I can count on one hand the amount of books that have made me actually cry. This is one of them. In so many ways, more than just being so hyper and excited about a solangelo story and getting nico’s and will’s povs and just MORE DEMIGOD CONTENT, this was a book I needed. It was healing, and it was beautiful. In many ways, I took it as a love letter to anyone with trauma. And because of who this story is about specifically trauma experienced by those who are queer, who are in any way different. I see parts of myself so clearly both in Will and Nico. I can never truly express in words how much I adore the percy jackson universe and these two characters specifically. But to wrap up this review (okay, sappy rant)—this book was even better than I could’ve expected. There was a few interesting time jumps but it all worked out perfectly and like all riordaniverse books it was full of wit and such beautifully handled romantic moments. I’m just….so glad this book exists. Thank you to both of the authors for putting this art into the world. 🥹

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. 

Unfortunately, this is a strong 3.75 or a weak 4. I rounded up for my review and was lenient in places I would be harsher would this be anyone other than Rick Riordan. This book was mostly just a nostalgia fest/pandering to the fandom which is totally fine! The problem is, it was not a story that had a lot of layers nor did I feel engaged. Everything was stated outright. Problems were introduced and immediately solved. The entirety of the novel was a fluffy-feel good piece that didn't exist to expand the PJO universe or explore an action-packed prophecy, but simply to explore Nico's (yes only Nico, not Will, he was about as developed as Jason Grace was) trauma. It is my belief that this book could have (and should have) been a novella. The

journey getting to Tartarus

was the longest part of the book and nothing was even happening! Parts of the writing also felt extremely dated in the 2020s and I'm not sure the PJO universe is canonically in that time period. (If Percy was born in 1993 *thanks google* and is, what, 18? 19? now...shouldn't it be 2012?) That's a small critique though, when my legitimate critique is the 2020 writing felt...cringey. I painfully shouldered past it and it got better as the book went on, but it had the feeling of an adult trying too hard to be relatable to teens nowadays, than an accurate depiction of what it's like to be a teenager. But the book did have a good message and, once it picked up toward the end, I was engaged by then (only took 75% of the book to get there), so it pulled the rating up in my books. I would recommend this to any PJO fans who want to know more about Nico but would caution them to have lower expectations. It's not a bad book but it certainly lacks that Riordan charm we all know and love. I assume it's because this was a co-written book. (Sometimes it felt like two voices were passing the book back and forth making up a story.) I also want to say the 3rd person point of view really distanced the characters, but I grew to love it. Overall, this had fanfic vibes...but in a neutral way.
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PROS AND CONS
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Pros:

Cons:

I loved this! I think this is a great book for middle-grade readers as well as long-time fans of the Percy Jackson universe. The sense of humor was very sarcastic, which is exactly what I'd expect from a point of view from Nico. I adored how much Rick and Mark were willing and able to give Nico and Will the opportunities to shower each other in affection--kissing, holding hands, using nicknames, etc. It was very nice to read, and I love knowing that young queer kids are going to be able to see that as well. The growing pains of a young relationship were very well done, and there were a few different points at the end where I teared up. I'm glad Nico got to have his moment to work through what he needed to, and same goes for Will. A great addition to a well-loved series. Fantastic :)

"'I want what's best for him, and he seems to disappear into his darkness, like he's hiding in a place that doesn't want my light.'
'Then why not offer him your darkness?'" (p. 244).

"...it hurts to hear you talk about [the Underworld] like it's evil. Death isn't evil. It's just... death." (p. 349).

"'Sometimes I have to remind myself of that,' [Nico] said. 'That people did love me when I was younger.'" (p. 374).

"Will had heard love described in so many dramatic, bizarre ways over the years, but no one had described it like this: It's like drifting down a river of pain and knowing you are safe." (p. 432)

"To be alive in the world once more... It is beautiful." (p. 445).

"No one had ever loved him like Will did, and that was no longer terrifying. How could it be? How could acceptance and respect and desire be anything but the best things for Nico?" (p. 461).

"The future held hope. And he clung to it." (p. 462).

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.

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.

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

GAHHHH SO WHOLESOME T-T
Solangelo making you feel like you're third-wheeling them for 466 pages? Sign me up, please.

The lovey-dovey stuff apart, I love how much this book focuses on both Nico and Will (they're teenagers, mind you) struggling to find who they are while dealing with their trauma. Sure, I love their cute romantic moments, which is ABUNDANT, but I also love the fact that their relationship is not perfect - yes Nico doesn't open up and Will is a little close-minded, yes they get annoyed with each other, yes they fight, yes they talk and make up - and that's what makes it so beautiful. And I love how this book portrays the monsters in a different light.

wdym Geryon is a happy little gay boy in love now kjsdkjsdf it's beautiful

 

So did the writing and the general plot deserve five stars? Maybe not, but what can I say, I'm biased towards Nico and he more than deserves it. He finally healed, got some long-awaited closure with his family, has an amazing boyfriend,

and he's also a role-model to other campers??? and he gives advice to others suffering from trauma??? and he quite literally lives with his demons now???

my baby im so proud of him *wipes tears* they grow up so fasttt

TL;DR this is the cutest book I've ever read. It's quite cheesy, sure, but to quote Nico: