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court_knee's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
reflective
tense
fast-paced
5.0
janeleng's review against another edition
5.0
When I began this series, I didn't think I would finish it. A completionist at heart, I started this Percy Jackson spin-off series because I had just reread the original series as well as the Heroes of Olympus series and figured I might as well round it out by giving the Apollo books a try. But I didn't have high hopes for it since Apollo's character annoyed me in the original series and, to be frank, the premise seemed hokey to me. In no way did I expect that this series would become my favorite entry into the Riordan universe.
Apollo is hitting one of my all time favorite character archetypes here: the golden boy who is deeply humbled and now must reckon with his privilege, who struggles with the mundane tasks he's never had to do, but grows thanks to the love, commitment, and patience of his friends. His humor in this series also worked for me in a way that it hasn't in any other Riordan book, perhaps because his voice feels like a conduit for Riordan's own. The witty, but dorky one liners make more sense from an out of touch god instead of Riordan's usual main characters that are cynical and traumatized teens. Lastly, I loved his relationship with Meg. It took me until the second book to get a grasp on how I was supposed to be reading her, but once I finally did--as a young girl struggling to break free of an abusive home environment--this series really sang for me. Apollo's blunt analysis of the cycle of abusive feels like it could really make an impact on young readers who are caught in these cycles themselves. Even if they can't quickly break free like Meg, it feels like a life line to them that lets them know that abuse isn't their fault and another way of life is possible.
But the heart of this series is Riordan's own authorial voice shining through--an older, knowingly out-of-touch one that nevertheless is genuinely concerned about the well being of the next generation. Riordan's portrayal of diversity has always felt clumsy to me, but here I found it endearing. It reads like the best adult cheerleader in your life, ie "whoever you are and wherever you come from, I care about you and believe in your survival and long-term happiness." Perhaps this isn't making leaps and bounds when it comes to representation, but its heartwarming to see an older adult man with so much enthusiasm and commitment to the wellbeing of the youths growing up with his books.
Apollo is hitting one of my all time favorite character archetypes here: the golden boy who is deeply humbled and now must reckon with his privilege, who struggles with the mundane tasks he's never had to do, but grows thanks to the love, commitment, and patience of his friends. His humor in this series also worked for me in a way that it hasn't in any other Riordan book, perhaps because his voice feels like a conduit for Riordan's own. The witty, but dorky one liners make more sense from an out of touch god instead of Riordan's usual main characters that are cynical and traumatized teens. Lastly, I loved his relationship with Meg. It took me until the second book to get a grasp on how I was supposed to be reading her, but once I finally did--as a young girl struggling to break free of an abusive home environment--this series really sang for me. Apollo's blunt analysis of the cycle of abusive feels like it could really make an impact on young readers who are caught in these cycles themselves. Even if they can't quickly break free like Meg, it feels like a life line to them that lets them know that abuse isn't their fault and another way of life is possible.
But the heart of this series is Riordan's own authorial voice shining through--an older, knowingly out-of-touch one that nevertheless is genuinely concerned about the well being of the next generation. Riordan's portrayal of diversity has always felt clumsy to me, but here I found it endearing. It reads like the best adult cheerleader in your life, ie "whoever you are and wherever you come from, I care about you and believe in your survival and long-term happiness." Perhaps this isn't making leaps and bounds when it comes to representation, but its heartwarming to see an older adult man with so much enthusiasm and commitment to the wellbeing of the youths growing up with his books.
acosta109's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
vitalioreads's review against another edition
4.0
my rating: 76/100
mann this took me so long to finish like dfghj I started this on october and I kinda got bored but it as good tho idk how to explain rgyty
mann this took me so long to finish like dfghj I started this on october and I kinda got bored but it as good tho idk how to explain rgyty
moose_goose's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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
5.0
camaramma's review against another edition
adventurous
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
3.0
I listened to the audiobook for this and let me just say robbie daymond slays so hard esp as apollo. It makes me wish i listened to the whole series tbh.
The best part of the book is obvi “I missed.” literally got me so good. I really liked apollos character development and also megs as well. I feel as though they both deserve the happiness theyve achieved and it was cute watching their journey. It was an interestin take to see apollos new opinions on god hood in the scene when hes at olympus with the other 11. I loved that he didn't immediately destroy his character development!! I liked him as a narrator and i did enjoy the haikus every chapter lol.
Jasons death is still really upsetting me but im also happy with how much they talked about him.
The best part of the book is obvi “I missed.” literally got me so good. I really liked apollos character development and also megs as well. I feel as though they both deserve the happiness theyve achieved and it was cute watching their journey. It was an interestin take to see apollos new opinions on god hood in the scene when hes at olympus with the other 11. I loved that he didn't immediately destroy his character development!! I liked him as a narrator and i did enjoy the haikus every chapter lol.
Jasons death is still really upsetting me but im also happy with how much they talked about him.
hannaamaeev's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
gothicc_goddess_arie's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
tense
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
4.25
ariams_1346's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
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
5.0