"The Tower of Nero" by Rick Riordan

The Tower of Nero (Oct. 6, 2020) by Rick Riordan.

*This is the final novel in a pentalogy.*

Perhaps the most insulting thing of the past six months for Apollo? Being transformed into a mortal teenager with acne and also the moniker Lester Papadopoulos. Apollo and Meg have traversed the United States freeing ancient Oracles, vanquishing odious monsters and prevailing over two of the Triumvirate’s evil emperors (Commodus and Caligula). They’ve endured grave tragedies, certain of which will take longer to process. And now they’re making their way to Manhattan, ready (well, maybe not truly ready) to confront Nero Claudius Caesar, who triangulates out the Triumvirate. He’s also Meg’s abominable, abusive stepfather. For Meg’s part, she does reunite (not gently or happily or pain-free) with Luguselwa. Lu is a Gaul (“the name that Romans gave to the Celts and their territories”), and her name means beloved of the god Lugus (per Apollo, “Those Celtic deities were a strange, fierce bunch.”). Lu is fierce, and she’s plenty bad, but she’s actually got a conscience, which is lightyears more than I can say for Nero. Beyond overcoming Nero, there is an even more ancient and powerful threat: Apollo’s archnemesis, Python, who’s moved into the sacred Oracle of Delphi like it owns the place. Rude. If Apollo can defeat his enemies, he will become the god Apollo again, and if he doesn’t, well, he’ll be dead. Apollo won’t be alone, though (or not always). There’s Meg, allies from Camp Half-Blood, and let’s not forget the Arrow of Dodona. Oh, and troglodytes. Trogs are “a race of subterranean humanoids who eat lizards and fight bulls.” They also, apparently, really like wearing hats, and they think any human language is the “barbaric language of the crust-dwellers.” They have a habit of referring to mortals as lizards, too, so remember your manners, honor them and, if they don’t eat you, be sure to thank them for not doing so.

            Confession: I had pre-ordered this novel last year, received it on release day and read it right away. Why am I this late in publishing this post? Well, I let the books pile up, this one was always at the bottom of the up-and-down pile, and now we’re here. So, at least it’s finally shining in its own post!

            The final in The Trials of Apollo screams, battles and derides its way through to the end. As it’s from Riordan, it’s no surprise that this middle-grade novel showcases an action-driven plot, constant adventure that often drips with danger and high potential for great bodily harm (and/or death) and familiar characters we’ve so enjoyed traveling through these stories with (and have lamented those that haven’t made it)(still book-grieving over that one death). Monster gore is overshadowed by consistent snark and wit, so I don’t think readers will be too disturbed thataway. For younger readers unaware of the real-life Nero Claudius Caesar, do not worry that any parallels are explained (they are not). Nero’s megalomania in this series is just for this series. Riordan wraps up this series by dishing out just deserts. Sadly, Apollo lets us know that he’s fresh out of unicorns to give as gifts, and I do hope that, just because he’s gained some humility, he doesn’t quit gracing us with his terrible – I mean, terribly rewarding – haikus.

            Book One: The Hidden Oracle (did not review)

            Book Two: The Dark Prophecy (did not review)

            Book Three: The Burning Maze

            Book Four: The Tyrant’s Tomb