Though the Greek and Roman crewmembers of the Argo II have made
progress in their many quests, they still seem no closer to defeating
the earth mother, Gaea. Her giants have risen--all of them--and they're
stronger than ever. They must be stopped before the Feast of Spes, when
Gaea plans to have two demigods sacrificed in Athens. She needs their
blood--the blood of Olympus--in order to wake.
The demigods are having more frequent visions of a terrible battle at
Camp Half-Blood. The Roman legion from Camp Jupiter, led by Octavian, is
almost within striking distance. Though it is tempting to take the
Athena Parthenos to Athens to use as a secret weapon, the friends know
that the huge statue belongs back on Long Island, where it might be
able to stop a war between the two camps.
The Athena Parthenos will go west; the Argo II will go east. The gods,
still suffering from multiple personality disorder, are useless. How can
a handful of young demigods hope to persevere against Gaea's army of
powerful giants? As dangerous as it is to head to Athens, they have no
other option. They have sacrificed too much already. And if Gaea wakes,
it is game over.