“The Hidden Oracle” by Rick Riordan

This is the first book of The Trials of Apollo series! I’ve never read this one from Riordan. We’re now getting into new territory, I’m excited! This whole book is all from Apollo’s perspective which is really different, and honestly I was pretty amused throughout. There are these haikus at the start of each chapter talking about how he feels or what happens in the chapter, and it’s a nice nod to him being the God of Poetry without it getting overwhelming. A big part of the story is how Apollo is a god, but he can still grow and change and become less annoying. So I wonder if his narration will get less amusing as we go as he learns to be a decent person. I think Riordan can manage that balance, but we will see.

Also this book is really GAY, Apollo is canonically bi and talks about how he likes girls and guys, plus Will and Nico are dating and really sweet together. Having a bi protagonist who is also a god? This is really great to see, I bet it means a lot to teens that are questioning their sexuality.

Anyways plot of the book is that Apollo is dumped somewhere in Manhattan as a mortal boy. There he meets Meg, another demigod, and they travel to Camp Half-Blood with the help of Percy (who has a minor role in the book, and good for him to be honest he needs a break). At camp, the Oracle isn’t working and campers have started going missing. Apollo figures out that the woods have become the Grove of Dodona, an ancient way of getting prophecies, and it’s been calling to demigods hence the disappearances. He travels to the woods to figure it out, and finds out that his son, Nero, from Rome wants to control the Grove and is there too. Plus he’s Meg’s step-father and has been manipulating her this whole time. Meg runs away at the end; Apollo wants to go after her but doesn’t know how. Just then, Leo and Calypso return and the plan is for Apollo to get a ride to the West Coast with them!

This book hit a really nice balance of old and new friends, great examples are Percy and Leo appearing but not taking starring roles. It allows us to see some familiar faces and get to know the new cast of characters. The ending battle is sort of underwhelming, like the ending fight in the last series. It feels like the author threw that in just to have it (honestly I didn’t even think it was worth including in the summary). I am excited for the next one though! This series is shaping up to be a good time.