It begins with a prophesy, and a knock on the door, despite Camp Half-Blood being near deserted. Readers, prepare to be pitched into the life of Nico Di Angelo.
The Sun And The Star is an adventure novel by co-authors Rick Riordan and Mark Oshiro, based in the same fantasy world as Percy Jackson and the Olympians, The Heroes of Olympus, and The Trials Of Apollo by Rick Riordan. Profound themes enhance the character-driven plot of this 2023 release.
Hope And Darkness
Nico Di Angelo is the son of Hades. Following the previous series, this demigod has been helping the displaced society of Troglodytes to create a new home…in the Underworld.
The Underworld, Hades’ realm, is an effective metaphor for Nico Di Angelo’s own reality: invisible to many, often dark or melancholy, and associated with death. Like the Underworld, life’s heavy realities can be comfortably ignored, except by those who suffer them. Illness and trauma, injustice and grief, neglect and cruelty.
To help others, Nico first must listen to them with empathy and respect. I admire the Trogs for making their new home in a notoriously unhome-like space. This suits an empowered community with incredible hope and unity. They highlight the book’s theme about thriving in the darkness.
The Sun And The Star
As the story unravels, we descend underground with Nico and Will on a rescue mission. The goal: to retrieve Bob the Titan without becoming lost in Tartarus forever. On a quest, delays are expected. The boys are waylaid by the enigmatic Gorgyra who inquires about their mission, their relationship, and much more. Nico has never been listened to so attentively. Can he finally share about himself without holding back?
Kudos
- Greek Mythology parallels, returning characters, and – best of all – new quirky characters to love!
- A certain sweet conversation about not-normal childhoods felt very relatable, (especially to neurodivergent kids)!
- I love to see correct mental health terminology used in fiction!
Significant Annoyances
- Recap sections slowed the first few chapters. I thought they could have been more interesting.
- I specifically recall Morpheus in the Battle of Manhattan, not Hypnos.
- I don’t know when and how Nico regained his childhood memories. This bothered me in the other series, too. Tell me, please!
Reading about two traumatized teens and their relationship development is emotional work! While it felt hopeful overall, I took lots of breaks to feel my big feelings. Ultimately, this is a powerful story for thoughtful readers to explore acceptance.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
What were your favorite themes in The Sun And The Star?
Voice of Reason 
2 thoughts on “The Sun And The Star”