The Sun and the Star

April 17, 2023
Set in Riordan’s Percy Jackson universe, this thrilling queer standalone from Riordan and Oshiro (You Only Live Once, David Bravo) follows two demigods in love—Nico di Angelo, teenage son of Hades, and Nico’s boyfriend, Will Solace, son of Apollo—on their journey to Tartarus, the Underworld’s deepest abyss. Summer at Camp Half-Blood is over, but Nico and Will have nowhere to go, so the pair is planning a quiet season with the camp’s staff when cries for help start haunting Nico’s dreams. Nico believes he’s hearing the voice of Bob, a Titan who helped two beings escape Tartarus only to become trapped there himself. After a prophecy directs Nico to find the entity calling for him, he and Will commence a quest to do just that—never mind that Hades has banned the living from the Underworld, that Will needs sunlight to survive, or that something seems to be shadowing their every step. Reprising the Greek myth–grounded books’ goofy humor, high-stakes action, and whimsical worldbuilding, the collaborators weave in tender romance and emotionally complex ruminations on change, self-identity, and mental health, balancing adventure with heart and heft. Characters are intersectionally diverse. Ages 10–14. Agents: (for Riordan) Nancy Gallt, Gallt & Zacker Literary; (for Oshiro) DongWon Song, Howard Morhaim Literary.

Starred review from May 1, 2023

Gr 3-7-This exciting standalone fantasy adventure features Nico di Angelo, son of Hades, and his boyfriend Will Solace, son of Apollo. In The Tower of Nero, the final book of "The Trials of Apollo" series, Bob the Titian sacrificed himself to save several demigods. Since then, Nico's been hearing Bob's voice from the Underworld begging for his help. In this book, Nico's determined to rescue him. Despite Nico's worry for Will's safety, he accompanies Nico on this dangerous quest to Nico's home and source of his pain. As an exhausted Nico and injured Will are in Tartarus telling old nymph Gorgyra their stories in exchange for her help, flashbacks from both of their points of view describe the obstacles they've encountered so far. Constantly beset by disturbing nightmares, Nico and Will struggle to not let the Underworld overwhelm them or make them doubt themselves or each other. Chapters end on cliffhangers as Nico and Will try to defeat Nyx, a primordial goddess of darkness, and her monster children, who are trying to prevent them from freeing Bob. Amid the grimness, there's lightness and humorous banter, as Will calls Nico "My grumpy little ball of darkness" and Nico calls Will his "Night Light" because he glows in the dark. Besides Nico and Will, there's other LGBTQIA+ and diverse representation in the supporting cast. VERDICT A seamlessly written, action-packed story that's also a sensitive, introspective character study. Fans who've been waiting for more of adorable couple Nico and Will won't be disappointed.-Sharon Rawlins

Copyright 2023 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Starred review from May 15, 2023
In this stand-alone featuring Nico di Angelo from the Percy Jackson universe, the young ghost king and his luminous boyfriend must journey back to nightmarish Tartarus to rescue an old friend. As the last summer-infused days at Camp Half-Blood fade away, Nico, son of Hades, can no longer ignore a voice that calls for his help. A recurring prophecy drives Nico to accept his quest involving a dreaded return to Tartarus, the deepest, bleakest part of his father's domain, to rescue Bob, a reformed Titan formerly known as Iapetus and an unfortunate casualty of one of Percy and Annabeth's adventures. Joining him this time, however, is his buoyant boyfriend, Will Solace, son of Apollo. From the onset, their descent into the Underworld introduces new foes--both seen and unseen--that push Nico and Will to the psychological brink, confronting them with persistent traumas from Nico's past and ever present doubts over their burgeoning relationship. The further Nico and Will venture into Tartarus, the more the demigods must grapple with the darkness that awaits. This collaborative effort between Riordan and Oshiro maintains earlier Percy Jackson entries' glorious knack for mythical machinations, profoundly sharp conflicts, and contemporary humor. At its core, this stellar tale centers a richly woven love story that shines with ease between two boys who are seemingly different from one another--"grumpy little ball of darkness" Nico and "demigod Care Bear" Will. A standout. (glossary) (Fantasy. 10-14)

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Starred review from May 15, 2023
Grades 6-9 *Starred Review* This latest release in the Percy Jackson universe, a first-time collaboration between Riordan and the award-winning Oshiro, follows teen demigod Nico di Angelo, son of Hades, and his opposites-attract boyfriend, Will Solace, son of Apollo. Reflecting the two leads, themes of light and darkness abound; but rather than fall into the clich� of Nico having to be "saved" from his past by his sunshine boyfriend, Riordan and Oshiro lend nuance to the discussion of what it means to accept not only your past but the darkness within, of how love is a choice one continues to make, and of how you can change if given the opportunity. The action is intercut by the two teens sharing the story of their relationship, catching new readers up while also pacing out the intensity of the pair's journey to Tartarus to save an old friend. While the adventure is properly thrilling, the heart of the book lies in the boys' connection. Even those uninterested in romance will appreciate how their relationship reinforces themes of found family and belonging and the way the characters learn to navigate and communicate through their past traumas (in turn, showing readers that they can, too). The perfect read for fans of Percy Jackson, as well as those who love modern, inclusive takes on classic mythology.HIGH-DEMAND BACKSTORY: Any new Percy Jackson content is sure to attract fans in droves, and the forthcoming Disney+ show can't hurt, either.

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