Disney Publishing Worldwide Announces 3 Million-Copy First Printing of Rick Riordan's THE BLOOD OF OLYMPUS

Disney Publishing Worldwide (DPW) announced today a 3 million copy first printing of The Blood of Olympus, the fifth and final book in the New York Times #1 best-selling Heroes of Olympus series by Rick Riordan. The Blood of Olympus simultaneously releases in hardcover and as an eBook from Disney Publishing's Disney-Hyperion imprint, and as an audio version through Listening Library on October 7, 2014. More than forty million books are currently in print in the U.S. across Riordan's three series from Disney-Hyperion: Percy Jackson & the Olympians, The Kane Chronicles, and The Heroes of Olympus. The books have been translated into 37 languages in 36 countries.

As The Blood of Olympus opens, the Greek and Roman crewmembers of the Argo II have made progress in their many quests, but they still seem no closer to defeating the earth mother, Gaea. Her giants have risen-all of them, and they're stronger than ever. They must be stopped before the Feast of Spes, when Gaea plans to have two demigods sacrificed in Athens. She needs their blood-the blood of Olympus-in order to wake. The demigods are having more frequent visions of a terrible battle at Camp Half-Blood. The Roman legion from Camp Jupiter, led by Octavian, is almost within striking distance

Though it is tempting to take the Athena Parthenos to Athens to use as a secret weapon, the friends know that the huge statue belongs back on Long Island, where it might be able to stop a war between the two camps. The Athena Parthenos will go west; the Argo II will go east. The gods, still suffering from multiple personality disorder, are useless. How can a handful of young demigods hope to persevere against Gaea's army of powerful giants? As dangerous as it is to head to Athens, they have no other option. They have sacrificed too much already. And if Gaea wakes, it is game over.

"The battle intensifies between Camp Half-Blood and Camp Jupiter, and Gaea's thirsty for blood," said Suzanne Murphy, vice president and publisher, Disney Publishing Worldwide. "Filled with his usual edge-of-your seat excitement, Rick brings the action-packed Heroes of Olympus to an electrifying finale. It's undoubtedly the best of his best."

In support of the release of The Blood of Olympus, Riordan will embark on a multicity tour across the U.S. beginning on the national laydown date, October 7. Exclusive "Camp Half-Blood" and "Camp Jupiter" T-shirts, tattoos, hats and wristbands will be given out at each stop.

The Blood of Olympus Tour*:

• Porter Square Books (Cambridge, MA) - October 7
• Indigo (Toronto, CAN) - October 8
• Little Shop of Stories (Decatur, GA) - October 9
• Books of Wonder and the New York Public Library (New York, NY) - October 10
• Anderson's Bookshop (Downer's Grove, IL) - October 11
• Boulder Book Store (Boulder, CO) - October 12
• BookPeople (Austin, TX) - October 13
• Barnes & Noble Ventura #2054 (Ventura, CA) - October 14
• Kepler's (Menlo Park, CA) - October 15
• Apple Soho (New York, NY) - October 18
• Boston Book Festival, Children's Keynote (Boston, MA) - October 25

*NOTE: All stops on the tour are sold out, and tickets for the Barnes & Noble Ventura show on October 14th will be given out on a "first come, first served basis" the morning of the event.

Rick Riordan, Children's Choice Book Award Author of the Year in 2011, is the author of the award-winning New York Times #1 best-selling Percy Jackson & the Olympians series. The Lightning Thief and The Sea of Monsters, the first two books in that series, were developed into feature films. In 2010 he launched two all-new series that both debuted at #1 on multiple best-seller lists: The Kane Chronicles and The Heroes of Olympus. His previous novels for adults include the hugely popular Tres Navarre series, winner of the top three awards in the mystery genre. He lives in Boston, Massachusetts, with his wife and two sons. For additional information about Rick, visit www.RickRiordan.com.

About Disney Publishing Worldwide

Disney Publishing Worldwide (DPW) is the world's largest publisher of children's books and magazines with over 700 million products sold each year. DPW consists of an extensive worldwide licensing structure as well as vertically integrated publishing imprints, including Disney Book Group in the U.S. and Disney Libri in Italy. DPW publishes a range of children's magazines globally, as well as Disney kids magazines in the U.S. Disney English is DPW's English language learning business, which includes Disney English learning centers in China and a worldwide retail-licensing program. DPW's digital products include bestselling eBook titles as well as original apps. Headquartered in Glendale, California, DPW publishes books, magazines, and digital products in 85 countries in 75 languages. For more information visit www.disneypublishing.com.

The Heroes of Olympus, Book Five: The Blood of Olympus
By Rick Riordan
Laydown Date: October 7, 2014
ISBN: 978-1-4231-4673-5 • Price: $19.99 • Ages 10 and up

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