Claudia is excited to be at Camp Jupiter after learning only 2 months before that she is a descendant of a Roman 
God. This god was Mercury – messenger to the gods and also the god of merchants, shopkeepers, thieves and tricksters.
She’s decided to record her time at Camp Jupiter in a diary. She shares her days of training, and chores – both hard work and often gross as she learns how to clean up after the eagles, elephant and other camp animals. After admitting she’s a little lonely despite being surrounded by other demi-gods, she finds a friend in Janice which makes camp life a little easier.
Strange things begin happening around camp. First Claudia finds a message she believes is from Mercury himself. Then somebody is messing with her stuff in her room, and the camp baths are found full of dead rats. What is going on? When gladiator’s lives are put at risk in an arena event, then the camp’s crossbows fire upon their own residents, the Praetors (Camp Leaders) are worried. Claudia has been researching the message she found, and has discovered an ancient legend involving the safety of Rome – and ultimately Camp Jupiter itself.
There is soon a bigger problem. While sneaking around as she searches for clues, Claudia learns the Praetors have strong suspicions about her. No way! She quickly decides the only way to prove her innocence is to find the culprit herself. She digs even deeper. Stealth and booby traps are her specialty and with some help are part of Claudia’s plan to exonerate herself. She wants to stay at Camp Jupiter, but has to save it first!
Fans of Rick Riordan’s novels will get the most out of this illustrated journal, but the glossary in the back of the book was interesting in itself. In fact, reading the glossary first will probably add more to the reading experience of this book if you haven’t read Riordan before. The diary format is fun and an easy read, and for those after a quick read or if reluctant to read, this would be perfect.
There is also a map of Camp Jupiter at the rear of the book which helps in reader navigation, and if a fan of Rick Riordan, the first chapter of Book 4 in the Trials of Apollo series – The Tyrant’s Tomb, is here for you too!
Author – Rick Riordan
Illustrator – Stefanie Masciandaro
Age – 7+
(2020, Penguin Random House UK, Series, Gods, Romans, Camp, Suspicion, Nightmare, Secret, Super powers, Ancient legend, Teamwork, Mythical creatures, Faun, Fantasy, Funny, Humour, 1st Person, First person, Diary, Mystery)