A review by shannonreadssometimes
The Hidden Oracle by Rick Riordan

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted mysterious sad tense fast-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

4.5

This book is truly a wonder of character development. It is just what the PJO universe needed. I am so excited to continue reading more!! Despite it being two series' after Percy Jackson, I'd say it was even more of a middle-grade reading age, which is wild because I loved it and I am turning 21 this year! What I mean by that is were PJO and HOO had so many different things going on, plots and characters and more advanced techniques of foreshadowing-yes, Trials of Apollo has all this too, but it is clearly focused on character development. If you know anything about me and my reading habits, a well-developed character is truly all I need in a book to enjoy it. 

Apollo begins this book by being truly insufferable. The type of guy that you want to punch in the face in high school. Genuinely he sucked SO MUCH! And this was of course on purpose because Rick Riordan is a MASTERMIND! He was self-absorbed, more narcissistic than Narcissus himself, and completely ignorant to the needs of others. He never apologised, or even acknowledged the wrong he did. There's  a quote that made me cry on the train, and the moment I knew he had truly begun to repent and change. It is truly insane to me that Riordan's writing is so impressive that he could seamlessly write a complete 180 switch in character. 

My other favourite part of this book was the other main character (it was a nice break to only have to focus on two characters after the HOO seven lol). I would do anything for Meg. And when Apollo realised her trauma, I also started sobbing on the train. In sympathy for Meg, but also because I had never seen a book so particularly describe childhood trauma so well, and I am so grateful for Riordan writing this heavy stuff in a middle grade book because it is important for kids to know that that's not okay, and that they can be saved. 

honestly I loved this more than I thought I would and I can't wait to read more of the series!!