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The Titan's Curse

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The Titan's Curse
The book's cover, which depicts Percy riding Blackjack, a pegasus.
AuthorRick Riordan
LanguageEnglish
SeriesPercy Jackson & the Olympians (Book 3)
GenreFantasy, Young adult, Greek mythology
PublisherMiramax and Hyperion Books for Children
Publication date
May 1, 2007
Publication placeUnited States
Media typePrint (hardback and paperback)
Pages312
ISBN9781423101451
OCLC76863948
LC ClassPZ7.R4829 Tit 2007
Preceded byThe Sea of Monsters 
Followed byThe Battle of the Labyrinth 

The Titan's Curse is a 2007 fantasy-adventure novel based on Greek mythology written by Rick Riordan. It is the third novel in the Percy Jackson & the Olympians series and the sequel to The Sea of Monsters. It charts the adventures of the fourteen-year-old demigod Percy Jackson as he and his friends go on a dangerous quest to rescue his friend Annabeth and the Greek goddess Artemis, who have both been kidnapped.

Mostly well-received, The Titan's Curse was nominated for numerous awards, winning ones such as the #1 The New York Times children's series best seller[1][2] and Book Sense Top Ten Summer Pick for 2007.[3] It was released in the United States and the United Kingdom on May 1, 2007.[4] The novel was also released in Audiobook format, read by Jesse Bernstein.[5][6] It is followed by The Battle of the Labyrinth.

Synopsis

Like the other books in the series, The Titan's Curse is of the fantasy genre, using the concepts of ancient Greek mythology in a modern setting.[7][8] Its plot is fast-paced and encompasses humor as well as themes such as love and loyalty.

Plot summary

Annabeth Chase and Artemis, the goddess of the hunt, go missing. Percy and his friends must look for Artemis before the winter solstice meeting of the Olympian council, when the goddess's influence could change an important vote on the war with the Titans. Thalia, Zoë Nightshade, Bianca Di Angelo, and Grover go on this dangerous quest. They also are searching for a rare monster that Artemis was trying to hunt down when she went missing; it is so strong that it can obliterate Olympus. Percy is called by a hippocampus (mythological sea-horse) to rescue a marine cow-like creature called the Ophiotaurus, whom Percy names Bessie, not knowing it is a male.

With help from Apollo, they reach Cloudcroft, a small town in New Mexico. Grover senses the presence of Pan, the Greek god of nature, and a wild gift from him, the giant Erymanthian Boar, comes to carry them further on to San Francisco. It takes them to the junkyard of the gods, and Percy meets Ares and talks to Aphrodite, at which point it is hinted that Annabeth and Percy will most likely have a romantic future. Eventually, the group enters the junkyard, where Bianca tries to steal an action figure for her younger brother. She accidentally awakens a prototype of Talos, a giant man of bronze, and dies after successfully destroying it. While being attacked by skeletal warriors at the Hoover Dam, Percy meets Rachel Elizabeth Dare, a girl who can see through the Mist. She saves Percy by confusing the skeletons, allowing Percy and his friends to escape.

In San Francisco, they learn that Bessie the Ophiotaurus is the monster they seek, because sacrificing it and burning its entrails will give them power to destroy Olympus. They go to seek the help of Annabeth's father; he gives them a car. They travel to the Garden of Hesperides, where Zoë meets her sisters and is poisoned by the dragon Ladon. They continue to the Mountain of Despair on California's Mount Tamalpais, where Mt. Othrys, the Titan capital, now resides. From the top of the mountain where Atlas held up the sky, they see Artemis taking on his burden. Annabeth is held captive by Luke. Realizing that the prophecy made by the Oracle involves him, Percy takes the burden—the Titan's curse—from Artemis. In the ensuing fight, Atlas (the General of the Titans) kills his daughter Zoë by throwing her against rocks. Artemis tricks Atlas into taking his burden from Percy. During a battle between Thalia and Luke, Luke falls off a cliff and Percy assumes that Luke is dead. Later, Percy is told by Annabeth, and confirmed by Poseidon, that Luke has survived.[9]

Major characters

Main article: List of Percy Jackson and the Olympians characters
  • Percy Jackson: Percy, a 14 year old demigod and son of Poseidon, is the protagonist as well as the series' narrator. He embarks on a journey to save his friend Annabeth as well as to rescue the Greek goddess Artemis, who have both been kidnapped.
  • Thalia Grace: Thalia is a 15 year old demigod and a daughter of Zeus. Though she appears in Percy's dream in the second book, she makes a full appearance at the end of The Sea of Monsters and is given a greater role in the third book. Thalia is described as looking very punk, with black clothes, spiky hair and eyeliner. Her personality is often described as "independent and many times sarcastic." Thalia is a lot like Percy and consequently, they often butt heads. She has feelings for Luke and was heartbroken by his betrayal. She is also afraid of heights.
  • Annabeth Chase: Annabeth is a 14 year old demigod and the daughter of Athena. She is friends with Percy, Thalia and Grover. She is kidnapped along with Artemis by the Titans. She has a great passion and interest for architecture and she wishes to be an architect when she is older.
  • Grover Underwood: A large-hearted satyr whose favorite foods are aluminum cans and cheese enchiladas. He is 28 years old, yet has the appearance of a teenager due to the satyrs' slower growth rate (half that of humans). He wants to look for Pan, the satyr god of nature and the wild, who fell into a "deep sleep" due to the humans' pollution of the world.
  • Bianca di Angelo: Bianca is a 12 year old demigod and the daughter of Hades. She and her ten year-old brother Nico were trapped in the Lotus Hotel, where time is slowed down, but in the beginning of the book, they were released and attended a school. Bianca later joined the Hunters of Artemis, but was killed in the quest in the "Junkyard of the Gods". Her death greatly upsets her brother, Nico, who is quick to blame Percy for it.
  • Zoë Nightshade: Zoë is the daughter of Atlas and a hunter of Artemis. She dies after being bitten by Ladon, who protects the immortality-giving golden apple tree. Artemis turns her spirit into a constellation soon after her death. She and Thalia developed grudges against each other after Thalia did not want to join the hunters, but they get along when they do not think about it.
  • Luke Castellan: The demigod son of Hermes, Luke is the main antagonist of the series. His body becomes host to the lord of the Titans, Kronos; Kronos' followers and army gather on a ship called the Princess Andromeda
  • Nico di Angelo: The 10 year old demigod son of Hades and younger brother of Bianca di Angelo. He and his sister are rescued from a Manticore by Percy, Annabeth, Thalia, and Grover. He is left at camp during the quest, but stays in the Hermes Cabin because his parentage has not been discovered. He leaves camp after hearing Percy broke his promise, letting Bianca die. Before he leaves, he sends an army of skeletal warriors into the underworld.

Critical reception

The Titan's Curse received relatively positive reviews, which often lauded the humor and action in the story. Children's Literature wrote, "This fast-paced story is full of adventure and humor. Readers will relate to good natured Percy, the protagonist."[10] Kirkus reviewed, "This third in the Olympians series makes the Greek myths come alive in a way no dreary classroom unit can ... will have readers wondering how literature can be this fun. This can stand alone, though newcomers to the series will race back to the first two volumes and eagerly await a fourth installment."[10] School Library Journal wrote: "Intricate prophecies and relationships are neatly braided into the adventurous plot. Teachers will cheer for Percy Jackson and the Olympians as they inspire students to embrace Greek mythology and score the ultimate Herculean challenge: getting kids to read. All in all, a winner of Olympic proportions and a surefire read-aloud."[6] Booklist's starred review said, "The Percy Jackson & the Olympians series is built around a terrific idea—that the half-mortal offspring of Greek gods live among us, playing out struggles of mythic scale—and Riordan takes it from strength to strength with this exciting installment, adding even more depth to the characters and story arc while retaining its predecessors' nonstop laughs and action."[6] KidsReads raved, "Rick Riordan's Olympian adventures have gained great popularity thanks to their combination of humor, adventure and a winning hero ... Readers who are familiar with ancient mythology will enjoy Riordan's tongue-in-cheek approach; those who aren't just might be tempted to go to the original sources to learn more."[11]

Awards and nominations

The Titan's Curse received several literature-related awards, including: number one The New York Times children's series best seller[1][2] and Book Sense Top Ten Summer Pick for 2007.[3] It was also a Quill Award nominee.[12]

Audiobook

An eight hour and forty-eight minute audiobook[13] read by the actor Jesse Bernstein[14] and published by Listening Library[15] was released on 24 April 2007.[5][16][17]

AudioFile Magazine lauded Bernstein's interpretation, writing, "Sounding alternately young, or old, or really scary, Jesse Bernstein ... effectively voices the confusion and loss the team experiences."[14]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b Thomas, Mike W. (1 June 2007). "Local author's fantasy fiction has made him a best seller". San Antonio Business Journal. Retrieved 18 January 2010.
  2. ^ a b Bass, Deborah (5 May 2009). "Hugely Anticipated Finale to Blockbuster Percy Jackson & the Olympians Series Goes on Sale Today". Disney Book Group. Retrieved 18 January 2010.
  3. ^ a b "The Summer 2007 Children's Book Sense Picks". American Booksellers Association. Retrieved 18 January 2010.
  4. ^ "The Titan's Curse". Rick Riordan. Retrieved 2009-11-12.
  5. ^ a b "The Titan's Curse". Random House. Retrieved 2009-11-12.
  6. ^ a b c "The Titan's Curse (Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Book 3) (Hardcover)". Amazon.com. Retrieved 2009-11-12. Cite error: The named reference "amazon" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  7. ^ "The Titan's Curse: Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Book 3 (Percy Jackson and the Olympians #03)". powells.com. Retrieved 2009-11-12.
  8. ^ Follos, Alison. "Riordan, Rick. The Titan's Curse.(Brief article)(Children's review)(Book review)". Retrieved 18 January 2010.
  9. ^ Riordan, Rick (1 April 2007). The Titan's Curse. Percy Jackson & the Olympians. Hyperion Books for Children. ISBN 9781423101451. OCLC 76863948. {{cite book}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  10. ^ a b "The Titan's Curse: Barnes & Noble". Barnes and Noble. Retrieved 2009-04-12.
  11. ^ Piehl, Norah. "The Titan's Curse: Percy Jackson & the Olympians, Book Three". KidsReads. Retrieved 2009-11-12.
  12. ^ "The 2007 Quill Award Nominees Are..." New York: WNBC. 5 July 2007. Archived from the original on 20 July 2007. Retrieved 2010-01-23. {{cite web}}: |archive-date= / |archive-url= timestamp mismatch; 20 February 2008 suggested (help)
  13. ^ "The Titan's Curse: Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Book 3 (Unabridged)". audible.com. Retrieved 2009-11-12.
  14. ^ a b "THE TITAN'S CURSE: Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Book 3". AudioFile. September 2009. Retrieved 2009-11-12.
  15. ^ "The Titan's Curse: Percy Jackson and the Olympians: Book 3". booksontape.com. Retrieved 2009-11-12.
  16. ^ "The Titan's Curse (Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Book 3) [AUDIOBOOK] [UNABRIDGED] (Audio CD)". Amazon.com. Retrieved 2009-11-12.
  17. ^ "The Titan's Curse Percy Jackson and the Olympians Series, Book 3". Listen Up! Vermont. Retrieved 16 January 2010.
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