The Mark of Athena by Rick Riordan (Heroes of Olympus, Book 3)

SPOILER ALERT! This is the 3rd book in a series!

The gang's all here! Finally, the Romans and the Greeks are working toward a common goal. Jason, Piper, Leo, Annabeth, and Percy are in the Argo II on the way to Camp Jupiter. They know they must forge an alliance to complete the quest to save the world from Gaea, who is slowly awakening. While their initial meeting goes well, and Reyna begins to trust them, something goes awry. Someone is firing on the camp! Of course, the Romans believe they've been double crossed, and they're soon in such a frenzy, there's no telling them otherwise.

The crew, with the addition of Hazel and Frank, manage to climb back aboard and make their hasty retreat. It seems they'll have to go it alone. The prophecy always told of seven...so maybe they aren't doing everything wrong. They make their way across the country, meeting some noteworthy company along the way. It seems the gods aren't doing so hot with Rome and Greece fighting. The two sides of their natures are at war, and most are struggling to keep it together. The demigods don't have much hope for any celestial assistance. Their goal is Rome, where they will face the giants. While still unsure of what awaits them, Piper's prophetic knife isn't showing good news.

Annabeth, meanwhile, has been charged with a task by her mother. She must recover the Athena Parthenos, a famous statue lost to the ages. Many children of Athena have tried to find it, and failed. She knows, however, that it holds the key to reuniting the Greeks and Romans, and hopefully to helping the gods get a hold of themselves!

While leaving the U.S. puts them out of the legion's way, they know that the Roman camp will turn their anger on Camp Half-Blood. It's a terrible choice, but they will have to trust their friends. Having outrun Camp Jupiter as they approach the old world, the terrors start afresh. Gaea never tires of throwing obstacles in their way. They are on a collision course with her children, the giants, if they can make it that far. The sea isn't without its dangers, and neither is the sky.

They encounter Narcissus, Athena as Minerva, Hercules, Bacchus, some relatives of Chiron, and more. This is another great one by Riordan, leaving me saying "are you kidding!" at the ending. Fans of mythology will be in thrall, and fans of adventure may soon become fans of mythology after reading this series. Highly recommended.

"'If you let Gaea drive our camps apart,' Annabeth said, 'the giants have already won. They'll destroy the Romans, the Greeks, the gods, the whole mortal world.'
'Don't you think I know that?' Reyna's voice was as hard as iron. 'What choice have you left me? Octavian smells blood. He's whipped the legion into a frenzy, and I can't stop it. Surrender to me. I'll bring you back to New Rome for trial. It won't be fair. You'll be painfully executed. But it may be enough to stop further violence. Octavian won't be satisfied, of course, but I think I can convince the others to stand down.'
'It wasn't me!'
'It doesn't matter!' Reyna snapped. 'Someone must pay for what happened. Let it be you. It's the better option.'
Annabeth's skin crawled. 'Better than what?'
'Use that wisdom of yours,' Reyna said. 'If you escape today, we won't follow you. I told you - not even a madman would cross the sea to the ancient lands. If Octavian can't have vengeance on your ship, he'll turn his attention to Camp Half-Blood. The legion will march on your territory. We will raze it and salt the earth,'" (Riordan pg. 251, 2012).

*Library Link*

If you liked this, check out:
The House of Hades by Rick Riordan (Heroes of Olympus, Book 4) Fall 2013
The Lost Hero by Rick Riordan (Heroes of Olympus, Book 1)
The Fire Thief by Terry Deary (Fire Thief Trilogy, Book 1)
The Time Travelers by Linda Buckley-Archer (Gideon Trilogy, Book 1)

Riordan, Rick. (2012). The Mark of Athena. New York: Hyperion.