The Titan's Curse – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

The Titan's Curse

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

book2007

93%

WISE Score

4.7

Amazon

Percy Jackson is back, and this time he's dealing with a missing goddess, a deadly prophecy, and the realization that heroes don't always make it home.

The Titan's Curse

book

2007

93%

WISE Score

4.7

Amazon

Percy Jackson is back, and this time he's dealing with a missing goddess, a deadly prophecy, and the realization that heroes don't always make it home.

4.7

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Screenwise Verdict

The Titan's Curse is arguably the point where the Percy Jackson series levels up from 'fun adventure' to 'epic saga.'

It’s 2026 and these books are still the gold standard for getting kids to put down their phones. Riordan doesn't talk down to his audience; he treats them like they can handle the tragedy of a hero’s death and the complexity of a 3,000-year-old family feud.

It’s fast, it’s funny, and it’s genuinely moving. If your kid liked the first two, this one will cement them as a lifelong reader. It’s a must-read, full stop.

Age Fit

Perfect for 9 to 13-year-olds. It’s the sweet spot where the themes get a bit more mature and 'teen,' but the adventure remains pure middle-grade fun. Adults who like fast-paced urban fantasy will also find it surprisingly tight.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

The book leans into heavy themes like sacrifice and the weight of expectations, but it anchors everything in fierce loyalty and friendship. It handles the 'boys vs. girls' dynamic with the Hunters of Artemis in a way that's cheeky but ultimately about mutual respect.

Imaginative

Rick Riordan is the king of taking dusty myths and making them feel like they're happening at a West Virginia car graveyard or a San Francisco museum. The introduction of the Ophiotaurus (the cow-serpent) is peak creative weirdness.

Safe

It's a middle-grade novel, so the 'violence' is mostly against monsters that turn into dust. However, this is the book where the series gets real—major characters actually die, which might be a shock for kids used to the plot armor of the first two books.

Enriching

It’s basically a Trojan Horse for Greek mythology. Your kid will accidentally learn about Atlas, Artemis, and Apollo while thinking they're just reading an action story. It also explores the complicated nature of grief and sibling responsibility through the Di Angelo kids.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

The pacing is relentless—it's a literal cross-country race against time that keeps even reluctant readers turning pages.
Introduces some of the best characters in the series, including the Hunters of Artemis and the tragic Di Angelo siblings.
It balances snarky, laugh-out-loud humor with genuine emotional stakes and high-level Greek mythology lore.
The 'Big Three' tension (Zeus, Poseidon, Hades) finally starts to boil over, making the world feel much bigger than just a summer camp.

⚠

What to Watch For

Two significant characters die in this book. They aren't 'red shirts'—their deaths matter and are treated with real weight.
The villainous General is a looming, oppressive presence that might be a bit much for very young or sensitive readers.
Thalia and Percy's constant bickering can feel intense, though it's a great depiction of how power and ego can clash.

Conversation Starters

"If you had the choice to join the Hunters and live forever but never grow up or fall in love, would you take it?"
"Why do you think Zoe Nightshade was so bitter toward heroes at the start? Was she right to feel that way?"
"Percy has a 'fatal flaw' of being too loyal to his friends. How can being 'too loyal' actually be a bad thing?"
"What did you think about the way Bianca chose to leave Nico behind to join the Hunters? Was that fair to him?"

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