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3.98 AVERAGE
3.98 AVERAGE
“It was the Middle Ages. We were crazy back then”
This is another fine Rick Riordan-book. At times it definitely feels more like a filler-book; a stepping stone for the actual next adventure. And I sorely wish we could have gotten a deviation from the Camp Halfblood-formula. But it's still an entertaining read.
The Trials of Apollo has so far, in my mind, failed to bring anything new to this world.
In Percy Jackson we got an introduction to a world filled with fun and thrilling adventures. And while Heroes of Olympus came with its’ fair share of problems, it brought a new tone to the world. Picking up the slightly darker, closer to young-adult, mantel left by The Last Olympian.
This series, however, reverts back to its’ middle-grade roots. Though there is the occasional sprinkle of darker themes and scenes. And I can’t say it feels new.
I guess Apollo himself is supposed to be a fresh addition to the world, him being a former god, but he is continuously outshone by reappearing, older characters.
This series consistently brings back or mentions older characters. And I love whenever they show up! But they leave voids behind, which Apollo, and in extension Meg, are simply not able to fill. As main characters, Apollo and Meg can't carry the series. And that’s a shame since its’ their adventures I should want to read about.
But damn is it enjoyable when there is segments with a bigger cast. The dialogues are my favourite parts of this book.
Because the cast was constant, they were able to develop and have changing chemistry and dynamics throughout the story. And with more personalities that could bounce off each other, it felt a lot more balanced than the previous book. There was just a really nice atmosphere to certain parts. The atmosphere of a big, messy family. And I really, really liked that. I would gladly take big-cast dialogues, over repetitive side quests any day.
“It's not how long you live that matters. It's what you live for.”
Too bad the next one seems to continue the formula of travelling towards one destination per book. Is it too much to ask to stay put for just a little while?
