“A strange breeze rustled through the clearing, temporarily overpowering the stink of trash and murk. It brought the smell of berries and wildflowers and clean rainwater, things that might've once been in these woods. Suddenly I was nostalgic for something I'd never knew.”

American novelist and educator, Rick Riordan is best known for creating the Percy Jackson series, which blends mythology with contemporary coming-of-age stories. His work has introduced generations of readers to Greek, Roman, and Norse mythology through accessible, engaging narratives.