A primer for those still in a daze after the last wave of Potter-mania swept the globe. Silent and determined, a new breed of young hero has been finding its feet in our world. He is young, confused and has never known much of a regular life. He is also dyslexic and something of a juvenile delinquent in the eyes of the law. He gets thrown out of school after school for indiscipline.

He is also a demigod, a half-blood (born of a human mother and an Olympian god) whose very smell draws monsters. His father is one of the most powerful gods in the Greek pantheon. He spends his year struggling with the 'normal' ways in schools meant for normal children. He spends his summers training at a camp for half-bloods like him.

He is not without enemies either, because he was never meant to be born -- a god of his father's stature isn't supposed to marry mortals.

Percy Jackson and the Sea of Monsters is the second book chronicling the young demigod's chaotic life. In a dream, Percy sees his best friend Grover in the clutches of something evil. Then, on the last day of Percy's school year, things change quickly when a group of class bullies turn out to be murderous monsters and almost kill him during a friendly game of dodgeball.

Percy is forced to escape to Camp Half-Blood with his friends Annabeth (another half-blood) and Tyson (a mythical cyclops, though Percy doesn't know it yet). Upon his arrival he finds the camp under attack by monsters. The camp's magical security field (powered by Thalia's tree, erected by Zeus to keep his dying daughter's essence alive) is failing. Thalia's tree has been poisoned.

Percy must choose between saving the camp and saving his buddy Grover, who he has now reason to believe, is in serious peril.

Luckily, it turns out the answer to both quests is in one place: an island on the Sea of Monsters where Grover is being held captive and where also lies the fabled golden fleece that can cure Thalia's tree and save the camp.

Percy and his friends set out on one of the most perilous quests ever to save the world. On their way they must fight the forces of the dark Titan Lord Kronos who wants the destruction of the Olympian gods and dominion over the world.

Author Rick Riordan has gotten better with the second Percy Jackson book. Living ancient Greek myth in a very contemporary America is a thrill like no other. Sea of Monsters is good fun for adventure-seekers of all ages. A reading of the first book (Percy Jackson and the Olympians) however will add to one's enjoyment of the story. Highly recommended!

Percy Jackson and the Sea of Monsters, Puffin, 265 pages

For details also visit the official site: percyjackson.co.uk

-- Vijayendra Mohanty