The Battle of the Labyrinth (Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Book 4)

This is book four of the Percy Jackson series, with only one more installment to come. Readers from around ten years old will be thrilled by the adventures of the teenaged hero who just happens to be the son of Poseidon, God of the Sea, and all his friends, most of whom are the children of the Olympians from Greek Mythology.

In my opinion, it would be better if you read the series in order, and the three previous books are:

The Lightning Thief (Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Book 1)
The Sea of Monsters (Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Book 2)
The Titan's Curse (Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Book 3)


In "The Battle of the Labyrinth", Percy and three friends set off on a quest through the treacherous labyrinth, in search of the inventor Daedalus, hoping that he will help them to defeat the army being assembled by Luke, son of Hermes. The thing is - Luke is just the messenger, and the evil he's about to unleash can bring down Olympus itself.

Although still clueless about girls and relationships, Percy starts developing and unleashing his powers, and surprises even himself when he attempts to repeat Hercules' great stable cleansing project. Other demi-gods also come into their own in book four, and a mortal girl proves to be just the ticket, and in the nick of time too. In a related sub-story, the search for Pan reaches an exhilarating climax.

Packed with monsters of all persuasions, gods and demi-gods, rescues, battles and side trips to Alcatraz and Mount St. Helens, this is by far the most exciting book of the series so far.

Amazingly imaginative, thrilling and funny, this series by Rick Riordan continues to be a front runner in children's fiction, and I recommend it without reservation.




Amanda Richards, May 25, 2008

The Battle of the Labyrinth is the fourth of the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series, following The Lightning Thief, The Sea of Monsters, and The Titan's Curse. Several new gods are introduced, and the book picks up an ominous pace as it draws closer to the finale, and the determining battle between gods and Titans.

Percy Jackson has just been accepted to a new school. Again. And despite his every intention not to get kicked out of this one too, being a demigod with Poseidon as your father tends to attract trouble. And monsters, in the form of peppy-but-deadly cheerleaders. After accidentally starting a fire, Percy makes a break for it - along with a mortal girl, Rachel Elizabeth Dare, who has the unusual ability to see through the Mist, the substance that usually hides gods and monsters from mortal eyes.

When he finally makes it back to Camp Half-Blood, Percy finds that all is not well there. His friend Grover is in danger of losing his lifelong dream, his friend Annabeth is treating him oddly, and - worst of all - Nico di Angelo, the half-blood son of Hades, is still at large, trying to bring back his dead sister in exchange for another, living soul.

But all of these pale in comparison to the danger of Kronos, whose followers are growing and whose resurrection is now imminent. When Annabeth is assigned a quest through the perilous Labyrinth of Daedalus, she takes Percy along for the ride - as well as Grover and Percy's Cyclops half-brother, Tyson.

This is the most exciting and action-packed book yet, as the darkness closes in. Real losses and horrors are experienced in this one, both private and large-scale. It is clear that the final battle is drawing near, the battle in which - according to the prophecy - either Percy, or Nico di Angelo, will have a pivotal role to play in either the victory or destruction of Olympus and the gods.

Highly recommended.

Rating: Very good

Rick Riordan does it again. Another brilliantly entertaining and marvelous book in the Percy Jackson series. Percy is growing up and as he is growing, so are his powers which are becoming almost more than he can control.

The Battle of the Labyrinth involves Percy battling with a selection of Greek monsters. The first battle that Percy has is with two creatures called 'Empousai'. The two empousai (vampires) dress as high school cheerleaders and attack Percy and his new friend, Rachel Dare. The next battle is with a Sphinx. The third battle in the book is between Percy and Nemesis' son. They fight for hours until...well I can't say too much (but lets face it we know he survives because Book 5 follows on!).

A fantastic story for both kids and adults! If you enjoy fantasy, another brilliant book is 'Godstone - The Kairos Boxes' by G.A Williams and also the 'Roman Mysteries' series:


GODSTONE - THE KAIROS BOXES


The Thieves of Ostia (The Roman Mysteries)

Percy Jackson and the Olympians #4: The Battle of the Labyrinth, by Rick Riordan

Percy and company traipse into Daedalus's Labyrinth in this installment of the popular Percy Jackson and the Olympians series. They are in search of the maze creator's workshop, looking for a way to seal the Labyrinth off from the Titan lord Kronos.

Riordan re-imagines the mythological Labyrinth as a sprawling construct beneath the entire United States, growing and adding to itself, with a conscious to boot. The maze provides plenty of action for readers, along with some tense moments as Percy and his friends journey through it.

Percy's adventure continues in "The Battle of the Labyrinth" with the author's trademark mix of Greek mythology and fast-paced action, and isn't a book to be missed.

4/5.

I would stay awake until midnight to read this book. this is the penultimate book in the series and at that, the best.
when 14 year old percy jackson blows up another school and flees to camp,
a quest falls upon them. they must descend into the labyrinth, a gigantic maze that stretches to every single state, find the man who created the labyrinth, deadalus, and convince him to join there side and help them destroy the evil kronos. this is all I can say without giving away anything. and now I'm begging my mom to pre-order the last book. I highly recommend this book.