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 
—Percy Jackson —

As times goes by, and if you already know my reading pattern, you probably already guessed that this month would be my Rick Riordan month. Yep, i read a lot of his books this month since (like i said) i always start every new year with a bang! which reading his books. Anyway, let's dive in!

Reading Order

By our reading bible Goodreads, this book count as the companion book for The Heroes of Olympus series, which mean you have to read the Percy Jackson series first then this Heroes of Olympus series. For me, after reading this book, i would (highly) recommend you to read the book by chapters.

I mean, if you simplify it, you can read this book AFTER you finished the first book of the series which the Lost Hero. But! If you want to be "in track" for the whole stories, i would recommend you :

1. Read the first two chapter (chapter Luke's past and Percy and Annabeth adventure to help Hermes) after you read the Percy Jackson Series 

2. Start reading The Lost Heroes

3. Finish the whole rest of Demigod Diaries. 

I think that's the most appropriate timeline of the story. 

What is it All About?

This book is a collections of short stories. First is talking about early life of Luke and Thalia running away from monsters that constantly chasing them since they're a demigod, and meet Annabeth in the way of their adventure before finding the Half-blood camp. 

The second story set after the great battle in the last book of Percy Jackson series, a month after the event, where Percy and Annabeth met Hermes who asked Percy for help to find his staff. Yes, the one with the two snakes. 

The third one is the story when Leo is building the Argo II, which of course something got wrong that might blow up the whole tank and most entirely of the camp. 

And last but not least a debut novel by his son, Haley Riordan, who is the one that made Rick Riordan white Percy Jackson in the first place. The story set after the war in last book of Percy Jackson Series too, but this one with magic included. 

 

Is It Worth Reading?

We get to know why the first place Luke become the man we know later in the percy jackson book, because of how much struggle he had to face in young age, and witnessing how gods treat their children in this short story, just made he become more salty for gods.

I really love Percy and Annabeth part, because again, i always love Percy's witty comment. 

“She was beautiful in combat. I know that’s a crazy thing to say, especially after we’d just climbed a sewage waterfall, but her gray eyes sparkled when she was fighting for her life. Her face shone like a goddess’s, and believe me, I’ve seen goddesses. The way her Camp Half-Blood beads rested against her throat—Okay, sorry. Got a little distracted.”

 Of course we can't let go Leo's POV, although i think you can skip this story and won't really miss a thing in the whole main series. But, he always be my fave in this whole Heroes of Olympus, he even beat Percy in this whole series, so yeah, i'm Team LEO! 

“Run!” Piper said.
“We are running!” Jason picked up the speed.
“Run better!” Leo shouted.

 And Last but not least the debut by Rick Riordan's son. Oh my.. he's good! i mean the concept is a bit different because it includes spells and magic, and a bit darker than Percy Jackson series, but still relate to the characters and plot in the story. I somehow touched by the introductions Rick made for his son's debut. 

My Verdict

It's a Neutral (go to this link for more info about the rating system) for me. Since it's not really essential to the story, but if you read it still complete the  You can read it (which i would recommend) specially if you miss Percy and Annabeth. And Haley's debut novel is just... i mean, just read it!! 

 

Previous chapter of this series :