Percy Jackson Book Club discussion

I think that May Castellan has suffered the worst fate in the Riordanverse.
She is a mortal who could see through the mist and had the gift of the Prophecy.
She caught Hermes' eye and began having an affair that resulted in the existence of Luke Castellan.
She tried to become the Oracle when Luke was just a baby, although Hermes disapproved because of Hades' curse. She failed and instead saw glimpses of her son's future that caused her to go insane.
Because of her maniacal episodes, Luke ran away. Ever since her son left, May has assumed every boy who showed up on her doorstep was Luke and took care of him with motherly love. She would make pb&j sandwiches, burnt cookies and Kool-Aid every day for him, hoping he'd return.
After he ran away, Luke has only visited her twice - once when he was still on the run with Thalia and Annabeth and he'd gotten in a fight with Hermes, and the other one when he had to get his mother's blessing to gain the curse of Achilles.
We are introduced to May Castellan in the Last Olympian when Nico and Percy question her about Luke.
We aren't aware if she knows that her son had died or not, but honestly - I don't think she'd be able to comprehend it. I think that she would still make him pb&j sandwiches, Kool-Aid and cookies - waiting for him until she will have taken her last breath.
She was the first person to know what her son's fate will be, what he will do and was unable to protect him from it. She loves her son no matter what he will become and I think that she was trying to shower him in this love to somehow prevent this from happening, but her maniacal fits made him leave.
Knowing that Hermes visits her, unable to help her, even though is a god must be painful for him.
She is a character that remind me a lot of Narcissa Malfoy from Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows because of her motherly love and being able to see past the horrible actions of her son.
She was truly kind and, had she not gone mad, a good mum. I'm really sad for her:(
All in all, I believe May Castellan is another one of Rick Riordan's deep cuts.

This really brings up the question of what would have happened if she had never gone insane maybe to the extent of not having any prophetic powers or seeing through the mist. So much could have changed had this not happened. It’s a truly tragic tale with an important part in shaping the story of PJO.

Also this might be too similar so you can say no but can you do a deep dive on what would have happened if Luke’s mom was a completely normal mortal.

i can do that, i’ll do it later today<3

I think since Rachel became the Oracle, May wouldn't have the spirit driving her insane, so she's waiting for a son that hates her and is already dead

it is so tragic and sad and she reminds me of tom riddle's mom from Harry Potter

But better, because Luke was born out of consent