NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Disney Publishing Worldwide (DPW) announced today a 3.5 million first printing of The Mark of Athena, the third book in the New York Times #1 best-selling Heroes of Olympus series by Rick Riordan. The Mark of Athena 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 2, 2012. More than thirty-three 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.
Told from the perspectives of four different demigods, including Annabeth from Percy Jackson & the Olympians, The Mark of Athena unites the Greek and Roman main characters from The Lost Hero and The Son of Neptune. In a fantastical ship called the Argo II, seven demigods journey by air across the United States and by sea to Rome on their quest to defeat the earth mother, Gaea. Meanwhile, war is breaking out between the Roman and Greek demigods they left behind, and only Annabeth, the daughter of Athena, holds the key to restoring peace.
“The Greek and Roman demigods are at odds, and danger is brewing in The Mark of Athena,” said Suzanne Murphy, vice president and publisher, Disney Publishing Worldwide. “This fall, Rick Riordan’s millions of fans will be asked ‘Whose camp are you in?’ and can profess their loyalty by joining the Greek camp (Camp Half-Blood) or the Roman camp (Camp Jupiter) at GreeksvsRomans.com.”
In support of the release of The Mark of Athena, Riordan will embark on a multicity U.S. and Canada tour beginning on the national laydown date, October 2. Exclusive “Camp Half-Blood” and “Camp Jupiter” T-shirts will be given out at each tour event.
The Mark of Athena Tour:
- Barnes & Noble (Paramus, NJ)
- Cineplex Odeon Varsity Theatre, presented by Indigo (Toronto, Ontario)
- Books A Million (Concord, NC)
- Wake Forest University, presented by BookMARKS (Winston-Salem, NC)
- Page & Palette (Fairhope, AL)
- Temple Judea, presented by Books & Books (Coral Gables, FL)
- BookPeople (Austin, TX)
- San Antonio Museum of Art (San Antonio, TX)
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, the first book in that series, was developed into a feature film. 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 San Antonio, Texas, with his wife and two sons. For additional information about Rick, visit 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. Disney Publishing Worldwide consists of an extensive worldwide licensing structure as well as vertically integrated publishing imprints, including Disney Book Group in the U.S., Disney Libri in Italy, and Disney Libros in Spain. DPW publishes a range of children’s magazines globally, including Topolino, Le Journal de Mickey, and Donald Duck, as well as Disney kids magazines in the U.S., which include Disney Princess and Phineas and Ferb. 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, Disney Publishing Worldwide publishes books, magazines, and digital products in 85 countries in 75 languages. For more information visit www.disneypublishing.com.
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The Heroes of Olympus, Book Three: The Mark of Athena
By Rick Riordan
Laydown Date: October 2, 2012
ISBN: 1423140605 • Price: $19.99 • Ages 10 and up