield. He was determined never to forget Echo's face. She deserved at least one person who saw her and knew how good she was. Leo closed his eyes, but the memory of her smile was already fading. By Rick Riordan Hazel Narcissus Bring Leo Back

Caves of blue. Strike the hue.Westward, burning.Pages turning.Indiana.Ripe banana.Happiness approaches.Serpents and roaches.There once was a god named ApolloWho plunged in a cave blue and hollowUpon a three-seaterThe bronze fire-eaterWas forced death and madness to swallow By Rick Riordan Blue Burningpages Strike Huewestward Bananahappiness

When he concentrated, a miniature tornado swirled around its three points, getting faster and larger the more he focused. When he planted the spear on the ground, the floor of the pit began to shake and crak."Best weapon,"he announced." Right here."Brontes tossed them a third item. Hades caught this one-a gleaming bronze war helmet decorated with scenes of death and destruction."You get weapons" Hades grumbled. "i get a hat By Rick Riordan Concentrated Points Focused Hades Miniature

Percy stared at his jelly donut. He had a rocky history with Nico di Angelo. The guy had once tricked him into visiting Hades's palace, and Percy had ended up in a cell. But most of the time, Nico sided with the good guys. He certainly didn't deserve slow suffocation in a bronze jar, and Percy couldn't stand seeing Hazel in pain."We'll rescue him," he promised her. "We have to. The prophecy says he holds the key to endless death. By Rick Riordan Percy Donut Nico Stared Jelly

Instead of collapsing, Theseus swung it and smacked Periphetes upside the head, killing him instantly. 'Yep!' Theseus said. 'That's bronze over wood, all right! Thanks, man. I think I'll keep this.' Periphetes didn't argue, since he was dead. Theseus By Rick Riordan Theseus Yep Collapsing Head Killing

Patch-work - like a swath of chain mail. He picked up a delicate curl of bronze and fitted it into place. "Done," he announced. "It's done. By Rick Riordan Patchwork Mail Swath Chain Place

We'd just released a zebra in Las Vegas. By Rick Riordan Vegas Las Released Zebra

I like to remind teachers that even though they're all overwhelmed and overloaded, and it's easy to get burned out, it really is about the kids. It only takes one good teacher to change a life - one time, and one book. That's what happened when I was a kid. I had one good teacher that came in at the right time and turned me into a writer. So never lose sight - you could be that teacher. By Rick Riordan Teacher Overloaded Good Remind Overwhelmed

And do you know what a full-fledged war would look like, Percy?""Bad?" I guessed."Imagine the world in chaos. Nature at war with itself. Olympians forced to choose sides between Zeus amd Poseidon. Destruction. Carnage. Millions dead. Western civilization turned into a battleground so big it will make the Trojan War look like a water-balloon fight.""Bad," I repeated. By Rick Riordan Percy Bad War Imagine Fullfledged

His white admiral's jacket gleamed with medals, nut Loki wasn't exactly wearing it regulation-style. It was open over a black T-shirt featuring Jack Nicholson's face from The Shinnig. The caption read: HEEEERE'S LOKI! By Rick Riordan Medals Nut Regulationstyle Loki Shinnig

He was also the god of (take a deep breath) commerce, languages, thievery, cheeseburgers, trickery, eloquent speaking, feasts, cheeseburgers, hospitality, guard dogs, birds of omen, gymnastics, athletic competitions, cheeseburgers, cheeseburgers and telling fortunes with dice. Okay, I just tossed in the cheeseburgers to see if you were paying attention. Also, I'm hungry. By Rick Riordan Cheeseburgers Commerce Languages Thievery Trickery

Scale of one to tenHow would you rate your demise?Thanks for your input By Rick Riordan Scale Demise Input Tenhow Rate

PERCY ALREADY FELT LIKE THE lamest demigod in the history of lame. The purse was the final insult. They'd left R.O.F.L. in a hurry, so maybe Iris hadn't meant the bag as a criticism. She'd quickly stuffed it with vitamin-enriched pastries, dried fruit leather, macrobiotic beef jerky, and a few crystals for good luck. Then she'd shoved it at Percy: Here, you'll need this. Oh, that looks good. The purse - sorry, masculine accessory bag - was rainbow tie-dyed with a peace symbol stitched in wooden beads and the slogan Hug the Whole World. Percy wished it said Hug the Commode. He felt like the bag was a comment on his massive, incredible uselessness. As they sailed north, he put the man satchel as far away from him as he could, but the boat was small. By Rick Riordan Percy Lame Bag Lamest Demigod

His face was gaunt, scraped and bloody, his hair dusted with cobwebs, but when he locked eyes with her, she thought he had never looked more handsome.Percy & Annabeth By Rick Riordan Annabeth Gaunt Scraped Bloody Cobwebs

I will call him Small Bob," said Bob. "He is a good monster." End of discussion.The Titan hefted his spear and they continued marching into the gloom. By Rick Riordan Bob Small Call Titan Monster

I'M PRETTY GOOD at multitasking, so I figured I could flee in terror and argue at the same time. By Rick Riordan Pretty Good Multitasking Time Figured

Calypso: "You think it's funny to send me this ... this charbroiled runt of a boy to ruin my tranquility? This is NOT FUNNY! take him back!"Leo: "Hey, sunshine, I'm right here you know ... "Calypso: "Do NOT call me sunshine! By Rick Riordan Calypso Funny Leo Hey Send

I missed him so much I would sometimes turn to tell him something before I forgot he was gone. In spite of all that, and all the emotion boiling around inside me, all I could think of to say was: You're blue. By Rick Riordan Missed Turn Forgot Blue Spite

Okay," I said. "Just a normal afternoon and two normal people."She nodded. "And so ... hypothetically, if these to people likes each other, what would it take to get the stupid guy to kiss the girl, huh?""Oh ... " I felt like one of Apollo's sacred cows-slow, dumb, and bright red. "Um ... By Rick Riordan Normal People Nodded Hypothetically Huh

Six minus six is zero. Spears are good for subtraction Ella said By Rick Riordan Minus Ella Spears Good Subtraction

No more Lastrygonians." Ella fluttered down and landed next to them. "Six minus six is zero. Spears are good for subtraction, yep. By Rick Riordan Lastrygonians Yep Ella Fluttered Landed

Whoa, boss! Its voice spoke in my mind as it clopped away from the sword blade. I don't wanna be a horse-ke-bob! By Rick Riordan Whoa Boss Blade Voice Spoke

If I had still been an immortal, I might have flirted with her myself. But I was now a sixteen-year-old boy. My mortal form was working its way upon my state of mind. I saw Sally Jackson as a mom - a fact that both consternated and embarrassed me. I thought about how long it had been since I had called my own mother. I should probably take her to lunch when I got back to Olympus. By Rick Riordan Immortal Flirted Boy Sally Jackson

My mother can make me feel good just by walking into the room. Her eyes sparkle and change color in the light. Her smile is as warm as a quilt. She's got a few gray streaks mixed in with her long brown hair, but I never think of her as old. When she looks at me, it's like she's seeing all the good things about me, none of the bad. I've never heard her raise her voice or say an unkind word to anyone, not even me or Gabe. By Rick Riordan Room Mother Make Feel Walking

Never mind," Leo said. "I'm pretty sure pi is, uh, 3.1415 blah blah blah. The number goes on forever, but the sphere has only five rings, so that should be enough, if I'm right." "And if you're not?" Frank asked. "Well, then, Leo fall down, go boom. Let's find out! By Rick Riordan Blah Leo Mind Forever Rings

Grover: It's a very sweet love story. I get misty-eyed every time I play it. So does Percy, but I think that's because he's laughing at me. By Rick Riordan Grover Story Sweet Love Percy

The Friday before winter break, my mom packed me an overnight bag and a few deadly weapons and took me to a new boarding school. By Rick Riordan Friday Break School Winter Mom

She blinked. "Hmm? Oh, don't care. What did Anubis look like to you?""What did ... he looked like a guy. So?""A good-looking guy, or a slobbering dog-headed guy?""I guess ... Not the dog-headed guy.""I knew it!" Sadie pointed at me as if she'd won an argument."Good-looking. I knew it!"And with a ridiculous grin, she spun around and skipped into the house. My sister, as I may have mentioned, is a little strange. By Rick Riordan Guy Hmm Blinked Goodlooking Knew

He scowled at Jason. And please, I don't like being touched. Don't ever grab me again. By Rick Riordan Jason Scowled Touched Grab

Games? Cupid struck, slapping Nico sideways into a granite pedestral Love is no game! It is no flowery softness! It is hard work! A quest that never ends. It demands everything from you especially the truth. Only then does it yield rewards By Rick Riordan Games Game Nico Love Cupid

Love is no game! It is no flowery softness! It is hard work - a quest that never ends. It demands everything from you - especially the truth. By Rick Riordan Love Game Softness Work Ends

Green-tinted with chlorophyll from crying. "Percy," she sniffled. "I was just asking about Grover. I know something's happened. He wouldn't stay gone this long if he wasn't in trouble. I was hoping that Leneus - " "I told you!" the satyr protested. "You are a better off without that traitor." Juniper stamped her foot. "He is not a traitor! He's the bravest satyr ever, and I want to know where he is!" "WOOF!" Leneus's knees started knocking. "I ... I won't answer questions with this hellhound sniffing my tail!" Nico looked like he was trying to not crack up. "I'll walk the dog," he volunteered. By Rick Riordan Greentinted Crying Percy Chlorophyll Leneus

Then, from somewhere above us, a voice yelled, "Hey, Bronze Butt!"Over the Colossus's head, a cloud of darkness formed like a cartoon dialogue bubble. Out of the shadows dropped a furry black monster dog-a hellhound-and astride his back was a young man with a glowing bronze sword.The weekend was here. Percy Jackson had arrived. By Rick Riordan Hey Butt Colossus Bronze Yelled

The word Styx got her [Mrs. O'Leary, the hellhound] excited. She probably thought I meant sticks. She jumped a few times, chased her tail just to teach it who was boss, and then calmed down enough for me to push Nico onto her back. By Rick Riordan Mrs Excited Styx Oleary Hellhound

Theseus put his club aside. He approached the Pine Bender and sized up the situation. He wasn't as strong as Sinis. He didn't have the ability to root himself to the earth. He didn't even have a plan. But he glanced over at the girl Perigune, and his distractible brain started racing. A girl in the trees. A girl. A tree. Trees have spirits. I'm hungry. Wow, Sinis smells bad. A dryad. I bet the dryads in these trees are really tired of getting bent. Hey, there's a chipmunk. By Rick Riordan Theseus Girl Sinis Put Club

And now, sis. Transportation for the Hunters, you say? Good timing. I was just about ready to roll."These demigods will also need a ride," Artemis said, pointing to us. "Some of Chiron's campers."No problem!" Apollo checked us out. "Let's see ... Thalia, right? I've heard all about you.".Thalia blushed. "Hi, Lord Apollo."Zues's girl. yes? Makes you my half sister. Used to be a tree didn't you? Glad your back. I hate it when pretty girls get turned into trees. Man, I remeber one time- By Rick Riordan Sis Hunters Thalia Artemis Transportation

Oh, and Drew, honey?" The former counselor looked back reluctantly."In case you think I'm not a true daughter of Aphrodite," Piper said, "don't even look at Jason Grace. He may not know it yet, but he's mine. If you even try to make a move, I will load you into a catapult and shoot you across Long Island Sound."Drew turned around so fast, she ran into the doorframe. Then she was gone. By Rick Riordan Honey Drew Aphrodite Piper Grace

He had no idea where the stereotype of dumb giggly blondes came from. Ever since he'd met Annabeth at the Grand Canyon last winter,when she'd marched toward him with that Give me Percy Jackson or I'll kill you expression, Leo had thought of blondes as much too smart and much too dangerous. By Rick Riordan Leo Blondes Idea Stereotype Dumb

So," Annabeth said, "are you going to argue about me coming along?""Nah. You'd just beat me up." Percy said.She managed a laugh, which was good to hear By Rick Riordan Nah Annabeth Argue Coming Percy

Annabeth:My fatal flaw. That's what the Sirens showed me. My fatal flaw is hubris. Percy: the brown stuff they spread on veggie sandwiches?Annabeth:No, Seaweed Brain. That's HUMMUS. hubris is worse.Percy: what could be worse than hummus? Annabeth: Hubris means deadly pride, Percy. Thinking you can do things better than anyone else ... Even the gods. By Rick Riordan Annabeth Percy Fatal Hubris Hummus

He gave me the brochure. It was about the Hunters of Artemis. The front read, A WISE CHOICE FOR YOUR FUTURE! Inside were pictures of young maidens doing hunter stuff, chasing monsters, shooting bows. There were captions like: HEALTH BENEFITS: IMMORTALITY AND WHAT IT MEANS FOR YOU! and A BOY-FREE TOMORROW!"I found that in Annabeth's backpack," Grover said.I stared at him. "I don't understand.""Well, it seems to me ... maybe Annabeth was thinking about joining."I'd like to say I took the news well.The truth was, I wanted to strangle the Hunters of Artemis one eternal maiden at a time. By Rick Riordan Brochure Hunters Artemis Gave Annabeth

Right before the game, she strolled up to me. "Hey, Seaweed Brain.""Will you stop calling me that?"She knows I hate that name, mostly because I never have a good comeback. She's the daughter of Athena, which doesn't give me a lot of ammunition. I mean, "Owl-head" and "Wise Girl" are kind of lame insults. By Rick Riordan Game Hey Strolled Seaweed Brain

I'm Dylan. I'm so cool. I want to date myself, but I don't know how! You want to date me instead? You're so lucky! By Rick Riordan Dylan Date Cool Lucky

Either the kid was naturally hyper or he was hopped up on enough caffeine to give a heart attack to a water buffalo. By Rick Riordan Buffalo Kid Naturally Hyper Hopped

I pictured my mom, alone in our little apartment on the Upper East Side. I tried to remember the smell of her blue waffles in the kitchen. It seemed so far away. By Rick Riordan Side Upper East Mom Pictured

I imagined loading the God of the Sea into a taxi and taking him to the Upper East Side. By Rick Riordan Side God Sea Upper East

I sat up and the blankets fell away.I looked down and found I was wearing pokemon pajamas."Sadie,"I said,"I'm going to kill you."She batted her eyes innocently."But the street merchant gave us a very good deal on those.Walt said they would fit you."Walt raised his hand."Don't blame me,man.I tried to stick up for you."Bes snorted,then did a pretty good imitation of Walt's voice:"At least get the extra-large ones with Pikachu. By Rick Riordan You Sadie Walt Bes Pikachu

He wasn't steaming anymore, but the incident on the ice bridge had really freaked Jason out. Leo hadn't seemed to realize that he had smoke coming out his ears and flames dancing through his hair. If Leo started spontaneously combusting every time he got excited, they were going to have a tough time taking him anywhere. Jason imagined trying to get food at a restaurant. I'll have a cheeseburger and - Ahhh! My friend's on fire! Get me a bucket! By Rick Riordan Anymore Jason Leo Steaming Incident

Let's start again. Hi, I'm Samirah al-Abbas... You can call me Sam. Everyone does. I'll be your Valkyrie this evening. Pleased to meet you properly... I will now escort you to dinner." She forced a smile. "If you embarrass me, I'll be the first to kill you. By Rick Riordan Start Samirah Sam Alabbas Valkyrie

Annabeth Thalia and I hadn't seen each other in months but between the blizzard and the thought of what we were about to do we were too nervous to talk much. Except for my mom. She talks more when she's nervous. By the time we finally got to Westover Hall it was getting dark and she'd told Annabeth and Thalia every embarrassing baby story there was to tell about me. By Rick Riordan Thalia Annabeth Months Blizzard Thought

Giant-chicken mode,' I remembered.'Dude, my avatar is a falcon-headed warrior .''I still think you could get a sponsorship deal with KFC. Make some big bucks. By Rick Riordan Dude Kfc Giantchicken Mode Remembered

Reyna marvelled at how peaceful he looked. The worry lines vanished. His face became strangely angelic ... like his surname, di Angelo. She could almost believe he was a regular fourteen-year-old boy, not a son of Hades who had been pulled out of time from the 1940s and forced to endure more tragedy and danger than most demigods would in a lifetime. By Rick Riordan Reyna Looked Marvelled Peaceful Angelo

By the way, I've been homeless for the past two years. Some of you may think, Aw, how sad. Others may think, Ha, ha, loser! But if you saw me on the street, ninety-nine percent of you would walk right past like I'm invisible. You'd pray, Don't let him ask me for money. By Rick Riordan Years Homeless Past Loser Sad

Rachel: You're a half-blood, too?Annabeth: Shhh! Just announce it to the world, how about?Rachel: Okay. Hey, everybody! These two aren't human! They're half Greek god! ... They don't seem to care. By Rick Riordan Rachel Annabeth Shhh Halfblood Hey

Otis," I said."Shhh," he said. "I'm incognito. Call me...Otis.""I'm not sure that's how incognito works, but okay."Otis, aka Otis climbed into the chair I'd reserved for Sam. By Rick Riordan Shhh Otis Said Otis Incognito

Luke gazed at Annabeth. "You knew. I almost killed you, but you knew ... ""Shhh." Her voice trembled. "You were a hero at the end, Luke. By Rick Riordan Annabeth Knew Luke Gazed Shhh

What's for dinner, Dad?" Pelops asked.Tantalus had never liked his son. I don't know why. Maybe Tantalus knew the kid would take over his kingdom someday. Greek kings were always paranoid about stuff like that. Anyway, Tantalus gave his son an evil smile and pulled out a butcher's knife. "Funny you should ask. By Rick Riordan Dad Dinner Tantalus Son Funny

Had taught him to sharpen his senses - to trust the instincts that had been guiding him south. His homing radar was tingling like crazy now. The end of his journey was close - almost right under his feet. But how could that be? There was nothing on the hilltop. The wind changed. Percy caught the sour scent of reptile. A hundred yards down the slope, something rustled through the woods - snapping branches, crunching leaves, hissing. Gorgons. For the millionth time, Percy wished their noses weren't so good. They had always said they could smell him because he was a demigod - the half-blood son of some old Roman god. Percy had tried rolling in mud, splashing through creeks, even keeping air-freshener sticks in his pockets so he'd have that new car smell; but apparently demigod stink was hard to mask. He scrambled to the west By Rick Riordan Percy Senses South Taught Sharpen

Traitor!" Hera shouted. "You meddlesome, D-list goddess! You aren't worthy to pour my wine, much less rule the world. By Rick Riordan Traitor Dlist Hera Shouted Meddlesome

That little punk," Zeus grumbled. "Prometheus armed the cockroaches." Next to him, the goddess Hera said, "Uh, what?" "Nothing," Zeus muttered. He yelled to his guards: "Find Prometheus and get him in here. NOW! By Rick Riordan Zeus Punk Grumbled Prometheus Find

That was Hera," Thalia grumbled. "Her Majesty, the Loose Cannon." "That's it, Thalia Grace," said the goddess. "I will turn you into an aardvark, so help me - By Rick Riordan Hera Thalia Grumbled Majesty Cannon

Jason muttered "And I saw something ... Really terrible.""That was Hera," Thalia grumbled, "Her Majesty, the Loose Cannon.""That's it, Thalia Grace," Said the goddess. "I will turn you into and aardvark, so help me-" "Stop it, you two," Piper said. Amazingly, they both shut up. By Rick Riordan Thalia Jason Muttered Hera Majesty

You have to rise above the squabbling and chaos, and keep believing. You have to always keep your goals in mind. -Hera, goddess of marriage By Rick Riordan Chaos Believing Hera Rise Squabbling

I hate to tell you this," Jason said, "but I think your leopard just ate a goddess. By Rick Riordan Jason Goddess Hate Leopard Ate

She studied me with concern. She touched the new streak of gray in my hair that matched hers exactly - our painful souvenir from holding Atlas's burden. There was a lot I'd wanted to say to Annabeth, but Athena had taken the confidence out of me. I felt like I'd been punched in the gut.I do not approve of your friendship with my daughter."So," Annabeth said. "What did you want to tell me earlier?"The music was playing. People were dancing in the streets. I said, "I, uh, was thinking we got interrupted at Westover Hall. And ... I think I owe you a dance."She smiled slowly. "All right, Seaweed Brain."So I took her hand, and I don't know what everybody else heard, but to me it sounded like a slow dance: a little sad, but maybe a little hopeful, too. By Rick Riordan Concern Annabeth Studied Atlas Athena

Apparently, the Athena Parthenos had wanted them to visit a place with educational value, because she'd landed right next to a historical marker that read MASSACRE OF BUFORD, on a gravel layby at the intersection of Nowhere and Nothing. By Rick Riordan Apparently Buford Athena Parthenos Massacre

I believe Triumvirate Holdings wants to control all the ancient Oracles. And I Believe the most ancient Oracle of all, the Grove of Dodona, is right here at Camp Half-Blood"I WAS A DREAMATIC GOD.I thought my last statement was a great line, I expected gasps, perhaps some organ music in the background. Maybe the lights would go out just before I could say more. Moments later I would be found dead with a knife in my back. That would be exciting!Wait. I'm a mortal. Murder would kill me. Never mind By Rick Riordan Triumvirate Holdings Ancient Oracles Oracle

Tell you what," I said. "After the testing after the Demon Days, when things settle down -""Things won't settle down.""- I'm going to take you to the mall."She blinked. "The mall? For what reason?""To hang out," I said. "We'll get some hamburgers. See a movie."Zia hesitated. "Is this what you'd call a 'date'?"My expression must have been priceless, because Zia actually cracked a smile. "You look like a cow hit with a shovel. By Rick Riordan Things Days Zia Settle Demon

If it weren't for dreams," he said. "I wouldn't know half the things I know about the future. They're better than Olympus tabloids." He cleared his throat then held up his hands dramatically: "Dreams like a podcast,Downloading truth in my ears.They tell me cool stuff""Apollo?" I guessed, because I figured nobody else could make a haiku that bad. He put his finger to his lips, "[Shh] I'm incognito. Call me Fred. By Rick Riordan Dreams Apollo Shh Olympus Future

He put his finger to his lips. I'm incognito. Call me Fred. By Rick Riordan Lips Put Finger Fred Incognito

Dreams like a podcast,Downloading truth in my ears.They tell me cool stuff.""Apollo?" I guess, because I figured nobody else could make a haiku that bad.He put his finger to his lips. "I'm incognito. Call me Fred.""A god named Fred? By Rick Riordan Apollo Dreams Stuff Podcastdownloading Truth

He had a crush on a blueberry bush once. By Rick Riordan Crush Blueberry Bush

Watching a satyr cook Eggo blueberry waffles on a stick over an open fire. By Rick Riordan Eggo Watching Fire Satyr Cook

Piper McLean," [Annabeth] grumbled, "that was without a doubt the dumbest risk I've ever seen anyone take, and I date a dumb risk-taker. By Rick Riordan Annabeth Grumbled Piper Mclean Risktaker

Anything your father said. People he might have mentioned.""Amos," I blurted out, just to see his reaction. "He met a man named Amos."Inspector Williams sighed. "Sadie, he couldn't have done. Surely you know that. We spoke with Amos not one hour ago, on the phone from his home in New York.""He isn't in New York!" I insisted. "He's right - "I glanced out the window and Amos was gone. Bloody typical. By Rick Riordan Amos Father Sadie Amos Inspector

Gods of Olympus." Piper stared at Leo. "What happened to you?"His hair was greased back. He had welding goggles on his forehead, a lipstick mark on his cheek, tattoos all over his arms, and a T-shirt that read HOT STUFF, BAD BOY, and TEAM LEO."Long story," he said. By Rick Riordan Olympus Gods Leo Stuff Bad

Gods know about fading. They know about being forgotten over centuries. The idea of ceasing to exist altogether terrifies us. In fact- well, Zeus would not like me sharing this information, and if you tell anyone, I will deny I ever said it-but the truth is we gods are a little in awe of you mortals. You spend your whole lives knowing you will die. No matter how many friends and relatives you have, your puny existences will quickly be forgotten. How do you cope with it? Why are you not running around constantly screaming and pulling your hair out? Your bravery, I must admit, is quite admirable. By Rick Riordan Fading Gods Forgotten Zeus Centuries

According to Festus, our flying table, Buford, made it back safely while we were in Charleston, so those eagles didn't get him. Unfortunately, he lost the laundry bag with your pants.""Dang it!" Frank Barked, which Leo figured was probably severe profanity for him.No doubt Frank would've cursed some more -busting out the golly gees and the gosh darns- but Percy interrupted by doubling over and groaning."Did the world just turn upside down?" he asked.Jason pressed his hands to his head. "Yeah, and it's spinning. Everything is yellow. Is it supposed to be yellow? By Rick Riordan Buford Festus Charleston Table Made

This is Buford," Leo announced. "You name your furniture?" Frank asked. By Rick Riordan Buford Leo Announced Furniture Frank

Given a choice between death and the Buford Zippy Mart, Nico would've had a tough time deciding. At least he knew his way around the Land of the Dead. Plus the food was fresher. By Rick Riordan Mart Nico Buford Zippy Deciding

Mini-Hedge would stomp around on Buford's top, randomly saying things like "CUT THAT OUT!" "I'M GONNA KILL YOU!" and the ever-popular "PUT SOME CLOTHES ON! By Rick Riordan Cut Buford Minihedge Top Randomly

A ruby-encrusted orb popped its top and helicopter blades unfolded. Leo was glad Buford the table wasn't here-he would've fallen in love. By Rick Riordan Unfolded Rubyencrusted Orb Popped Top

Kekrops agreed to leave his guards above deck with Buford the table, who ordered them to drop and give him twenty push-ups. The guards seemed to take this as a challenge. By Rick Riordan Buford Kekrops Table Pushups Guards

Just pretend," Kronos insisted. "Once he's in human form and sitting next to you, I'll jump out By Rick Riordan Kronos Pretend Insisted Human Form

Excuse me," I said. "But ... can you see?" "No!" screamed Wasp from behind the wheel. "No!" screamed Tempest from the middle. "Of course!" screamed Anger by the shotgun window. By Rick Riordan Screamed Excuse Wasp Tempest Anger

I'm guessing this isn't the Mississippi," I said."The River of Night," Bloodstained Blade hummed. "It is every river and no river - the shadow of the Mississippi, the Nile, the Thames. It flows throughout the Duat, with many branches and tributaries.""Clears that right up," I muttered. By Rick Riordan Mississippi Night Bloodstained River Blade

Doctor.' Piper's smile was so warm it would've melted a Boread. 'We'd be so grateful for your help. We need the physician's cure.'Leo wasn't even her target, but Piper's charmspeak washed over him irresistibly. He would've done anything to help her get that cure. He would've gone to medical school, got twelve doctorate degrees and bought a large green python on a stick. By Rick Riordan Doctor Boread Piper Leo Smile

Look, I need to tell you something,' I continued. The words came stumbling out of me. 'I couldnt stand it if ... I dont want you to'Percy?' she said. 'You look like you're going to be sick.'And that's how I felt. By Rick Riordan