Chapter 17
Where are Percy, Annabeth, and Grover trying to go in this chapter?
They’re trying to get to the entrance of the Underworld in Los Angeles.
How do Percy and his friends sneak into the Underworld?
They bribe Charon with drachmas and promises to get on the ferry.
Who do Percy and his friends meet in the Underworld, and what does he accuse Percy of?
They meet Hades, who accuses Percy of stealing both the master bolt and the helm of darkness.
Who is waiting for Percy when they return from the Underworld?
Ares, the god of war.
Who is Percy Jackson’s father?
Poseidon, the god of the sea.
What kind of store do they enter, and what makes it suspicious?
A waterbed store—it’s empty, creepy, and the owner acts strange.
Who is Charon, and how does Percy convince him to take them across?
Charon is the boatman of the dead. Percy flatters him and offers better pay and working conditions.
What surprising discovery do they make about the Master Bolt?
It’s magically in Percy’s backpack—planted there without his knowledge.
Why does Ares want to fight Percy?
He’s angry Percy interfered with his plan to cause a war among the gods.
What type of creature is Grover?
A satyr (half-human, half-goat)
Who is Crusty (Procrustes), and what does he try to do to the trio?
Crusty is a monster who traps and stretches people to fit his beds.
What does the description of the Underworld suggest about the author’s view of death?
It’s gloomy and full of regret, showing a sad view of unfulfilled lives.
Why can’t Percy save his mother right away?
He only has three pearls, so he chooses to save his friends instead.
What does Ares reveal about the theft of the bolt and the helm?
He was manipulated by someone more powerful—hinting at a bigger threat.
What is the name of the camp where Percy trains?
Camp Half-Blood.
How does Percy defeat Crusty?
He tricks Crusty into trying the bed himself, then traps and defeats him.
What are the Fields of Asphodel, and who ends up there?
A place for people who didn’t do anything great or terrible—most souls go there.
How do they escape the Underworld?
They use the pearls from Nereid, which magically transport them to the surface.
Describe how Percy wins the battle against Ares.
He uses water powers and clever thinking to injure Ares, forcing him to retreat.
What object is Percy sent to retrieve on his quest?
Zeus’s master lightning bolt.
What does the trio learn about the entrance to the Underworld?
It’s inside DOA Recording Studios in Los Angeles.
Why is Annabeth nervous about Cerberus, and how does she handle him?
She’s scared of the giant three-headed dog but calms him with kindness and a red rubber ball.
What decision does Percy make that shows his growth as a hero?
He chooses to sacrifice seeing his mother to protect his friends and stop the war.
What does the ending of the chapter suggest about a larger threat beyond Ares?
That a darker force—likely Kronos—is behind everything and planning something bigger.
Who is Annabeth’s Olympian parent?
Athena, the goddess of wisdom and war.