Board Thread:General Discussion/@comment-4531192-20141008075409/@comment-4887996-20141014015451

Himeyuka wrote:

Leo did not need a relationship, he had so many friends that loved him, he could have just freed Calypso and the two of them could have been buddies. Instead nooo we get a pairing formed in two chapters whit the most classic misogynistic ending in literature. Guy sacrifices himself and gets the girl? I thought RR would be better than this.

It pains me that a lot of young readers don't see anything wrong with him pairing off all his main characters and having Calypso be a prize for Leo (as it was always about him having his fantasy come true rather than her finding happiness). I would have traded the sappy rooftop moment with Jason&Piper and the horrible Caleo ending with a reunion of Sally and Percy any day. Or Annabeth talking to her step-mom/siblings. Or Reyna reuniting with Hylla. Or Jason FINALLY having a talk with Reyna and setting things straight between the two of them and trying to rebuild their friendship. I get what you're saying, but in all honesty, I don't find Caleo sexist. I think it's made clear that Calypso is now in a relationship where she's the boss because she's done with the guys who show up, accept her hospitality, then never return. Leo has taken a vow (or better, an oath) to be better than those guys, and he fulfilled it. No, neither needed a relationship, but I think it was better than any of the other ones that could have been shoved in- and it cleared up the Calypso plot hole left after BotL and TLO.

In addition, I think Rick Riordian feels pressured to write romances because he will get angry fangirls who don't see their favorite characters get a solid endgame. It is hard to find a character who is happy with being single, but I think most of the relationships we see are handled well and will influence the way young readers treat their future partners. Plus the couples are cute and I don't regret shipping them :P

In my opinion, one of this series' main themes is Finding a True Family. None of the main characters have spent their entire life feeling like they fit in, which is why it so great to see them evolve and grow into mature young adults who have found their soulmates. No, they don't need a soulmate quite yet (or ever, even), and finding true love with a group of friends would be a great way to finish a character arc, but that is a bit harder to explain to the targeted child audience. Until a few years ago when I matured a little, I felt a constant need to "pair the spares" and I know I wasn't alone with that, so I think it's okay that Rick gave us so many happy couples. My only regret is the Piper-Reyna scene where Piper assured her she would find a man because Reyna had been so worried: Reyna is our last single main character and I think she should be happy to embrace that as an independent, womanly leader (who doesn't swear off men because she doesn't need to think about men yet) in the first place.

An epilogue with family reunions (like a dinner scene with Percy and his mom, stepdad, Mrs. O'Leary, Tyson, Grover, and Annabeth) was needed though.