Latest Posts by cynthiav06 - Page 2

kind of related to your post about zoe just now but: what do you think of the hunters in general? I've got a lot of thoughts on them myself.. most of them not that positive lmao lots of "could have been good, but very poor execution" and "sounds cool on the surface, but very questionable when thought about more"

First of all, thank you for the question :)))

Oh god, this might become a slightly longer post, because I have a lot to say about the hunters of Artemis.

From what you’ve written, it sounds like we might have a very similar opinion. I personally think they are one of the worst-written parts of the original Percy Jackson books. I love their idea, I love their basic concept, but their execution was pretty atrocious.

There are four main points regarding them that I want to talk about.

The portrayal of Artemis (though this one is by far not as bad as the others)

2. The behaviour of the huntresses

3. Bianca

4. Lacking Development

Artemis

Now, I know that the gods and goddesses of the Riordan verse, are sanitized caricatures, and shouldn’t be compared to their actual myth versions. I think everyone in this fandom has at least heard some well-founded criticisms regarding the portrayal of Ares, Athena, Aphrodite, Apollo or any of the other gods.  

I even understand why Rick Riordan made most of the decisions that he did. Obviously, the gods had to be sanitized for a book series primarily aimed at children, and, to be fair to him, even if their characterizations are a far-cry from their myths and sometimes overly stereotypical (Aphrodite), they are fulfilling the roles they have in this story as deeply flawed, but powerful individuals, because of whose careless mistakes and pride demigods, and other ‘lesser’ beings have to suffer.  

And I actually do not hate Artemis’ portrayal that much, if we exclude the behavior of her hunt, and the initiation of Bianca. Her taking Annabeth’s place in holding the sky and her loudly arguing against killing Percy and Thalia at the winter solstice was a great portrayal of her being a patron goddess of children, and the idea of including the hunters of Artemis as a group of girls, both from mortal and immortal parents, who have been hurt by the world, and found a safe place with one another is actually really great. Generally, whenever she appears in the books, I have the feeling she is handled with far more graze and respect than a lot of other godly beings.  

However, as someone who very much loves Greek mythology, I just want to point out some small parts, which are not entirely accurate, though, again,  I understand Rick’s reason for omitting them in the context of what he wanted to do with her character and the hunt , and I acknowledge that even in ancient times, there existed a variety of different interpretations of the gods.

(Please note, that while I read original sources like the works of Diodor, Apollodorus, Hesiod, and Euripides, I am not a classicist, and that my knowledge of the greek gods primarily stems from personal research and my own interest. If anyone knows more about Artemis, please feel free to correct me if necessary)  

While Artemis is primarily the goddess of the hunt, and in later interpretations of the moon, she is not only the protector of girls, but the patron goddess of children in general and a goddess closely linked to childbirth.

Yes, she expects her followers to remain chaste, but to say that she is completely against men would be a grave mistake. Male followers of Artemis did exist in mythology, most famously Orion, who later became a constellation, and Hippolytus, the son of Theseus and the Amazon Hippolyta.

So, her cold behavior towards Nico and her degrading words towards boys in general is an attribute primarily added by Rick Riordan.

Though, like I said, I understand making certain changes to gods and goddesses, or rather choosing different interpretations of them to have them fulfill a certain role in a book series, so Artemis portrayal itself doesn’t bother me that much.

But if we’re talking about the hunters themselves, things easily take a turn for the worse.  

The behavior of the hunters

Now, I understand the hunters point in the story.

A huge theme of Titan’s curse is to explore the difference between old ideals of what heroism entails and the modern take on it, represented through Theseus and Herakles on one side, and Percy on the other. The hunters, and especially Zöe, represent a group, who have suffered through the actions of those old, primarily male heroes, and have developed a strong bias against all boys and men as a result. A bias, Percy is supposed to break in this book.

This, in itself, is a pretty awesome concept. But, like I said, the execution mostly failed.

Most of the Hunters of Artemis in Titan’s curse were written without any nuance, without development and without any sense of self reflection.

To express it plainly, they completely suck. And that hurts to say, especially as someone who is asexual-sex-repulsed and aromantic, because, like I said, they could have been an absolutely amazing part of the overarching story and theme of the book series, but with the way Rick Riordan wrote them, they suck. They’re insufferable.  They’re a group of immortal teenagers with a superiority complex, who act the way right-wing republicans and trump supporters think feminists act like.

They’re completely antagonistic towards the campers at camp half-blood for absolutely no good reason, act really childish and immature, and their overwhelming bias against every male character, especially Percy and Nico, is just plain annoying and goes to a point, where it makes them act like absolute idiots and assholes.

Zöe’s behavior at the meeting to decide who should go on the quest to save Artemis is a pretty good representation of everything I dislike about the hunters.  

She doesn’t want to take campers with her on the quest, even though the oracle plainly stated that them working together was the only way for them to succeed:

“You’re missing something as usual,” Thalia said. “Campers and Hunters combined prevail. We’re supposed to do this together.”

“No!”, Zoe said. “The Hunters do not need thy help.”

Immediately afterwards, she makes fun of Silena Beauregard (who is around 14 or 15 at the time, might I add.):

“Percy is right,” Silena Beauregard said. “Two campers should go.”

“Oh, I see,” Zoe said sarcastically. “And I suppose you wish to volunteer?”

Silena blushed. “I’m not going anywhere with the hunters. Don’t look at me!”

“A daughter of Aphrodite does not wish to be looked at,” Zoe scoffed. “What would thy mother say?”

And then, she decisively refuses Percy’s help for the quest, even though he is objectively the best person for the job. I really can’t reiterate enough that Percy is the most accomplished hero present at that meeting. He has successfully led two quests, one to stop a civil war between the gods, the second to recover the golden fleece. Even in comparison to Thalia, Percy is more accomplished and has gained more respect within the mythological world.

As I walked back through the city of the gods, conversations stopped. The muses paused their concert. People and satyrs and naiads all turned towards me, their faces filled with respect and gratitude, and as I passed, they knelt, as if I were some kind of hero. (The lightning thief)

Yet Zoe refuses his help to save the goddess she serves and increases so the risk of failure, simply because he is a boy.

“Oh,” Grover said, suddenly aware of the problem. “Whoa, yeah. I forgot! Percy has to go. I didn’t mean… I’ll stay. Percy should go in my place.”

“He cannot,” Zoe said. “He’s a boy. I won’t have Hunters travelling with a boy.”

Another huge problem in their characterization is their immortality. Here I want to focus again on their ongoing beef with camp half-blood, because, yes, while the campers also act pretty antagonistic in return, I think it’s important to note that most kids at camp half blood are between the ages of 10 and I’d say maybe 17 years old, while the huntresses are immortal.

Now, it’s obviously possible that most of them are still teenagers and haven’t been part of the hunt for that long, but considering the fact that Zoe is over 3000 years old, and could very well be older than most Olympians, the chance of most hunters being older than at least 30, is pretty high, which makes their behavior seem even more ridiculous.

And obviously the whole situation with Bianca paints the hunters in the worst light possible.

Bianca

There are already some pretty good and detailed posts on tumblr regarding the subject of Bianca and the hunters, so I don’t want to dig into this subject too deeply, because this post is already way too long, but you can’t possibly write about the hunters without mentioning her.

The hunters, especially Zoe and Artemis convinced Bianca to join them in a moment of huge distress. Bianca was a twelve-year-old, vulnerable girl, who just found out she was a demigod, almost got kidnapped by the manticore, and watched a girl fall down a cliff, yet they expect her to swear allegiance to them after only a couple of minutes of knowing them.

They paint her this beautiful picture of having no responsibility and a new family, telling her exactly, what she wanted to hear without giving her even a moment to breathe or give her time to talk to her brother or fully think this through.

I want to point out that at this point in time, Artemis had already decided that she needed to go after the monster alone, and knew, that her hunters would spend some time at camp half-blood. But instead of giving Bianca these couple days/ weeks to accept this new reality of the mythological world and get to know both camp half-blood and the hunters, she wants an answer at this very moment,

Yes, Bianca’s answer was rash, and yes, I do think it’s rather cold that she didn’t first talk to Nico about it, but it’s pretty plain to see that she was overwhelmed and pretty much manipulated during this entire conversation.

Later, Zoe decides to take her with her on the quest, even though Bianca is completely unprepared for it. She is probably, aside from Nico, the most unprepared person in the entirety of camp half-blood to go on a quest.  

I don’t think I have to explain how terrible of a decision that was.

The hunters are objectively the worst thing that could have ever happened to Bianca and the main reason why she died.

Lacking Development:

Now, all of this, every single flaw I just pointed out, could have actually worked out, if there would have been some sort of change in the hunters’ way of thinking and an acknowledgement that their opinions on boys and males in general are misguided and lead to more harm than good during the course of the books.

Especially after their actions led to Bianca’s death.

Them seeing how much love Nico had for his sister and how much he suffered from her death could have been a great moment for some character development.

But nothing happened.

Camp half blood and the hunters grieving together at the end of Titan’s curse for both Zoe and Bianca could have resulted in a genuine moment of friendship between the two groups, leading to understanding and change.  

But nothing happened.

The only person who took responsibility for Bianca’s death at the end of Titan’s curse was fourteen-year-old Percy. The only person who cared enough about Nico to search for him and make sure he was safe, was Percy. The hunters didn’t care at all. Took no responsibility whatsoever.

All that happened at the end of that book was that Thalia became a huntress, and that Zoe and Artemis acknowledged Percy as a hero.

This, while admittedly, a great moment for Percy’s characterization and also somewhat for the character development of Zoe, had very little effect otherwise.  

Because, in the end, Zoe and Artemis treated Percy as if he was the exception. As if they had been only wrong about him, and not boys in general. They didn’t revisit their line of thinking, they didn’t self-reflect and they didn’t acknowledge that their bias was utterly flawed, and that they should treat male demigods generally better.

She (Zöe) grasped it contently. “You spoke the truth, Percy Jackson. You are nothing like… like Hercules. I am honored that you carry this sword.”

Then, she (Artemis) turned to me. “You did well,” she said. “For a man.”

Percy Jackson is fundamentally a story about the circle of abuse, and, Percy specifically, breaking that circle, but nothing of note happened with the hunters.

Because even if Zoe had confronted her own bias, (and there is admittedly an argument to be made that she did) she would have been the only hunter to do so. And she died.

Thalia becoming the lieutenant of the hunters as someone who is best friends with Percy and Grover, and who misses Jason more than anything, could have confronted this distorted line of thinking, but the other hunters remain pretty much unchanged in the last Olympian and The Lost Hero.

There were hugs and greetings al around- or at least Thalia was friendly. The other hunters didn’t like being around campers, especially boys, but they didn’t shoot any of us, which for them was a pretty warm welcome. (The last Olympian, chapter 10)

“Oh, no way,” Leo said. “We’ve been sitting in a cave and you get a luxury tent? Somebody give me hypothermia. I want hot chocolate and a parka!”

Phoebe sniffed. “Boys,” she said, like it was the worst insult she could think of. (XXXVI Leo, the lost hero.)

Conclusion:

So, yeah. They had huge potential, both as individual characters and as part of the overarching plot and theme of Percy Jackson, but their execution was absolutely abysmal.

The only possible positive thing I could say about them is that they are at least better than the Amazons (though that is not particularly hard)

I hope my rambling was understandable, it's already pretty late:')

This is one of my many gripes with HoO. Rick should have really not included Percy in the main plot if he wanted others to shine. Or just done the whole "Romans were involved in the Titan War, and they fought against Kronos by assaulting his stronghold at Mt. Othrys" thing but with Percy and Annabeth. Because realistically, when everyone meets up for the first time, the Lost Trio should have absolutely known all of Percy's exploits. I refuse to believe that the campers at CHB didn't absolutely rave on about Percy. And the whole who should be the leader situation shouldn't have been a question at all. I mean the Savior of Olympus and the Commander of the Demigod Army of Olympus is among you, but by all means, fight about who to pick as leader. It's not like it's self-explanatory.

Plus, most of the time, they traveled by the sea routes. And it's hard not to make it all about Percy when they are literally in his domain. Plus, the whole Tartarus situation obviously highlighted Percy as well since he was the only realistic choice for someone who could survive Tartarus and fight his way through the pit.

And then some stans have the audacity to blame people who were hyped for Percy the most over the new characters arguing that they are the main characters not Percy. Come on you can't expect all the people who grew up with Percy Jackson books and absolutely love Percy to not be more hyped about his return.

Plus it would have been manageable if Percy was in only one or two books but Percy is 4 of the 5 major books and not just as cameos but literally a main character. So it is natural that he would overshadow the newer characters in comparison no matter what. Because at that point, no one in the Seven had anything that even remotely compared to Percy's feats.

Rick realized how much he fucked up by adding Percy into the story and had to change things up last minute. That's why BoO is such a shit finale. Percy didn’t even have a pov for the entirety of Blood of Olympus but he still he was the one whose blood Gaea awoke to and he was the key player in the last fight at Camp Half Blood. If Rick had been actually consistent throughout HoO and had the balls to continue with the story as is, then Percy would have been the Storm part of "To Storm or Fire the world must fall." Obviously, Percy can summon storms, hurricanes, and so on, but more importantly, we have clear information on which God is associated with storms. Poseidon is literally called Stormbringer multiple times throughout the original series, and Percy is his son so lore wise, logically, and also keeping with plot consistency. The Storm part should have been Percy.

Now, not only does it ruin the entire buildup leading up to the finale, but it also undermines the other characters who were almsot hastily shoveled into their roles in the finale. Jason deserved more and should have ended up in Octavian's position or higher. The Pontifex and so on. Frank should have made Praetor anyway, but I hate that all of his insecurity was resolved by giving him Mar's blessing and pulling a magical transformation. He deserved his own arc and to shine through his own strength and mindset. Leo's was decently done save for the whole Calypso Leo situation. Hazel was awesome in the last two books, but we totally needed more of her. Piper’s arc, I am not really sure about her. Feel free to reblog with your own ideas.

Don't even get me started on the whole Gaea being put back to sleep thing. That's an entire conversation in itself but the point is Rick chose not to exclude Percy or limit Percy's appearances in HoO then realized his monumental mistake and fucked it up at the last second.

when you get kidnapped and get your memories wiped by the queen of the gods for six months, have to trek across california, find this new camp of demigods, go on a quest to find their legion standard, get your memories back by gambling your life, fight off an army to defend this new camp of demigods, reunite with your girlfriend, get chased across the country by the demigods you fought to defend, fight your way through the deadly mediterranean, arrive in rome, send your girlfriend off for a suicide quest, fall into tartarus with said girlfriend, fight your way to the doors of death, escape tartarus, fight giants, get slapped back to camp half-blood, and then you get sidelined for the big fight because apparently you need to "take a step back"

Rick Riordan try not to make every "strong" female character be snarky and mean and insult and be obsessively toxic and hurt other characters, especially male character challenge extreme.

Rick Riordan try not to make all male characters stupid or unable to function without their significant others only to raise the status of other female characters under a fake, fragile mask of feminism challenge impossible.

Rick Riordan try not to pair up every single character and/or force them into the Hunters of Artemis and make them aro/ace challenge extremely impossible.

Rick Riordan try to write a book without piss jokes, pedophilia, victim blaming, excusing rapists, grooming, child trafficking, weirdly suggestive manipulation (not in a good way), ABSOLUTELY NERF complex characters, incorrect representation of Greek, Roman, Norse and Egyptian mythology, incorrect representation of minorities and smaller ethnicities/POC/culture, fake feminism, LGBTQIA+ community challenge MISSION ABSOLUTELY IMPOSSIBLE.

Rick Riordan try not to nerf your own plot and timelines and your own characters only to create cash-grabs that appease all fans by creating something "fanon" and promoting bullying, stereotypes, stupidity and toxicity and forget why the hell you wrote the series in the first place CHALLENGE. ABSOLUTELY. EXTREMELY. IMPOSSIBLE.

Post-tartarus Percy and Annabeth and even post tartarus Nico weren't written well at all. Tartarus makes them manic, always on edge, jumpy. This is PTSD and it doesn't just go away. Not to mention, they lost Bob and Damasen.

Yes, sure, one could argue there weren't many opportunities for Rick to explore how Tartarus changed Percy in Heroes of Olympus series. There still should have been mentions.

Rick focused on Bob and Damasen part for a bit and then never again. It's like after Tartarus arc, Percy and Annabeth were back to being themselves, which is such a character assassination. Here are a few ways in which I think Tartarus changed Percy:

PART 1-PERCY

Percy becomes hypervigilant at all times.

He can barely sleep, and whenever he does, he is always affected by terrible nightmares.

He feels extremely guilty about not being able to save Bob and Damasen and hence is now extremely protective of his other friends and family.

He no longer feels at all safe in his cabin or at camp and avoids it since Hera abducting him from there led to the whole thing.

He spends large amounts of time away from the camp and avoids other demigods because he is constantly afraid he is going to hurt someone.

Percy only ever feels truly safe by the sea .

Percy knows how delicate Sally and Paul act around him, and he hates it and hates himself for it. They don't say a word even when his screams wake them up. In fact, they just sit beside him, holding his hand and letting him cry or scream. Mostly, he just finds himself shutting down.

Poseidon also makes his own protective tendencies known, and when Percy gets too manic to stay anywhere, he whisks him away to Atlantis to calm him and give him comfort.

Every night, Percy finds a place to look at the stars and repeat the same message : Bob says hello.

He becomes an entirely different person when attacked when fighting monsters. A killing machine. It scares most people especially Annabeth.

Percy becomes a lot more aloof and likes being by himself (so he doesn't have to bear the responsibility for protecting someone other than him for a while)

He becomes a bit more pensive and talks less than usual.

He hates his own power but doesn't shy away from using it in dangerous situations. But this leaves him with a long internal struggle.

He begins to think of himself as monstrous.

He can't feel at ease without feeling Riptide in his grasp.

Somedays the nightmares, the memories get so worse that he has to make himself bleed to take the worst of it away.

He becomes skeptical of most things: people, and food and objects.

Everyone makes sure not to bring Calypso in the same room as him lest he kill her then and there. It takes him a long time to forgive her.

Percy is now so good at sensing monsters that he is always ten steps ahead of everyone.

The worst of it is Percy's constant need to fight something. He spars with multiple strong opponents to at least make it a bit challenging for him. It makes him feel like Ares, and he hates it.

Percy's first true genuine smile is when he finds out he is going to have a baby sister.

Will cover Annabeth's and then Nico's in the next parts. This is enough ptsd for all of us for one day.

This is so beautiful, so wholesome. When I say we don't get enough of Blackjack, I mean it. We totally deserve Percy and Blackjack shenanigans, Blackjack making Percy go broke over donuts, and just their banter. Hell, I would happily take a full segment of Percy feeding Blackjack donuts in a park fondly yet with an exasperated expression over the newest books Riordan has written like any day. Same goes for Percy and Mrs. O'Leary.

We deserve Percy just chilling with them, dealing with pet shenanigans. That would be infinitely more entertaining than a quest. We deserve it, Percy himself fucking deserves it after everything that's happened. And I mean Percy got one animal per book record in the orignal series. Rainbow the hippocampi and Blackjack in the Sea of Monsters, Bessie in Titan's Curse, Mrs. O'Leary in Battle of Labyrinth. And then every book after Percy's been deprived of animal companions. Come on, Rick, Percy needs a new animal on the account of all the trauma the guy's been through. Hell, he needs an army of emotional support animals. We, as a fandom, petition this.

Did we all just collectively forget that Percy sat on his father’s throne?

Makes me think about the moment where Percy actually died for the first time i.e when he bathed in Styx. It's said to be a rebirth of sort. Those who survive it burn away all their mortality except at a single point. The Curse of the Styx is essentially meant to be for a lifetime because the Styx is about unbreakable oaths, and the curse is an oath of sort. Terrible power for a terrible weakness. But we know that Percy subverted the Curse when he passed into Roman lands by Juno's intervention. He escaped his fate of a terrible death, escaped the Styx's Curse and broke his vow. We know promises made on the Styx when broken lead to catastrophic outcomes [maybe a bit more bearable for gods but not for others]. I have nothing but pure vibes to go off of here but what if this is the Styx's punishment?

She can't punish Poseidon or any of the big three gods directly, so she settles for their mortal halves, their demigod children. Unlike the others, Poseidon loves his child the most. Killing Percy by using Poseidon's own domain would be enough to scar Poseidon for eternity. Percy had a chance to escape Styx's wrath by keeping faithful to the Curse, but he too, like his father defied his vow, and now he has to pay the price for it.

Percy's suicidal tendencies will keep getting worse, and he will keep looking for ways to die. One day, he will find one, and chances are he will drown to death. Maybe not by Poseidon's rivers then by one of the Underworld's. Because the Styx keeps grudges and she has been waiting to collect on this one for a long time.

It might be so for every big three child. Cause there's a vague pattern here. It might not be intentional by Riordan but it's there. Personal headcanon. A bit morbid than usual but I really can't get the symbolism out of my head.

Thalia has died once already but she didn't stay dead.

Hazel has also died once but didn't stay dead either.

Nico has, in a sense, embraced death once (pomegranate seeds induced death trance), and maybe soon, it will embrace him back.

Bianca is already dead. [Only after Bianca's death was Hazel resurrected]

Jason is now dead, too. [Thalia was dead till events of the Titan's Curse and was later given Artemis's blessing. So, immunity to natural death but she could still be killed. But now Jason's dead so does that mean Thalia is exempt?]

Did Thalia, Nico, and Hazel pay for their safety with the life of their siblings? The question is, will Styx be satisfied with one sacrifice per each god, or does she want them all?

It's just a vague theory, but it's been stuck in my head for so long. Might as well pester everyone else with it, too.

@helenofsparta2 I kind of really want to hear your thoughts on this.

love when percy's suicidal and he gets upset that he can't drown. dude you have other options

honestly the fact that everyone says annabeth was the leader of the argo ii is proof that rick fucked up frank's entire arc

Percy has always been more godly than mortal. From Book 1, his powers have been exponentially expanding, and we can literally see Percy keeping a tight leash on his powers. As evidenced by how words like something tightened in my gut/something uncoiled in my gut precede Percy's power usage.

Then there are times of physical, emotional, and mental duress where he instinctively loosens his hold on his powers, and it always transcends the limits of a demigod.

Water bursts and floods, storms/hurricane, volcano erupting, uprooting an entire river along with it's riverbed, summoning an independent water reservoir, controlling Rivers of Underworld(Hades/Tartarus domain), controlling the water in the Sea of Monsters (Chardybis's domain), glacier manipulation (outside of the land of gods) and so on.

But until Tartarus, there was some sort of phantom line. At least he had convinced himself of one, but Tartarus erased all his pretenses. Those he kept around for others and those he kept around even to himself. When he chokes Akhyls, he feels something inside him break. Either that's his mortality breaking or it's the threshold of his power breaking. I like the second idea. That Percy Jackson has in overpowering a primordial in their own domain done something so singular, neither a demigod shell nor a godly one can keep his power contained.

Another thing that's almost just as often theorized is that when Percy was offered godhood, his fate was sealed. No one, probably not even the fates, had seen the denial coming. This implies that Percy was already mid process to his transition into a deity, and he has been singlehandedly holding himself back from his own fate all the way until Tartarus. And that becoming a God/deity is inevitable for him. And do we not talk enough about this. Percy Jackson saying no to godhood was the most groundbreaking thing to happen in Olympus in this millenia, only to be followed up by Percy making the gods swear multiple oaths that upend the very roots of how Olympus has functioned until that moment.

So yeah, All hail Perseus Jackson, no one is doing it like him.

Obsessed with these parallels.

Ares in tlt after Percy stabs him in the ankle:

Percy in cotg, breaking free of the river god trying to kill/torture him:

Percy Jackson is a god (and he doesn't know it yet) theory has been born yall.

Percy is a strategical genius, and this hasn't been said enough. I don't get why the Fandom collectively thinks Percy is dumb or needs Annabeth's help with stuff or isn't as smart as Annabeth. Even Annabeth, who should know better, sometimes treats him as such.

Reyna, Piper, Annabeth, and everyone else needs to hear this:

The truth is Percy is a far better strategist than Annabeth because Annabeth can't think quickly on her feet at all. She can weave accurate plans but only when given time and enough information, and only when she is looking at the bigger picture.

Annabeth does, however, have an almost encompassing knowledge of most things, but information is just information unless you apply it.

No one and I mean no one is better than Percy at thinking on his feet.

Mostly almost always Percy seems to be unaware of who his enemies are and yet still manages to go up against them and eventually win while Annabeth is at times left reeling.Percy has run into monsters/deities he had no idea about and still manages to figure out their goals in time to trick/defeat them.

Who figured out Ares's motives? Percy

Who figured out Luke's scheme? Percy

Who tricked Crusty without lifting a finger? Percy

Who figured out the use for Hermes's gift? Percy

Who came up with a way to show Luke's betrayal to the camp? Percy

Who tricked Atlas? Percy

Who made up the entire battle plan in the Battle of Manhattan? Percy

Percy tricks Phineas by literally goading Gaea. He could only do that if he himself understood how Gaea's mind worked.

He singlehandedly subdued Chrysaor (Yes, Frank was the key player, but we are counting the plan only)

Came up with the plan to defeat Polybotes and also executed it singlehandedly

Effortlessly argued and out debated the Roman Senate all by himself

Figured out how to defeat Geras (personification of old age)

Outsmarted Antaeus in his own ring

Managed to negotiate and attain the loyalties of River gods in the Battle of Manhattan.

Manipulated the entirety of New York Law department/ journalists into believing his fabricated cover story and dropping all legal charges against him at 12 years old.

There's so many instances of Percy being far more strategic than Annabeth herself.

Not only this, but Percy is extremely and terrifyingly perceptive and just a damn genius at getting people to give up secrets. [Done this to literally everyone since Book 1]

Athena is the personification of cold hard logic and facts hence Annabeth follows and so she isn't nearly good enough at reading people's intentions or body language.

Yes, Annabeth can be quick on her feet, but it's not very natural to her as it is to Percy because Annabeth believes in pre-planning, but Percy understands and embodies adaptation.

It's a flaw of many of Athena's children. The problem is Athena is a God with the mind of one, nothing stumps her so at any given moment she can and will always have the best plan because her mind is much more rapid than the surrounding circumstances.

Her children, however, are mortal and hence always vulnerable to surprises.

It's the reason why Athena favors Odysseus the most, over everyone. He was quick on his feet, along with being a great planner. He was a strategic genius, and my headcanon is that part of the reason Athena hates Percy is because her greatest enemy's son reminds her of her most favored person.

I recently edited this, and I am sure it's still missing some stuff. That's how underhighlighted Percy's intellectual feats are.

https://www.tumblr.com/lilislegacy/777117213311336448/httpswwwtumblrcomfate-of-the-envious74879588?source=share

Ah, that's a good one. The source post that is. Not op's take on it. Nothing against the op. They have some good Percy takes. I am not sure why anon didn't send this to @fate-of-the-envious themselves considering they would probably have a more apt reply for this as the source post is theirs. But I will do my best to break it down instead.

Before we begin, to those who have been sending me similar asks may have missed my recent post on going on a hiatus again soon. It would be beneficial for both me and the anons/followers to use the navigation bar on my blog page to search all the posts relevant to anti percabeth tag or any other tag you want. Because I assure you at least for anti percabeth whatever post you think you want made chances are I have already made it. I have made a lot of posts so a nav page is a bit hard to make, I am in process of making it but please until then utilize this method.

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Now, the post (which I implore you to check it out first) is about the scene in Chalice of the Gods where Annabeth pushes Percy of a cliff. Op links that to the Judo flip scene and says neither is abuse and normal rules can't be applied to demigods like Percy and Annabeth but she does agree that it was an inappropriate reaction from Annabeth both times so at least that’s something. Let's deal with this one at a time.

Let's get the Judo flip out of the way. I don't know why everyone focuses on the wrong thing with the Judo flip. Annabeth was high on emotions and the Judo flip was definitely a terrible response considering she was also unaware of whether Percy still had his Achilles curse or not given that she flipped him on the small of his back where his mortal tether is. Even if she knew the curse was gone that is in no way a response of someone who has been intensely missing their boyfriend and was in great pain without the said boyfriend. But I am willing to ignore all of this even because funny enough that's not the most concerning thing about the Judo flip. The MOST CONCERNING part of the Judo flip is that Annabeth BLAMES Percy for getting KIDNAPPED and having his memories BRAINWASHED. That's where I draw the line.

Also if op wants to point out the actual terrible implications in Chalice of the Gods about percabeth, not only does Annabeth do all of the above, she MAKES PERCY APOLOGIZE for what was clearly assault against him as evidenced by Percy's conversation with Grover.

She is putting her own distress at him being missing ABOVE PERCY'S PAIN AND PERCY'S SITUATION. We don't get a single scene where Annabeth comforts or consoles Percy about everything that happened to him. Being dropped in the middle of no where, constantly hunted by creatures that kept resurrecting, being in enemy territory with no memory and a thousand other horrible traumatic situations that PERCY HAD TO FACE.

Okay now getting back to the scene in Cotg where Annabeth pushes Percy off the cliff.

First, the op goes on about how Percy was unhurt and fine, and he is powerful so he can heal himself and so on. Yes, obviously, yes, he's bloody Percy Jackson. But I think everyone's missing the point. Just looking at the start point and the end point isn't enough. What happened in between is just as important. Yes Percy can heal himself, yes he is the strongest demigod but he is also just a teenager who feels pain just as acutely as a human [mentioning this cause op says that we don't know if demigods feel pain the same way] and it's not just me. Percy himself mentions this.

It was obviously painful. He goes far enough to call it worst case of heartburn. Sure it healed right after but it was very painful.

And let's get to the worst part. Percy was quite literally having a very traumatic experience especially if it made him feel like his child self, scared and powerless.

So we have disproved the first point which stated that he was completely fine and it wasn't painful. Yes he healed, but he wasn't at all fine and it was definitely painful. My guy was having a breakdown from it. Which part of that seems okay?

Now the op says that Percy had priorly said yes to a suggestion to jump, let me emphasize jump. Annabeth pushed him off without warning but I am sure she thought it was fine, Percy was a bit irritated but he let it go. We will let this one pass. What however should have been Annabeth's response is that she should have checked on Percy, she should have been at least a bit guilty that Percy was going to have to do all the painful stuff. Because as op says the river god was going to attack anyway and Percy was the only one who could deal with that but there's no acceptance on Annabeth's side for the gravity of what's she made Percy do. Because she was right there watching him being thrown around and beaten up heavily while having a tea party with the river god [not her fault it was a good distraction] but all she did was tap on her watch and tell Percy to hurry up. No consideration for his pain or what he was going through, not during the situation nor after it. Now Annabeth out of everyone should be attuned to Percy's emotional state. Given the sheer scale of his out of control response she must have been able to tell it was not an okay experience. Percy pulled the entire river bed off and completely rearranged it. So that should have been a clue but not Annabeth, she calls it GOING OVERBOARD later on.

Also let's go back to the part where she pushes him off. Percy wants to take it slow. He says he does but nope Annabeth just straight up pushes him off. Op says it's Annabeth being sarcastic or funny but it's obviously not what Percy wanted to do in that moment.

And we all have seen Annabeth repeatedly getting physical with Percy, and it's completely one-sided to the point where Percy just has to tolerate and get used to her hitting him. There are various books where he says he was afraid she was going to hit him. Now the problem with that is Annabeth's medium for expressing rage is also her medium for having fun with him and that's not a healthy thing cause Percy obviously has bad experiences with physical abuse and latent trauma from it and he shouldn't have to get used to Annabeth's unhealthy ways of expressing herself at his own expense. Annabeth loves him, so she should do better because Percy has gone above and beyond for her every time. surely he deserves Annabeth being soft with him and surely a relationship should have healthy and positive emotional expression medium between them. Shouldn't Annabeth as a person deserve to be able to move on with some of her unhealthy coping mechanisms as a sign of recovery from her own trauma as well? For herself and for Percy? Between Annabeth teasing his intelligence and hitting him constantly, we see zero to none.

So yes it may not be outright abuse but it is heading towards it because at what point are we going to acknowledge Annabeth has a very bad way of expressing herself to Percy and it has consistently involved violence and or demeaning remarks? She literally punches him in the stomach in The Titan's Curse because Percy doesn't ask her to dance when she was the one who wanted him to do so while not giving him any hint and or idea that she wanted such a thing.

I know why everyone in Percabeth community gets defensive over the word abuse as they should because it's not a small thing but surely we can acknowledge that there's some disconnect between what Annabeth wants to convey and how she conveys it that stands contradictory to her orignal intention and also that she fails to see the harm in this?

Now we might have different takes on how a relationship goes but I firmly stand by my own. I have nothing against those who ship it but that does no mean those of us who do not ship it are doing so on baseless grounds.

Hell yes. I have so many thoughts on this.

I have always headcanoned that Percy is super close with Aphrodite cabin cause you know they share certain interests. Aphrodite is of the ocean, and her children are also by extension of the ocean. Percy himself is a child of the Sea. Percy has much in common with children of Aphrodite as his connection with naiads and pegasi is something he shares with them. Therefore, all of the Aphrodite cabin is besties with Percy; every single one of them, because not only does he respect them and doesn't underestimate them, but he also shares their interests.

Exhibit A:

This might be speculation, but it fits, and I like it, so we are going with it. Percy is especially close with Drew. It used to be both Silena and Drew before the war. Drew totally completely looked up to Silena, and they shared a close sibling bond. Drew has not been the same after the loss of Silena, and neither has Percy or Clarisse.

Now,surprisingly or not, I have always liked Drew. I know Rick wrote her off as the stereotypical mean girl, but I think I always found her to be more authentic. I remember her cameo in Kane Chronicles. I was excited, assuming that she would have a bigger role there, maybe but no such luck. As for what Annabeth and Piper think of her? Well, they have a skewed perspective of many things, and it's a character flaw Rick hasn't really worked on at all in the case of Annabeth but at least a little in Piper’s case. [Tell me honestly if Piper and Annabeth don't have the vibes of the sort of girls who look down on other girls because they use makeup. And that conversation they had where Piper agreed that Annabeth should leash Percy and it was necessary? Come on, people, some things speak for themself]

Either way, Drew and Percy totally gossip about campers. It's not even the usual sort of gossip but the kind that involves intel on the campers. Percy is and has shown to be very good at manipulation/charming, and despite how he may seem, he has an innate need to know people's secrets. He doesn't have to always, but he would rather like knowing. It's one of his self-preservation mechanisms. He can make people talk as if he is their long-lost relative or close friend. He has done it at some point to everyone(only because nobody keeps him in the loop properly, so he has to resort to his own ways). I have always thought that trick was a bit like charmspeak. So it's understandable that he and Drew get along very well. They recognize that in each other. They are always underestimated at first glance, but nobody's pulling strings like those two. I have a post that explores this habit of Percy, HERE.

Drew's cold and a bit scathing attitude is her defense mechanism. Children of Aphrodite are considered overly emotional or sensitive, and it's her way of subverting that assumption. She's very good at it too, and Percy is one of the very few who sees and understands what it is at first glance. After all, he himself prefers to do things on his own rather than rely on others.

I have absolutely no basis for this, but remember when Percy was ostracized after his claiming and continued to be so up until after Titan's Curse? I think the Stoll brothers, Malcolm, Silena, or Drew, some campers from Demeter and Apollo Cabin(Yew and Gardner maybe) were the only people who talked to him normally during that period.

Another thing to remember is that when Piper met Drew, she was still recovering from the loss of Silena. And Piper, the new girl, who didn't even seem to respect Aphrodite cabin and their acceptance and love for femininity and the strength in feminine characteristics and emotions and various facets of beauty suddenly gets made Head Counselor out of nowhere just because she did one quest and is involved in the Great Prophecy. Mind you, it was a position that belonged to Silena before and to Drew after as Silena's succesor. It meant a lot to her, so obviously, Drew hates Piper. Everyone in the Aphrodite cabin hates her guts. They represent something that Piper doesn't understand and she is in a position that was just handed to her like a freebie out of nowhere, a position that belonged to someone very dear to all of the Aphrodite cabin whose loss was still very fresh in their mind and Piper had the audacity to insult them in their own home?

Also, note that Percy was missing by then, and [CHB] were all frantically searching for him. Before his disappearance, I headcanon(I canonize) that Drew and Clarisse used to sit together and talk fondly about their memories of Silena or just sit in silence. Because none of them would ever recover from this. Now, with Percy gone, Drew didn't have anyone else to rely on just as much. So yes, she was in a super rough patch, and she had every right to hate Piper. Hell, I am sure the reason Percy dislikes Piper stems from this as well. The Aphrodite Cabin told him of her behavior, and it didn't sit right with Percy. He wouldn't say it to Piper’s face quite so soon but he will give her a gentle reminder once things have settled down because he is the calmest, most tolerant person on the planet until you mess with someone he loves or cares for and then you are done for.

Drew and Percy are a very odd duo and a very frightening one. To others that is. They are actually very wholesome together.

Drew Tanaka gives Percy the safe space he needs to be a complete and utter bitch without remorse and thats why I believe with all my heart that they’re really close friends. No, I do not take constructive criticism.

I have seen some takes saying the war was inevitable and no one's denying that. But Luke let monsters feed on so many humans and sacrificed even more demigods, the very people he was doing everything to save. Forget Percy whom Luke already hated with passion but Luke tried to murder Annabeth, his supposed little sister twice, not to mention Thalia. He tried to kill an innocent 12 year old with a pit scorpion and took joy in that. He was practically torturing the trio in Sea of Monsters and smiling as he did so. In Demigod diaries, Thalia notes that by the end of their time together on the run, Luke was getting into fights just for the sake of it and bringing in even more danger because of his outbursts. Let's not pretend Luke wasn't already going insane since Book 1. Kronos's influence only worsened it.

What I will agree with is that Luke did do all this because of just reasons. He was so fucking desperate for anything at that point. He had seen the horrors that happened and wanted to stop them. He was so angry, so resentful, so full of hatred that he let Kronos manipulate and exploit him completely. He could no longer see the bigger picture at that point. His way caused even more catastrophe. He completely lost control of what he initially intended, and by the end of it, Luke was just an insane, bitter man who wanted to watch the world burn.

It's so tragic, and it's so ruthless, and it's entirely messed up. I despise Luke and I pity Luke. I like him, and I hate him. He is an absolutely phenomenal character and yet a completely messed up bastard. Yes, these opinions can coexist. You can appreciate the masterpiece of a character that is Luke Castellan and still be of the opinion that if he ever returns, you would be the first one to kick him back in his grave.

Does no one ever stop to think that even if Percy hadn’t sided with Olympus he might not have ended up with Luke.

Like the first time Luke even tries to offer. And that’s a vain offer to begin with. Luke is trying to kill him with the scorpion

And that’s not even starting on the amount of other issues with Luke that are separate from the Kronos thing

Like y’all ever stop to think about the fact that in a war against the gods a sword made to kill mortals should be unnecessary.

Or is this just a black and white thinking thing.

Luke having a point does not mean he was necessarily safe to side with.

everytime i see things where ppl are like, upset at percy and blaming him for calypso still being on that island or like, forgetting abt bob im like....okay but when was he supposed to do smth abt either of them. and why is it supposed to be on him to do smth?

cause like, if we're talking calypso, he did what he could. he made the gods promise, he made zeus swear on the styx how was he supposed to know whether or not zeus actually followed through. and then he had what, a few months at best, recovering from a war, trying to focus on his mortal life, yk, pretty much all he wanted, before he was kidnapped by hera and the gods closed down communications. and then hes homeless and amnesiac and then hes going on quest after quest, like. he doesnt even have time to breathe, forgive the boy for not thinking of calypso in this time.

and bob/iapetus like. ive seen many percy is so "manipulative" and "toxic" takes in regards to him and like?? do ya'll even remember when percy and iapetus met? cause when they met iapetus was an enemy doing his damndest to kill thalia, percy, and nico. percy thinking fast and telling him they were "friends" was percy being smart and saving their lives. and he very clearly did have regrets in House of Hades abt how he left things off with bob too, like, that isnt the action of a self-absorbed hero at all.

Like yes, Percy can be manipulative, and he fascinates me for it, but in that one instance where he names Bob and says they’re friends, like. Can you rlly blame him??

Why was this ever a debate? I swear most non canon ships have better dynamics and relationships than anything the canon can ever devise. This is especially true in pjo fandom. Not a single good canon ship in the entirety of the ten book series and then all the other sequels/spinoff. And I mean not a single one. Percabeth and solangelo speak for themselves. Jiper and Caleo couldn't be more disastrous. Frazel isn't well fleshed out, and so on. No one's saying they couldn't have been good, but it's the truth that they aren't. Rick's writing plus certain tropes have ruined them completely.

Another point is that they are all teenagers with heavy trauma. They could have been fine without relationships. Rick could have focused more on their individual arcs and them overcoming their own traumas. There was no need for any ships. Rick acts as if a relationship is the solution to all the character's trauma and ptsd and the fandom is going along with this? Come on.

hi hello! i hope you're having a good day

i love reading your writing and analysis/takes on percy jackson ( the character and franchise ), and i wanted to know your opinion on perpollo. just anything you have to say on the topic. i find it so interesting as a concept itself and when it's explored.

I am sorry for the delay. I hope you and everyone else who sent me asks has found the pinned post regarding my hiatus. I will answer as many asks as I can in this week but I have exams coming up so I won't be very active for a while after this.

Back to the point, I really like the possibilities that the Perpollo ship presents. I know I have not made any Perpollo centric posts but given its popularity and how many prominent blogs have analyzed it along with some of my mutuals @ackerlikesmen , @deliajackson , @hermesmyplatonicbeloved I really haven't felt the need to. They will probably have great stuff to add on or correct in my analysis.

I have mixed opinions on the ship. My parameters for analyzing this ship may not align with you, but I just feel better when factual and practical nuances are considered. This is one of the few ships where the cons can be used as tropes to further bolster the pros of the ship. So let's start with that:

PROS:

1.It's a mutually respectful relationship with no toxicity.

Apollo greatly respects Percy even before the events of Trials of Apollo. He votes to save Percy in the Titan's Curse and also actively helps him and begins respecting him after he saves Artemis.

In Singer of Apollo, Apollo tells Percy that he is Apollo's favorite hero.

In the Hidden Oracle, when Apollo realizes that he is human, he wants Percy to be his master. Apollo the ( God of Ego) thinks that if anyone is worthy of commanding him it's Percy.

When Meg is being hesitant about trusting demigods, and Apollo wants to prove that some of them are good and reliable, he picks Percy as the prime example. Not anyone else of the Seven or even his own children but Percy.

In their initial conversation where Apollo is still repulsively high handed and egoistic and considers Percy declining him as self-centered he doesn't complain too much on it an even follows up by the thought that Percy has done him much goodwill. And this is before his transformation so Percy is that influential that even pre ToA Apollo can't really pick faults at him.

Now Percy began with disliking Apollo as much as he dislikes any gods. But he does remember Apollo thanking him at the end of Titan's Curse and declines Apollo's offer for free Archery lessons.

Percy acknowledges the change in Apollo and respects Apollo for it. Despite his annoyance Percy is one of the few to help him initially and consistently throughout the series.

2. Common family/friends circle and culture

Initially, one would question why this matters, but I think it's generally a comforting space to be involved with someone who knows your roots and is on good terms with your family. It's both wise and fosters a stronger bond. It's even more reassuring and I dare say easier when a couple shares similar cultures/family roots. It automatically trumps the trial and error phase of adjustment with another person's family and cultural norms.

Percy is a family oriented person and therefore likes that Apollo respects and thinks highly of his mother and his family.

Apollo is despite his progress, someone who considers status quo important, and he appreciates that Percy is such a high profile person on Olympus and obviously the most influential out of all demigods. Plus, he is a sea prince.

Percy is on good terms with Apollo Cabin and Will, Kayla, Austin and formerly Michael all respect Percy and are fond of him. Percy despite being mid battle and exhausted from his fight stopped everything and looked through the bridge rubble to try and save Michael and retrieve his body.

Percy is the only male demigod Artemis acknowledges and likes and he has saved her before and they are on extremely good terms. Apollo loves his sister very much so it's unlikely he would accept someone who wasn't on good terms with Artemis. No other demigod has that advantage.

Percy and Apollo also have an exclusive friend in common being Rachel, who is Apollo's Oracle and Percy's very good friend. In fact, Rachel was led to being the Oracle by meeting Percy and Apollo adores Rachel.

Percy is possibly the demigod that has been through the most hardships and Apollo has had a taste of what demigod hardship is like so he knows what it is like being in Percy's situation. And there's full understanding there.

Percy knows many gods and is aware of godly ways so he isn't a novice to divinity or the world of gods or what gods do in general. So, it's unlikely that Apollo's functions, roles and responsibilities will cause any misunderstandings between them.

3. There is no god mortal power gap that usually exists.

Percy is a prince of the Sea and Poseidon's favorite child. He has also been offered godhood before and is hailed throughout Olympus as it's Savior twice. Essentially, he is on equal footing with Apollo.

He might be mortal but given his high profile status in Olympus and in both camps, Apollo [yes Apollo already absolutely respects and thinks highly of Percy] would not be able to mistreat or hurt Percy in any major ways.

4. They have similar goals of bettering lives of demigods and are both in positions to do so and therefore collaborate frequently even in their work life. This is healthy in a relationship.

5. With Sally's own affair with Poseidon, Percy and Apollo dating create a nice sort of generational parallel.

6. Percy respects the domains Apollo stands for, and that's very important, I think to a god. Percy is grateful to healers, is friends with the Oracle and is Rachel's protector to some extent, is fond of music and is fairly artistic (writer as he does write/ narrate the whole orignal series himself) on his own. Though he sucks at Archery, it seems to amuse Apollo rather than anger him, and he offers Percy archery lessons from himself, so that could be a fun dynamic.

7. Percy and Apollo are very complementary, and their dynamic can really help both of them.

Percy has extreme self esteem issues and Apollo, proud and egoistic as he is can help Percy develop self assuredness and inner confidence. Apollo is narcissistic without understanding how damaging his narcissism can be. He learns about as much from his Trials so he can and I think he would like to learn from Percy his compassion and humility. I think they could really help each other and match each other quite well.

They are both very open-minded, so they can always try out new interests that the other likes and can develop completely new hobbies together. They both like not having important tasks thrust upon them, lol so they can find ways to dodge godly affairs together.

CONS:

1.Apollo's lovers often meet disastrous ends either at his hands or another's.

Percy is the one person who deserves to have a very relaxing and enjoyable life devoid of any excess trouble after all he's been through. So another death prophecy might not be something Percy wants and given how tormented Apollo is by memories of his past lovers, another relationship might not be the best idea especially with one he thinks of so highly. Apollo might intentionally stay away from Percy to not bring him any misfortune.

2. Percy dislikes gods.

No matter what, after all that's been done to demigods and all the wars they have suffered are direct results of godly mistakes. He generally tolerates gods and likes only Hestia and Poseidon and has antagonistic take on all other gods, rightfully so.

Therfore Percy might not be at all interested in pursuing a relationship with a god, changed or otherwise. He might have come to see eye to eye with many gods and he clearly respects Apollo now, it might still be a bit too far of a leap for him to consider getting together with a god.

3. Percy wants a quiet and peaceful life

Apollo loves grand things and grand gestures. He also loves being the center of attention as you know he is quite literally the Sun God. It might not align well with Percy's mindset for thea future or Apollo's mindset for a relationship.

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There can be a compromise found for all of these. And they all make for good fic ideas.

For the first one,Apollo being extra careful towards Percy's safety or considering the threat of Apollo's own enemies targeting Percy and making arrangements accordingly might help along with Percy's own reassurances as a powerful demigod.

Secondly, Percy might be convinced through seeing things with Apollo's eyes that even those inside Olympian systems suffer the wrath or Zeus regularly and chafe under the chains of ancient and archaic rules. He might decide to help them so that they can better help their own children. And he has made exceptions for certain gods before. Like Hestia, Pan and his father. So it's not far fetched to think that Apollo could also be potentially added to the list.

Lastly, Apollo might make Percy realize that wanting a peaceful and quiet life doesn't mean he should give up perks of enjoying his powers or his status and can and should be able to experience the joys of both.

That's my honest thoughts on Perpollo. I like them. I like their dynamic. I certainly have enjoyed my fair share of Perpollo fics and they could make a great pair together. But regardless of that, they can really help and understand each other. I love and I mean absolutely love the fics where Apollo hypes Percy up. I need more of those fics so would love recommendations. Also, fellow greek mythology enthusiasts, feel to chime in with obscure Apollo facts.

To everyone who checks out my blog semi regularly, my mutuals, and followers, I am going on a hiatus for at least until mid-March. Exams coming up and lots of prep to be done and all those other delightful real-life obligations.

Those who have sent me asks and I haven't responded yet, and those who want to send me more asks, please do so in this hiatus timeline. I will respond to all asks (only asks) when I resume back here cause I will be going on another hiatus after that. No orignal content for a while, at least for now.

[Yes I have two major exams back to back. Don't wish me luck it's too late for that. But if any of you know ancient rituals or any Eldritch entities, would love some sorcery to come my way]

I get all sorts of asks so feel free to send any. But just for reference:

Book fandoms

Klayley ship content

Percy Jackson headcanons

Percy stuff in general

Annabeth chase character analysis/crit

Percabeth analysis/crit

Perachel

Rachel headcanons

Any Percy ship asks

Other pjo content

I know I know my blog is too full of everything. By next week, I will make a proper navigation page, I will do at least that before I get out of tumblr. But until then, please search the tags of whatever content you originally liked from my blog on my profile page. You will probably get the right posts.

Don't cause too much chaos in the meantime. I would hate to not be in on it.

*dies from a heart attack*

............

.............

..............

*wrangling against Thanatos for the phone*

Good news: Greek gods are real

Bad news: Greek gods are real

(But that's someone else's problem, ideally Percy's)

I don't have words for this dear. I died gushing over this. It might quite possibly be the nicest thing that's happened to me. I swear you are turning me emotional. When I find you Kris, when I find you. As soon as I get someone to resurrect me, that is. It's not like death can keep me anywhere.

But seriously, this is so awesome. Which is to say you are so awesome. I am not even sorry that Percy was bullied into the pink cake mission.

.........

..........

..........

*dramatically resurrects outside your door and knocks politely*

"Hey, would you believe the gate out of the Underworld opens in that parking lot near you? Me neither . Brought gifts for you and chocolates for your boyfriend as compensation for dealing with us! "

Happy Valentine's!!! ❤️❤️❤️

💐 🌹 🌸 🏵 🌼

Damn. I don't think I have ever been wished that before. Thank you so much!!!

[I would use emojis, but I dislike them, I hope the exclamations are evidence enough of how happy I am]

*whispers discreetly* Are we still getting together for literary inspiration and tax benefits? Never made it official enough.

Happy Valentines Day to you too, dear @forgechildofheph !!!

(I used my feelings quota of the day all up processing this. You better pay me back tomorrow.)

Happy Valentine's Day 💘

Thank you so much dear !! Do I get to ask for a gift ? Maybe a perachel Valentines fanfic? I am all up for those.

(Would totally help co-write it in case you are also in the middle of something like I am as I was orignally planning on writing one but so many things came up)

Maybe co-writing fics with your mutuals should become a Valentine's day trend.

Happy Valentines Day to you as well !!

*looks away for only a single moment before looking back with starry curious eyes* I am not doing anything else until I get my hands on this suprise. Watch me.

*in a really secretive voice* Are you the suprise? Are you visiting?

[Of course we are all in. Had all the gods of death and afterlifes sign on our contract. No one's getting you out of this, dear.]

Happy Valentine's!!! ❤️❤️❤️

💐 🌹 🌸 🏵 🌼

Damn. I don't think I have ever been wished that before. Thank you so much!!!

[I would use emojis, but I dislike them, I hope the exclamations are evidence enough of how happy I am]

*whispers discreetly* Are we still getting together for literary inspiration and tax benefits? Never made it official enough.

Happy Valentines Day to you too, dear @forgechildofheph !!!

(I used my feelings quota of the day all up processing this. You better pay me back tomorrow.)

Happy Valentine's!!! ❤️❤️❤️

💐 🌹 🌸 🏵 🌼

Damn. I don't think I have ever been wished that before. Thank you so much!!!

[I would use emojis, but I dislike them, I hope the exclamations are evidence enough of how happy I am]

*whispers discreetly* Are we still getting together for literary inspiration and tax benefits? Never made it official enough.

Happy Valentines Day to you too, dear @forgechildofheph !!!

(I used my feelings quota of the day all up processing this. You better pay me back tomorrow.)

happy late birthday to my favorite old lady

a quick psa to anyone recently getting into greek mythology and is a victim of tumblr and/or tiktok misconceptions:

-there is no shame in being introduced to mytholgy from something like percy jackson, epic the musical or anything like that, but keep in mind that actual myths are going to be VERY different from modern retellings

-the myth of medusa you probably know (her being a victim of poseidon and being cursed by athena) isn't 100% accurate to GREEK mythology (look up ovid)

-there is no version of persephone's abduction in which persephone willingly stays with hades, that's a tumblr invention (look up homeric hymn to demeter)

-as much as i would like it, no, cerberus' name does not mean "spot" (probably a misunderstanding from this wikipedia article)

-zeus isn't the only god who does terrible things to women, your fav male god probably has done the same

-on that note, your fav greek hero has probably done some heinous shit as well

-gods are more complicated than simply being "god of [insert thing]", many titles overlap between gods and some may even change depending on where they were worshipped

-also, apollo and artemis being the gods of the sun and the moon isn't 100% accurate, their main aspects as deities originally were music and the hunt

-titans and gods aren't two wholly different concepts, titan is just the word used to decribe the generation of gods before the olympians

-hector isn't the villain some people make him out to be

-hephaestus WAS married to aphrodite. they divorced. yes, divorce was a thing in ancient greece. hephaestus' wife is aglaia

-ancient greek society didn't have the same concepts of sexuality that we have now, it's incorrect to describe virgin goddesses like artemis and athena as lesbians, BUT it's also not wholly accurate to describe them as aromantic/asexual, it's more complex than that

-you can never fully understand certain myths if you don't understand the societal context in which they were told

-myths have lots and lots of retellings, there isn't one singular "canon", but we can try to distinguish between older and newer versions and bewteen greek and roman versions

-most of what you know about sparta is probably incorrect

-reading/waching retellings is not a substitute to reading the original myths, read the iliad! read the odyssey! i know they may seem intimidating, but they're much more entertaining than you may think

greek mythology is so complex and interesting, don't go into it with preconcieved notions! try to be open to learn!

Percy's amnesia in SoN gave him the perfect excuse to build his confidence to where it should be and break up with Annabeth, with very few consequences, and I will always stand by that. Annabeth may be easier for the Greeks to back due to her history there, but she has nothing at Camp Jupiter, where he quickly and firmly established himself as a powerful, capable and trustworthy entity, getting promoted to Praetor within a week. I honestly believe that, after his SON quest and the "greeting" Annabeth gave him on their reunion, Percy should've broken up with Annabeth, stayed with Camp Jupiter and thrived there.

Not only would the structure help him long-term in the way it canonically did in the (maybe) three days we saw him spend there, but he has a proper support system without biases in favour of Annabeth. It would also provide a fun narrative contrast to Jason, which RR was trying to push in-story, where they thrive in the other's camp despite the shadow of a figure they kind of feel they have to live up to. Jason does better in the looser structure of CHB due to his having picked up many wolf-ish traits from Lupa, while Percy almost *relaxes* in the strict routine of CJ because it helps with his ADHD symptoms.

And this confidence he very clearly has in SoN, and the way he almost romanticized the possible relationship between him and Annabeth when he didn't have his memories, would lead to a very jarring experience when his memories are settled and he reunites with Annabeth. Because, woah, that was not just a subconscious bias from preferring his new friendships/camp structure, but she actually is like that.

Boom, he now has recontextualised memories and perspective of Annabeth, and a place where she doesn't have a stronger reputation than him, and he can fairly safely break up with Annabeth and escape attempts at retaliation.

He might wait until after the quest the Seven go on, so that he can immediately cut her out of his lfe, but this new perspective changes how he approaches her.

The canon would never, but fortunately for us, there are fic writers. If I get enough time somewhere in this month or next, I might end up writing this, but I will have to see, no promises.

Back to your point; you have covered mostly everything so I don't see what I should be adding to this exact scenario but yes it is one of the few perfect pit stops for a percabeth break up to happen. I am going to go down a slightly different avenue for this one as my thoughts vary a bit from yours, so bear with me. It is going to be long, but I need to recap and clarify a few things for others; I will get to your specific questions near the end. [Everything's numbered, so if you are in a hurry, just scroll to the final four points]

-------------------------------------------------------

The breakup could have been mutual, too, if Rick had written it well. If we follow the proper timeline, Annabeth was still hung up over Luke up until the end of BoTL and had just started to get over him at the start of Last Olympian. Percy had just been informed of the Prophecy and under massive stress between end of BoTL and start of TLO and was obviously arguing with Annabeth over it as she repeatedly got angry at him for reasonably freaking out over his then "assumed death" prophecy. To find some relief from all this, he was dating Rachel, who he really liked, had a kiss with, and overall a good relationship with.

Then the whole plot of the Last Olympian occurs in what can be considered to be a few months at best. Then both Percy and Annabeth get together but to recap the events leading up to this:

Rachel breaks up with Percy despite their good relationship due to understanding the role she needs to play in saving the Oracle.

Luke who had previously visited Annabeth to make her join him and who Annabeth was somewhat hung over still, dies.

The war ended up killing a lot of close friends and companions and was a generally traumatic event for everyone involved.

Percy is very high on mixed emotions, reeling from everything that's happened when he gets together with Annabeth, so neither of them have had any time to process anything that's happened properly enough.

They have their one month anniversary on September 18th[The Staff of Hermes short story], and Percy disappears in October. [Riordan.wiki has years and dates of important events].

So they have barely been together for two months, and Percy's already missing.

This is Annabeth's thought process when they do reunite. It implies she has been doing a bit of thinking about their relationship and might not be as sure about it anymore.

She also seems to heavily dislike Percy's initial idea of settling in New Rome and seems to have no intention of taking a break from quests like Percy does.

She also seems to dismiss Percy's unwillingness to go to NRU after the news of Estelle's birth and the events of CotG.

Those were a few key points of contrast between them both on their future plans. Not small ones either.

Now, back to their reunion and the events following; here are a few things:

She judo flips him in front of the Argo II and almost entirety of Camp Jupiter.

If Annabeth didn't know that Percy had lost the Curse of Achilles then she was judo flipping him on the small of his back where his mortal tether was located ; which she knew about and therefore would have killed him in her anger and hyper emotional state.

If Annabeth did know that he had lost the Curse of Achilles then she was still judo flipping her boyfriend who had been missing for six months after surviving an already very traumatic event where he barely managed to survive and was then put through kidnapping, six months of amnesia, and brainwashing against his will by a goddess and then thrust into an unknown land with enemies on his trail.

Further, she blames Percy for disappearing for all of the things HE suffered through against his will and HAS THE AUDACITY TO MAKE HIM APOLOGIZE FOR IT.

Annabeth says and I quote that she likes keeping Percy on his toes.

She also agrees with Piper that Percy needs to be leashed and controlled.

Then Percy's side gives us a few more concerning tidbits:

Percy repeatedly notes that he is scared of Annabeth or thinks she might hit him

He also says that she often brings up Rachel to make him uncomfortable.

Percy also doesn't feel comfortable confiding in Annabeth about Gabe or past trauma.

He repeatedly feels he isn't good enough for Annabeth, and obviously Annabeth's behavior consciously or subconsciously on her part enables his thought process.

He ends up almost killing himself because Annabeth makes him promise not to use his specific ability despite it being used in self-defense by Percy, which ended up saving them both because she was afraid of Percy's powers.

Yet another thing to point out is that Annabeth's fatal flaw hubris and her abandonment issues feed too much into her behavior, and until that is fixed, nothing can be helped.

Annabeth punched Percy in ttc just because he didn't ask her to dance like she wanted him to. She also gave Percy a very hard time just because he knew another girl (Rachel) and immediately acted controlling and toxically possesive towards Percy over Rachel and Calypso despite her and Percy not being in a relationship at any of those points. In fact, despite her supposed crush on Percy, she defended Luke all the way till Botl, despite his repeated attempts at murdering Percy, and even went as far as to say Percy was unreasonably angry at Luke. She also displayed rude and downright awful behavior when interacting with Rachel; and Rachel, being the better person, handled her with class and grace. This all is not even including her demeaning remarks against Percy's intelligence and condescending behavior.

We can conclude from all this that Percy and Annabeth are not compatible, with different future goals and clashing perspectives and most importantly due to lack of proper communication, terrible misunderstandings, and Annabeth's consistent toxic behavior.

But neither the characters nor the author and not even most of the fandom acknowledge any of these glaring issues, so nothing can be done, but their break up can go several ways:

1.

Percy and Annabeth both break up amicably with Annabeth apologizing and understanding the gravity of her behavior and her mistakes and consistently making up to Percy for all the things she has been doing terribly. This is only possible for pre Tartarus or pre MoA situation.

Annabeth could have had a good arc in overcoming all of her problems while Percy too dealt with his self esteem issues and past trauma and they could have given their relationship a shot again in the future; they are both too young right now.

2.

Percy confronts Annabeth on her behavior and breaks up with her. Things get ugly, and it ends up being horrible for both of them. This is a traumatic situation on both ends, but the reason why this is unlikely is that Annabeth and Percy have a case of trauma bonding, and there's hints of codependency more on Annabeth's end. Which makes Percy mask Annabeth's toxic traits easily and for Annabeth to ignore Percy's devolving mental health and self-esteem issues that she has been enabling unknowingly.

3.

The other likely option is third-party intervention. Sally or Poseidon/Athena or other campers.

I also disagree that the camp half blood would back Annabeth. Percy's their [CHB] unofficial leader and a good friend to all of them plus he is the reason the children of other non-Olympian gods have cabins and get claimed early so he definitely has a higher status than Annabeth does in both camps. Camp Jupiter also does respect Percy more than any other Greek, and he is the only Greek to ever be made Praetor. So in social or reputation terms, Percy's winning.

But I don't think other campers would dare meddle in Percy and Annabeth's business. Maybe the seven would. [Leo and Frank would never. Jason probably doesn't understand the whole situation. Piper’s misguided and would probably feed into Annabeth's behavior, so either Hazel or Reyna? Hazel would definitely help Percy understand, and Percy would totally hear Hazel out. Thalia, hmm, I don't really know what Thalia would do, but I don't think she would blindly back Annabeth. She does seem to care for and respect Percy just as much. Nico isn't touching it with a 20-foot pole, plus I don't think he is over his Percy crush at all, so he's not an unbiased party either. ]

4.

Last option and what probably is the most likely is that things continue as they are and Percy eventually snaps due to endless pressure and his mental health issues and Annabeth can't deal with it and then all their other issues which they have both ignored come spilling out and then it's just a clean break but it's going to be the most excruciating way out and given their luck definitely happening.

The lack of Perachel is criminal. But percico next followed perpollo and jercy.

WHO HERE THINKS THAT WE SHOULD'VE GOTTEN MORE ANNABETH AND POSEIDON MOMENTS? You know how Athena disapproves of and threatened Percy? Well………….DO THAT WITH POSEIDON AND ANNABETH! Let them meet. Let Annabeth squirm. Let Poseidon smile, but let it not quite reach his suddenly cold green eyes. Let him size her up, and let her be found wanting. LET HIM SILENTLY THREATEN HER NOT TO HIT PERCY AGAIN! Let him disapprove of Annabeth's nickname for him! Let Percy defend it, defend Annabeth from Poseidon! Let Poseidon tell Percy that if things don't work out (in a way that he implies that he hopes it doesn't work out) that he can hook up with a sea nymph or naiad or something! I just feel like this was SUCH a missed opportunity. To show that Poseidon loves Percy and thinks that he can do better than a plain daughter of Athena! (At least Poseidon thinks so).

Can someone write this, please? I would, but I already have something else going on.

I wish Rick would do this in the show.

@lady-menrva, how do you like this one?

@rosabell14 you too

@cynthiav06, I read your anti Percabeth posts and thought you might like this

@bright-eyes-strawberry-lies

Dam, who else do I tag? If anyone wants to be removed, please do tell me and I will remove it immediately

WHO HERE THINKS THAT WE SHOULD'VE GOTTEN MORE ANNABETH AND POSEIDON MOMENTS? You know how Athena disapproves of and threatened Percy? Well………….DO THAT WITH POSEIDON AND ANNABETH! Let them meet. Let Annabeth squirm. Let Poseidon smile, but let it not quite reach his suddenly cold green eyes. Let him size her up, and let her be found wanting. LET HIM SILENTLY THREATEN HER NOT TO HIT PERCY AGAIN! Let him disapprove of Annabeth's nickname for him! Let Percy defend it, defend Annabeth from Poseidon! Let Poseidon tell Percy that if things don't work out (in a way that he implies that he hopes it doesn't work out) that he can hook up with a sea nymph or naiad or something! I just feel like this was SUCH a missed opportunity. To show that Poseidon loves Percy and thinks that he can do better than a plain daughter of Athena! (At least Poseidon thinks so).

Can someone write this, please? I would, but I already have something else going on.

I wish Rick would do this in the show.

@lady-menrva, how do you like this one?

@rosabell14 you too

@cynthiav06, I read your anti Percabeth posts and thought you might like this

@bright-eyes-strawberry-lies

Dam, who else do I tag? If anyone wants to be removed, please do tell me and I will remove it immediately

I have had up to here with people blaming Percy for absolutely no reason. How the hell is any of it his fault? Percy was all for saving Nico from the jar and agreed to help immediately. Don't spread misinformation. That scene and all scenes, including Nico's situations, involved Percy agreeing and worrying each time. Here are a few of those scenes. It's not all there's more, but these are the key ones:

Not the part about Sammy – that was still too painful to say out loud – but she told them about Gaia’s offer of a fake life, and the goddess’s claim that she’d captured her brother, Nico. Hazel didn’t want to keep that to herself. She was afraid the despair would overwhelm her. Percy rubbed his shoulders. His lips were blue. ‘You – you saved me, Hazel. We’ll figure out what happened to Nico, I promise.’ (Son of Neptune, Chapter 41)

I think my dad is turning a blind eye. I think – I think he wants me to find Nico.’ ‘We’ll find your brother,’ Percy promised. ‘As soon as the ship gets here, we’ll sail for Rome.’ (Son of Neptune, Chapter 52)

Huddled next to it was a dejected looking boy in tattered jeans, a black shirt, and an old aviator jacket. On his right hand, a silver skull ring glittered. “Nico,” Percy called. But the son of Hades couldn’t hear him. The container was completely sealed. The air was turning poisonous. Nico’s eyes were closed, his breathing shallow. He appeared to be meditating. His face was pale, and thinner than Percy remembered (…) “Nico,” Percy said, “where is this place? We’ll save you.…” (Mark of Athena, Chapter 13)

“He disappeared.” Hazel moistened her lips. “I’m afraid…I’m not sure, but I think something’s happened to him.” “We’ll look for him,” Percy promised. “We have to find the Doors of Death anyway.” (Mark of Athena, Chapter 3)

Percy pointed at Piper’s dagger. “Tiberinus said you could find Nico’s location…you know, with that.” Piper bit her lip. The last thing she wanted to do was check Katoptris for more terrifying images. “I’ve tried,” she said. “The dagger doesn’t always show what I want to see. In fact, it hardly ever does.” “Please,” Percy said. “Try again.” (Mark of Athena, Chapter 41)

He told them about his dream—the twin giants planning a reception for them in an underground parking lot with rocket launchers; Nico di Angelo trapped in a bronze jar, slowly dying from asphyxiation with pomegranate seeds at his feet. Hazel choked back a sob. (Mark of Athena, Chapter 14)

Piper dropped the blade. “What’s wrong?” Jason asked. “It was showing us something.” Piper felt like the boat was back on the ocean, rocking under her feet. “We can’t go there.” Percy frowned. “Piper, Nico is dying. We’ve got to find him. Not to mention, Rome is about to get destroyed.” (Mark of Athena, Chapter 41)

“We should wait for the others,” she said. “Hazel, Frank, and Leo should be back soon.” “We can’t wait,” Percy insisted. (Mark of Athena, Chapter 41)

The vision zoomed in again. Inside the jar, Nico di Angelo was curled in a ball, no longer moving, all the pomegranate seeds eaten. “We’re too late,” Jason said. “No,” Percy said. “No, I can’t believe that. Maybe he’s gone into a deeper trance to buy time. We have to hurry.” (Mark of Athena, Chapter 41)

Otis trudged over to the dais, stopping occasionally to do a plié. He knocked over the jar, the lid popped off, and Nico di Angelo spilled out. The sight of his deathly pale face and too-skinny frame made Percy’s heart stop. Percy couldn’t tell whether he was alive or dead. He wanted to rush over and check, but Ephialtes stood in his way. (Mark of Athena, Chapter 45)

At Otis’s feet, Nico shuddered. Percy felt like a hellhound hamster wheel somewhere in his chest had started moving again. At least Nico was alive. (Mark of Athena, Chapter 45)

Jason and Piper closed ranks on either side of Percy (…)“We’re here,” Percy said, which sounded kind of obvious once he had said it. “Let our friend go.” (Mark of Athena, Chapter 45)

“Okay.” Percy decided not to comment on the Hawaiian shirt. “Now, about our friend…” “Oh, him,” Ephialtes sneered. “We were going to let him finish dying in public, but he has no entertainment value. He’s spent days curled up sleeping. What sort of spectacle is that? Otis, tip over the jar.” (Mark of Athena, Chapter 45)

Percy was ready to slice this giant in half and get out of there, but Otis was standing over Nico. If a battle started, Nico was in no condition to defend himself. Percy needed to buy him some recovery time.  (Mark of Athena, Chapter 45)

Percy glanced over at Nico, who was just starting to move. Percy wanted him to be at least conscious enough to crawl out of the way when the fighting started. (Mark of Athena, Chapter 45)

This was all despite the fact that Nico knew who Percy was and that he needed help when he was amnesiac and in Camp Jupiter and didn't do anything. [Look at it from Percy's perspective. He has helped Nico in the past and considers Nico a friend, and still, when he was at his lowest with no memory and in middle of nowhere fighting for his life or in enemy territory, Nico did little to help. Sure, maybe he couldn't reveal himself, but he still could have tried to help instead of just pretending he didn't know Percy and them avoiding him. Even if there was nothing Nico could do there, look at it from Percy's or even a general perspective and tell me it doesn't look wrong]

Also, the whole Percy promised to save Bianca to Nico is fundamentally incorrect. Percy knew the quest was hard, and there would be losses. He promised to do his best. And he did. It was not enough, but it is in no way Percy's fault. Even Bianca herself knew that. Stop projecting on her with your own opinions.

Also, remember Percy himself was 13 years old; a child himself who had to tell another child his sister was dead. As if Chiron shouldn't be doing that himself and taking responsibility. Percy did the hard thing and Nico obviously a child snapped at him and ran. He ran. None of them are wrong and neither of them should be blamed.

Mind you, Percy took the prophecy upon himself to protect Nico. He also kept Nico's parentage a secret from Chiron, someone Percy greatly respects out of care and protection for Nico. He looked everywhere for Nico and never once blamed him for some of the choices he made. In fact, despite having not been at fault, HE STILL TOOK RESPONSIBILITY FOR ALL OF IT AND FOR NICO HIMSELF.

Percy was the first to try and understand Nico, didn't blame him, didn't even get angry, and did everything to help, and YOU ARE BLAMING HIM?

Bianca was perfectly right to speak to Nico in front of Percy and ask him to forgive Percy, of course she would. Percy Jackson who owed them nothing and bore no responsibility for them did everything to take care of them and protect them and did so to Nico even when he switched sides and was actively trying to kill Percy. Tell me someone else who would be able to look past that? No one but Percy did. He literally went above and beyond for Nico and even included him IN HIS ONE WISH IN WHICH HE COULD HAVE ASKED ANYTHING HE WANTED BUT CHOSE TO ASK SOMETHING FOR OTHERS, FOR NICO DESPITE EVERYTHING THAT HAD HAPPENED.

You all just need someone to blame, and everyone just picks Percy; the one character who has literally nothing to do with half of the accusations against him. It's almost funny how far people go to implicate Percy in stuff he had no involvement and, in fact, did everything in his power to help with.

i think bianca di angelo would be so furious that they lost nico after she died. that he was able to just run away and get manipulated. (i know they looked for him, but *still*.) even though she was promised the camp would be a safe and accepting place for him. and dont get me started on how mad she’d be that the 7 (except hazel, of course, my angel) hesitated to save nico from that jar.

Unlike Annabeth apologists, we have Percy Jackson defense squads. After all the icon and legend that is Percy Jackson needs to be defended from all the baseless and self invented slander haters have been throwing at him for years and obviously missing because what is there to hate in the one character in PJO that has done nothing but help others, protect others and save the world.

Bruh. Is there another edition of the Percy Jackson series that I haven't seen floating around? Or are people just that out of it?? Like. even if you don't think that Annabeth is abusive, the judo-flip scene should be enough to make ppl think twice about making this statement.

Hi! I'm a new fan!

I have a Question. So I had just stumbled across a book series called Percy Jackson and Im Low-key interested. (especially after I heard the plot of the first book (I also love the idea of a 12 year old Neurodivergent boy Kicking Ass) And I just had to wonder...

Is the series good? Is it worth reading? I wanna read it but I don't know if I'll be wasting my time reading something that won't be good so I just had to ask if it was a good series worth reading.

I saw the fandom of the series and honestly 99% of them low-key scare me.

I also found out there was a sequel to the OG series and I was also wondering if that was also good and if the sequel series is worth reading.

My advice is that you should definitely read the original series. No matter what anyone says, the fandom all agree that the original series was perfect.

Since Rick intended to write for kids, it's a bit PG, like no swear words or explicit scenes, but there's a lot of monster fighting and general bloodshed which may or may not defeat the point of it being initially intended for younger audience. Either way, it's also not very romance heavy if that's what you are looking for. It's more fast-paced and action-packed with a tertiary romantic subplot. That's the gist of it, and I am sure you are already familiar with the books theme.

Still, you should read the Lightning Thief (Book 1), and if you find yourself liking the whole thing, then you should continue. Since you liked whole neurodivergent kids' kick ass and be badass, you are absolutely going to LOVE Percy. He is the only main character who is literally the fandom favorite, and he is just that iconic. It also has a continuous escalating plot line, so once you read Book 1, you will definitely end up reading the whole original series.

Yes, there's a sequel to the original series, the Heroes of Olympus, and it's well liked as well. Of course, due to certain inconsistencies, readers, including myself, have our fair share of complaints, but that doesn't take away from the series too much as some of the most awesome and downright jaw dropping moments in the storyline come from Heroes of Olympus. But you can decide whether to read that or not later if you actually decide to go through with reading the original series.

When you do finish Percy Jackson and the Olympians, I suggest you read some shirt stories before you start Heroes of Olympus. The Stolen Chariot, the Sword of Hades especially.

And there's a crossover series Demigods x Magicians. If you are interested, it's a crossover between Kane Chronicles and Percy Jackson. So you can check out other works like Kane Chronicles and Magnus Chase series if you want to properly enjoy the crossovers. Personally, I absolutely loved Kane Chronicles(not more than PJO but close enough), and the Magnus Chase series is great as well, but personally, I ended up liking Kane Chronicles more. Not to confuse you too much, but there's other short stories as well that I haven't mentioned, which you can read if you want to.

Now to the most important part of your question; yes you are right that there's a lot of controversy and negative takes going on in the fandom right now but here's a simple fact: All these controversies, arguments, negativity are just results of everyone being extremely attached to certain characters and absolutely loving certain books to pieces. So don't worry about that and just enjoy the books. Those books were a huge part of a lot of people's childhood, and they are absolutely worth reading. (Would love to hear from you if you end up finishing Percy jackson and the Olympians).