As for Percy, he held his magic ballpoint pen like he was trying to decide whether to bust out some sword moves or autograph Nike’s chariot.

Nico studied his face – his sea-green eyes, his grin, his ruffled black hair. Somehow Percy Jackson seemed like a regular guy now, not a mythical figure. Not someone to idolize or crush on.

You will suffer, son of Hades!’ What else is new? Nico thought.

A wind that blows aimlessly is no good to anyone.

So, ’ Nico said, ‘since we’re going to be spending at least a year seeing each other at camp, I think I should clear the air.’ Percy’s smile wavered. ‘What do you mean?

We’re fine.’ A few feet away, Aurum snarled quietly, which meant Nico was lying.

He hated when his own advice applied to himself.

Nico found a sort of freedom in knowing that eventually, no matter what happened, he would end up at the foot of his father’s throne.

Then Thalia Grace became their leader and started recruiting even more young women to their cause, which grated on Nico – as if Bianca’s death could be forgotten. As if she could be replaced.

He'd gone from sixteen to seventy-five in a matter of seconds, but the old-man smell happened instantly, like boom. Congratulations! You stink!

Jason hated being an old man.

We are the music makers, and we are the dreamers of dreams.

You look beautiful in your best self.

Survivors lived with their mistakes.

Be an artist of consciousness. Your picture of reality is your most important creation. Make it powerfully profoundly beautiful.

My wife is my first audience. She's a tough lady, so I can't say that I ever scare her. Except, of course, when she sees me the way I look before breakfast.

Hell must be a place where you are only allowed to read what you agree with.

Your words are so powerful and precious. Learn to harness them, guide them and let them work for you.

What do people really believe in any more apart from sport and music?

Youth passes like a dream.

I always think about what I missed, and I think that was my driving force - never be satisfied with what I've done.