The Heroes of Olympus, #5
The Blood of Olympus
by Rick Riordan
Contents
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Overview
After the giants fall, the Olympians argue. Zeus rebukes Hera and banishes Apollo pending punishment. Jason challenges Zeus’s blame and vows to honor all gods, but Artemis defuses the moment. With Gaea awakened and attacking Camp Half-Blood, the gods reveal they cannot help; the seven must rush home on a perilous, possibly sacrificial, final flight.
Summary
In the smoking ruins of the giants’ defeat, the Argo II hangs battered above the Parthenon as the Olympians regroup without joy. Zeus credits the demigods and the Athena Parthenos for reuniting gods and children. Piper checks on Reyna’s team; Zeus confirms they live. Hera tries to claim the plan; Zeus publicly rebukes her.
Zeus summons Apollo and the Fates close in. Citing vanity, Octavian’s encouragement, and a premature prophecy, Zeus declares punishment and disperses Apollo to Olympus as glittering wind. Jason questions the fairness, renewing his vow to honor all gods and pleading against blame. Zeus bristles, but Artemis intervenes, signaling Jason to stand down.
Attention turns to Gaea: Athena confirms she is awakened by the blood of Olympus and now targets Camp Half-Blood. The heroes ask for divine transport, but Zeus refuses, explaining prophecy binds outcomes—the seven must defeat Gaea; gods cannot.
They debate speed. Zeus could “slap” the Argo II across the world, but Hephaestus warns the ship may disintegrate. Leo insists it can hold together long enough to reach camp. Nike coolly notes victory requires sacrifice, pointedly eyeing Leo, unsettling Jason, who recalls forewarnings but resolves to proceed.
Accepting the risks and the gods’ noninterference, Jason declares they will embark immediately. The seven prepare for a final, dangerous return to Camp Half-Blood to confront Gaea.
Who Appears
- Jason GraceConfronts Zeus over blame, vows shrines to all gods, decides to risk a final voyage back to Camp Half-Blood.
- ZeusRebukes Hera, condemns Apollo for prophecy failures, refuses divine aid due to prophecy constraints.
- Leo ValdezBattered but determined; insists the Argo II can survive a one-way wind slam despite fatal risk.
- ArtemisDefuses Zeus’s anger at Jason and redirects focus to the urgent threat of Gaea.
- Piper McLeanAsks after Reyna’s team; questions gods’ reliance on mortals; will carry the physician’s cure implication.
- ApolloAccused of vanity and mishandling prophecy; spirited away to Olympus for punishment.
- HeraTries to claim credit; publicly chastised by Zeus for causing problems.
- AthenaAffirms Gaea’s awakening and urgency; supports acting quickly to defend Camp Half-Blood.
- PoseidonConcurs on the threat and acknowledges Kymopoleia when Zeus forgets her.
- Annabeth ChaseShifts discussion to Gaea; presses the urgency of the new threat.
- HephaestusWarns the Argo II may not withstand Zeus’s transport, highlighting fatal risk.
- NikeFrames victory as requiring sacrifice; pointedly references Leo in her warning.
- Percy JacksonJokes about his nosebleed awakening Gaea; prepares to back Jason if needed.
- Frank ZhangAsks the gods to help; worries about travel time back to camp.
- Hazel LevesqueUrges the gods to accompany them after the giants’ defeat.
- AphroditeExplains the mutual dependence of gods and mortals, comforting Piper.
- The FatesAttend Apollo’s censure, symbolizing the binding outcomes of prophecy.
- AresGloats over battle, entertains Frank with grisly pantomime.
- HermesTries to cozy up to Athena; retreats when rebuffed by the aegis.
- HecateRejects Nike’s laurel, remaining aloof amidst the gods’ uneasy victory.