“Desjardins was literally fuming. His tattered robes still smoked from battle. (Carter says I shouldn’t mention that his pink boxer shorts were showing, but they were!)”

We were just looking at maps.

We choose to believe in Ma’at. We create order out of chaos, beauty out of ugly randomness. That’s what Egypt is all about.

Be careful of love. It’ll twist your brain around and leave you thinking up is down and right is wrong.

Sometimes, it takes us a while to appreciate something new, something that might change us for the better.

For what it’s worth: trust your feelings. I can’t promise that you’ll never get hurt again, but I can promise you the risk is worth it.

With great power… comes great need to take a nap. Wake me up later.

You do know how to play pinochle?” Mr. D eyed me suspiciously. “I’m afraid not,” I said. “I’m afraid not, sir,” he said. “Well,” he told me, “it is, along with gladiator fighting and Pac-Man, one of the greatest games ever invented by humans. I would expect all civilized young men to know the rules.

I’ve been waiting a long time for a quest, seaweed brain,” she said. “Athena is no fan of Poseidon, but if you’re going to save the world, I’m the best person to keep you from messing up.

You are one freaking awesome baboon.

Egyptians believe in the power of the sunrise. They believe each morning begins not just a new day, but a new world.

The meeting was like a war council with donuts. Then again, back at Camp Half-Blood they used to have their most serious discussions around the Ping-Pong table in the rec room with crackers and Cheez Whiz, so Percy felt right at home.

Knowing too much of your future is never a good thing.

It’s natural to feel fear. All great warriors are afraid. Only the stupid and the delusional are not.

Being a hero doesn’t mean you’re invincible. It just means that you’re brave enough to stand up and do what’s needed.

I always love it when I hear back from kids who say they discovered Percy Jackson and now wear their learning difference as a badge of honour.

Can’t this thing go any faster?” Thalia demanded. Zoe glared at her. “I cannot control traffic.” You both sound like my mother,” I said. Shut up!” they both said in union.