The House of Hades

I am a sucker for these books. I enjoy the characters that Rick Riordan has created (for the most part) and enjoy the world they inhabit. The House of Hades takes our group of 7 demigods and splits them in two. With Percy and Annabeth in one group, and the other 5 together in the other.

Both working to get to the House of Hades and the Doors of Death, I felt this book really had a lot of character development and growth. While those types of books can be slow, Riordan keeps things moving at his standard brisk pace (he knows well his audience). I think that is the main reason I enjoyed it as much as I did. While there certainly was conflict and battles to be fought, the most significant battles were the ones being fought inside each of the major characters. In the end, I came away finally liking Leo, and felt that Hazel, Piper, Jason and Frank (quite literally) had really grown as characters. Nico was fleshed out as well, though still remained and annoying emo kid (I think that is on purpose). Percy and Annabeth learn some about themselves, but even more about their relationship and each other.

Many of the realizations are painful, but they make the heroes seem more real, more authentic and less Mary Sue and Gary Stu than they have in some of the past books. I particularly liked seeing just how powerful Percy is, and how terrifying that can be.

Good read and I anxiously (along with my daughters) look forward to the 5th installment later this year. Now, if Riordan would just bring these characters and the world of the Kane Chronicles together, I would really be happy.