From the World of Percy Jackson: The Sun and the Star
by Rick Riordan (Author)
Demigods Nico di Angelo and Will Solace must endure the terrors of Tartarus to rescue an old friend in this thrilling adventure co-written by New York Times #1 best-selling author Rick Riordan and award-winning author Mark Oshiro.
As the son of Hades, Nico di Angelo has been through so much, from the premature deaths of his mother and sister, to being outed against his will, to losing his friend Jason during the trials of Apollo. But there is a ray of sunshine in his life--literally: his boyfriend, Will Solace, the son of Apollo. Together the two demigods can overcome any obstacle or foe. At least, that's been the case so far... Now Nico is being plagued by a voice calling out to him from Tartarus, the lowest part of the Underworld. He thinks he knows who it is: a reformed Titan named Bob whom Percy and Annabeth had to leave behind when they escaped Hades's realm. Nico's dreams and Rachel Dare's latest prophecy leave little doubt in Nico's mind that Bob is in some kind of trouble.
Nico has to go on this quest, whether Mr. D and Chiron like it or not. And of course Will insists on coming with. But can a being made of light survive in the darkest part of the world? and what does the prophecy mean that Nico will have to "leave something of equal value behind?" Nico will have to face demons both internal and external as his relationship with Will is tested to the core in this standalone adventure featuring two of the most popular characters in the Percy Jackson saga.
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School Library Journal
This exciting standalone fantasy adventure features Nico di Angelo, son of Hades, and his boyfriend Will Solace, son of Apollo. In The Tower of Nero, the final book of "The Trials of Apollo" series, Bob the Titian sacrificed himself to save several demigods. Since then, Nico's been hearing Bob's voice from the Underworld begging for his help. In this book, Nico's determined to rescue him. Despite Nico's worry for Will's safety, he accompanies Nico on this dangerous quest to Nico's home and source of his pain. As an exhausted Nico and injured Will are in Tartarus telling old nymph Gorgyra their stories in exchange for her help, flashbacks from both of their points of view describe the obstacles they've encountered so far. Constantly beset by disturbing nightmares, Nico and Will struggle to not let the Underworld overwhelm them or make them doubt themselves or each other. Chapters end on cliffhangers as Nico and Will try to defeat Nyx, a primordial goddess of darkness, and her monster children, who are trying to prevent them from freeing Bob. Amid the grimness, there's lightness and humorous banter, as Will calls Nico "My grumpy little ball of darkness" and Nico calls Will his "Night Light" because he glows in the dark. Besides Nico and Will, there's other LGBTQIA+ and diverse representation in the supporting cast. VERDICT A seamlessly written, action-packed story that's also a sensitive, introspective character study. Fans who've been waiting for more of adorable couple Nico and Will won't be disappointed.—Sharon Rawlins
Copyright 2023 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.Publishers Weekly
Set in Riordan's Percy Jackson universe, this thrilling queer standalone from Riordan and Oshiro (You Only Live Once, David Bravo) follows two demigods in love--Nico di Angelo, teenage son of Hades, and Nico's boyfriend, Will Solace, son of Apollo--on their journey to Tartarus, the Underworld's deepest abyss. Summer at Camp Half-Blood is over, but Nico and Will have nowhere to go, so the pair is planning a quiet season with the camp's staff when cries for help start haunting Nico's dreams. Nico believes he's hearing the voice of Bob, a Titan who helped two beings escape Tartarus only to become trapped there himself. After a prophecy directs Nico to find the entity calling for him, he and Will commence a quest to do just that--never mind that Hades has banned the living from the Underworld, that Will needs sunlight to survive, or that something seems to be shadowing their every step. Reprising the Greek myth-grounded books' goofy humor, high-stakes action, and whimsical worldbuilding, the collaborators weave in tender romance and emotionally complex ruminations on change, self-identity, and mental health, balancing adventure with heart and heft. Characters are intersectionally diverse. Ages 10-14. Agents: (for Riordan) Nancy Gallt, Gallt & Zacker Literary; (for Oshiro) DongWon Song, Howard Morhaim Literary. (May)
Copyright 2023 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.Kirkus
A standout.
ALA/Booklist
Review quotes
JUV022020 - Juvenile Fiction | Legends, Myths, & Fables | Greek & Roman
JUV060000 - Juvenile Fiction | LGBT
Fantasy fiction
Action and adventure fiction
Hell
Gods, Greek
Novels
Gay people
