“At the conclusion of The Mark of Athena, Annabeth and Percy tumble into a pit leading straight to the Underworld” wrote Rick Riordan on his website. Cliffhanger much?!

After waiting ONE YEAR for the next book, House of Hades was finally released on October 8th. Each of the seven heroes has a few chapters in their point of view, giving you an inside look on how they are handling everything.Each character is given hard tasks that builds them in a way that is essential for their final battle which will happen in the final book.

Don’t worry though! Percy and Annabeth go through some crazy stuff down below and it brings out some amazing aspects that only the worst situations will bring out of people. Jason has some trials and tribulations, but, sadly, there is not too much of a change in him.

Along with the seven main heroes, Riordan gives the reader more information about the background characters including Nico, Reyna, and Coach Hedge. Riordan’s readers find out some deep information about Nico during a challenge he must go through. What will happen to him that will shake his world and ours?

Annabeth and Percy’s points of view made the whole book worth reading. While Percy and Annabeth are going through hell (had to add the pun), the rest of the gang, including Coach Hedge and Nico, are trying to make it to Greece from Rome at the same time as Percy and Annabeth so they can close the Doors of Death.

Jason and Leo start to dwell on the prophecy at one point, making them come to a conclusion that one of them may die. Will there theory come true or will the prophecy take twists and turns, making it turn out to be the opposite of what they think?

The ending leaves readers wide eyed and with a dropped jaw. Thankfully, unlike the last book, it does not leave in a dramatic cliffhanger that makes you want to cry since you have to wait a year for the next book. He ties up the end with a pretty little bow that is good all around.