Strength and Skill Quotes in The Lost Hero

How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)

Quote #7

Coming this far had been a team effort, but when it came to a life-and-death decision, Leo knew Jason was the one to ask. Even if he had no memory, Jason had a kind of balance to him. You could just tell he'd been in battles before, and he knew how to keep his cool. Leo wasn't exactly the trusting type, but he trusted Jason with his life. (41.58)

Jason's skills here are part of a past he doesn't remember, but Leo trusts him because he can tell that Jason has been in battles before, even if Jason doesn't remember them. Jason's battle skills are just something we're told, part of his past that nobody knows much about but that creeps into the present anyway.

Quote #8

The battle had started well enough. Jason's instincts kicked in, and his gut told him he'd dueled opponents almost this big before. Size and strength equaled slowness, so Jason just had to be quicker—pace himself, wear out his opponent, and avoid getting smashed or flame-broiled. (43.2)

Again, Jason magically has skills he didn't know he possessed. It makes us think we might wake up one day and be able to fight giants. (No? Maybe a small giant?)

Quote #9

"Go to sleep, cage," Piper said. "Nice, sleepy cage. Yes, I'm talking to a bunch of earthen tendrils. This isn't weird at all." (50.65)

This use of charmspeak is pleasantly goofy, though also somewhat forced. The book is maybe stretching a bit to give Piper something to do with her skills. Shmoop thinks Aphrodite should have given her a ray gun to go with the charmspeak.