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scrubsandbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
My personal feelings about this book: I was confused at first. I read the audiobook so maybe the narration was hard to decipher between characters but the POVs flip flop between both characters within chapters and I don't think that's really helpful. Maybe it would have been easier to read the hardcopy. The flashbacks and flashforwards were also hard to keep track of initially too.
But, I rounded up half a star from 3.5 to 4 because this book is so important in the general sense. A middle grade book written by a beloved middle grade mythology writer featuring queer teens. Not only do those teens navigate rough patches in their relationship during this harrowing journey into Tartarus (which is NOT easy to do when one of you is the son of Apollo) but they openly feel their feelings. There is no hesitation when it comes to conveying their emotions which might be one of the more healthier depictions of mlm queer teen romance I have ever read in a book.
I know a lot of reviews here say this reads like fanfiction and maybe it does somewhat, but so what?? It doesn't take away from the importance of Nico's journey with his own demons and his relationships with the people around him who he has both loved and lost or love but are still there. There's also a calico cat that can turn into a sabre-toothed tiger, and that itself deserves a few stars.
But, I rounded up half a star from 3.5 to 4 because this book is so important in the general sense. A middle grade book written by a beloved middle grade mythology writer featuring queer teens. Not only do those teens navigate rough patches in their relationship during this harrowing journey into Tartarus (which is NOT easy to do when one of you is the son of Apollo) but they openly feel their feelings. There is no hesitation when it comes to conveying their emotions which might be one of the more healthier depictions of mlm queer teen romance I have ever read in a book.
I know a lot of reviews here say this reads like fanfiction and maybe it does somewhat, but so what?? It doesn't take away from the importance of Nico's journey with his own demons and his relationships with the people around him who he has both loved and lost or love but are still there. There's also a calico cat that can turn into a sabre-toothed tiger, and that itself deserves a few stars.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, Violence, Grief, and Mental illness
Moderate: Blood and Outing
robertjspradlin's review
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Blood, Death, Death of parent, Mental illness, Injury/Injury detail, Confinement, and Violence
Moderate: Outing and Abandonment
Minor: War and Eating disorder
lumari3's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness and Grief
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Eating disorder and Death of parent
annahamburger's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Grief, Mental illness, Abandonment, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Bullying, Confinement, Death, Gaslighting, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Self harm, Child abuse, Eating disorder, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, and Body horror
Minor: Homophobia, Stalking, Kidnapping, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Confinement, and Panic attacks/disorders
_tabby_'s review
adventurous
emotional
funny
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Okay so I LOVED this book and I was so excited for the release. A book that focused on Nico as an individual (rather than having his own side quest and doing stuff behind the scenes within the main plotline) was an addition the pjo series needed. I'm so happy uncle Rick is giving his most interesting side characters their own development and own series that focus on them as the main character rather than an accessory.
Nico was an obvious (yet very welcome) choice for this development in the pjo universe.
Nico and Will have been beloved characters for a good while within the series and I love how this book draws attention to both the harmonies and hardships of their relationship. It isn't afraid to show how they sometimes clash as individuals but both have an understanding that it doesn't make or break their relationship. If anything: their differences complete one another.
However
It took me a while to get through simply because it was co-written. And while that wasn't a bad thing nor is it a deal breaker: I'm so used to and fond of Rick's writing style that it was sometimes jarring when Mark Oshiro was writing instead. I know, from friends that have read this book, that it isn't an issue for most people. But to me I found the two authors have different writing styles (especially when it comes to describing settings or emotions) so I sometimes found it hard to get into long reading sessions of this book as the difference broke up the chapters quite a lot to me.
Mark Oshiro was nevertheless an incredible choice of co-author for Rick to make as I did enjoy his individual writing style but I think (since I'm very comfortable with Ricks writing style and I find it easy to read) it simply took longer to read/ follow than a normal Rick Riordan book for this reason
Nico was an obvious (yet very welcome) choice for this development in the pjo universe.
Nico and Will have been beloved characters for a good while within the series and I love how this book draws attention to both the harmonies and hardships of their relationship. It isn't afraid to show how they sometimes clash as individuals but both have an understanding that it doesn't make or break their relationship. If anything: their differences complete one another.
However
It took me a while to get through simply because it was co-written. And while that wasn't a bad thing nor is it a deal breaker: I'm so used to and fond of Rick's writing style that it was sometimes jarring when Mark Oshiro was writing instead. I know, from friends that have read this book, that it isn't an issue for most people. But to me I found the two authors have different writing styles (especially when it comes to describing settings or emotions) so I sometimes found it hard to get into long reading sessions of this book as the difference broke up the chapters quite a lot to me.
Mark Oshiro was nevertheless an incredible choice of co-author for Rick to make as I did enjoy his individual writing style but I think (since I'm very comfortable with Ricks writing style and I find it easy to read) it simply took longer to read/ follow than a normal Rick Riordan book for this reason
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body horror, Death, Child death, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, and Violence
zoepagereader's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I read Anger is a Gift by Mark Oshiro a few years ago. While that book was amazing, it was also extraordinarily dark. So naturally I was terrified for this book. But I felt that both Riordan’s and Oshiro’s writing came through in the perfect mesh. It was definitely the darkest Percy Jackson book I’ve read and dealt with heavier themes, but I still loved it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief and Mental illness
nevermoregothic's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness
Moderate: Violence, Death, and Eating disorder
Minor: Death of parent
betweentheshelves's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Was this the best written book I've ever read? Not necessarily, no. But I couldn't put it down for the last half of the book. I loved how Nico and Will were able to work and grow throughout their journey, especially with Nico's past trauma and subsequent PTSD. Part of the core of the story is them learning how to open up to each other, how to work with both of their pasts and move forward as a couple.
The care taken with the mental health rep overall in this book is wonderful. Will is learning that Nico doesn't need to be fixed, and Nico is trying to learn how to move forward with his darkness. They are so wonderful together. I am so happy they got their own book, and that Nico finally got his time to shine. I would definitely read another book with them at the center!
The care taken with the mental health rep overall in this book is wonderful. Will is learning that Nico doesn't need to be fixed, and Nico is trying to learn how to move forward with his darkness. They are so wonderful together. I am so happy they got their own book, and that Nico finally got his time to shine. I would definitely read another book with them at the center!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Grief, and Death
Moderate: Death of parent, Blood, and Violence
Minor: Homophobia, Outing, and Eating disorder
savanah's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Homophobia and Mental illness
kal517's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Mental illness, and Death
Moderate: Blood and Violence
Minor: Death of parent and Homophobia