How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
"So we call the gods by their Greek names because that's their original form. But saying their Roman aspects are exactly the same—that's not true. In Rome, they became more warlike. They didn't mingle with mortals as much. They were harsher, more powerful — the gods of an empire."
"Like the dark side of the gods?" Annabeth asked.
"Not exactly," Clovis said. "They stood for discipline, honor, strength—" (8.119-121)
The Greek/Roman split is very important for the sequels to The Lost Hero, but this split isn't about good versus evil. Greeks aren't good and Romans aren't bad—they're just different… like apples and oranges, or cats and dogs, or Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck, if Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck had superpowers and divine parents.
Quote #2
Piper turned and her heart sank. Jane was marching towards them in her business suit, wobbling over the sand in her high heels, her PDA in hand. The look on her face was partly annoyed, partly triumphant, and Piper knew she'd been in touch with the police. (9.33)
Jane, Piper's dad's secretary, is really annoying and Piper hates her. Later on, when we find out that Jane is actually evil, Piper is quite satisfied (okay, we are too… how about you?).
Quote #3
"Be careful, pretty girl," Zethes said. "The winds between here and Chicago are bad-tempered. Many other evil things are stirring. I am sorry you will not be staying. You would make a lovely ice statue, in which I could check my reflection." (20.129)
Though there are some evil-evil monsters and villains, there are also dangerous, semi-evil folks like Zethes. He's pretty evil—he wants to kill people all the time—but on the other hand, he seems to have some sympathy for the heroes. Freezing them into ice statues sounds almost like an affectionate gesture. He's not bad, just a little confused… and somewhat bad, too.