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<This is
the second novel in a series.>
Months have passed since Nico di Angelo and Will Solace
returned from the depths of Tartarus. Life at Camp Half-Blood has been filled
with initiating new demigod campers and doing breathing exercises with Mr. D
(a.k.a. Dionysus). When Nico’s half-sister Iris-messages from Camp Jupiter on
the West Coast, they jump at the chance to help Hazel Levesque manage a
situation that can’t be explained via message and must be seen. It should only
take a couple days. (Famous last words.) It turns out that Nico and Will showed
some of the Underworld’s denizens that they don’t have to be inherently evil.
These reformed monsters are calling themselves mythics. There’s
Asterion (the minotaur whom Percy Jackson has a past with and
which Asterion would like to rectify his past actions), Semele (an eidolon made
of smoke), Johan (a blemmyae, a headless monster with a
chest-face), Orcus (a griffin, mocked by his family for his
diminutive size), Arielle (an empousa, a winged, bloodsucking
monster) and Quinoa (a karpos, a grain spirit, who dares you to
call him a pseudo-grain).
These
mythics are seeking refuge at Camp Jupiter, but the legionnaires are having
trouble accepting outsiders whom they’ve been trained to kill on sight. The
mythics begin disappearing, but it isn’t until one of their own demigods is
threatened that the other legionnaires admit that, perhaps, these mythics are
the exception and really do want a non-demigod-killing life. Between the
mistreatment of the mythics and the mysterious dark force threatening to punish
monsters for their past crimes, Nico feels in over his head. He’s so tempted to
summon an army of undead skeletons to kick some legionnaire backside.
Fortunately, Will is there as “the balm to his scattered soul.” And he packed
Kit Kats.
Collaborating,
bestselling authors Riordan and Oshiro send readers on another dynamic,
fast-moving adventure involving shadow travel, begging Cocoa Puffs
(a.k.a. cacodemons, manifestations of a person’s worst memories)
and battle dancing Lavinia-Asimov-style (Fifth Cohort leader and a daughter of
Terpsichore, the Muse of Dance, so “...be prepared to square-dance at a moment’s notice!”).
It is a riot of chaos that only Riordan can help create, thoroughly
entertaining and laugh-out-loud funny that isn’t without self-doubt and a lot
of empathy. This middle-grade fantasy, action novel is inclusive, and while it’s
surely not going to be to everyone’s liking, I flew through the story. It’s
still a must-read for mythology fans and dedicated Riordan readers.
P.S. My
new favorite character is Johan. I would happily drink tea with him.
P.P.S.
Asterion is another new favorite. He could start up a knitting group. And don’t
be alarmed. He’s the Minotaur, but he’s reformed!
Book 1:
The Sun and the Star
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