From trailers, it looks as if Sea of Monsters was going to be more faithful to the source material compared to Lightning Thief, but also heavy reliance on special effects. Sad to say that the first assumption was wrong and the second assumption was correct. The story had been dramatically changed and only broadly following the book. However, they have included some reference to the book as passing remarks or incorporated it in a different way. It originally seemed really great when they told the Great Prophecy (with a questionable adjustment) thinking that it was setting up the subplot that would run over the next three potential movies. Instead, it is a great disappointment when it is 'fulfilled' at the climax. The dramatic inclusion and departure of the climax will ruin it for fans of the book. Not only has the movie already lost the ingenuity of the clever prophecy fulfillment but if they ever decide to carry on, Kronos' rebirth will not have the same impact. As mentioned, special effects are everywhere and the problem is that the movie probably didn't have a big enough budget to make it look realistic. What we get feels dodgy and extremely fake and plastic looking. It's hard to take some of the characters seriously because you're not sure whether they are just horrible at acting or it's on purpose. A mediocre movie that's doesn't provide the enjoyment or excitement that it aims to.