by Rick Riordan

MG Fantasy, 2025 by Disney Hyperion, 448 Pages

What I Didn’t Like:

The Cocoa Puffs could’ve been explored a bit more. They’re present and important but there could’ve been an extra layer here to really let them shine.
Similarly, the mythics needed another layer. They should be the most complex characters, being former monsters. But it fell sort of flat in a “trust us, they’re good” sort of way. I wanted more.
Will. I swear I like him but he has yet to be in a book where I feel like we KNOW him as more than a sidekick to Nico. He needs agency. He needs to show himself. He needs more depth.

Nico has long been my favorite so, again, books featuring him are awesome! I did like seeing his growth in this book. It was fun to remember him when we first met him and see that growth in this book. Proud of you, Nico!
The Cocoa Puffs are a decent tool for showing emotions in an interesting way. I like that they played a bigger role in this one and that we saw them interact with other demigods. More of them!
Hazel is such a solid character. She’s strong but imperfect, which makes her relatable. I adore the fact that she’s not afraid to ask for help or branch out on her own sometimes. It doesn’t come off as strange, it’s just the way she handles different situations and it’s a great lesson.

Percy Jackson fans! Although remember that this duology featuring Nico is intended for the same age range as the original even though you’ve aged.