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.

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.

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.

He hated being filled with terror. It was embarrassing.

Perhaps there was an unstoppable magic inherent in music and art.

Universal vaccination may well be the greatest success story in medical history.

We rise in glory as we sink in pride.

I must stay alone and know that I am alone to contemplate and feel nature in full.

Religion is man-made. Even the men who made it cannot agree on what their prophets or redeemers or gurus actually said or did.

Time could truly be made to stand still. Texture could be retained despite sudden violent movement.

If we are destined to be together again, be happy to know you’ll be getting the real me, not some blubbering half me.

No rule is so general, which admits not some exception.

Take a good hard look in the mirror, and remember yourself as you are today, cause as time changes, so does the scenery.

I consider myself a survivor more than anything else.