Jayson’s Reviews > The Dark Prophecy > Status Update

Notes:
(1) I read all the back matter first, so despite the page number I'm actually finished.
- Took me a lot longer than I'd envisioned or planned. On top of being unexpectedly busy, I've had to deal with this new strain of COVID, which has been a burden and a half.
(2) We finally get the titular line near the very end of the book. Apparently, "The Dark Prophecy" is a sonnet.
- It's even capitalized when mentioned.

Notes:
(1) Meg's behavior and emotional intelligence for the series, until this cave scene, has been as if she's 6 years old, not 12.
- Suddenly, she decides to finally act her age.
(2) I don't know whether Riordan actually understands what "step-father" means. What he calls a step-father is actually a foster-father.
- Though, perhaps he's just using it because it's a better-known term for the middle-grade audience.

Notes:
(1) While sleeping in the vicinity of Apollo, the Hunters of Artemis always set up traps and barriers to protect against nocturnal molestation.
- A strangely adult detail for a YA/MG book. Though, to be fair, the whole Riordanverse is based on the concept of gods impetuously coupling with humans.
(2) Leo procures a Mercedes for Apollo to drive. It's hinted this is an Easter egg, but I can't spot the reference.

Notes:
(1) It's interesting that Commodus of all people is given the Voldemort treatment where speaking his name is taboo.
- Though, in this case, saying his name sort of does put you on his radar.
- When Meg repeatedly shouts his name, I half-expected him to pop up like Beetlejuice.
(2) "[Lityerses] hissed in annoyance. I understood this effect Meg had on people."
- Indeed, I do too. Speaking as one of the affected.

Notes:
(1) Apollo lists celebrities who couldn't handle fame at a young age: "Justin, Britney, Lindsay, Amanda, Amadeus". I must presume he means Bieber, Spears, Lohan, Bynes and Mozart.
- Can't be Timberlake, he seems normal.
- Arguably, "Wolfgang" might be too broad. Though, I don't know that anyone called Mozart by his middle name.
(2) Apollo and Calypso sing a duet.
- They literally make beautiful music together.

Notes:
(1) Boy, they're really treating limericks as the red-headed stepchild of prophecies.
- I foresee this being a running joke.
(2) We seem to have the makings of a love-triangle.
- With Leo and Calypso's relationship on the rocks, the two former-immortals go questing alone.
(3) So far we haven't left Indianapolis.
- Same thing last book, we never left Camp Half-Blood.
- Possibly this series is one city per book?

Notes:
(1) Leo calls Calypso "Cal" while she calls him "Leonidas."
- I can understand "Cal," but I'm almost certain "Leonidas" isn't what Leo's short for, if it's short for anything.
- I mean, if it were like Percy and Perseus I'd think we'd know by now.
(2) If Leo and Calypso weren't an item, I'd swear this was an opposites-attract rom-com between Calypso and Apollo.
- She just seems like she's pulling his pigtails.

Notes:
(1) I wouldn't say "The Hidden Oracle" was a disappointment, but it's the least of the Riordan Greek/Roman books I've read.
- It's just so different than the others, not conforming to the usual Riordan formula of 3+ heroes on a cross-country road trip. From this book's description, it seems to be getting back on brand.
(2) I'm curious which version of Calypso we get here.
- I'd guess a mix of the previous two.