Frank Zhang

Lore & Background

At Camp Jupiter, Frank initially struggled with feelings of inadequacy compared to other demigods like Hazel Levesque or Reyna Avila Ramírez-Arellano. However, his leadership qualities shone during the quest to save New Rome from Alcyoneus and later in the Second Giant War. His ability to shift forms made him a versatile scout and warrior, capable of turning into a bear for combat or a bird for reconnaissance. He is also an expert archer who uses standard arrows; however, his life force is bound to a wooden stick given by his grandmother, meaning if that specific piece of wood burns, he dies.

In Their Own Story

The wind howled across the Tiber River as Frank crouched in the shadows of the ruins, his eyes scanning the treeline. He didn't need to shout a command; he simply focused on the feeling of fur against his skin and the low growl rising in his throat. In an instant, he was no longer a boy in a red tunic but a massive grizzly bear, his paws silent on the grass. Beside him, Hazel whispered a warning about the approaching giants. Frank nodded, his bear-eyes narrowing. He could feel the arrow burning in his pocket, a reminder of his fragility, yet as he charged forward to meet the enemy, he felt only the steady rhythm of Mars's blood in his veins.

Reader's Guide

Frank Zhang serves as the Roman counterpart to Percy Jackson within the Seven, representing the disciplined, strategic side of war while grappling with deep-seated insecurities. His character arc is a profound journey from a boy who believes he must die for others to a leader who understands that survival and living well are equally heroic acts. He begins as an anxious young man afraid of his own potential but matures into the Praetor of Rome, earning the respect of his peers through unwavering loyalty and tactical brilliance.

His primary power is shape-shifting, derived from his ancestor Periclymenus, allowing him to transform into any animal he can imagine. This ability makes him an unparalleled scout and a formidable combatant who can adapt to any battlefield situation instantly. Additionally, as a son of Mars, he possesses enhanced strength and a natural affinity for weapons and military strategy. He also demonstrates the rare ability to control fire, often using it in conjunction with his transformations.

Defining moments include his quest to retrieve the Golden Fleece alongside Leo Valdez and Hazel Levesque, where he saves New Rome from destruction. His most pivotal moment occurs during the Battle of Manhattan, where he chooses to live rather than fulfill a prophecy of self-sacrifice, redefining what it means to be a hero in the modern world.

Did You Know?

• Frank is one of the few demigods capable of shape-shifting into any animal, a power inherited from his ancestor Periclymenus.
• He was raised primarily by his grandmother in Canada after his mother died young before being sent to Camp Jupiter in San Francisco.
• Frank's life force is bound to a wooden stick given to him by his grandmother; if the wood burns, he dies. He does not create arrows from his own body mass.
• Frank eventually marries Hazel Levesque and becomes a central figure in the Roman camp's leadership.