I wish I'd picked these books up when they came out! I think the story's so good I'm sure I would have liked them when they came out. Yes it was a bit predictable but I'm well above the age demographic now(when they came out I was above the age demographic) so I don't feel like I can honestly judge that factor. As for the story I enjoyed the characters and the pacing. I listened to this as an audiobook and Jesse Bernstein does an excellent job, and have totally already started Sea of Monsters.