Reviews

Amazing! Of all the characters in the Percy Jackson Universe I have encountered so far, Apollo (or more accurately, Lester-Apollo), has risen to the second on my list! The first place is forever reserved for my dear Nico di Angelo. Granted the Dark Prophecy is not as exciting as the Trials of Apollo, it is still a fun read! What I love about this book:

1) Character development: Apollo has grown significantly since his first appearance as Lester in a garbage bin. From an arrogant, egocentric, spoiled God to a more understanding, caring, but still arrogant and egocentric teen. The way he cared for his friends would be unthinkable a book ago.

2) Second chances: No spoilers but I think the whole Trials of Apollo series is about facing your past, learning from your mistakes and making the best use of the second chances you have been given. Unlike Percy, Leo, Jason, Frank, Hazel, and Magnus, Apollo is not about becoming a greater person (after all he is a Greek God in Greek mythology). It's about learning how to get up from where you have fallen and face the future. Afterall, praises are not for those who sail with the wind, but those who sail through a storm.

3) New characters: Though the focus is still on Apollo and Meg, I like the new cast of characters at the Way Station, especially Lit. I know Jamie is sexy and all but I think Lit will be a more interesting character. I just hope he will reappear a little later in the story.

What I think could be improved:

1) Pacing: While the story is still fast-paced, compared Uncle Rick's other books, I feel this one is a bit boring, especially in the beginning. It gets much better in the latter half of the book but it still can't get my blood pumping as in previous books (especially the later Percy Jackson books and of course the Heroes of Olympus books).

2) Leo & Calypso: I hate abbreviating her name to Cal (sorry, it keeps reminding me of UC Berkeley). Calypso is SUCH a beautiful name no abbreviation should be necessary. Then, as many readers have already pointed out, the chemistry between Leo & Calypso is catastrophic to say the least but it's not necessary a bad thing. Unlike Will & Nico, both Leo & Calypso would not have attracted each other in normal circumstances, it's the isolated experience on an island that has drawn them together, to both disliking. Now that they are in the normal world, it's likely they may have second thoughts about the relationship. Nonetheless, I think once they mature and given more time, they may develop a strong relationship and learn to appreciate the existence of each other.

Overall, this is still a strong entry in Uncle Rick's PJ universe and I am looking forward to the next book with Grover (yeah) and HOPEFULLY Will & Nico. Please, Uncle Rick, answer my prayers and let me see more of Will & Nico!!!!!

libraryloading_'s review against another edition

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5.0

Always a joy to read Rick Riordan! I like how Apollo is taking forever to change his ways because after eons of one way of thinking I'd be very surprised if he all of a sudden started caring for everything. The twists and turns are always a joy especially when Apollo himself is tiring of the evasive prophecies. Meg's struggle is hard to read but I believe necessary; it's hard to write of these things in children's books but Riordan tackles it wonderfully. Can't wait to finish the third soon!

archdukeanna's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

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