Disney Releasing The Mark of Athena

Disney Publishing Worldwide (DPW) announced Thursday a 3.5 million first printing of The Mark of Athena, the third book in the 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.

Disney Publishing Worldwide (DPW) is the world’s leading publisher of children’s books and magazines with over 700 million products sold each year.