The Last Olympian (Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Book 5)

by Rick Riordan

Paper Book, 2009

Status

Available

Call number

F RIO

Call number

F RIO

Barcode

3594

Publication

Disney Hyperion (2009), Edition: 1, 381 pages

Description

The long-awaited prophecy surrounding Percy Jackson's sixteenth birthday unfolds as he leads an army of young demigods to stop Kronos in his advance on New York City, while the Olympians struggle to contain the rampaging monster, Typhon.

Media reviews

The action, never leisurely in any of the five books in the series, runs at a frantic pace here — monsters pop out with a rapidity that becomes almost predictable, except that they are so enjoyably hair-raising, and that Riordan has such clever ways of dispatching them.

Original publication date

2009-12-06

User reviews

LibraryThing member cmbohn
If you've read The Demigod Files, then you know how this one begins. If not, let me just remind you that we're all set for the war that may just end the world, between the gods and the Titans. Percy and the rest of his friends from Camp Half-Blood are on the side of the gods, but as Percy has
Show More
learned, too many of his friends and even minor gods have gone over to the side of the Titans. Kronos is causing some major trouble and the gods are very busy, trying to defeat him.

Oh, and remember that prophecy? The one in the first book, that we didn't really get to hear all of? This time, we get to hear the whole thing, and let's just say, it's not encouraging. You can tell from the beginning that this is going to be a real battle, and there are no guarantees.

All of my favorite characters are back in this one: Grover, Tyson, Annabeth, Nico, Chiron, Mrs. O'Leary, the centaurs, the pegasi, and of course, Percy. Rachel is here too, and Percy is getting a strange vibe from her. But Riordan doesn't spare his characters - this is war, and there are some heartbreaking casualties. No details, but it was intense in some parts.

One of the fun things is that Riordan introduces a new god or immortal in every book, and this one is no exception. Many of the characters are new this time around. And even some of the previous characters reveal themselves as being a lot more complex than we might have expected.

It was not a perfect book, really, but I love this series so much that I'm not going to nitpick. There was love, hate, death, war, humor, and nonstop action. What else could I want in this conclusion?
Show Less
LibraryThing member A_Reader_of_Fictions
Actual rating: 4.5 stars, rounded up for feels

For more reviews, Cover Snark and more, visit A Reader of Fictions.

I both saw this coming and I didn’t. I mean, I knew that The Last Olympian would be my favorite of this series, but I also really didn’t expect the emotional whomping. The willow
Show More
totally snuck up on me is all I can say. Rarely is a book full of so much ow my feels and dawwwww all at once. So yeah, I guess I have to formally thank Debby for forcing me to give this series another chance, because she was totally right.

The Last Olympian starts, literally, with a bang. Up to now, the Percy Jackson novels have had to build up to the drama and danger, but this time it starts there and doesn’t let go. The pace of this one manages to be even faster than that of the previous novels, which weren’t slow reads themselves. The Last Olympian is the darkest of the series by far, but manages to maintain a mood that works for middle grade readers. Riordan keeps that trademark humor flowing, though it does smack a bit more of the gallows this go round. Personally, I’m a big fan of books that can make me laugh even at the darkest times and I think it makes the moments when nothing is funny pack that much more of an emotional punch.

I wouldn’t say no one is safe in a Rick Riordan novel. It’s not quite Game of Thrones in terms of death and destruction. However, I would definitely say that not everyone is safe. Of course, this is already well-documented, but it gets more emotionally painful this time. I really didn’t see it coming, but this book almost made me cry TWICE. Once from the sads and once from the happies and holy hell what are feelings ouch. Considering that it’s middle grade, The Last Olympian is considerably dark and I consider myself satisfied with the end results.

The characters really shine in this one. The world building is still masterful, but wasn’t really being developed at the pace of the previous novels (since hello that’s sort of done now and there’s a war going on), so I really had time to focus in on the characters. Obviously I loved a bunch of them already, but some that I didn’t know I cared for suddenly meant so much to me. How did Riordan do this to me? The rather massive cast is so well-developed. Each of the gods have their own personality as do the children. You can even see the influences of the godly parents on the kids, while also seeing the way they are completely their own beings, which is basically the whole point of the series.

The ultimate messages of the series are so powerful and touching. In a lot of ways, Percy is not the hero. He’s not the smartest or the most powerful. I don’t even know if he’s the bravest. I sort of think he’s actually just the biggest, most optimistic idiot. I suspect Percy’s tragic flaw is that he would do anything to protect others, but I think it’s his greatest strength too. Percy has so much compassion, more even than he realizes. At this point, I want to talk about some specific spoilery things I love, so into the spoiler tags, I go.

Some things that I love about the way this book ended:

1) Percy is not the hero of prophecy, which YAY. There have been too many prophetic heroes, and I love the way that fiction is constantly overturning this trope now.

2) As a side note, I ADORE the fact that pretty much every character of note got a chance to shine. It’s not the Percy Jackson show. He has his moments, more than most even, but also we’re in his head so he can’t see everything.

3) I love that the gods are changing and learning.

4) Not only that, but the biggest help that Percy and Nico were to the war effort was, ultimately, in convincing their parents to focus on what truly matters.

5) The fact that Percy’s wishes are so non-selfish: he wants every kids to be recognized and all the minor gods to get the respect due to them. AND NICO GETS A CABIN.

6) I’m glad that even Luke was still redeemable, even if I am glad that he died. Best of luck in the next life, though, kid.

7) Though I’m sad about the life Rachel has chosen, I’m glad that she chose it and didn’t go that route because she was sad about the way her romance was going. Also, I love that she’ll still be around.

8) Finally, I think it’s hilarious how much Demeter wants everyone to eat cereal.


My sole lingering grumble is the summer thing. Like, okay, Camp Halfblood operates in the summer ideally, but there was a war on. I find it really hard to believe that Kronos would wait for the campers to finish out their school years to make his big attack. Let’s wait until the enemy is in place before attacking; everyone knows Kronos likes fights to be as fair as possible. Yeah, right. Plus, Kronos’ forces are stronger at night, which there is less of in the summer. I feel like the story’s a bit too strongly tied to its summer schedule for its own good in this case, but everything else is right on target.

Oh right, did I forget something? The romance. I will climb on board that ship with everyone else. *throws champagne bottle at the good ship Percabeth* I still love Rachel and that totally could have been okay with me too, but obviously this was going to be the ship and it’s all for the best. I do find it impressive that Riordan manages to sell Annabeth being more charmed by Percy than annoyed by his more than occasional slowness. She appreciates him for who he is, and he her, which is a good ship when you come right down to it. Poseidon grant them calm seas.

My heart was dashed on the rocks and lifted up on the waves. Strange things happen when you put the son of Poseidon in charge. I’m going to be reading the next series soon, after a brief break, and I am so excited. Leave spoilers for that series and you will be sent directly to Tartarus.
Show Less
LibraryThing member beserene
Oh, Percy Jackson, how you do entertain! This, the final installment in the “first” Camp Half-Blood series (yeah, we find that out at the end, but it shouldn’t be much of a surprise that there is more to come from Rick Riordan) was as much of a top-speed romp as the previous four. It is, as
Show More
expected given the series development, very dark and occasionally brutal. Its central event (again, fully anticipated throughout the series) is a major celestial/terrestrial war. Lots of people, including some characters that we like, die. In other words, this is not the party installment, though there are occasional moments of levity. I still miss the hectic hilarity of the early volumes, back when our hero Luke/Harry/Percy was a somewhat light-hearted youngster, but I do feel that this was a fitting conclusion to the series. There is a certain inevitable progress that all such young adult epics follow, so the pattern here works and is familiar. The reader (and by that I mean me, but I do find that I am not alone in this) does not get as worked up over Percy as with some of those other “Chosen One” heroes who shall remain nameless (*cough* Potter! *cough*), but I would still recommend this fantasy series for anyone who likes the genre, likes Greek myth, and/or likes imagining him/herself as the hero.
Show Less
LibraryThing member Eruantien
I have been a fan of the Percy Jackson books since The Lightning Thief hit my library. So I was both excited and a little sad to see the final book in the series arrive at my Wal-Mart. Rick Riordan does not disappoint in this finale. Storylines are tied up in the midst of an epic battle for the
Show More
future of the gods and Western Civilization.

The book follows Percy as he attacks Kronos' cruise ship, witnesses Oceanus' attack on Poseidon's undersea palace, and rallies the demigods to defend Manhattan from the armies of Kronos. With the gods involved in an battle across the United States against Typhon, the most fearsome monster ever, there is no one to protect Mount Olympus and the seats of the gods' power. Percy, Annabeth, the demiogods, and a few surprise allies are stretched thin as they do their best to keep the Titan's army off of the island. The battle ultimately ends in the throne room of the 12 gods with a surprising fulfillment of the prophecy we've heard about all series long.

The blurbs on the covers tend to compare this book and the series in particular to Harry Potter, which ties in to my one problem with the series. J. K. Rowling made her characters seem like living people that you genuinely cared about, even the bit characters. Rick Riordan doesn't do that. The three main characters of Grover, Percy, and Annabeth receive the majority of attention and most of the background characters just stay undeveloped. Since Riordan has hinted in the last pages that there will be another series, I'd like to see him work on the characterization a bit. Then we can make honest comparisons to Harry Potter.
Show Less
LibraryThing member nictheman
mind blowing book about demigods (half human and half god)that half to save the world from the titans. titans are gods as well but they are evil gods. its a page turning book that you wont want to put down. i recomend this book to people who like to read adventure and fantasy book.
LibraryThing member Cynara
An excellent conclusion to the "first" (!) Camp Half-Blood series from Riordan. The funny bits are still laugh-out-loud, Percy is still an appealing no-nonsense hero, and I even dropped a couple of tears.

The constant visions filling in backstory and distant action did feel a wee bit contrived
Show More
after a while, and I'm not sure the romance clicked quite as well as I'd hoped, but by and large, a great reunion with the Camp Half-Blood gang.
Show Less
LibraryThing member arianaderalte
This is an excellent and satisfying ending to the Percy Jackson series. Riordan competently clears up all the missing plot threads, and gave us a book that left you content, but also happy to read more adventures if he decides to write about other half-blood heroes some day.

The book starts off a
Show More
little slow (disregarding a quick action scene) because he's trying to fill in the back story gaps before the action starts. Percy's dreams were particularly useful and transparent this time ...more This is an excellent and satisfying ending to the Percy Jackson series. Riordan competently clears up all the missing plot threads, and gave us a book that left you content, but also happy to read more adventures if he decides to write about other half-blood heroes some day.

The book starts off a little slow (disregarding a quick action scene) because he's trying to fill in the back story gaps before the action starts. Percy's dreams were particularly useful and transparent this time around, but I'm not sure if that's a bad thing or not. Meanwhile, the massive battle in the second half of the book was fantastic, with an excellent climax and resolution at the end.

I'm very happy with this whole series and wish it'd been around to read when I was younger.
Show Less
LibraryThing member Alera
The Last Olympian is a fitting ending for an excellent series. Everything the previous novels have built toward reaches a final climax. Most every character you've grown to know through the series, and a few surprises, show up for the final showdown between Olympus and the Titans, and not everyone
Show More
takes the role they thought they would. Heroes are made of those thought lost, and friends might not be as friendly as first thought. All in all a great finale to a wonderful series that manages to still be both utterly engaging and a learning experience. Absolutely what a children's series should be.
Show Less
LibraryThing member TheLostEntwife
By far the best book of the entire series.

Finally pieces started fitting together with THE LAST OLYMPIAN. It was nice to see other half-bloods getting credit (and I love, love that Clarisse was finally portrayed as someone other than a spoiled brat).

The humor in this book had me laughing out loud,
Show More
which was a first for me in the entire series. The image of pegasi as kamikaze pigeons actually made me snort with laughter.

I really loved the message this book had about home and hearth and family. And.. even though I was up and down on the rest of the books in the series, I may have even felt a little sad that the series came to an end with it.
Show Less
LibraryThing member LisaMaria_C
This is the fifth and last book in the Percy Jackson series, rather blatant Harry Potter clones, only Percy is a demigod, not a wizard. Although the series had been developing its own personality as it went along, and Riordan's writing has been getting stronger. I was quite pleased with the last
Show More
book, and I find that rather rare in series, which tend to lose steam or jump the shark by the end. In some ways I even could say I found the ending more satisfying than the conclusion to Harry Potter. There the way Rowling chose sides between the houses always bugged me, while here, though some might find it too pat, I liked how Riordan developed the arc of the characters and the houses.

I do love Riordan's way of using classical myth. How he used the trope of the "Achilles's Heel" was a really nice touch, one that played well with the themes laid out from the beginning. The books are all fast-paced, quick reads. The story scrolls before your eyes like an action film or role playing video game. And how can I not get a kick of a Battle of the Gods set in my own New York City? The city's geography was used to good effect here. And the end, while giving closure, also sets things up for the sequel series, Heroes of Olympus. This concluding book is my favorite of the Percy Jackson books, and I'm tempted to give it five stars. The reason I'm withholding it, is that I still wouldn't put this up there with Harry Potter, Narnia and His Dark Materials, children's works with enough depth in ideas, characters and world-building to be fully satisfying to adults. I can't imagine ever rereading these, and I'm not rushing to read Heroes of Olympus. (Although my resistance may break when the new book in that series comes out in October.) But--this was fun.
Show Less
LibraryThing member readinggeek451
The final showdown between Kronos and the demigods. A worthy end to the series, with some unexpected but satisfying twists.
LibraryThing member jolerie
The Last Olympian is the final book in the Percy Jackson and the Olympian series. All events culminate in the final epic battle between the uprising Titans, lead by Kronos and the the Olympian Gods, lead by Zeus, as the Oracle of Delphi's fated prophecy comes to fruition. The Heroes from Camp
Show More
Half-Blood join forces along side Thalia and the Hunters of Artemis to defend Manhattan from the upcoming siege. Monsters and Titans alike are converging on land and by water, both sides will battle to the death and only one side will walk away victorious. Percy Jackson will shoulder the burden of making the final choice that will either swing the battle in the Olympians favour, or bring Mount Olympus and the Gods to their knees.

After five books and countless near death skirmishes later, I can confidently say that Percy Jackson, the reluctant hero rises to the occasion and ends the series with a resounding bang. I was hesitant after reading the first book that the series was going to be repetitive and predictable but Riordan was definitely able to throw in some major curveballs in the last book that caught me blindsided. All the question and loose ends within the series are neatly answered and you are left feeling satisfied and content. All in all the series was a worthwhile investment in time and energy and I look forward to reading these stories to my children one day, but I think I will hold off in terms of reading any other of Riordan's other books concerning Percy - I can only take teenage angst in limited dosages.
Show Less
LibraryThing member reannon
This young adult series is also great for adults. This is the final book in the series. The main character is Percy Jackson, son of a human woman and the Greek God Poseidon. It is current day, and Olympus is now in New York City. The Titan Kronos is trying to destroy Olympus and its gods, and Percy
Show More
and the other demigods are fighting on the side of Olympus.

There is a lot of action in this book, but also good characters who have developed over the course of the series.

The series has been really popular, and it is worthy of that popularity. Can't wait to see what Rick Riordan comes up with next.
Show Less
LibraryThing member ethel55
Percy Jackson and the other demigods are in the battle of their life, helping protect Mount Olympus and the rest of Manhattan from the Titan Kronos. Kronos has brought to life another Greek monster/demon named Typhon, whose cross country rampage diverts the Gods' attention from Mount Olympus,
Show More
leaving it easy prey. Riordan had a lot of ground to cover in his final say in what could be Percy's last quest and he did it well. From reaching into the past to look at explaining Annabeth's unwavering belief in Luke to Grover, Thalia and even Nico's stories, I was pretty happy with their final tale.
Show Less
LibraryThing member kgriffith
I hate to end a series read on a sour note, but I think I found this to be the least inspired of the books in the Percy Jackson series. A big part of that may simply be that I read it after reading so many other YA fantasy series, and some of the premises are typical to the genre. However, I did
Show More
feel as though a few key points were a bit too reminiscent of those in a certain very popular series about a certain other protagonist coming of age and facing a final battle.
I can only imagine that creating characters and prose that grow with your readers is something for which few adults have a natural talent. That being said, I enjoyed these books immensely for what they were: easy, engaging reads, with simple but well turned out plots, with characters to whom most readers can relate on some level.
Show Less
LibraryThing member thelittlebookworm
Percy Jackson has been through a lot in the past 4 years. He's been fighting monsters and gods, all because he is the son of a god, Poseidon. The Greek gods are alive and well and Olympus is located at the top of the Empire State Building. Now the Titan Lord Konos is back and trying to destroy
Show More
Olympus and the gods. While the gods are off fighting some of the other Titans, it's up to Percy, Annabeth, and the other demi-gods to protect New York and Olympus. But Percy is also grappling with his destiny and a prophecy about the child of an elder god. What will Percy's choice be and will he find out what it takes to be a true hero?

This was a stellar ending to an already fantastic series. All the questions were answered and the pay off was great. I don't want to say too much since I don't want to spoil anyone. But Percy finds out about the prophecy and makes some interesting choices to help save the world and defeat Kronos. The wrap-up for the secondary characters, Annabeth, Thalia, Luke, Grover, was great and it was nice to have closure on all of them. I cried a little at the end, it was so touching. Basically I devoured this book, I couldn't put it down. It was one of those books that ends a series the right way.
Show Less
LibraryThing member bell7
In this fifth and last installment of the "Percy Jackson" series, Percy's 16th birthday is fast approaching - and with it, the fulfillment of the Great Prophecy. When he returns to Camp Half-Blood, Percy finds a lot of things changed. Campers are gearing up for war with Kronos, and the Ares and
Show More
Apollos cabins are at odds. Percy finally hears the Great Prophecy in its entirety, and is weighed down with its implications: Will his decision spell the end of Olympus?

I've so enjoyed this series of humorous Greek myth set in the United States and told from a boy hero's perspective. This one didn't disappoint, and though I'm sorry to see Percy go, the end seemed to leave open the possibility of more stories coming from Camp Half-Blood.
Show Less
LibraryThing member jb03bps
Percy must save Olympus in spite of the gods who don’t offer to help him because they are too busy fighting each other. All the main characters are back. The Oracle of Delphi is selected after many years and many women going crazy trying to become the Oracle. Fast fun read.
LibraryThing member jedimarri
"The Last Olympian" by Rick Riordan is the fifth and final book in the series "Percy Jackson and the Olympians." The series is about the half-breed children of the gods, the demi-gods, and the adventures and struggles they go through. It is written towards the middle school level, but I thought it
Show More
was a really fun read as an adult as well!

In "The Last Olympian" Percy and his friends face their greatest challenges yet. Kronos is posed to attack Mount Olympus, and he's managed to lure most of the gods away. This means it's up to Percy and the rest of the demi-gods to prevent Kronos from destroying Olympus, and maybe all of civilization in the process!

Mount Olympus is located above New York City, so the demi-gods are provided with extra challenge as they try to preserve the city while fighting Kronos's forces. They are also provided with some interesting help because of their location, but I'll let you read the book to find out how that works! Oh yes, and did I mention there is a traitor in their midst?

I was a little sad reading this book knowing that it's the last book in the series, but then I got to the end and there's a note from the author that indicates he will be writing more. It looks like there will be a new series with the same premise, but some newer characters. I can hardly wait to see what he does!
Show Less
LibraryThing member bdomogalla
This was a great ending to the Olympian series. I loved getting MOST of my questions answered. This story is well written and uses great visual clues to help you jump into Percy's world, and realize the dangers that he faces. The only real weak point, I feel, is that I didn't get to know some of
Show More
the new characters as I did in the first few of the series.
Show Less
LibraryThing member hal9209
The Last Olympian is a satisfying conclusion to the Percy Jackson series. Imagine the battle of Hogwarts in book 7 of Harry Potter or the Battle of Helms Deep in Lord of the Rings but move the setting into modern day Manhattan! It is grand and epic, and honestly perfect for a Hollywood treatment! I
Show More
mean, comeon, a mystical battle raging in the city of New York, with landmarks like the Central Park, Grand Central, Williamsburg Bridge, Lincoln Tunnel, the UN, Fifth Ave and of course, the Empire State Building as battlegrounds, that’s like a dream project for Hollywood!

Anyway, in this installement, old friends and enemies returns for one last battle. And two more famous Greek legends got written into the plot. I really like the series and this last book, but there are definitely things that I don’t like. First of all, given the length of the books compared to Harry Potter, Rick Riordan doesn’t seem to have enough time to develop the secondary characters – the other campers. So by book 5 when there are bound to be some casualties in war, the deaths doesn’t have the same emotional impact it should because we just don’t know those characters that well! And Riordan, unlike Rowling, doesn’t have the gust to kill his major characters. For example the main death at the beginning of the book, even though his name popped up way earlier in the series, but we never actually met him until now, so I don’t have a strong feeling for his death and yet Riordan’s description of his importance to the camp is way more important than he ever show to us in the whole series! It just seems like Riordan forced this character on us, don’t get me wrong, the character seems great, but I wish he got more face time earlier in the series to prepare us for this.

Another complaint I have is the 3 parts reinforcements at the battle of Manhattan is a bit artificial! Like Riordan just trying to drag on longer. It’s ridiculous to think Ares campers would refuse to join battle just because a little argument! They know very well what would happen if the Titans win and yet they decided to sit it out initially until the most crucial point in the battle? Same thing with the centaurs but the reason was much more convincing because gathering these party animals from around the country does need time!

Now let’s get back to what I like! I like the fact that the main protagonist isn’t the one that finish off the antagonist! that’s really a surprising development even if we know there’s something going on between the conscious of the host body of the antagonist. And for the sea god to abandon his own war front and join the fight above the water, that’s something I haven’t considered. Then there’s another very New York moment – plan 23 of Deadalus activated with the result of the numerous statues in the Big Apple joins the fight! It’s great to see the lions of NYPL and all the many other famous statues we passes by everyday comes alive!

The biggest surprise for me was another prophecy at the end of the book that signals there will be another big adventure for the half-bloods, we dunno when. It might not be involves with main characters, but all I know is that Riordan really want you to know that he will keep writing, even if this is the end of this series.
Show Less
LibraryThing member mrsdwilliams
Book five in the Percy Jackson series.

Kronos and his vast army are poised to destroy Olympus, along with everything in the mortal world. Once again, it is up to Percy and his friends to save the world.

Action-packed thriller with a dash of romance and humor, along with a healthy helping of
Show More
mythology. Some of the minor gods get into the action this time, so you may even encounter a few new ones.

Excellent ending to a marvelous series.
Show Less
LibraryThing member kikistina
Before reading, I had hoped the last book of the Percy Jackson & the Olympians Series would not disappoint. My hope came true; this book was amazing. The ending was a little disappointing only becuase I wished I could read more, and never stop. The Last Olympian became my favorite book in this
Show More
series. Rick Riordan is a great author, and I'm looking forward to the next Camp Half-Blood series. This book is definitely one you have to add to your library.
Show Less
LibraryThing member MissTeacher
Call me crazy, but I was really expecting a lot more suspense, explosions, death, prophecy and difficult decisions that this final novel offered up. You could kind of tell what was coming all along, and though what was coming was enjoyable and exciting, I really wanted to be drawn in with no chance
Show More
of escape. Maybe I sould have re-read the series to get back in the swing of things. Or maybe I should have checked my expectations at the door. Whatever I didn't do right, I did walk away from this book feeling like we were nowhere near the end--which is a huge relief. It is very comforting to know (or believe) that there will be a lot more monsters, gods, evil plots and ancient curses to deal with in the future. I didn't want such a good series to end on such a weak note.
Show Less
LibraryThing member skstiles612
Once again Rick Riordan has tied up all the loose ends to the Percy Jackson saga. Percy, faced with enormous burden of what he must do to save Mount Olympus gives it his all. You wonder throughout the book which girl if any will he end up with. Will he survive to end up with a girl? Why are the
Show More
Gods not at Mount Olympus to defend it? They have left the very place they must protect unprotected allowing the evil one to fight his way in. What about Luke? As Kronos gains power is Luke still alive within? I was sad like so many to see the book end. I was thrilled that each one was a stand alone novel. I also have hope that there will be another series. My suspicions for believing there just might be are two-fold. One, the story ends with a new oracle whose first words are another prophecy. My second reason for believe that their might be a second series based on the same characters came in the "Acknowledgements when the first line starts, "As the first Camp Half-Blood series draws to a close..." I hope that there will be another series.
Show Less

Rating

(3545 ratings; 4.4)

Pages

381
Page: 2.6521 seconds