#read riordan

I’ve loved Jason Grace since I was in elementary school. Even though my old elementary-middle school didn’t have TLO in the library (it being the only book of the 10 in the main series it lacked, sadly), it did have the TLO graphic novel adaptation, which cut some things out most likely but was a fun read because of all the pictures anyway.

But that is partially beside the point—by the time Jason’s character was killed off in the 2018 TOA book The Burning Maze, I was completely attached to his character. I got to know all of our favorites originally through the HoO series (before I read PJO) and I never quite have forgotten the feeling I felt the first time I read Chapter One of Blood of Olympus, in which Jason met a mania of his mother and we get more Jason backstory lore than the three previous books combined.

So I loved Jason’s character. I loved the Roman camp and I loved Jason for all of his self-sacrificing, loyal, childish ways, and I still do, so of course I wanted to go through this article for funsies and point out my favorite parts and points.

And with no further ado:

Introduction

This article is already off to a good start to me! Some things I noticed:

It tackles the “boring” accusations that people have been throwing around basically since the first HoO book came out in 2010 (about 15 years ago now).

“The friend you know will always be there for you, no matter what you’re going through.” 🥹🥹🥹 Jason really is that guy.

This just reminds me of how much I relate to Jason because I am that friend in the group chat.

IMPORTANT THING TO NOTICE: no mention of Jup*ter (🤮) here.

I like how they emphasize that we need to move forward and carry Jason’s story on. I’ve found (and participated in) a lot of ignoring Jason’s death in the fandom, which of course is perfectly normal and acceptable fan behavior, but I also do believe that his death plays a big role in not only the Trials of Apollo, but also Jason’s character arc. It gives us a look into his past and shows us how he was never really afforded a future. It reminds me a bit of the line in the new Percy book (which, admittedly, I have not read yet) that talks about the “debt [demigods] owe for existing.” How heartbreaking—but important for the narrative. We as readers must remember that the foundation of this world is not meant to be one that treats our characters well—that is why they must be heroes in the first place. They certainly didn’t choose to be.

I’ll admit that I was hoping for some elaboration on Jason’s backstory (pre-TLO) in this article, but it does only include things that occur in the books.

Jason the Giant Slayer

THANK YOU for acknowledging how wackadoodle Jason’s second-first quest was. Absolutely bonkers.

Do we need a tally of how many times Jason gets brainwashed into fighting his friends? 😭 It seems like we have a theme going here.

I love how they emphasize the title “Champion of Juno.” That’s a really important part of his character that I feel we overlook sometimes.

On a more serious note re: the previous point, I actually do think that this represents Jason’s lack of autonomy in his own life. He’s never been able to choose something for himself—he was given to Juno as a sacrifice at age 3; was sent to Lupa; somewhere down the line ended up at Camp Jupiter, where he earned 12 stripes by age 15. (PLEASE remember that Jason is younger than Percy, guys. PLEASE.) Then, Jason’s memories are wiped, his new friends get fake ones of him where they remember him as a completely different person (a more “fun,” version, notably, which might be one of the starting places of the “boring” accusations). Jason still has no autonomy, and honestly, that’s by design—his father never wanted him to have any, and neither did any other god or goddess. Jason is a victim of the narrative, forced to serve people and positions and put his true self aside—resulting in him “not having a personality.”

I’ll move on so to not clog too much.

I love the acknowledgement of Jason having Absolutely No Idea what is happening throughout TLO. Bro is completely lost.

YES!!! Jason is BRAVE.

That last line is so disturbing. 😭😭 Funny, but disturbing.

Grace vs. Jackson

I like how they emphasize how in the times that they do willingly fight over things in the series, it’s not super serious. They’re not battling it out to solve a serious moral difference or anything: they’re just two teenage boys. 🤣

Ping pong… I wonder if that’s a theme throughout the books. 😂

NO. FREAKING. WAY.

Read Riordan says that Jason would have won the eidolon fight????

Big win for Jason stans this month y’all.

Honestly, I don’t care much about the eidolon fight, but this decisive standpoint is insane. Glad it’s finally cleared up. 🤣

Uh oh, the horses are fighting. 🤣 We just gotta get Arion on in this now.

Heroes of Olympus, Assemble!

YES! Jason is all about demonstrating how he veers off the path of a traditional/model Roman soldier in these books—that’s the point! He never fit the mold in the first place, we’re just told he did!

Nico <33

“Jason led with his heart, not his blade.”

Had to make that one all fancy so y’all would see it.

Compassion, understanding, and self-sacrifice: the core tenets of Jason Grace.