Reviews with content warning for Outing - The Sun and the Star

This book healed something in me. It is also a testimony to why Authors should bring in Co-authors more often. Rick is aware of his young and old audiences and the balance of topics in this book show it. Nico's PTSD and Wills guilt is not shied away from. Mark was such a wonderful co-author. Conversations on queerness and gender felt natural. Will and Nico were clearly written with a queer person. I wish more time had been spent in Tartarus but it didn't take anything away in the long run.

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magdalena0325's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional 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 cried when I finally hold it in my hands. I LOVE THIS BOOK!!!!

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gondorgirl's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful 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

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astravars's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional funny

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 want to preface this by saying that Solangelo was the very first queer couple i actively read about. They'll forever hold a very special place in my heart.

Needless to say I had very high expectations. This book exceeded them.

I loved the further exploration of their relationship, specifically how they learned to accept and embrace their differences.

"I want the best for him, and he seems to disappear into his darkness, like he’s hiding in a place where he doesn’t want my light."

"Then why not offer him your darkness?"

The book also dives a little deeper into Nico's trauma and how it's affecting him in the present which I thought was handled so well, and though, at times, it wasn't easy to read about I really appreciated this aspect of the story.

And the delivery of the story?? Some of the topics discussed were heavy – the story takes place in tartarus after all – yet, like in the other riordanverse books, the humor sprinkled in here and there, lightening up the mood, was delightful. It made me very nostalgic because it reminded me so much of the original series.

+ the main pov character was Nico, but there was the occasional chapter from Will's pov which I don't think we've had in any book before and I loved that a lot!

I'm keeping this review fairly vague because I could actually talk about this for hours and I'm not sure I'll be able to stop if I start but know that I loved it very much and you should all read it if you haven't already! Very important.

(You don't need to have read the other books to understand it, though I would recommend at least looking up major plot points and world building. There are definitely spoilers for the other books so if you're planning on reading them and don't like spoilers maybe read them first. It does definitely add to the experience too.)

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fanboyriot's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny lighthearted 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

5.0

Read For:

Happy Ending

Amazhang Humor

Mild Hurt/Comfort

Grumpy x Sunshine

Healthy Relationship

Keeping this spoiler free as always this book was so dam good. Oh, my gods. This book was like a pipe dream of everything solangelo and I absolutely loved it.

There is so much I enjoyed about this book and just the fact alone that I was able to read a book focused on solangelo is still shocking to me. Nico and Will genuinely mean so much to me and I can not express just how happy this book made me.

Nico finally being able to heal after everything that happened to him and be in such a healthy and loving relationship with the embodiment of a Care Bear. His friendship with Mr. D was something I didn’t know that I needed until I read it and oh, my gods, it was everything.

The humor in this book was so hilarious even in serious moments Nico or Will would just say something that had me laughing; like when Nico realized his boyfriend had never watched the music video of: ‘Montero’ by Lil Nas X this still has me dying.

He glared at Will. “Really? You’ve never seen the video for ‘Montero’? We’ll address that hole in your education later.” - (chapter 29, page 285)

Truly such an iconic couple. I liked how Will listens to True-Crime podcasts and brought a battery-powered sunlamp to Tartarus. I liked how Nico still has his zombie chauffeur (Jules-Albert) and hates being called cute.

I loved how their relationship was written. They had such a healthy relationship where it showed them in the good and bad moments, understanding each other and doing better when they messed up. They are soulmates, your honor. Their dynamic was perfect, both being nerds in their own way. Will overpacking to the underworld (which to be fair some of it was necessary) but then chose to wear shorts there—all the while Nico packed literally nothing but his sword.

Their flirting was absolutely just—chef’s kisses to all of those lines. The sarcastic comments they made were so cute. And, of course, Nico giving Will so many pet names like: Night Light, My Little Care Bear, and My little sun-therapy globe, was also worth mentioning.

Bob and Small Bob were so wholesome and I am so happy with how things worked out for them. And just how appreciative he was of Nico and Will and the friendships between them.

I’d also like to point out how dam adorable and wholesome it was to read that Nico is a hugger. Like he hugged his dad, Chiron, and Mr. D and I can’t get over how happy I am about this. It was so very heartwarming.

Lastly, Hades is hands down the best godly parent and I will die on this hill. Not only does Hades care for Nico unlike most of the gods, but he literally got choked up saying that he was proud of Nico and I am still crying about this.

Even Persephone cared for Nico, whereas most goddesses in her position (like Hera…) would try to kill the kid because it was just a reminder their husband cheated, and while Persephone hadn’t always felt that way about Nico she got to know him and changed her opinion of him. Even telling Will that he and Nico make a fine couple.

In summary, I have so much more I could say about this book, and have so many quotes I want to rave about. I'll wrap it up by saying, I absolutely loved this book with all of my heart and will never be shutting up about it any time soon.

(Switching, Third Person POV)

Rep: Gay MC, Bisexual MC, PTSD, Mental Health, POC SCs, LGBTQIA+ SCs

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