The Heroes of Olympus, #5
The Blood of Olympus
by Rick Riordan
Contents
XIII
Overview
Nico collapses after shadow-travel and enters a guided dream, contacting Clovis to relay that he is bringing the Athena Parthenos and being hunted. Clovis shows Camp Half-Blood’s war council: the Romans’ siege tightens, prophecy is broken, and morale frays. Clarisse pushes to attack, but leaders insist on holding out for Annabeth’s peace plan.
The chapter reinforces the stakes at camp while confirming Nico’s mission progress and the looming external threat pursuing the statue.
Summary
Nico blacks out from overusing shadow-travel. In the borderland of dreams, he pushes past painful memories to find Thalia Grace but is diverted into the Hypnos cabin by Clovis’s powerful dreaming. Seizing the chance, Nico has Clovis relay a message to Chiron: he, Reyna, and Coach Hedge are bringing the Athena Parthenos and are being hunted by a giant; he asks Clovis to reach Thalia for advice.
Clovis offers to show Nico the day’s war council at Camp Half-Blood. The scene shifts to the Big House rec room, where Chiron reviews defenses. Clarisse reports the beach and seas are held, but Roman forces and allied monsters have encircled the camp and control the skies with giant eagles.
Tensions flare as Rachel notes the attackers are Romans; Clarisse criticizes failed prophecies. Will Solace explains Apollo’s gifts are disrupted and the gods are silent. Jake Mason blames Octavian’s leadership. Chiron underscores the need for healers as Will laments he’s “just a healer.”
Rachel says the harpy Ella is terrified of capture; Butch reports pegasi losses. Connor cites help from Tyson’s Cyclopes, Hecate cabin barriers, and Hermes traps, though Hephaestus and Ares complain about “commandeered” gear. Grover warns nature spirits are disoriented and the land may turn dangerous if Gaea wakes.
Clarisse argues for a preemptive strike before Roman reinforcements arrive, citing low morale and her duty to protect Coach Hedge’s pregnant wife. Malcolm counters that attacking the Roman fortifications would be suicidal. Connor urges patience, reaffirming Annabeth’s plan to return the Athena Parthenos to unite Greeks and Romans; without unity, the gods won’t heal and the giants can’t be killed.
As Clarisse prepares to retort, Coach Hedge’s voice pierces the dream, yanking Nico awake with urgent news: immediate problems have found their traveling party.
Who Appears
- Nico di AngeloExhausted from shadow-travel; dreamwalks to warn camp, seeks Thalia’s advice, and witnesses the war council.
- ClovisHead of Hypnos cabin; inadvertently pulls Nico into his dream and relays messages and council vision.
- ChironLeads the Camp Half-Blood war council, assessing defenses and emphasizing need for healers.
- Clarisse La RueArgues for attacking the Romans immediately; worried about morale and protecting Hedge’s family.
- Rachel Elizabeth DareOracle struggling with broken prophecy; defends peace plan and updates on Ella’s fear.
- Will SolaceDescribes Apollo’s silence and failed prophecy; commits healing support despite frustration.
- Connor StollReports traps and urges patience, backing Annabeth’s plan to unite Greeks and Romans.
- Jake MasonNotes Octavian’s role; worries about resources taken from Hephaestus cabin.
- Grover UnderwoodWarns that nature spirits are disorganized and lands may become unsafe if Gaea wakes.
- Butch WalkerReports aerial losses and risks, including two fallen pegasi.
- MalcolmActing Athena counselor; argues Roman fortifications make an assault suicidal.
- Coach Gleeson HedgeTravels with Nico; wakes him urgently at chapter’s end.