Eduardo Pineda asked Rick Riordan:

Hi, Rick! I'm a huge Leo Valdez fan—I relate to my bro so much and not only because I'm Mexican, hahaha. I have some questions about him. What would you say is his real fatal flaw as a hero? Some people say it’s that he feels inferior to others and that's why he always compares himself to them, and I can totally see that, but I’d love to hear your take. Also, do you think we might see him again in a future book?

Rick Riordan I'm glad you enjoyed Leo's character. I love him, too, probably because he was inspired by a friend I had growing up in San Antonio. I'm not sure Leo's fatal flaw is ever explicitly mentioned in the books, so that's up for interpretation. I'm not sure that he feels inferior to others. I think he's got insecurities, sure, but so do a lot of people. He sometimes feels left out, or out of place, and when he feels insecure, he tends to use humor and bravado as defensive cover. I like him because he's got such a great sense of humor, and he's got such a big heart. He's just a genuinely nice guy who has been hurt in his life, but who always does his best to stay hopeful and help his friends find hope, too. As for whether we might see him again, I don't know. He gets some good moments in the Trials of Apollo, though. That's the most recent appearance from Mr. Valdez. Thanks for reading!

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