THE LAST OLYMPIAN by Rick Riordan
Series: Percy Jackson and the Olympians, #5
Publication Date: May 5th 2009 by Disney Hyperion Books for Children
Rating: 
Summary: Climactic battles rage on New York streets in the final book of Rick Riordan’s large-scale Olympian series. As Kronos’ massive offensive moves towards its ultimate goal, Percy Jackson struggles to comprehend the full meaning of a long-awaited prophecy. A momentous fantasy cycle rumbles to its ominous conclusion.
Review Overview:
- Loved that Manhattan was a battleground
- Actual plot wasn’t as engaging because of the lack of a main myth tied to the plot
- Overall, still a fantastic series that can’t be missed
While THE LAST OLYMPIAN was a fantastic conclusion to the epic Percy Jackson series, I admit that it was my least favorite of the books.
I absolutely loved the fact that Manhattan served as the battleground. Living in the city, it was fantastic to read about familiar places covered with monsters and demi-gods. I was easily able to map out the locations Percy mentioned. The map at the beginning of the book was a fantastic and beautiful addition to the book, especially those to who are not so familiar with Manhattan. I loved Daedalus’s automatons sprinkled around the city – mostly because the first one, William H. Seward, is only a few blocks away from me. Immediately after reading that Percy was on 23rd Street, I was already making plans to visit the automaton. How cool.
Though I loved the setting and the bits of mythology sprinkled throughout the book, the pacing of the book completely threw me off. I honestly wasn’t at the edge of my seat because it felt like Percy was always in battle. In a way, it did feel a bit anti-climactic because I felt like there was no build-up to the big battle between Kronos and Percy. I knew it was going to happen, and it became one of those events that I just felt like, okay, it’s going to happen, no big deal.
Furthermore, what made this story different from the others was that there was no main myth that was woven perfectly into the story. I guess I had such high hopes after reading The Battle of the Labyrinth. The story of Daedalus was integrated so well and THE LAST OLYMPIAN only had the prophecy to pull it to the end. Lack of a central myth was a huge loss to me as a reader. The prophecy only entertained me so much and it wasn’t engaging enough to me as a reader. There were no really jaw-dropping moments.
Despite my qualms with the book, it was still an enjoyable read. I still highly recommend the Percy Jackson series despite the fact that the last book was not as epic as I thought it would be. Riordan does a fantastic job tying up the series nonetheless. I was left with a warm fuzzy feeling, but at the same time, I felt like a connection between me and a close friend had been severed. I’m happy with the conclusion to the series as a whole, and I will miss the Percy Jackson cast tremendously. Percy Jackson and the Olympians is a fantastic middle grade series that you cannot miss.
I absolutely adore this series and Percy Jackson. I loved all the books
Are you reading the Kane Chronicles or the new Heroes of Olympus series?
No I haven’t started those series yet! I think I want to wait for them to be complete before I decide to pick them up.
That’s an interesting qualm you had with the book, the fact that there was no myth. I guess for me the twists were enough.
And YES, Manhattan is super cool!
I love this series so much. I did like the last book, though maybe it wasn’t my favourite, because I just loved the setting and the twists and all the action, and especially the ending! Glad you enjoyed it. I have the first Heroes of Olympus book on my tbr but I’m too scared to read it – I don’t want it to ruin my precious Percy Jackson series!
Haha!
I think I’m going to wait until the series is complete before I pick it up.
Oh don’t worry it doesn’t at all! I was concerned as well but it is very very good and Percy Jackson/Annabeth and others are going to be key characters in the series. The ending is a heart wrenching, brilliant cliffhanger so perhaps wait until the next book is out in a couple of months so you can read them back to back lol!
This was my favorite of the series, it kind of felt the whole book was the climax with the previous 4 books building up to it — maybe that was just me :p anyways, I think for the first few books I was so-so with the series, but books 4+5 made me just LOVE PJ
Great revewi!! I loved the Greek mythology 
Loved the mythology too! Too bad I can’t seem to find a YA book that can even come close to being as good.
I need to start this series
YES SAMITA! I insist; you must.
I keep reading rave reviews about this series, and I have been wanting to read it. Think I’ll put my next pay-cheque into buying it, haha.
Great review
Yes!
I don’t think you’ll be regretting that decision. It’s a definite must-read.
I really need to read these books. It does sound like the pacing was odd in this one. I wonder if the author thought that young boys would like constant battle and skipped a build-up.