Customer Reviews on Amazon.com

1. 48 of 53 people found this review helpful

   By Cory on Amazon.com 7 May, 2009

   A worthy ending to a wonderful series...

   Format:Hardcover

   I must admit, when I first picked up the lightning theif in preperations for my vacation last summer, it was with a thought that I might be able to use it as a excuse to not have to take driving shifts as we drove steadily eastward to yellowstone. My family knows that if I am really in a book, nothing can pull me away from it.
   
   And so, as I desperately waited for my classes to get out, having bought The Last Olympian early that moment the doors opened at a local borders. I couldnt wait to start reading, having finished rereading book four during my lunch hour.
   
   And I was not disappointed. Riordan has a wonderful sense of humor with a snarky edge to it. Though I usually do not enjoy books written in first person, because most authors dont get just how dangerous writing first person can be, Rick has shown a nack for choosing his words carefully, showing up a world in vivid detail, and emotional clarity. The Last Olympian is a wonderful ending to a series that had much promise, and never broke it.
   
   To those who might be afraid I will spoil anything, I wont. I will only say this; Many twists and turns await you. In the final book of the Percy Jackson series, Rick Riordan has woven a tale, pulling all the threads together into a tapestry, with everything he had done before coming together in a epic, emotional ending... a ending that stirred my emotions in a way only one other writer, and concluding book had done, and that was Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J. K. Rowling.
   
   While their story telling and writing styles are vastly different, what they share is a thirst for a good story, red herrings to throw you off, and a ending that you couldnt fully see coming, but cant help but be moved by in the end.
   
   I am saddened that this story has drawn to a end, but all good stories must reach their conclusions, otherwise they stop being good.
   
   But we can hope for Rick Riordan, for I have no doubt his gift from weaving a good story has not come to a close. I will continue to look forward to his future books.
2. 78 of 89 people found this review helpful

   By A. Reader on Amazon.com 21 May, 2009

   A fun read for kids and classical students!

   As a student of history with a love (and a minor!) in classics, and little kid at heart I loved this series of books, culminating in The Last Olympian--maybe the best in the series. The obvious comparison is to Harry Potter, but these books are really something different. They're a little lighter, and a little more fanciful, and just more 'colorful.' They are shorter and and just more fun with less dark overtones (imo.)
   
   This last story brings about a conclusion to the whole saga, with one battle after another, answers all your question and even gives our heroes the accolades they richly deserve. It seems its the last one in the series and thats a little sad.
3. 65 of 74 people found this review helpful

   A Kid's Review on Amazon.com 31 July, 2009

   The Last Olypmian

   Format:Hardcover

   The Last Olympians was one of the best books i have ever read, the storyline was perfect I felt as if I was in the book but no one could see me or hear me but I could hear everything. At school I could not even put the book down. The way Rick Riordan wrote the book i felt as if I knew the charectars my whole life. The book also generated feeling I cried at the sad parts gasped at the surprising parts and laughed at the funny parts wherever the book's feeling went my feeling went with it. I loved the book so much I even wished I could be an amazing half-blood. I got this book for my birthday but I opened it before and the whole entire week I was itching to read it. I even told my friend to read it and she loves the series as much as I do. Personally I think Riordan should write another book. This was the biggest book of them all I never think I have ever read another interesting series. Rick Riordan makes sure everyone can relate to it and he thinks about the audience alot that is the most improtant thing an author can do. I have so much more to say but I can not. I hope you all enjoy the book!Thank you.
4. 18 of 21 people found this review helpful

   By Jessica M. Johnson on Amazon.com 24 July, 2009

   The best!

   After reading this I miss the series so much. I want it to keep going. I love every single book. I can't wait until the movie comes out for the first book. It should be enjoyable. The whole series just has that essence of myths and Greek mythology that is amazingly put together. A lot of the adventures I read made me want to jump inside the book and join them in the battle! It's one of the best reads... I love it!
5. 8 of 8 people found this review helpful

   By sam on Amazon.com 28 October, 2009

   A great ending and a great series

   I absolutly love this series. I am so sad that the series has ended, because I would love to read more. Riordan has the skills that anyone would want. I wish that he would write more books like this, because it sure is a wonderful book to have. Whether curled on a couch or in an airplane Riordan keeps you on the edge of your seat where ever and when ever you are.
6. 11 of 12 people found this review helpful

   By WriterGal on Amazon.com 9 May, 2009

   Saving the Best for Last

   Format:Hardcover

   How many times have we seen series start out well, but go out not with a bang but a whimper? Not this series! It started off with a bang and ends with a bang. The Last Olympian is bigger and better. Like J. K. Rowling, Riordan took a whole book to wrap up his series well. If you read the fourth book, The Battle of the Labyrinth (Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Book 4) , you know what happened to Kronos and what he wants--revenge and the destruction of Olympus. The final showdown is at hand. You will not be disappointed when it happens either. Riordan took his time to let it unfold, battle by battle.
   
   Percy Jackson, your favorite wise-cracking hero, still has that prophecy hanging over his head as his sixteenth birthday approaches. Some people just have to worry about driver's ed. Percy has to worry about the end of the world. In The Last Olympian, Percy faces good, bad, and heartbreaking choices and learns more than he ever wanted to learn about Luke and especially about himself and his destiny. How he learns about Luke reminded me of somewhat of how Harry learned about Voldemort's past. But quicker than you can say Stygian, war is upon him and the other half-bloods. Can they defeat Kronos and his army?
   
   If you're a fan of battles, you'll find plenty in this book and, as always, a plethora of monsters from Greek mythology. And there's Mrs. O'Leary. (Gotta love her.) And if you're keeping track of loose ends, you'll even find out the identity of the last Olympian and why that's important. Riordan always manages to walk the tightrope between humor and pathos. And what about Annabeth and Rachel? At least that saga is wrapped up satisfactorily. Some surprising and not so surprising heroes emerge as the prophecy is fulfilled. I'm sorry to see this series go, but I'm glad it ended well! This is definitely my favorite of the five.
   
   Mr. Riordan, please don't let this be the last Olympian book we read!
7. 6 of 6 people found this review helpful

   By KidsReads on Amazon.com 9 June, 2009

   The Formula Has Worked Perfectly

   Format:Hardcover

   Rick Riordan's series starring Percy Jackson and his demigod companions from Camp Half-Blood has brought Greek mythology vividly to life for a whole new generation of readers. Riordan manages to meld contemporary life with classical mythology, all the while imprinting his novels with clever humor and dynamic characters. The formula has worked perfectly; each book's popularity has grown, and millions of fans have been clamoring for the final volume ever since the publication of THE BATTLE OF THE LABYRINTH in 2008.
   
   Now, with THE LAST OLYMPIAN, the wait is over. Fans of the series know that Riordan has been building suspense for the ultimate battle between the renegade Titans and the demigods of Camp Half-Blood. Over the course of four previous books, the Titans have grown stronger and gained support, but Percy himself --- as well as several of his friends --- has grown from a confused and awkward boy questioning his identity and heritage to a capable and courageous leader. In this final adventure, the two forces collide, and the result is spectacular indeed.
   
   Throughout THE LAST OLYMPIAN, Percy is troubled by dreams and prophecies. Some are open to interpretation, but others seem to foresee certain doom for Percy and his forces. Summoning all his courage and uniting his forces proves tougher than Percy had anticipated, especially when some of the internal conflicts at Camp Half-Blood threaten to sabotage his plans (it's hard to win a war without the children of Ares cooperating with you!). The battlefield for this final conflict is, in true Riordan style, the streets of Manhattan, centering on Mount Olympus (known to us mortals as the Empire State Building).
   
   As the casualties mount, loyalties are tested, sometimes strengthened and other times broken. Riordan manages to introduce some new characters and elements from Greek mythology (including Pandora's Box and the sleep-inducing god Morpheus) while simultaneously reaching back to Percy's very first adventure to bring back familiar friends and enemies. Even Percy's most essential relationships --- with the satyr Grover and love interest Annabeth Chase --- evolve and deepen over the course of this last novel. Percy's final adventure is the most sophisticated, serious and mature of his life, but the book never loses its sense of humor or fun: "The campers down at the volleyball pit had early '90s hairstyles, which were probably good for keeping monsters away."
   
   Most readers will finish THE LAST OLYMPIAN exhilarated by the epic final battle and deeply satisfied by the way Riordan ties up his characters' professional, personal and romantic lives. For those who just can't get enough of Percy Jackson, however, the entire series is destined for immortality --- and even more fans --- once the first movie based on the novels hits theaters in 2010.
   
   --- Reviewed by Norah Piehl
8. 7 of 8 people found this review helpful

   A Kid's Review on Amazon.com 26 May, 2009

   Amazing Book

   Format:Hardcover

   Readers who read the first for Percy Jackson and the Olympians books will not be disappointed with this book. The Last Olympian by Rick Riordan is the fifth and final Percy Jackson Adventure. The book takes place in New York City in the present. New York seems just like it is in reality to most of the population because they cannot see through the "mist" which hides the world of the Greek gods. The story is told in the first person by Percy Jackson, who is a fifteen year-old sword fighter. When he was younger, it was explained to him at camp that the Greek gods still exist and have moved Olympus to the top of the Empire State Building because New York City is the biggest city in the dominant country. The conflict in the book is person v. person. Kronos, the Titan lord of time, and Typhon, the father of all monsters, have escaped from jail and are heading for Olympus. Kronos wants to take over the world and is using Typhon and many armies to help him achieve his goal. Percy, who found out that he was a son of Poseidon, must help protect the Empire State Building with all of the other "half-blood" children of the gods. While the gods are fighting Typhon, Percy takes on the curse of Achilles so that he can be invincible and stand a chance against Kronos. The theme of the book is that people should be brave, stand up for what they believe in, and not give up.
   
   I liked The Last Olympian very much for many reasons. First, the book is extremely action-packed. The battle scenes were particularly exciting. Second, the book is hilarious at certain points. For example, at one point, Percy is driving his stepdad's car and Pegasus, a horse, falls on the car! Another reason I liked the book is that even though the situation is not realistic, the characters' behavior is believable. I also liked that the author was not overly descriptive and let the reader imagine aspects of the story, such as the boat Princess Andromeda. Another reason that I like the Percy Jackson series is that the author uses very good transitions between each book. He always leaves the previous book with a cliffhanger that makes the reader feel like they can't wait to read the next one. The subsequent book always begins a bit after the previous book ended, and does not answer the cliffhanger right away. I would strongly recommend this book to people who love action and adventure, but I would also insist that people read the first four books in the series first in order to fully understand the plot. People who enjoy Greek mythology may also like this book. I would give The Last Olympian five out of five stars because the action never stops.
9. 4 of 4 people found this review helpful

   By Megan Ellinger on Amazon.com 15 October, 2009

   A Lackluster Conclusion to a Great Series

   Format:Hardcover

   I stumbled upon the first in the series at a local bookstore and, after quickly reading it and the rest of the series, impatiently awaited the release of this final book in the series.
   
   I wanted to love it since the series had been so inventive and surprising but I was disappointed. The plot was barely present and the great majority of the book consisted of a drawn out battle with only a few "firework" moments. The ending of the book was predictable and left the story with many loose ends. The character development was overshadowed by a vignettes in the story that felt repetitive from the previous books.
   
   I am not a member of the target demographic for this book and perhaps I would have liked it more if I was a teenage boy.
10. 21 of 28 people found this review helpful

    By Ithlilian on Amazon.com 3 October, 2009

    The Last Olympian

    Format:Hardcover

    The Last Olympian throws you into the action from the very beginning. There is no running across the country running into nice people that turn into monsters. It's war from page one. I have to admit that I don't enjoy books that are nonstop action with no plot, so thankfully, there was a good amount of plot progression here. We found about about a spy, about Luke's childhood, about a few prophecies, and we got to check in with all of the half bloods that we have come to love. It wasn't all Percy all of the time, which is great. One of my only qualms is that for a serious book with serious subject matter, I never felt the gravity of the situation. People were dying and the world was on the line, yet it happened so fast I barely registered it. I've read books where the description of a fight makes me feel like I'm there, explanations of the moves makes me picture exactly what is going on, and injuries almost make me gag. The fight scenes in The Last Olympian were bland. It was basically he stabbed me, I dodged, I stabbed him, he died. I felt a pretty large disconnect with the characters in this novel that I hadn't felt in the previous installments. One event occurred after another with very few surprises thrown in. There is a war, good guys win, happy ending, that's it. I felt like the series was building up to a grand finale, and I felt like this novel was building to a grand ending, yet the war ended very abruptly. It was very anticlimactic and a bit of a let down. After that, we have 25 pages or so of happy endings and tying lose ends. It just felt half-hearted. I was expecting more drama, more intrigue, and more depth. A good series overall, definitely worth reading, but it fell a bit short of greatness for me.