Max C. recommends The House of Hades

Max’s Independent Reading Project

Max Caspi                                                          Period 4

Hey guys! Today I am reviewing a book called The House of Hades by Rick Riordan. In this story there are seven demigods. Percy and Annabeth take a journey through a hellish, monster frenzy pit called Tartarus. Leo, Jason, Frank, Piper, and Hazel sail the seas and take the sky aboard the Argo II trying to locate Percy and Annabeth.

Rick Riordan has written many Greek and Egyptian mythology books such as the book I am reviewing. For fifteen years, Rick taught English and history at public and private middle schools in the San Francisco Bay Area and in Texas. In 2002, Saint Mary’s Hall honored him with the school’s first Master Teacher Award. While teaching full time, Riordan began writing mystery novels for grownups. His Tres Navarre series went on to win the top three national awards in the mystery genre – the Edgar, the Anthony and the Shamus. Riordan turned to children's fiction when he started The Lightning Thief as a bedtime story for his oldest son.

My friend recommended the first book in this series to me. At the end of that book I couldn’t wait to read the rest of the series. I also read the first series that showcased Percy Jackson. In this story there are seven main characters. They are a part of a prophecy called The Prophecy of Seven. Each chapter is a different character. Two of the characters, Percy and Annabeth, are trapped in a place called Tartarus. This is where monsters come to regenerate after they are killed. It is sort of like respawning. The other five characters, Leo, Jason, Hazel, Frank, and Piper are trying to find them.

This story takes place in a few different places. Percy and Annabeth are trapped inside Tartarus trying to locate the Doors of Death so they can stop Gaea’s forces from regenerating. Meanwhile the other five are trying to locate the Doors of Death from the other side so they can be closed for good. They run in to some trouble along the way and find old friends.

Percy and Annabeth find a Titan that Percy brainwashed and made him friendly. He helps them on their quest to seek freedom. Hazel finds the goddess Hecate and gets valuable information from her. The most important character I have to say is Leo because his dad is Hephaestus who is the god of craftsmanship. The Argo II is attacked by a bandit whose turtle eats the oars of the ship. Leo is trapped on an island called Ogygia where he is for a week with a goddess named Calypso. They need him to repair the ship before  they can continue their voyage. One of the themes in the story is survival because Percy and Annabeth survive on a river that keeps people alive.

I can compare this to the other books I’ve read in this series such as, The Lost Hero, The Son of Neptune, and The Mark of Athena. In all, I love all of Rick Riordans books but this one might be my favorite. I would definitely recommend this book to anybody above fourth grade. This book has romance, action, and drama. This is a really good book!

Link to Rick Riordan’s website, click here