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The Trials of Apollo #4
The Tyrant’s Tomb
Goodreads Choice Award
Winner for Best Middle Grade & Children's (2019)In his penultimate adventure, a devastated but determined Apollo travels to Camp Jupiter, where he must learn what it is to be a hero, or die trying.
It's not easy being Apollo, especially when you've been turned into a human and banished from Olympus. On his path to restoring five ancient oracles and reclaiming his godly powers, Apollo (aka Lester Papadopoulos) has faced both triumphs and tragedies. Now his journey takes him to Camp Jupiter in the San Francisco Bay Area, where the Roman demigods are preparing for a desperate last stand against the evil Triumvirate of Roman emperors. Hazel, Reyna, Frank, Tyson, Ella, and many other old friends will need Apollo's aid to survive the onslaught. Unfortunately, the answer to their salvation lies in the forgotten tomb of a Roman ruler . . . someone even worse than the emperors Apollo has already faced.
It's not easy being Apollo, especially when you've been turned into a human and banished from Olympus. On his path to restoring five ancient oracles and reclaiming his godly powers, Apollo (aka Lester Papadopoulos) has faced both triumphs and tragedies. Now his journey takes him to Camp Jupiter in the San Francisco Bay Area, where the Roman demigods are preparing for a desperate last stand against the evil Triumvirate of Roman emperors. Hazel, Reyna, Frank, Tyson, Ella, and many other old friends will need Apollo's aid to survive the onslaught. Unfortunately, the answer to their salvation lies in the forgotten tomb of a Roman ruler . . . someone even worse than the emperors Apollo has already faced.
439 pages, ebook
First published September 24, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 4,580 reviews
September 19, 2020
Originally read in September 2019// reread in September 2020
I’m overwhelmed and still processing. We’ll talk more about it later.
I’m overwhelmed and still processing. We’ll talk more about it later.
February 28, 2021
"Yay! Zoom Pony!"
"I'd let an elephant get the drop on me."
For once, I wished the story wouldn't start from where we had left things off in The Burning Maze. Losing Jason Grace had been a painful experience, and one that any fan of the series will have a hard time recovering from. No such luck... We pick up with the arrival to San Francisco, getting the opportunity to grieve over Jason's death for the first part of the story.
"Gods, I missed being a god."
We aren't getting a lot of new main characters this time (except for one new uber-villain), but visiting Camp Jupiter and the old characters made up for it. It was nice being back with Frank, Hazel, Tyson, Ella, Reyna and some other Roman demigods. And Apollo's character evolvement continues on, making him regret his past actions more than ever before, while preparing him to the sacrifices required towards the end.
"O protector of Rome! O insert name here!"
There aren't many adventure elements during this phase of the quest though. Following the funeral of Jason, all plot lines pave way towards the final battle of Camp Jupiter. That being said, the parts of quest were thrilling and original. Apollo having a ton of enemies from his god-days certainly helps things more vividly. As far as accomplishing the quest goes, this story did help Apollo move a lot closer to his final challenge, but everything came at a greater price as it did with The Burning Maze. So, brace yourself for several new disappointments. But it's hard to blame the author, for, without them, story might've appeared more fairy-tale like.
"Dearly beloved, We are gathered here because Hera stinks."
I feel this book somewhat shorter that first three books (and I'm not complaining). I do believe this to be the ideal length for this series, for it was starting to feel a little repetitive with side-quests. With this one, I wasn't tempted to rush through parts and found everything quite engaging. One more book to go, and hopefully all the sorrow will make the ending a lot satisfying.
"I'm mortal now. Birthdays are always a threat."
"I'd let an elephant get the drop on me."
For once, I wished the story wouldn't start from where we had left things off in The Burning Maze. Losing Jason Grace had been a painful experience, and one that any fan of the series will have a hard time recovering from. No such luck... We pick up with the arrival to San Francisco, getting the opportunity to grieve over Jason's death for the first part of the story.
"Gods, I missed being a god."
We aren't getting a lot of new main characters this time (except for one new uber-villain), but visiting Camp Jupiter and the old characters made up for it. It was nice being back with Frank, Hazel, Tyson, Ella, Reyna and some other Roman demigods. And Apollo's character evolvement continues on, making him regret his past actions more than ever before, while preparing him to the sacrifices required towards the end.
"O protector of Rome! O insert name here!"
There aren't many adventure elements during this phase of the quest though. Following the funeral of Jason, all plot lines pave way towards the final battle of Camp Jupiter. That being said, the parts of quest were thrilling and original. Apollo having a ton of enemies from his god-days certainly helps things more vividly. As far as accomplishing the quest goes, this story did help Apollo move a lot closer to his final challenge, but everything came at a greater price as it did with The Burning Maze. So, brace yourself for several new disappointments. But it's hard to blame the author, for, without them, story might've appeared more fairy-tale like.
"Dearly beloved, We are gathered here because Hera stinks."
I feel this book somewhat shorter that first three books (and I'm not complaining). I do believe this to be the ideal length for this series, for it was starting to feel a little repetitive with side-quests. With this one, I wasn't tempted to rush through parts and found everything quite engaging. One more book to go, and hopefully all the sorrow will make the ending a lot satisfying.
"I'm mortal now. Birthdays are always a threat."
October 12, 2019
Reading this book felt more like a duty rather than a hobby for me. I still remember how much I loved the previous book, The Burning Maze, which made me scream in shock after I finished. Yet The Tyrant's Tomb didn't give me any of those feelings, it failed.
Lester, aka Apollo, embraced a new journey in this book to Camp Jupiter. He and Meg met Lavinia while fighting off some hideous creatures. This should have been interesting with Rick Riordan's writing style that astounded me whenever I read his books, but it didn't work at all. I felt bored. I wanted to skip some chapters so badly, anyway, I waited and hoped that Uncle Rick might have something up his sleeve.
No, he didn't have.
Around the middle of the book, I was fed up with Lester even though his character had been developed since the first book but when it comes to The Tyrant's Tome, everything just stops. Character development. Humor. Climax. Pace. Everything just bored me to death. There is only filler in this book that will lead us to the last book which is about warring with Nero, aka the Beast.
I stopped caring. I couldn't even remember how that happened. The story in The Tyrant's Tomb is delivered to readers by telling, forcing them to acknowledge instead of showing them and letting them analyze.
2.5-3 Stars for The Tyrant's Tomb.
Lester, aka Apollo, embraced a new journey in this book to Camp Jupiter. He and Meg met Lavinia while fighting off some hideous creatures. This should have been interesting with Rick Riordan's writing style that astounded me whenever I read his books, but it didn't work at all. I felt bored. I wanted to skip some chapters so badly, anyway, I waited and hoped that Uncle Rick might have something up his sleeve.
No, he didn't have.
Around the middle of the book, I was fed up with Lester even though his character had been developed since the first book but when it comes to The Tyrant's Tome, everything just stops. Character development. Humor. Climax. Pace. Everything just bored me to death. There is only filler in this book that will lead us to the last book which is about warring with Nero, aka the Beast.
I stopped caring. I couldn't even remember how that happened. The story in The Tyrant's Tomb is delivered to readers by telling, forcing them to acknowledge instead of showing them and letting them analyze.
2.5-3 Stars for The Tyrant's Tomb.
October 7, 2020
4.5/5
HOLY CRAP THIS WAS INTENSE. I can’t even imagine how wild the finale to this series is going to be!
This book made me laugh, it made me cry, it made me FEEL. The only reason it isn’t five stars is that it didn’t feel as layered as the Burning Maze was. And I would have loved for some more side character development. But oh well, it was awesome either way, and I cannot wait for the last one!
HOLY CRAP THIS WAS INTENSE. I can’t even imagine how wild the finale to this series is going to be!
This book made me laugh, it made me cry, it made me FEEL. The only reason it isn’t five stars is that it didn’t feel as layered as the Burning Maze was. And I would have loved for some more side character development. But oh well, it was awesome either way, and I cannot wait for the last one!
June 2, 2023
4.5 Golden Stars
6th best of 2019
As I said, I knew it was one of the top 10 of 2019. (6th best)
My most anticipated release of 2019, lived up pretty well to my expectation.
The first book I could start in its book birthday! (finished in 2 days! which was quite a record!)
(I rated it when the count was number under 1000!)
Updated 10 Dec of 2019: first book reading before Goodreads choice award, sooooo:
"Congratulation for winning the best middle grade Goodreads choice award!"
totally deserved it!
I'm so proud...
my bby!
you know me, I love to find trivia, details & relations (with my life) everywhere I can. XD
2022 re-read: kinda thinking about rounding down the rate- yeah, done
I remember when book 1 in this series, the Hidden Oracle, just had been published. It was the first book I could read along with the fandom, the first book after I joined demigods' army, & I was desperately looking for the book everywhere to read it (because there was a chance that book might not be published in our country, thank goodness it was fake.)
Now here I am,
in the penultimate journey
feeling Nostalgic already!
true, my first thought was it is a Smaller roller-coaster comparing to ‘the Burning Maze’ which had twists & turns in like almost every pages & constantly go on quests in every chapters. Slightly less fun too. but still full of thrillers & laughs!
Despite of what I said & how my heart broke several times (I’m still crying just merely reminding of the Burning Maze) & mended (that wasn’t fair!), it was a great story.
the fun!
the comparisons!
the descriptions!
his comebacks!
when Apollo trying to convince us we know how he felt. to urge us to understand the weirdest improbable events. & funnily enough, I actually do, even with that strange comparison he experienced in his long life.
How the author demonstrated Apollo both as a major deity with 4 thousands plus years old & a modernized 16 year old teenage boy. (he genuinely is both! XD)
the meaning of friendship & family lied in the pages of this book.
Apollo has definitely changed a lot. I’m proud of him.
though still, we have conversations like.
Meg: "Big Baby."
Apollo: "I beg your pardon!?"
(Meg & Apollo are my newest Brotp!)
Reyna, you strong woman! you're awesome!
The whole lot of second half of the book was just... WOW!
& when the story arrived at what the covers already revealed (but not spoiler), I was grinning like an idiot, internally yelling "weeeeeee! this is what the pretty covers said!"
many unexpected events happened all over the book, both fun or heart-breaking.
I cried a lot in the end.
& beside all Riordan's unique writing style & unique-funny-never-getting-old jokes, I love how he channeled into his other stories to remind what happened before, just casually reminding us that. (I always craved to see authors channeling to their other stories & bless you Riordan! you granted my bookish wish again!) Beside telling us the original myths' references & Apollo’s life.
Can I mention I'm pretty sure Riordan reads memes!?
& this book showed he is a Marvel fan too. (just as first book showed he is a Supernatural fan!)
I'm so thrilled!
I really need to hear Apollo’s songs, it would be great if we had tv shows of Riordanverse.
& by the way, I'm angry at Riordan! that might sound cruel, but beside my tears was wasted, I felt betrayed, because my baby... you know what I mean, even Riordan knows it was cruel because it was mentioned in the book, which made me burst into tears, again... *curled up in the corner & cry even more by remembering the moment*
a Must read if you like: a Great Middle grade-regardless of age- fantasy, Greek mythology with unique fun, San Francisco, gods who have lost their powers, desperate last stands & if you read & enjoy all the 13 adventures before. XD
O’ next book, Where art thou?
-
World building (premise): ★★★★/5
Characters: ★★★★★/5
/ Characters development: ★★★★★/5
Written style: ★★★★★/5
/ Fun: ★★★★/5
/ Feelz: ★★★★/5
Plot: ★★★★/5
General idea: ★★★★★/5
6th best of 2019
As I said, I knew it was one of the top 10 of 2019. (6th best)
My most anticipated release of 2019, lived up pretty well to my expectation.
The first book I could start in its book birthday! (finished in 2 days! which was quite a record!)
(I rated it when the count was number under 1000!)
Updated 10 Dec of 2019: first book reading before Goodreads choice award, sooooo:
"Congratulation for winning the best middle grade Goodreads choice award!"
totally deserved it!
I'm so proud...
my bby!
you know me, I love to find trivia, details & relations (with my life) everywhere I can. XD
2022 re-read: kinda thinking about rounding down the rate- yeah, done
I remember when book 1 in this series, the Hidden Oracle, just had been published. It was the first book I could read along with the fandom, the first book after I joined demigods' army, & I was desperately looking for the book everywhere to read it (because there was a chance that book might not be published in our country, thank goodness it was fake.)
Now here I am,
in the penultimate journey
feeling Nostalgic already!
true, my first thought was it is a Smaller roller-coaster comparing to ‘the Burning Maze’ which had twists & turns in like almost every pages & constantly go on quests in every chapters. Slightly less fun too. but still full of thrillers & laughs!
Despite of what I said & how my heart broke several times (I’m still crying just merely reminding of the Burning Maze) & mended (that wasn’t fair!), it was a great story.
the fun!
the comparisons!
the descriptions!
his comebacks!
when Apollo trying to convince us we know how he felt. to urge us to understand the weirdest improbable events. & funnily enough, I actually do, even with that strange comparison he experienced in his long life.
How the author demonstrated Apollo both as a major deity with 4 thousands plus years old & a modernized 16 year old teenage boy. (he genuinely is both! XD)
the meaning of friendship & family lied in the pages of this book.
Apollo has definitely changed a lot. I’m proud of him.
though still, we have conversations like.
Meg: "Big Baby."
Apollo: "I beg your pardon!?"
(Meg & Apollo are my newest Brotp!)
Reyna, you strong woman! you're awesome!
The whole lot of second half of the book was just... WOW!
& when the story arrived at what the covers already revealed (but not spoiler), I was grinning like an idiot, internally yelling "weeeeeee! this is what the pretty covers said!"
many unexpected events happened all over the book, both fun or heart-breaking.
I cried a lot in the end.
& beside all Riordan's unique writing style & unique-funny-never-getting-old jokes, I love how he channeled into his other stories to remind what happened before, just casually reminding us that. (I always craved to see authors channeling to their other stories & bless you Riordan! you granted my bookish wish again!) Beside telling us the original myths' references & Apollo’s life.
Can I mention I'm pretty sure Riordan reads memes!?
& this book showed he is a Marvel fan too. (just as first book showed he is a Supernatural fan!)
I'm so thrilled!
I really need to hear Apollo’s songs, it would be great if we had tv shows of Riordanverse.
& by the way, I'm angry at Riordan! that might sound cruel, but beside my tears was wasted, I felt betrayed, because my baby... you know what I mean, even Riordan knows it was cruel because it was mentioned in the book, which made me burst into tears, again... *curled up in the corner & cry even more by remembering the moment*
a Must read if you like: a Great Middle grade-regardless of age- fantasy, Greek mythology with unique fun, San Francisco, gods who have lost their powers, desperate last stands & if you read & enjoy all the 13 adventures before. XD
O’ next book, Where art thou?
-
World building (premise): ★★★★/5
Characters: ★★★★★/5
/ Characters development: ★★★★★/5
Written style: ★★★★★/5
/ Fun: ★★★★/5
/ Feelz: ★★★★/5
Plot: ★★★★/5
General idea: ★★★★★/5
July 8, 2021
”If I’m going to burn, I might as well burn bright. This is for Jason”.
Definitivamente a Rick se le salió su vena oscura con el final del libro anterior y el inicio de este. The Tyrant’s Tomb empieza con Apolo yendo hacia el Campamento Júpiter para llevar el cuerpo de Jason y que pueda tener sus últimos ritos con todos los semidioses romanos que siempre lo rodearon. Sin embargo, poco tiempo tienen de duelo, pues aún tienen encima de ellos la amenaza del triunvirato de emperadores que, en tan solo unos días, llegarán al Campamento Júpiter para acabar con las pocas fuerzas de semidioses que quedan y robar los libros de profecía que les hacen falta para desatar su poder al completo.
Como siempre lo he dicho, más allá de las aventuras y peligros, que igual son geniales, lo mejor de todos estos libros es el crecimiento que tiene Apolo como personaje. Parece que han pasado siglos desde que lo encontramos en un basurero como un mortal que no aceptaba su nueva condición y repetía hasta el cansancio lo superiores que eran los dioses. Ahora, Apolo, Lester, ha entendido lo que vale la humanidad, la crueldad e indiferencia que pueden mostrar los dioses y lo desigual que siempre ha sido esa balanza de poder. Me gusta muchísimo que sea vulnerable y que esté viviendo todo con, literalmente, los pies en la tierra, pues sospecho que cuando recupere su divinidad (si es que lo hace) va a ser el dios que incite muchísimos cambios en el Olimpo.
Algo que me fascinó de The Tyrant’s Tomb es que Frank tiene muchísimo protagonismo. Ahora es uno de los líderes del Campamento Júpiter junto a Reyna y ambos han tenido que soportar los crueles y nefastos ataques de las fuerzas del triunvirato. Aún así, han seguido resistiendo y, cuando Apolo más los necesita, reorganizan sus fuerzas nuevamente para volver a plantar cara. Frank me parece un personaje alucinante y, sobre todo en este libro, decide que no va a tener más miedo de su maldición y que va a tomar al destino por los cuernos. Esas últimas escenas son impresionantes.
Reyna, por su parte, siempre me ha dado bastante igual, pero debo admitir que la escena de la confesión fue graciosísima. El pobre Apolo sufrió la peor humillación de toda la historia de la humanidad, pero las risas nadie nos las puede quitar. Ahora, debo confesar que me sorprendió la decisión que Reyna toma al final del libro. Sinceramente no me la esperaba, aunque supongo que le pega bastante.
La batalla final de este libro es genuinamente angustiante. Durante todo el libro hemos ido entendiendo que las fuerzas de los semidioses están bastante diezmadas y, aún así, van a enfrentarse a un nuevo asedio de los emperadores. Y la verdad es que no parece que la suerte esté de su lado, así que esas escenas del final son tremendas. Y, a pesar del resultado agridulce, nadie celebra, en especial Apolo, porque sabe que lo que le espera es el final showdown con su archienemigo: la serpiente Python. De verdad tengo miedo por lo que pueda suceder en el libro final de esta saga. Rick, ten piedad.
Definitivamente a Rick se le salió su vena oscura con el final del libro anterior y el inicio de este. The Tyrant’s Tomb empieza con Apolo yendo hacia el Campamento Júpiter para llevar el cuerpo de Jason y que pueda tener sus últimos ritos con todos los semidioses romanos que siempre lo rodearon. Sin embargo, poco tiempo tienen de duelo, pues aún tienen encima de ellos la amenaza del triunvirato de emperadores que, en tan solo unos días, llegarán al Campamento Júpiter para acabar con las pocas fuerzas de semidioses que quedan y robar los libros de profecía que les hacen falta para desatar su poder al completo.
Como siempre lo he dicho, más allá de las aventuras y peligros, que igual son geniales, lo mejor de todos estos libros es el crecimiento que tiene Apolo como personaje. Parece que han pasado siglos desde que lo encontramos en un basurero como un mortal que no aceptaba su nueva condición y repetía hasta el cansancio lo superiores que eran los dioses. Ahora, Apolo, Lester, ha entendido lo que vale la humanidad, la crueldad e indiferencia que pueden mostrar los dioses y lo desigual que siempre ha sido esa balanza de poder. Me gusta muchísimo que sea vulnerable y que esté viviendo todo con, literalmente, los pies en la tierra, pues sospecho que cuando recupere su divinidad (si es que lo hace) va a ser el dios que incite muchísimos cambios en el Olimpo.
Algo que me fascinó de The Tyrant’s Tomb es que Frank tiene muchísimo protagonismo. Ahora es uno de los líderes del Campamento Júpiter junto a Reyna y ambos han tenido que soportar los crueles y nefastos ataques de las fuerzas del triunvirato. Aún así, han seguido resistiendo y, cuando Apolo más los necesita, reorganizan sus fuerzas nuevamente para volver a plantar cara. Frank me parece un personaje alucinante y, sobre todo en este libro, decide que no va a tener más miedo de su maldición y que va a tomar al destino por los cuernos. Esas últimas escenas son impresionantes.
Reyna, por su parte, siempre me ha dado bastante igual, pero debo admitir que la escena de la confesión fue graciosísima. El pobre Apolo sufrió la peor humillación de toda la historia de la humanidad, pero las risas nadie nos las puede quitar. Ahora, debo confesar que me sorprendió la decisión que Reyna toma al final del libro. Sinceramente no me la esperaba, aunque supongo que le pega bastante.
La batalla final de este libro es genuinamente angustiante. Durante todo el libro hemos ido entendiendo que las fuerzas de los semidioses están bastante diezmadas y, aún así, van a enfrentarse a un nuevo asedio de los emperadores. Y la verdad es que no parece que la suerte esté de su lado, así que esas escenas del final son tremendas. Y, a pesar del resultado agridulce, nadie celebra, en especial Apolo, porque sabe que lo que le espera es el final showdown con su archienemigo: la serpiente Python. De verdad tengo miedo por lo que pueda suceder en el libro final de esta saga. Rick, ten piedad.
March 19, 2020
“Have you completely made up for all the bad things you've done? No. But you keep adding to the good things column. That's all any of us can do.”
...
After the utter devastation that was The Burning Maze, I wasn't sure if my heart was ready for this book. The Tyrant's Tomb was long awaited, and I'm happy to say it didn't disappoint.
I love this series so much.
Grieving and battered, Apollo must push ever-onward toward Camp Jupiter, where new and old friends await. The Triumvirate are preparing their biggest strike yet, and Apollo is continuing his quest to restore the five sacred oracles with his young friend, Meg. Being a former god stuck in the body of a mortal teenager with flab and acne isn't easy to stomach, and Apollo has even more to confront as he grapples with the bitter truths of what it means to be human.
What continues to surprise me in the Trials of Apollo is its darkness. Rick Riordan is known for his colorful, fun, mythological children's stories, but this series is a beast all on its own. Sure, Apollo is hilarious, and there's always fun and adventure in each of Rick's books. The Trials of Apollo, however, takes risks and isn't afraid to contemplate complex, dark realities.
Apollo's character development has been astounding. Since The Hidden Oracle, Apollo's past mistakes and failures have haunted, confronted, and beaten him down, and it all beautifully culminates in this book. Our golden, self-absorbed god of the sun is finally beginning to understand the true joys and hardships of humanity, and it was heartbreaking. Don't worry: he's still the witty, charming deity we've all grown to love. But there's a softness, understanding, and deep level of sadness to his character that showed itself wonderfully in this book.
Also, he managed to deliver some pretty hysterical lines.
“I hated visiting Hephaestus’s office. His desk toys were so mesmerizing I found myself staring at them for hours, sometimes decades. I missed the entire 1480s that way.”
I was delighted to see Frank, Hazel, and Reyna again. It was like being reunited with my children. Camp Jupiter is a great setting, and I enjoyed the introduction of new characters like Lavinia.
I've said this once and I'll say it again. Meg and Apollo have the best friendship ever. I'm continuously brought to tears by the bond between a 12 year old girl and a cast-out god, and dammit, do you ever cry?
“I'd always wondered what it would be like to have a younger sibling. Sometimes I'd treated Artemis as my baby sister, since I'd been born a few minutes earlier, but that had mostly been to annoy her. With Meg, I felt as if it were actually true. I had someone who depended on me, who needed me around no matter how much we irritated each other. I thought about Hazel and Frank and the washing away of curses. I suppose that kind of love could come from many different types of relationships.”
Like all of Rick's books, there's some great mythology in here. The monsters, high-stakes action, adventures, and colorful characters are all delightfully present, and the climactic finale had me turning the pages in breathless terror. I had no idea what was going to happen, and since Rick has established himself as completely unforgiving towards his characters, I was so SCARED. Trust me, you'll be shaking your fists at the sky by the end of this book...but in a good way. Kind of.
I loved this. Obviously.
The Tower of Nero can't come soon enough. I'm 22 years old and about to get my undergraduate degree, and yet I still read every single book Riordan puts out. There's a reason I've been a dedicated reader for so long.
Just...do you ever cry?
...
“I've always believed that most sentient creatures like to be recognized. Whether we are gods, people or slavering ghouls in vulture-feather loincloths, we enjoy others knowing who we are, speaking our names, appreciating that we exist.”
...
After the utter devastation that was The Burning Maze, I wasn't sure if my heart was ready for this book. The Tyrant's Tomb was long awaited, and I'm happy to say it didn't disappoint.
I love this series so much.
Grieving and battered, Apollo must push ever-onward toward Camp Jupiter, where new and old friends await. The Triumvirate are preparing their biggest strike yet, and Apollo is continuing his quest to restore the five sacred oracles with his young friend, Meg. Being a former god stuck in the body of a mortal teenager with flab and acne isn't easy to stomach, and Apollo has even more to confront as he grapples with the bitter truths of what it means to be human.
What continues to surprise me in the Trials of Apollo is its darkness. Rick Riordan is known for his colorful, fun, mythological children's stories, but this series is a beast all on its own. Sure, Apollo is hilarious, and there's always fun and adventure in each of Rick's books. The Trials of Apollo, however, takes risks and isn't afraid to contemplate complex, dark realities.
Apollo's character development has been astounding. Since The Hidden Oracle, Apollo's past mistakes and failures have haunted, confronted, and beaten him down, and it all beautifully culminates in this book. Our golden, self-absorbed god of the sun is finally beginning to understand the true joys and hardships of humanity, and it was heartbreaking. Don't worry: he's still the witty, charming deity we've all grown to love. But there's a softness, understanding, and deep level of sadness to his character that showed itself wonderfully in this book.
Also, he managed to deliver some pretty hysterical lines.
“I hated visiting Hephaestus’s office. His desk toys were so mesmerizing I found myself staring at them for hours, sometimes decades. I missed the entire 1480s that way.”
I was delighted to see Frank, Hazel, and Reyna again. It was like being reunited with my children. Camp Jupiter is a great setting, and I enjoyed the introduction of new characters like Lavinia.
I've said this once and I'll say it again. Meg and Apollo have the best friendship ever. I'm continuously brought to tears by the bond between a 12 year old girl and a cast-out god, and dammit, do you ever cry?
“I'd always wondered what it would be like to have a younger sibling. Sometimes I'd treated Artemis as my baby sister, since I'd been born a few minutes earlier, but that had mostly been to annoy her. With Meg, I felt as if it were actually true. I had someone who depended on me, who needed me around no matter how much we irritated each other. I thought about Hazel and Frank and the washing away of curses. I suppose that kind of love could come from many different types of relationships.”
Like all of Rick's books, there's some great mythology in here. The monsters, high-stakes action, adventures, and colorful characters are all delightfully present, and the climactic finale had me turning the pages in breathless terror. I had no idea what was going to happen, and since Rick has established himself as completely unforgiving towards his characters, I was so SCARED. Trust me, you'll be shaking your fists at the sky by the end of this book...but in a good way. Kind of.
I loved this. Obviously.
The Tower of Nero can't come soon enough. I'm 22 years old and about to get my undergraduate degree, and yet I still read every single book Riordan puts out. There's a reason I've been a dedicated reader for so long.
Just...do you ever cry?
...
“I've always believed that most sentient creatures like to be recognized. Whether we are gods, people or slavering ghouls in vulture-feather loincloths, we enjoy others knowing who we are, speaking our names, appreciating that we exist.”
November 14, 2019
I WANT NICO DI ANGELO IN THIS BOOK.
I WANT ALSO PERCY AND ANNABETH BECAUSE I NEED THEM!
I WANT ALSO PERCY AND ANNABETH BECAUSE I NEED THEM!
Shelved as 'for-later'
July 3, 2020I'm still speechless so I'm just gonna say that please Rick make sure Apollo remembers, he needs to.
I want to read so bad this but at the same time I'm so scared I don't wanna touch it.
I want to read so bad this but at the same time I'm so scared I don't wanna touch it.
March 25, 2021
4.5
What can I say?
I mean is exactly the same "plot" but OMG! Jason! A third part is about him and well you know...
But it's really enjoyable and funny and of course it has action and drama so yeah I really liked it although I think it could be a little better to be the final "real" book for me
What can I say?
I mean is exactly the same "plot" but OMG! Jason! A third part is about him and well you know...
But it's really enjoyable and funny and of course it has action and drama so yeah I really liked it although I think it could be a little better to be the final "real" book for me
September 25, 2019
Let me preface this with the warning that this will have unhidden spoilers for The Burning Maze as well as attempted hidden spoilers for The Tyrant's Tomb. Also, incoherence, profanity, and rambles, etc, because I have no chill when it comes to Rick Riordan. You've been warned.
When we left Apollo and Meg at the end of The Burning Maze, it was just about the most brutal sendoff to a Rick Riordan book since The Mark of Athena. And by that, I mean, Jason Grace fucking died in perhaps the most brutal way possible: that is, getting impaled by some evil Roman empire, getting his broken body dumped unceremoniously on the beach, and his last hurrah in a coffin, the last we see of our favourite Roman praetor-turned-dork. So. Yeah. I was pretty desperate to get my filthy little gremlin hands on this book after that ending.
It turns out, Rick's still taunting us for telling him, "Hey, you should have killed more people during Heroes of Olympus," because he continues absolutely brutalizing his readers by re-introducing Jason in his coffin and showing up with a hearse before coming back to our beloved characters last seen several years ago: Hazel Levesque, Frank Zhang, and Reyna Ramirez-Arellano.
Reyna. Oh, Reyna. I have missed her; it has been five years since we last saw the praetor of Rome. She's probably one of my favourite characters in the whole series because Reyna is so damn powerful and strong and determined. I was absolutely thrilled to see her again as a main character. It's also so lovely to see Frank back in action. I know a lot of people disliked Frank's supernatural body change, and Rick reneged on that a bit, making Frank the adorable teddy bear that could probably kill you but definitely doesn't want to that we all know and love. I missed Frank so much. He's my favourite Chinese-Canadian son of Mars. I also adored Hazel's storyline, and even though Frazel wasn't really my bread and butter during The Heroes of Olympus, they really grew on me here.
Spoilers from here on out.
Anyways. Rick Riordan did it again, he destroyed me, and I'm left here waiting for Book Five because, oh boy, I can't believe we're facing another ending of the Camp Half-Blood verse. Again. This series means ... so much to me, in so many ways, and I'm not ready for it to end.
When we left Apollo and Meg at the end of The Burning Maze, it was just about the most brutal sendoff to a Rick Riordan book since The Mark of Athena. And by that, I mean, Jason Grace fucking died in perhaps the most brutal way possible: that is, getting impaled by some evil Roman empire, getting his broken body dumped unceremoniously on the beach, and his last hurrah in a coffin, the last we see of our favourite Roman praetor-turned-dork. So. Yeah. I was pretty desperate to get my filthy little gremlin hands on this book after that ending.
It turns out, Rick's still taunting us for telling him, "Hey, you should have killed more people during Heroes of Olympus," because he continues absolutely brutalizing his readers by re-introducing Jason in his coffin and showing up with a hearse before coming back to our beloved characters last seen several years ago: Hazel Levesque, Frank Zhang, and Reyna Ramirez-Arellano.
Reyna. Oh, Reyna. I have missed her; it has been five years since we last saw the praetor of Rome. She's probably one of my favourite characters in the whole series because Reyna is so damn powerful and strong and determined. I was absolutely thrilled to see her again as a main character. It's also so lovely to see Frank back in action. I know a lot of people disliked Frank's supernatural body change, and Rick reneged on that a bit, making Frank the adorable teddy bear that could probably kill you but definitely doesn't want to that we all know and love. I missed Frank so much. He's my favourite Chinese-Canadian son of Mars. I also adored Hazel's storyline, and even though Frazel wasn't really my bread and butter during The Heroes of Olympus, they really grew on me here.
Spoilers from here on out.
Anyways. Rick Riordan did it again, he destroyed me, and I'm left here waiting for Book Five because, oh boy, I can't believe we're facing another ending of the Camp Half-Blood verse. Again. This series means ... so much to me, in so many ways, and I'm not ready for it to end.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Want to read
May 15, 2018Ha-Ha-Ha 2019... Ha-ha-ha... *slow clap *5 mins later* *drinks too much sleeping pills to induce forced hibernation while listening to 'Wake me up when September ends'* Just gonna wait it out... Ha-ha-ha...
July 7, 2020
petition to take away Rick Riordan’s rights (but only after he directs the pjo show) who wants to sign
May 11, 2020
ARE YOU KIDDING ME.
FALL.
FALL OF FREAKING 2019.
how will I live that long
FALL.
FALL OF FREAKING 2019.
how will I live that long
December 1, 2022
zeus can you just love your children, think of the peace
September 29, 2019
Before reading:
Maybe we could get some cute parent-child interaction between Apollo and his kids
After reading:
WHACK!
Maybe we could get some cute parent-child interaction between Apollo and his kids
After reading:
WHACK!
October 16, 2019
4.5 stars
“Her misery was like the cold gravity of a mountain. You could stand next to that mountain and close your eyes, and even if you couldn’t see it or hear it, you knew it was there – unspeakably heavy and powerful, a geological force so ancient it made even immortal gods feel like gnats.”
Starting The Tyrant's Tomb I had so many expectations. How not after the ending of The Burning Maze? And I had very clear the feelings I wanted to feel while reading this one.
As the fourth book, and most likely the-one-before-the-last, in the series, stakes are high and emotions are running wild. Riordan has a very good pattern of delivering my favorite books of his series as the fourth installment, which is another thing that only added to my high expectations.
It delivered beautifully.
From beginning to end there was this cloud over everything that sets the mood.
“I forgive you. Not because you deserve it. Not for your sake at all. But because I will not go into oblivion carrying hate when I can carry love.”
We move to our beloved Camp Jupiter as the location of this quest.
I really like the fact that we have had different, concrete, locations for every quest. Rather than the most typical get-to-the-location-of-the-quest-through-the-whole-book. It's a refreshing change. It also allows us to focus a bit more on the people of these places, which I supposed is the goal.
Getting to see one of my favorite characters [Reyna] was beautiful.
I really liked the arcs that each of the characters went through. All of them have grown so much and I feel so proud of them. From Reyna and the rest of the OGs to Meg. It's always rewarding to see them grow into mature people.
“Have you completely made up for all the bad things you’ve done? No. But you keep adding to the ‘good things’ column. That’s all any of us can do.”
There is one thing that I did not quite like. The fact that the book is mostly carried by old characters.
Don't get me wrong, I love a good cameo as much as the next person. Actually, I live for the cameos. But, in a new series, I want to see more new characters rather than a heavy influx of old ones.
So far, The Trials of Apollo had been doing great in this area. With a healthy mix of old and new that makes it easy enough for a new reader to get into the story. But this one had, like, one new character.
I'm not kidding.
Aside from Lavinia and some mentions of other people we didn't have anyone else new. We had Reyna and Hazel, Frank and Tyson and Ella, heck, even Don the faun is a character we already knew -albeit we hadn't gotten to know his character all that deeply, he wasn't new - if shallowly.
If you haven't read The Heroes of Olympus you would feel it. Sure, Riordan does a good enough job at having the characters tell their stories but, still, I feel like adding more new characters wouldn't have killed anyone.
“If I’m going to burn,” he said, “I might as well burn bright. This is for Jason.”
Of course, the whole Jason narrative was beyond satisfying.
It gave the story the right kick and push that I was expecting. I would have loved to see more of Thalia but I completely get why that was as it is. What we did get was more than okay.
Seeing that narrative continue into the next book is gonna be just as fun as it was in this one. Because I have no illusions that it's not gonna affect everything that keeps happening.
“Death is part of life. You have to accept it. Life would be meaningless without death. The deceased will always be alive as long as we remember them.”
Can we talk about the end of the book now? Because it was one intense thing happening after the last one.
Obviously, we have a beautiful fighting sequence where everything comes to head with what we were promised. It's wonderful seeing how far Apollo/Lester has come and just his thoughts are so far removed from what they were at the beginning of this adventure. I feel very proud of our cinnamon roll.
I will confess that I was thoroughly shocked at the conclusion of the big baddies of this book. I mean, I knew it had to happen at some point but, to be honest, I completely thought this was not gonna be the book.
Even after all was done I couldn't quite believe it had really happened.
I'm not sure I can believe it even now.
This brings us neatly to the other part of the ending that had me in a roller coaster of emotions. These ones a bit more displeased.
So, everything was going beautifully, heartbreakingly, perfect. I could not believe what had just happened and I had rivers of tears running down my cheeks. Even though I could hardly believe Rick had done that to us I had already made peace with is and was loving the implications of it all. I was there for it. And then... that happens.
I won't lie and say that I completely hate it because I don't. I did sigh in relief. I did smile. I did cry for a completely different reason.
I won't say that it doesn't make a twisted perfect sense. It does. I really, really, like the idea of how all that arc unfolds through time. I like the explanation. It feels possible and well between the bounds this world has. It felt almost as if I had always knowing it and now I was just acknowledging it.
Yet, if you know anything about me you need to know that I'm always displeased when authors pull that card. Even when is well justified. To me, it will always feel like the author can't fully commit to that idea.
Even though I know Riordan can and has commited to that idea.
With all the conflicting emotions I can say full-heartedly that I liked that particular twist.
“Never underestimate the power of thousands of human minds all believing the same thing. They can remake reality. Sometimes for the better. Sometimes not.”
The Tower of Nero promises to be a great book. Though, I have no idea how that book will be better than these last two installments.
The amount of lose ends has diminished and some topics are well tied in this one. Sure, we still have a lot in Meg's particular arc but, well, I'm not all that excited about that because I still don't like Meg.
The prospect of returning to New York, and possibly Camp Half-Blood, is a bit exciting. If mostly because of who exactly we will see. And, well, returning to where it all started to end it -because I'm pretty sure The Tower of Nero will be the last book - makes poetic sense. Very fitting.
“I don’t need another person to heal my heart. I don’t need a partner… at least, not until and unless I’m ready on my own terms. I don’t need to be force-shipped with anyone or wear anybody else’s label. For the first time in a long time, I feel like a weight has been lifted from my shoulders.”
______________________________
I love it.
I'm still reeling from those last pages. Ugh. My poor heart can't take this kinda heat anymore. But I still love it.
I'm feeling so many things and I really need to get over this initial shock before anything I say can be trusted. So, I'm going to sleep on it.
One thing is sure. I need to read The Tower of Nero as soon as it comes out.
RTC.
______________________________
I've been waiting way too long for this book to come out and I really needed to get my hands on it as soon as it came out. Which I did.
And having waited the single day has been enough stalling.
This has to get me right in the feels after the last book's ending if it doesn't make me cry at least once I'll be disappointed.
Enough talk. I'll get back to you anyway.
“Her misery was like the cold gravity of a mountain. You could stand next to that mountain and close your eyes, and even if you couldn’t see it or hear it, you knew it was there – unspeakably heavy and powerful, a geological force so ancient it made even immortal gods feel like gnats.”
Starting The Tyrant's Tomb I had so many expectations. How not after the ending of The Burning Maze? And I had very clear the feelings I wanted to feel while reading this one.
As the fourth book, and most likely the-one-before-the-last, in the series, stakes are high and emotions are running wild. Riordan has a very good pattern of delivering my favorite books of his series as the fourth installment, which is another thing that only added to my high expectations.
It delivered beautifully.
From beginning to end there was this cloud over everything that sets the mood.
“I forgive you. Not because you deserve it. Not for your sake at all. But because I will not go into oblivion carrying hate when I can carry love.”
We move to our beloved Camp Jupiter as the location of this quest.
I really like the fact that we have had different, concrete, locations for every quest. Rather than the most typical get-to-the-location-of-the-quest-through-the-whole-book. It's a refreshing change. It also allows us to focus a bit more on the people of these places, which I supposed is the goal.
Getting to see one of my favorite characters [Reyna] was beautiful.
I really liked the arcs that each of the characters went through. All of them have grown so much and I feel so proud of them. From Reyna and the rest of the OGs to Meg. It's always rewarding to see them grow into mature people.
“Have you completely made up for all the bad things you’ve done? No. But you keep adding to the ‘good things’ column. That’s all any of us can do.”
There is one thing that I did not quite like. The fact that the book is mostly carried by old characters.
Don't get me wrong, I love a good cameo as much as the next person. Actually, I live for the cameos. But, in a new series, I want to see more new characters rather than a heavy influx of old ones.
So far, The Trials of Apollo had been doing great in this area. With a healthy mix of old and new that makes it easy enough for a new reader to get into the story. But this one had, like, one new character.
I'm not kidding.
Aside from Lavinia and some mentions of other people we didn't have anyone else new. We had Reyna and Hazel, Frank and Tyson and Ella, heck, even Don the faun is a character we already knew -albeit we hadn't gotten to know his character all that deeply, he wasn't new - if shallowly.
If you haven't read The Heroes of Olympus you would feel it. Sure, Riordan does a good enough job at having the characters tell their stories but, still, I feel like adding more new characters wouldn't have killed anyone.
“If I’m going to burn,” he said, “I might as well burn bright. This is for Jason.”
Of course, the whole Jason narrative was beyond satisfying.
It gave the story the right kick and push that I was expecting. I would have loved to see more of Thalia but I completely get why that was as it is. What we did get was more than okay.
Seeing that narrative continue into the next book is gonna be just as fun as it was in this one. Because I have no illusions that it's not gonna affect everything that keeps happening.
“Death is part of life. You have to accept it. Life would be meaningless without death. The deceased will always be alive as long as we remember them.”
Can we talk about the end of the book now? Because it was one intense thing happening after the last one.
Obviously, we have a beautiful fighting sequence where everything comes to head with what we were promised. It's wonderful seeing how far Apollo/Lester has come and just his thoughts are so far removed from what they were at the beginning of this adventure. I feel very proud of our cinnamon roll.
I will confess that I was thoroughly shocked at the conclusion of the big baddies of this book. I mean, I knew it had to happen at some point but, to be honest, I completely thought this was not gonna be the book.
Even after all was done I couldn't quite believe it had really happened.
I'm not sure I can believe it even now.
This brings us neatly to the other part of the ending that had me in a roller coaster of emotions. These ones a bit more displeased.
So, everything was going beautifully, heartbreakingly, perfect. I could not believe what had just happened and I had rivers of tears running down my cheeks. Even though I could hardly believe Rick had done that to us I had already made peace with is and was loving the implications of it all. I was there for it. And then... that happens.
I won't lie and say that I completely hate it because I don't. I did sigh in relief. I did smile. I did cry for a completely different reason.
I won't say that it doesn't make a twisted perfect sense. It does. I really, really, like the idea of how all that arc unfolds through time. I like the explanation. It feels possible and well between the bounds this world has. It felt almost as if I had always knowing it and now I was just acknowledging it.
Yet, if you know anything about me you need to know that I'm always displeased when authors pull that card. Even when is well justified. To me, it will always feel like the author can't fully commit to that idea.
Even though I know Riordan can and has commited to that idea.
With all the conflicting emotions I can say full-heartedly that I liked that particular twist.
“Never underestimate the power of thousands of human minds all believing the same thing. They can remake reality. Sometimes for the better. Sometimes not.”
The Tower of Nero promises to be a great book. Though, I have no idea how that book will be better than these last two installments.
The amount of lose ends has diminished and some topics are well tied in this one. Sure, we still have a lot in Meg's particular arc but, well, I'm not all that excited about that because I still don't like Meg.
The prospect of returning to New York, and possibly Camp Half-Blood, is a bit exciting. If mostly because of who exactly we will see. And, well, returning to where it all started to end it -because I'm pretty sure The Tower of Nero will be the last book - makes poetic sense. Very fitting.
“I don’t need another person to heal my heart. I don’t need a partner… at least, not until and unless I’m ready on my own terms. I don’t need to be force-shipped with anyone or wear anybody else’s label. For the first time in a long time, I feel like a weight has been lifted from my shoulders.”
______________________________
I love it.
I'm still reeling from those last pages. Ugh. My poor heart can't take this kinda heat anymore. But I still love it.
I'm feeling so many things and I really need to get over this initial shock before anything I say can be trusted. So, I'm going to sleep on it.
One thing is sure. I need to read The Tower of Nero as soon as it comes out.
RTC.
______________________________
I've been waiting way too long for this book to come out and I really needed to get my hands on it as soon as it came out. Which I did.
And having waited the single day has been enough stalling.
This has to get me right in the feels after the last book's ending if it doesn't make me cry at least once I'll be disappointed.
Enough talk. I'll get back to you anyway.
October 3, 2022
this book probably has some of the coolest scenes rick riordan has ever written.
Read
February 26, 2022i’m very frankful for this book
____________________________________
1.) The Lightning Thief ★★★★★
2.) The Sea of Monsters ★★★★
3.) The Titan's Curse ★★★★★
4.) The Battle of the Labyrinth ★★★★★
4.5.) Percy Jackson and the Sword of Hades ★★★★
4.6.) Percy Jackson and the Stolen Chariot ★★★★★
4.7.) Percy Jackson and the Bronze Dragon ★★★★★
5.) The Last Olympian ★★★★★
5.2.) The Son of Sobek ★★★★
5.3.) The Staff of Serapis ★★★★★
5.4.) The Crown of Ptolemy ★★★★
1.) The Lost Hero ★★★★★
2.) The Son of Neptune ★★★★★
3.) The Mark of Athena ★★★★★
4.) The House of Hades ★★★★★
5.) The Blood of Olympus ★★★★★
1.) The Hidden Oracle ★★★★★
2.) The Dark Prophecy ★★★★★
3.) The Burning Maze ★★★★★
____________________________________
1.) The Lightning Thief ★★★★★
2.) The Sea of Monsters ★★★★
3.) The Titan's Curse ★★★★★
4.) The Battle of the Labyrinth ★★★★★
4.5.) Percy Jackson and the Sword of Hades ★★★★
4.6.) Percy Jackson and the Stolen Chariot ★★★★★
4.7.) Percy Jackson and the Bronze Dragon ★★★★★
5.) The Last Olympian ★★★★★
5.2.) The Son of Sobek ★★★★
5.3.) The Staff of Serapis ★★★★★
5.4.) The Crown of Ptolemy ★★★★
1.) The Lost Hero ★★★★★
2.) The Son of Neptune ★★★★★
3.) The Mark of Athena ★★★★★
4.) The House of Hades ★★★★★
5.) The Blood of Olympus ★★★★★
1.) The Hidden Oracle ★★★★★
2.) The Dark Prophecy ★★★★★
3.) The Burning Maze ★★★★★
October 27, 2019
I'm always fascinated with war games. And in reading this one, the hunger was satisfied.
I'm in a reading hiatus. For the past two months, all I read is comics and reread some short stories. This is the point that I reach my reading plateau, or should I say I am asking myself the question why I am reading?
When I read the Burning Maze last April 2018, I am dissatisfied with what I read in the book. I felt it is just moving a phase then return back to where it began. The only thing new on that particular book is the death of Jason Grace, but it just added to my sorrow because of an event that happen to our family... Fast forward, Tyrants Tomb was a gift, but after thanking the giver, I just put it in the bookshelf. Until last week, in an unknown instance, it fell to the ground. I pick it up and open the book... Then I read, Tower of Nero, Fall of 2020. Then I open the front cover, and it happened... I just read and finished the book...
Fast-paced, action packed, excitement are some of the things that describes this book. Thus, more prophecy, old and new characters and quite good Roman war.
Mostly, the book teaches us that change is the only constant in this world. And life is not just a piece of driftwood that easily burn but a light that sometimes flicker but continues to burn.
Thank you for this one, it offers something that led me to continue reading. 😊
I'm in a reading hiatus. For the past two months, all I read is comics and reread some short stories. This is the point that I reach my reading plateau, or should I say I am asking myself the question why I am reading?
When I read the Burning Maze last April 2018, I am dissatisfied with what I read in the book. I felt it is just moving a phase then return back to where it began. The only thing new on that particular book is the death of Jason Grace, but it just added to my sorrow because of an event that happen to our family... Fast forward, Tyrants Tomb was a gift, but after thanking the giver, I just put it in the bookshelf. Until last week, in an unknown instance, it fell to the ground. I pick it up and open the book... Then I read, Tower of Nero, Fall of 2020. Then I open the front cover, and it happened... I just read and finished the book...
Fast-paced, action packed, excitement are some of the things that describes this book. Thus, more prophecy, old and new characters and quite good Roman war.
Mostly, the book teaches us that change is the only constant in this world. And life is not just a piece of driftwood that easily burn but a light that sometimes flicker but continues to burn.
Thank you for this one, it offers something that led me to continue reading. 😊
November 25, 2018
RICK WE NEED TO SEE JASON IN THE UNDERWORLD (or something)
PLEASE BECAUSE THAT LAST BOOK
That last book...
*Sobs uncontrollably*
Do your magic Rick. :)
PLEASE BECAUSE THAT LAST BOOK
That last book...
*Sobs uncontrollably*
Do your magic Rick. :)
November 3, 2019
3.5 stars rounded up.
In the fourth instalment in the Trials of Apollo, we find Meg and Apollo at Camp Jupiter, surrounded by some familiar faces, as they bring a fallen hero to their final resting place. It’s a somber mood, one that’s quickly interrupted by the appearance of zombies that have a message for Apollo from another old enemy. And with Commodus and Caligula hot on their heels, things soon build up to an epic showdown for control of New Rome. A showdown that’s sure to have more devastating consequences.
The growth of Apollo��s character is really apparent throughout this book. There’s less whining, less talk of being useless, and there’s a sense of camaraderie between the group as they work well together and really bond. There’s a real sense of love and friendship that’s grown over time between Meg and Apollo, and it feels genuine. I also enjoyed the relationships between Apollo, Reyna, Hazel and Frank. They all bounce off each other well, bring out the best sides of their personalities. A certain daughter of Terpsichore is also a delight, bringing humour (and diversity) to an already fairly eclectic group.
The plot also advances quite a bit here too. Gone are the subtleties and secrets of the earlier books, and this is high on the action and battles with a range of monsters, birds and silent Gods for Apollo to face, and confront more demons of his past. As always, it was interesting to see Apollo face up to the consequences of his actions as a selfish God, and shows his character development well.
After such an explosive ending, I’m really looking forward to the thrilling conclusion and ultimate showdown against Nero next year.
In the fourth instalment in the Trials of Apollo, we find Meg and Apollo at Camp Jupiter, surrounded by some familiar faces, as they bring a fallen hero to their final resting place. It’s a somber mood, one that’s quickly interrupted by the appearance of zombies that have a message for Apollo from another old enemy. And with Commodus and Caligula hot on their heels, things soon build up to an epic showdown for control of New Rome. A showdown that’s sure to have more devastating consequences.
The growth of Apollo��s character is really apparent throughout this book. There’s less whining, less talk of being useless, and there’s a sense of camaraderie between the group as they work well together and really bond. There’s a real sense of love and friendship that’s grown over time between Meg and Apollo, and it feels genuine. I also enjoyed the relationships between Apollo, Reyna, Hazel and Frank. They all bounce off each other well, bring out the best sides of their personalities. A certain daughter of Terpsichore is also a delight, bringing humour (and diversity) to an already fairly eclectic group.
The plot also advances quite a bit here too. Gone are the subtleties and secrets of the earlier books, and this is high on the action and battles with a range of monsters, birds and silent Gods for Apollo to face, and confront more demons of his past. As always, it was interesting to see Apollo face up to the consequences of his actions as a selfish God, and shows his character development well.
After such an explosive ending, I’m really looking forward to the thrilling conclusion and ultimate showdown against Nero next year.
October 2, 2019
LEO DOES’NT APPEAR
I THOUGHT FRANK DIED
WHY DID REYNA LEAVE
I’M ANGRY
DAKOTA, WHY
PROPHECIES ON SKIN, INGENIOUS
WHAT DOES HE MEAN BY FALL 2020
HE BETTER BE WRITING ANOTHER BOOK 📚 FOR KANE CHRONICLES IN THAT LONG PERIOD OF TIME
I THOUGHT FRANK DIED
WHY DID REYNA LEAVE
I’M ANGRY
DAKOTA, WHY
PROPHECIES ON SKIN, INGENIOUS
WHAT DOES HE MEAN BY FALL 2020
HE BETTER BE WRITING ANOTHER BOOK 📚 FOR KANE CHRONICLES IN THAT LONG PERIOD OF TIME
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 2, 2020
Video review! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4wawN...
I spent all of August marathoning the first 4 Trials of Apollo books, and my life is CHANGED! I'm so glad I waited all this time, and now get to experience the finale in October. Strapping in!
I spent all of August marathoning the first 4 Trials of Apollo books, and my life is CHANGED! I'm so glad I waited all this time, and now get to experience the finale in October. Strapping in!
Want to read
October 10, 2019Oh, wow! I saw this beautiful quote from here and insta fell in love with it. Hard.
Now feel I need to read (and maybe memorize) the whole of Rick Riordan's writings. Must read everything.
Q:
How did one commemorate the death of a god of silence? A moment of silence seemed superfluous. Perhaps a moment of screaming? (c)
Now feel I need to read (and maybe memorize) the whole of Rick Riordan's writings. Must read everything.
Q:
How did one commemorate the death of a god of silence? A moment of silence seemed superfluous. Perhaps a moment of screaming? (c)
October 17, 2019
4.5 stars!!
So I couldn't wait for my physical copy and just finished reading the ebook and I also ended up highlighting a lots of lines in the book. I was so excited for this to come out and Uncle Rick didn't let me down!
"I should also tell her I didn't hate her. In fact, I liked her pretty well. All right, I loved her. She was the bratty little sister I'd never have had."
The amazing relationship between Apollo and Meg made me crave for an older brother that I'll never have. The book also portrayed Apollo's love for his twin, Artemis( or Diana for this book). Apollo may not be good in romantic love but he loved his sisters greatly!
The gradual transformation of Apollo is carried out beautifully throughout the series. This was definitely not the same Apollo as seen in The Hidden Oracle. Uncle Rick also managed to show Apollo as a 16 year old Lester as well as a 4 thousands year old god at the same time, which is one of the many things I loved about this book.
"Each person's grief has its own life span; it needs to follow its own path"
I was excited to go back to Camp Jupiter. I also loved the addition of a new character. And there was a battle! Reading the battles of Riordanverse is so much fun!
I'd admit that this book was more emotional than last and had lesser quest. But the fun and adventure, nonetheless, was same.I loved every moment in the book and when I turned the last page my heart screamed for more! I can't believe this wonderful series is going to end soon. I'm so much more exited for The Tower of Nero!
So I couldn't wait for my physical copy and just finished reading the ebook and I also ended up highlighting a lots of lines in the book. I was so excited for this to come out and Uncle Rick didn't let me down!
"I should also tell her I didn't hate her. In fact, I liked her pretty well. All right, I loved her. She was the bratty little sister I'd never have had."
The amazing relationship between Apollo and Meg made me crave for an older brother that I'll never have. The book also portrayed Apollo's love for his twin, Artemis( or Diana for this book). Apollo may not be good in romantic love but he loved his sisters greatly!
The gradual transformation of Apollo is carried out beautifully throughout the series. This was definitely not the same Apollo as seen in The Hidden Oracle. Uncle Rick also managed to show Apollo as a 16 year old Lester as well as a 4 thousands year old god at the same time, which is one of the many things I loved about this book.
"Each person's grief has its own life span; it needs to follow its own path"
I was excited to go back to Camp Jupiter. I also loved the addition of a new character. And there was a battle! Reading the battles of Riordanverse is so much fun!
I'd admit that this book was more emotional than last and had lesser quest. But the fun and adventure, nonetheless, was same.I loved every moment in the book and when I turned the last page my heart screamed for more! I can't believe this wonderful series is going to end soon. I'm so much more exited for The Tower of Nero!
November 14, 2020
"How do you tell a dream from a nightmare? If it involves a book burning, it's probably a nightmare."
3.5
I think this was my least favourite book in the series. I still liked it but not as much as the other three, and especially not as much as The Dark Prophecy which was my favourite in the series. I'm not sure yet if I'll just order the hardcover for The Tower of Nero or I'll wait for the paperback to come out so it will match with the other books. That's something to be determined in the near future.
The plot was kinda slow for my linking. Most of Rick Riordan's books are really fast paced, but I felt like this was just taking its sweet time and because of that, I just got a little bored halfway through the book. I liked seeing, Hazel, Frank and Reyna again and that did make up for the slow pace, but it still wasn't enough to erase the boredom I was feeling.
I liked how Apollo is affected by everything taht's happening around him and most importantly because of him in this book. We can see how his character is developing and leaving behind his bratty god attitude. And I personally love how Meg is helping him with that. She makes this book so much better, especially when Apollo starts his self-pity sessions.
By Rick Riordan standards, I though it was an okay book, but it could have been so much better. I just didn't find this book as good as the rest of his works and I'll forever be salty about that.
3.5
I think this was my least favourite book in the series. I still liked it but not as much as the other three, and especially not as much as The Dark Prophecy which was my favourite in the series. I'm not sure yet if I'll just order the hardcover for The Tower of Nero or I'll wait for the paperback to come out so it will match with the other books. That's something to be determined in the near future.
The plot was kinda slow for my linking. Most of Rick Riordan's books are really fast paced, but I felt like this was just taking its sweet time and because of that, I just got a little bored halfway through the book. I liked seeing, Hazel, Frank and Reyna again and that did make up for the slow pace, but it still wasn't enough to erase the boredom I was feeling.
I liked how Apollo is affected by everything taht's happening around him and most importantly because of him in this book. We can see how his character is developing and leaving behind his bratty god attitude. And I personally love how Meg is helping him with that. She makes this book so much better, especially when Apollo starts his self-pity sessions.
By Rick Riordan standards, I though it was an okay book, but it could have been so much better. I just didn't find this book as good as the rest of his works and I'll forever be salty about that.
Want to read
March 22, 2019honestly this went on my shelf for literally my favourite books literally ever BUT honestly rick could write a book that's logically one star and i'd still be obligated to give it five stars for my childhood self. this man could literally write a book about apollo and meg arguing and i'd vote for it as the best book of the year in the goodreads awards. oops
SO HAPPY THE BURNING MAZE GOT THE AWARD IT DESERVED @ THE GOODREADS AWARDS !! well done
ALSO FALL 2019?? YOU EXPECT ME TO CONTINUE LIKE A NORMAL, FUNCTIONING PERSON UNTIL FALL 2019??
SO HAPPY THE BURNING MAZE GOT THE AWARD IT DESERVED @ THE GOODREADS AWARDS !! well done
ALSO FALL 2019?? YOU EXPECT ME TO CONTINUE LIKE A NORMAL, FUNCTIONING PERSON UNTIL FALL 2019??
Want to read
July 7, 2018HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO WAIT UNTIL FALL 2019 AS OPPOSED TO SPRING 2019??? HOW UNCLE RICK, /HOW/
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