The Chalice of the Gods

The Chalice of the Gods
Attribution
Author	Rick Riordan
Cover artist	Vico Ngai
Publication Information
Publisher	Disney Hyperion
Release date	September 26, 2023
Pages	268
Chronology
Preceded by	The Sun and the Star: A Nico di Angelo Adventure
Followed by	Wrath of the Triple Goddess

The Chalice of the Gods is a book continuation of the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series. The novel features Percy Jackson, Annabeth Chase, and Grover Underwood assisting Ganymede in finding his missing chalice. It is told from Percy's point of view in the first person, much like Percy Jackson and the Olympians. It was released on September 26, 2023.

Rick Riordan has revealed that The Chalice of the Gods is the start of The Senior Year Adventures, a trilogy chronicling Percy's senior year in high school and his efforts to get the letters of recommendation that he needs. Following the release of the book, a sequel titled Wrath of the Triple Goddess was announced.

Synopsis

The original heroes from The Lightning Thief are reunited for their biggest challenge yet: getting Percy into college.

After saving the world multiple times, Percy Jackson is hoping to have a normal senior year of high school. Unfortunately, the gods aren’t quite done with him. Percy will have to fulfill a new quest in order to get the necessary letter of recommendation from Mount Olympus for his application to New Rome University.

The mission? Help Ganymede, Zeus’s cup-bearer, retrieve his lost goblet before it falls into the wrong hands. You see, one sip from it can turn a mortal into a god, and Zeus would not be pleased with that result. Can Percy, Grover, and Annabeth find the precious cup in time? And if they do, will they be able to resist its special power?

Readers new to Percy Jackson and fans who have been awaiting this reunion for more than a decade will delight equally in this latest hilarious take on Greek mythology.

Plot

Starting a New School Year

Percy Jackson

Percy Jackson is stumbling down the hallway of his new high school in Queens called Alternative High School, when suddenly, he was called to the counselor's office. The counselor is a perky woman named Eudora who wants Percy to already start his college applications. However she mentioned the word mortal while discovering New Rome University. Remembering how he obtained Poseidon's Pearls from the Mississippi River, Percy realized that she was a Nereid sent by his father, Poseidon. Eudora reveals that in order to get accepted into the NRU, he needs three letters of recommendation from three gods. Percy thought for a moment that this would've been better if his dad told him this in person, at that moment, a maelstrom in the floor swallows Percy into the Atlantic Ocean, at his dad's summer villa. Poseidon explains that the letters were the best he could do since Percy was a child of one of the Big Three and the Pact of the Big Three made demigods like him forbidden. Before the Winter Solstice, Percy will have to complete a Quest to earn each letter, luckily Poseidon had sea sprites put ads about it on Mount Olympus and Percy and Annabeth Chase shouldn't to worry about monsters when they're older.

At the Jackson-Blofis Apartment, Annabeth is upset about the situation, too. However, she'll still gladly help Percy out like always (except for his essays). Inside, Sally Jackson and Paul Blofis are making dinner, the two kids help out. When they are almost done, Grover Underwood arrives bringing fruit for dessert. During dinner, Grover gladly wants to join Percy and Annabeth on the quests for Percy's letters, like the old times.

Ganymede's Quest

Ganymede

While Percy, Annabeth, and Grover enjoy smoothies together, they are encountered by Ganymede, beloved cupbearer to Zeus. About a week ago, his magic chalice has been stolen, and if Percy can find his chalice before Zeus' next feast, he'll give him his first letter of recommendation for New Rome University. Unfortunately, Zeus is unpredictable, so the feast could happen at any given time, so Ganymede needs the chalice back as soon as possible or he'll face Zeus' wrath. He also tells the trio to keep the theft as discreet as possible to save him from the embarrassment and Zeus. Percy asks Ganymede if he knows any potential culprits who might have something against him and commit the theft. Ganymede believes it could be either Hebe, the goddess of youth, or Iris, the goddess of rainbows, as they were both cupbearers before him. Percy is worried if he'll have to do more traveling as he still has a lot of catching up to do in high school, but luckily, many gods remain in or close to Olympus, so most gods reside in Manhattan. Ganymede suggests they interrogate Hebe first since she often acts the most jealous around him. Grover knows where she could likely be.

Hebe Jeebies

Grover leads Percy and Annabeth to Times Square in Manhattan and the trio arrive at a storefront called Hebe Jeebies, a nostalgic arcade where Grover occasionally visits to buy licorice. Percy is initially uneasy and suspicious about the storefront, but Grover assures him it's not like the Lotus Hotel and Casino; no one is actually trapped in time, and people leave the building no problem. As the trio explore the arcade, they run into a child-looking manager named Sparky. They ask if Hebe is around, and she points them towards the karaoke bar. On the way, they find a henhouse full of large chickens, which are Hebe's sacred animals, and Grover is uneasy about them.

Hebe

In the karaoke bar, Percy and his friends find the goddess Hebe herself listening to old people singing old songs, and orders pizza for the young heroes. Hebe recognizes Percy, who turned down immortality to give her demigod children a cabin in Camp Half-Blood. Grover then notices the old people are getting younger, and Hebe explains she's making them a bit younger so they could remember their days, to the trio's unease. Annabeth notices that there are no children under eight in the arcade, and Hebe explains that there cannot be a living being younger than a toddler in her presence, or else she'd de-age, so she hangs out in the karaoke area to remain a teenager. Grover explains that they're on a quest from Ganymede. Hebe quickly figures out the the trio are accusing her of stealing Ganymede's chalice and, offended, she knocks Percy and his friends out.

Percy, Annabeth, and Grover wake up, now turned into eight-year-old kids, to their horror. They try to leave the storefront, hoping they'll change back, but it doesn't work, so they go back in. They run into Sparky again and ask if she can call Hebe to restore them to their original ages. Calling it an "age-based complaint", Sparky starts up a betting contest to see who'll be eaten first by the flesh-eating chickens unleashed from the henhouse. Percy tries to use his sword, Riptide, but because of his current age, it remains in pen form, forcing the trio to run for their lives. They seek safety inside a kiddie play structure. Grover explains that in ancient times, priestesses always kept hens and chicks were kept in Hebe's temples while the roosters in Hercules's temple, and they were brought together on Hebe's holy day. This gives Annabeth an idea. She has Grover go on ahead to distract the chickens while Percy and her go to the ball pit and make their way to the chicken coop. Annabeth grabs a chick and they go to the Karaoke Bar. Grover meets back up with them and they barricade the door. Annabeth explains that the Karaoke Bar is Hebe's temple and that people would go to her temple on her sacred day to ask for forgiveness. She suggests they sing an apology song, but Percy and Grover have their doubts. They go over to the karaoke machine and Percy suggests “ Jealous Guy” by John Lennon. The demigods sing terribly as Grover struggles to barricade the door. Soon Hebe arrives and demands they stop. Annabeth begs for forgiveness as the boys follow her lead. As Hebe threatens to turn them into infants, the goddess starts to de-age into one herself. Percy and Grover realize that Annabeth brought the chick as Hebe cannot physically be the youngest in a room. Annabeth promises to get rid of the chick if Hebe reverts the three to their true ages and give them information on the chalice. The goddess agrees and takes the form of a teenager once the chick is out of range. Hebe turns the three back into teenagers and agrees to tell them about the chalice.

Hebe states that she does not have it and suggests Iris, who hosts a farmers' market outside the Lincoln Center on Saturdays, might have it. Hebe promises to keep Ganymede's secret as she wants to see Zeus's reaction when he finds out. As the three leave, she warns them to be carful as Iris is not as forgiving as her. They exit Hebe Jeebies and go their separate ways. Percy returns home and sits on the fire escape, comparing this quest to all the world ending ones he had to do. His mother joins him and the Son of Poseidon recounts the days events to her. After asking what he was like as a child, Sally says he was afraid, but would try to understand what was going on. He then helps with the dishes and does his homework before going to bed.

The Farmers' Market

For the next few days, the Son of Poseidon has no contact with the divine world. On Friday, however, Ganymede comes to Percy’s school for a progress report. Percy fills him in on what they learned and what they plan on doing. Before leaving, Ganymede threatens to withhold Percy’s recommendation letter if he fails. That night, Percy speaks with Annabeth in her dorm room via Iris Message and the Daughter of Athena suggests they have one of Iris's demigod children introduce them. While Percy cannot think of anyone, Annabeth reveals she already contacted a daughter of Iris who lives in Soho and she's agreed to meet them at the farmers' market. Annabeth then ends the call when her roommate comes back.

Iris

The next day on a Saturday, the trio meets up at Lincoln Center uptown for the farmers' market. Annabeth had invited Blanche, a monochrome-fanatic daughter of Iris, to introduce the three to her mother (to Grover's delight). Percy is not very thrilled to ask Blanche for help after what happened at the last campfire (when she told everyone a scary story and used her powers to remove color from the campers, causing a mass hysteria). As Blanche leads the trio through the market, Grover is trying to make himself look good for her photoshoots of dead things. They soon find the Goddess of the Rainbow herself in a booth full of crystals. Percy notes that Iris had taken up a new appearance as opposed to when he first met her, but once again points out that gods and goddess are able to take any form they please. Blanche greets Iris, who voices displeasure with her daughter's black-and-white aspect. Blanche introduces Percy, Annabeth, and Grover, and explains to her mother that they'll be accusing her of a theft, but asks her not to kill nor curse them. Iris, although offended, promises to hear them out for her sake. Blanche hands Grover her card and asks him to come to her studio as part of a deal she made with Annabeth, and then she leaves the trio to talk with Iris.

Percy explains that Ganymede's chalice has been stolen and he suspects that Iris may be a culprit as she was once the cupbearer. Iris assures that she's glad she's no longer a cupbearer and openly pities Ganymede. She's more bitter that her position as Messenger of the Gods has been passed on to Hermes. Iris then suggests that she'll ask around to find out who the true culprit is. In the meantime, she gives Percy, Annabeth, and Grover a little side-quest: to cleanse her old messenger staff, Mercedes, using the magical waters in the River Elisson, because she believes knowledge has value and her knowledge of the thief must be earned. Iris also estimates that Ganymede's shame will be known to Zeus in about fifteen days, as that's when he hosts an old Roman feast, Epulum Minerva, to honor Athena. The trio debate on how to find the River Elisson, as they have no idea where to find it because the actual river no longer exists in Greece, and monsters constantly use it to clean themselves. Annabeth suggests that Percy should talk to his counselor, Eudora, who's a sea spirit, and is more likely to know where the river is.

The River Elisson and Learning of the Thief

During seventh period, Percy visits Eudora to inform her of his quest. When she mentions he could of filled out a form to have Iris and Hebe write him letters as well, Percy requests if he could backtrack and get them to agree, but Eudora says it is to late and shows him the fine print on the brochure. When the Son of Poseidon asks about the location of the River Elisson, Eudora is hesitant about giving out the information as she does not want to get kicked out of the river god's yoga class. She agrees to send Percy to the general area of the river and wishes him luck. Percy ends up in Yonkers and wonders towards the Saw Mill River. As he inspects a drainage pipe, he sees shed snake skin for a second and decides to come back the following day with Annabeth and Grover.

Percy returns the next day with his friends and the staff and leads them to the tunnel he found the previous day. They trudge through the tunnel and, after having fun with luminescent lichen, they reach a vast field of tall grass and barren trees that house the river. Every inch of the river is filled with snakes but Annabeth sees an abandoned crevice with no serpents. Grover volunteers to keep watch as the demigods make their way to the crevice and says he will play his panpipes if snakes head towards them. Percy and Annabeth reach the crevice and, after seeing the sheer drop. The Daughter of Athena ties a rope around Percy's waist to pull him up and pushes the Son of Poseidon in after they hear Grover start to play a song.

Elisson

Underwater, Percy notices the grunge on the staff beginning to loosen and clean itself. However, the Son of Poseidon is rudely greeted by the angry river god, Elisson, who is very displeased to have a demigod uninvited and using his crystal clear waters to clean muck off a staff. As Percy tries to politely introduce himself, the angry deity shoots him down with sarcasm, to Percy's distraught. Elisson first shoots Percy's shoes off then blasts him out of the water, hitting his head on a rock in the process. As Percy tries to work up a deal to help clean Elisson's river of its filth, Elisson still doesn't take him serious and considers drowning him and washes him back into the river. Elisson uses the current in the river to toss Percy around in an attempt to kill him, yet unwittingly ends up provoking the most powerful demigod of the modern age. In a fit of rage, Percy uses his more superior powers over the water to reach through the Earth to find the source of the river, causing it to explode. The river crashes back to its normal state as the Son of Poseidon regains his bearings. Fearing Annabeth got caught in his watery explosion, he shoots back up to the surface. He thankfully finds his girlfriend unharmed and comforting a terrified Elisson, traumatized from Percy's display of sheer power over the water. Percy then notices that his explosion has cleaned up the river and Iris's staff. After retrieving it, Annabeth hands Elisson some tea, who then decides to schedule demigods to his river on Saturdays to clean sacred objects. Percy interrupts and explains that Grover is in trouble. Elisson thanks him and wishes him luck on saving his friend before disappearing. Annabeth brings out hamster-flavored snake treats to help save Grover while Percy swims the other way and make himself a new target for the horned serpents.

Annabeth goes to help Grover and tells Percy to skip to get the snake’s attention. The Son of Poseidon does so before realizing she was joking. Percy hears Grover stop playing and realizes they are safe and he does not know where the exit is. He trips and twists his ankle before climbing on a rock. Percy sees the horned serpents coming after him and uses the staff to distract them, creating various beams of colored light. Fearing he will die, Percy wishes to speak with Annabeth one last time and the staff turns him into a rainbow and he flies off. Percy meets up with his companions, happy to have surprised the Daughter of Athena, and they head home.

The following day, Percy and Annabeth go to return the staff while Grover attends his photo shoot. The demigods find Iris on Fifth Avenue and return the staff. Iris tries to give the demigods crystals instead of the information they need, but the goddess agrees after they insist. Iris reveals the chalice thief is someone named Gary who lives in Greenwich Village. The goddess gives them pure nectar and warns them not to drink it as it will burn them. She says to use it to find the chalice as nectar is drawn to it. Iris charges the demigods five dollars for the nectar and as Percy is short on cash, Annabeth pays.

Percy's Love Advise, a Surprise, and a Check In

The following day at a swim meet, Grover comes to watch Percy and shows the Son of Poseidon the pictures Blanche took of him for Juniper's bloom day party. Grover reveals that Juniper was not happy with the photos and Grover reveals he mentioned Blanche a dozen times. Percy advises him to apologize and ask Juniper what she wants. Grover then reveals that he is nervous about Percy and Annabeth leaving him and Percy promises they will visit. Grover then reveals he has been talking with nymphs to narrow down the location of the chalice and says nature spirits have been seen leaving Washington Square Park, but he cannot find any nature spirit with a name that sounds like Gary. They agree to look into it Monday morning before school as the couch then calls Percy for the high dive.

That night, Percy is helping his parents get dinner ready when Annabeth arrives with cupcakes she made during a cooking class. As Percy helps Paul set the table, notices his stepfather is nervous and sees his mother say something to Annabeth. During dinner, Percy notices his mother is not drinking and she reveals she is pregnant. Everyone watches Percy waiting for his reaction, and the Son of Poseidon is elated, but is disappointed that he will only be with his younger sibling for a few months. After dessert Percy walks Annabeth to the subway and she is impressed with his reaction, thinking about her half-brothers when her father remarried. She reassures Percy that this is different and he will be a great brother.

The following day, Percy is called to the guidance counselor’s office for a progress report. However when he mentions Gary, she leaves. Before leaving she tries to talk Percy out of his quest and warns him that finding Gary could get him killed. Eudora flushes herself. At lunch, Ganymede checks in and Percy tells him they have a plan, a name, and a general area where the chalice is. Ganymede does not know anyone named Gary and becomes fearful when Percy mentions the feast. Ganymede says Zeus could throw the celebration at any time and he tells the Son of Poseidon to hurry. After eating, Percy goes to the library to research any mythological figure with a name that sounds like Gary but fails.

Washington Square Park

Geras

At four-thirty Monday morning, Annabeth breaks into Percy’s bedroom to wake him. Annabeth says she spoke with Juniper about pure nectar and learned one whiff could put a demigod into a coma and reveals she brought tissues to plug their noses. As Percy thinks about what would happen if he failed this quest, Annabeth asks if he is having second thoughts on going west but Percy reassures her that he wants to go to college with her and, after getting ready, they head out.

The demigods meet up with Grover, who brought donuts with him, and they get to work after breakfast. Only half a dozen mortals are at the park. After plugging their noses, Annabeth unleashes three drops of nectar and they each go into a different direction. Percy follows one to the playground, Annabeth follows one to the chess tables, and Grover follows one to the trees. As he searches, Percy notices how quiet it is and sees Grover staring at a tree and Annabeth watching a chess game. The Son of Poseidon feels something that reminds him of Kronos and a voice says his power is similar. Percy sees a small old man who introduces himself as Geras, the God of Old Age. Geras reveals he took the chalice and shows it to Percy, who he likes for rejecting immortality. Percy realizes he took the chalice to humiliate Ganymede as Geras feels the cupbearer does not deserve immortality and should have died a mortal. Percy asks for the chalice back and Geras threatens to turn his companions into dust. Percy protests and Geras says he will give Percy the chalice if he can beat the god in a wrestling match, but if the Son of Poseidon loses, he will be turned into dust. Before he agrees, Geras says the match will be decided if Percy can bend one of the god’s knees to the ground of if the god slams Percy's face to the ground. Percy requests that his companions be allowed to leave unharmed regardless of the outcome and that they be broken out of their trance. Geras releases his companions and they explain the terms and conditions of the match to them. Annabeth pulls Percy aside and asks if he is sure. Percy considers walking away for a moment but decides against it. They walk back and, after Geras rejects Grover offer to trade the chalice for donuts, the god jumps on Percy.

Percy struggles to force the god to his knee as Annabeth and Grover watch in horror as Geras slams Percy against the playground equipment. Percy thinks of Chiron telling him to keep calm in deadly situations, but fails. As Grover holds Annabeth back, Geras threatens to turn all three of them into dust. Just then, Percy remembers Jason telling him of a vision he has for himself and Piper as grandparents during their fight at the Acropolis. Upon remembering it, Percy chooses to embrace old age and hugs the god. Geras and Grover are stunned, but Annabeth is pleased with Percy’s action. Geras, who can not remember the last time he was hugged, is thankful that the Son of Poseidon has chosen to embrace old age and returns the chalice before disappearing. Not long after, a hula hoop, the hoop being a symbol of Ganymede, falls from the sky to tell them Ganymede needs the chalice immediately as Zeus is hosting a brunch for his mother.

An Olympian Brunch and an Excused Absence

As they brainstorm, Grover convinces Annabeth to lend Percy her hat as she heads off to school and he and Percy take a cab. As they head to the Empire State Building, Grover tells Percy the hat will not work on the Olympians and will not fool the Elevator Security Guard. He also tells the Son of Poseidon to head to the kitchens and meet up with a cloud nymph named Naomi as she could help him sneak in. When they reach the Empire State Building, they exit and Percy puts on the hat. Grover distracts the guards and Percy snatches the key card to reach Olympus. Once the elevator stops at the six hundredth floor, Percy heads to the palace.

Percy walks through the city and makes his way to the kitchen to Zeus's palace. He knocks on the door and Naomi lets him in. She says Ganymede is nervous and tells Percy to pass the chalice on to him. As a waitress goes out the door, Percy looks out and sees all the gods around a table with Zeus standing close to Rhea. Percy and Ganymede see each other and the Son of Poseidon gestures for the cupbearer to come to him, but Zeus stops him, wanting him to hear a story about Rhea. Percy realizes he will have to sneak into the room to deliver the chalice.

Percy hides under a cloth covered desert cart as Barbara, a dryad, pushes him into the dining room exchange for a meeting with Annabeth. As Zeus is telling a story about him being surrounded by llamas in Crete, he orders Barbara not to push the cart as he is speaking. Percy checks under the cart to see how far he is from Ganymede and comes face to face with Lucius, one of Rhea's lions. Percy lowers the cloth and, after checking again, comes face to face with Athena. After a stare down, Athena asks Ganymede to take the desert cart to the kitchen to get cream. Ganymede does so and, once they are in the kitchen, Percy hands over the chalice and Ganymede gives Percy a blank sheet of paper and tells the Son of Poseidon to dictate what he wants and then his signature will appear when he is done. Ganymede goes back to the dining room while Naomi gives Percy food for the road.

Percy returns to the elevator and makes way to the lobby and notices Grover is missing, but finds him outside. Percy fills him in on what happened and Grover hugs Percy. He tells the Son of Poseidon that he feared Percy would not survive the wrestling match and Percy says he thought of the two of them and Annabeth in their golden years. Grover offers to return Annabeth's hat as Percy goes to school. When he goes to the front office to try and explain to the secretary why he is late, she says she is talking to his father on why he is later and she hands him the phone as she writes out a hall pass. Percy is surprised to hear Poseidon and asks why the sea god is covering for him. Poseidon says he was moved by Percy choosing to wrestle Geras and says that he has always been watching Percy and that he is proud of him. Percy the phone back to the secretary and heads to class. As Percy heads to class, Eudora calls him in for a progress report and is thrilled that he has completed the quest. She compliments Percy and reminds him he still needs two more letters of recommendation. Percy then goes about his regular school day.

Write-Your-Own Letter of Recommendation

That night, Annabeth comes over for dinner and she, Sally, and Paul help Percy write a letter. After several suggestions, the letter is complete. Percy is embarrassed, Annabeth is laughing, Paul feels bad for Percy, and Sally kisses her son. They manage to get Ganymede's signature and are happy with the outcome. Annabeth heads back to her dorm, but she and Percy talk via Iris Message when she gets there. Percy tells her everything he saw on Olympus and Annabeth is surprised when he says her mother helped him. However Annabeth quickly realizes that Athena is now supporting their relationship and realizes her daughter wants to see it through to the end. The Daughter of Athena reminds Percy he needs two more letters before winter break and she and the Son of Poseidon end the call with a kiss.

Characters

• Percy Jackson
• Annabeth Chase
• Grover Underwood
• Ganymede
• Iris
• Hebe
• Li'l Killer
• Sally Jackson
• Paul Blofis
• Eudora
• Sparky
• Blanche
• Athena
• Poseidon
• Hermes
• Demeter
• Geras
• Lucius
• Zeus
• Hera
• Naomi
• Elisson
• Elevator Security Guard
• Margaret

Chapters

1. I Get Flushed
2. My Dad Helps Out* (*No Actual Helping Occurs)
3. We Complain about Quests and Decorative Gourds
4. I Take a Himbo for Smoothies
5. Everybody Hates Ganymede Because He's So Pretty
6. Because Licorice
7. Big Shocker: I Offend a Goddess
8. I Want My Mommy
9. The Chickens Draw First Blood
10. My Singing Makes Things Worse, and Everyone Is Totally Shocked
11. We Win Zero Prize Tickets
12. Ganymede Gets Me a Refill
13. We Look for Dead Stuff at the Farmer's Market
14. Iris Gives Me a Stick
15. Yonkers!
16. Grover Busts Out the Snake Songs
17. I Meet the Man Bun of Doom
18. Annabeth Conquers All with Herbal Tea
19. I Taste the Rainbow and It's Pretty Nasty
20. Iris Takes Venmo
21. I Offer Relationship Advice. No, Seriously. Why Are You Laughing?
22. I Get a Cupcake and a Surprise
23. Ganymede Explodes All the Beverages
24. I Brush My Teeth (in the Most Heroic Way Possible)
25. I Meet the Goblet Ganker
26. I Negotiate the Terms of My Disintegration
27. My Dying Words Are Super Embarrassing
28. It Starts Raining Toys
29. I Teeter on the Precipice of Mount Brunch
30. I Infiltrate the Lair of Lightning God 3000
31. I Face a Dangerous Predator Who Is Possibly My Future Mother-in-Law
32. Grover Eats My Leftovers
33. One More Jolly Rancher for Old Times' Sake
34. I Write the Worst Letter Ever, Delete, Delete
35. Pretty Much the Best Good-Night Kiss Ever

Gallery

Unofficial cover

UK cover

Trivia

• This book is dedicated to Walker Scobell, Aryan Simhadri, and Leah Sava Jeffries, the stars of the Disney+ series.
• The novel is set between The Heroes of Olympus and The Trials of Apollo, during Percy’s senior year.
  • It occurs after Demigods & Magicians as Annabeth's Yankees Cap is working again.
  • The Demigod Communications Blackout has not yet begun as Percy and Annabeth are able to Iris Message each other without any problems.
• It was released on the same day as graphic novel adaptation of The Mark of Athena.
• In the Barnes and Noble Exclusive Edition, the remaining letters of recommendation are shown to be from Apollo, Delphin and Aristaeus.
  • Apollo compliments Percy's victories against Kronos and Gaea before going on a tangent and comparing Percy's physique to his own. At the end of the letter, Apollo mentions that Zeus wants to speak with him about something of "critical importance," presumably Apollo's trials.
  • Delphin's is implied to have been done at the request of Poseidon.
• In the Walmart Exclusive Edition there is a news article from the school paper about Percy Jackson being a new student with "10 facts" about him.
  • Aristaeus' starts out nice before he turns hostile after having learned that Percy is going around asking everyone for help, including Delphin.
• It's revealed that the humidifier and lamp setup that Nico and Will used in The Sun and the Star: A Nico di Angelo Adventure to communicate with Percy and Annabeth via Iris Message was created by Percy to talk with Annabeth before bed every night. Annabeth had a similar setup in her own room.
• Percy hopes that he doesn't have a Frodo moment where he gets to the threshold of Mount Brunch with his magic item and then, instead of handing it over, becomes visible, yells "haha! The cup is mine!" and drinks the immortality-flavored Kool-Aid.
  • This is a reference to The Return of the King when Frodo gets to Mount Doom with the One Ring, which makes him invisible like Annabeth's Yankees Cap does to Percy, and claims the Ring as his rather than destroying it.
• In The Lightning Thief, Percy bitterly thinks that his father should be able to just make a phone appear to call him. In this book, Poseidon does in fact call Percy on a mortal landline and Percy suspects that Poseidon plugged his phone straight into the undersea transatlantic cable which gives Poseidon very good reception.
• Annabeth's Yankees Cap is revealed to give the wearer an uncomfortable sensation while it's being used which Percy suspects is the reason that Annabeth doesn't use it too much. Annabeth tells Percy that this is because all power has a price, even invisibility. The cap's effects are also shown to be limited for the first time, only making Percy invisible to spirits and minor gods, but at best looking unimportant to the major gods such as the Olympians.
  • The security guard for the elevator to Olympus is revealed to be immune by Grover. As he has also shown no signs of aging and is always reading a thick book, Percy suspects that the man isn't mortal.
  • Naomi the cloud nymph appears to be immune to its powers and scowls at the cap in a way that suggests that invisibility hats are rude in her kitchen and ineffective. However, she also appears to be unable to recognize that Percy's a demigod, asking if he's a god when Percy first shows up.
  • Athena, who created the cap in the first place, is completely immune to its powers, but she chooses to help Percy rather than exposing him.
  • Despite being a minor god, Ganymede appears to be unaffected as well, but Percy had also intentionally revealed his presence to the god, possibly negating the cap's effects despite Percy still wearing it.

• While first talking to Ganymede, Percy mentions Shel Silverstein's The Giving Tree and said the boy in it was a brat. He also mentioned that he once gave a satyr the book as a birthday present since it was about a tree, but he cried and hit him.