House of Hades by Rick Riordan

The House of Hades (The Heroes of Olympus #4)

by Rick Riordan

Goodreads Summary

At the conclusion of The Mark of Athena, Annabeth and Percy tumble into a pit leading straight to the Underworld. The other five demigods have to put aside their grief and follow Percy’s instructions to find the mortal side of the Doors of Death. If they can fight their way through the Gaea’s forces, and Percy and Annabeth can survive the House of Hades, then the Seven will be able to seal the Doors both sides and prevent the giants from raising Gaea. But, Leo wonders, if the Doors are sealed, how will Percy and Annabeth be able to escape?

They have no choice. If the demigods don’t succeed, Gaea’s armies will never die. They have no time. In about a month, the Romans will march on Camp Half-Blood. The stakes are higher than ever in this adventure that dives into the depths of Tartarus


Jennifer's Review
So, I finished House of Hades in step with my 3rd grader.

It has been a long time since I read a Rick Riordan book. But over the summer my daughter read all the Percy Jackson series (which I read quite some time ago and enjoyed) and then she moved onto the Lost Hero Series. My daughter was beyond excited for the The House of Hades to come out so here we are go:

To me, this book was about development of the characters. Rick changes the POV which I LOVE as I think allowing the reader able to see things through all the different characters viewpoints gives them perspective and understanding.

There are two stories going on in the book -- one of them being the team of demigods that are coming to save Annabeth and Percy and then following Annabeth and Percy through the depths of Tartarus.

Leo: I really liked this character and love where Rick took him in this book. He gets a love interest -- can we just say Yeah Yeah Yeah! Go Leo! I can't wait to see where Rick goes with him and the love interest in the next book. I also love his love interest :-)

Frank grew as a character in more ways than one in this book. He changed physically and has more defined and new role within the group and within the Roman Camp.  He does some serious butt kicking in this book!

Hazel.... We learn a lot of things about Hazel and I enjoyed getting to know her better -- that was long overdue. We also learn about her abilities which are to put it mildly -- are really, really cool! We also learn that she is very brave.

Nico: I have always liked his character too. I have to say I was surprised Rick Riordan put a homosexual twist in a kids series, but while it created some problems for me its probably a good thing that kids understand and perhaps some identify with (I found myself having explain to my 8 year old about a boy liking a boy -- guess that's what I get for having a kid that's reading above her grade level --which is also why I read the books too) Character-wise this helps us understand Nico more too, such as why he does the things he does. Also, we see a friendship bond develop between Jason and Nico which is good because Nico needs a friend and it was getting old to me that he was always so distant and withdrawn. I hope we see Nico open up and start trusting more of his peers in the following book.

Jason: We finally learn a bit more about his back story. I like that we all thought Jason was a rule-follower but it turns out that he is not all of a rule follower all the time. He wants new traditions and wants to improve the old traditions. He wants to be a Greek over a Roman.  I like that he is different than Percy --- when they first introduced Jason Grace I thought he was just going to be the Roman Percy. He's not - thank goodness! I think this book offered so well needed depth to Jason.

Coach Hedge -  he is funny and we get a welcomed discovery about his love life in the book. I hope we see the softer side of Coach Hedge in the next book.

Percy and Annabeth go through Tartarus. Can't say much here without giving anyway any spoilers. But Percy and Annabeth come out changed. They make some unlikely friends - the most memorable being Bob, the memory-less Titan who has turned into a sweetheart, and Small Bob, the kitten/skeleton/saber-tooth tiger who is a loyal friend of Bob’s. Tartarus was sad and terrifying and Rick does a great job with explaining in such a matter than the reader feels the fear that Percy and Annabeth have. I have to say that I loved BOB! I hope we see this sweet Titan come back in the next book!