So, I made an impulsive decision to re-read PJO again after 9 years. YAY!  

Rick Riordan created a world so vast and so wonderfully written that even after nine whole years I don't feel like I "aged-out" of it. The best part is while I know the major stuff, I realized I've forgotten most minor details of the story and it feels like actually reading it for the first time.

I still felt excited during the Ares fight. I was still thrilled to go to the underworld and meet Hades for the first time. I still giggled every time Percy and Annabeth bickers knowing full well how much they'll grow to depend on each and have each other's back someday. When Percy was claimed, and we discovered that he has this power to control water? Kid me enjoyed that part very much and adult me still very much loved it. I guess that is the magic of the books Riordan created.

 
I might actually be a little biased in rating this first book so high, but you can't blame for having massive attachment to this book. For one, it literally has the "Look I didn't want to be a half-blood" opening line which will always be iconic.

There are also some tiny details I missed before. Like I know Percy has always been funny, brave, and sassy. But underneath that is also an angry kid who is fed up for getting bullied all his life and being branded the "problematic kid" when he actually has no control over his ADHD and dyslexia. Then he finds out he's a half-blood and has to fix his dad's (who he's never seen before) problems for him. On top of that, he now is apparently a subject of a great prophecy he didn't ask to be part of. Can't really blame him for being angry at everyone, tbh. Also, I kind of understand Luke now. The guy actually has a point. The gods really aren't really that great to begin with. They are obviously selfish, ungrateful, proud, and a lot of negative things I can describe of. He has the right to feel neglected too. But of course, it doesn't mean the titans are any better and I don't think waking them up and wanting to start a war won't actually solve his problems. LOL. That's Luke for you, I guess.

 

Anyway, I can't wait to see the new Disney+ series in development right now. Honestly, re-reading this book again reminded me of how much they screwed the movies. I hope people who haven't read the book but knows the movies are not discouraged to watch the new series. I already imagined the announced cast (Walker, Leah, and Aryan) as their characters while reading the book so I'm sure they're going to do great. I hope this series finally get the proper adaptation it deserves.