Mark of Athena is the third book in Rick Riordan's Heroes of Olympus series. The books have kept their smart pace and interesting characters throughout and this book was no exception. While the book took turns showing us what was going on with several of the other leading characters, this book was undeniably about Annabeth. Her struggle both physical and mental with Arachne and herself was very well crafted. Riordan's constant references to modern icons and American monuments, such as Audrey Hepburn and the old South, in relation to Greek and Roman history is as always delightful. 
 Having been to Rome myself, I found the imagination he used in bringing that city into this active world of a war between old Gods to be fantastic. While the descriptions left so much out (this being a kid's book after all) they dropped enough hints that I recognized what he was talking about and where. 
 Riordan used Percy and Jason's powers in what I imagine would be spectacular Hollywood SFX scenes, but he didn't let that be what drove the story. It fact it was their restrained use of such powers that added something to the characters themselves. 
 Great character development all around and easy quick read.