I’m sad that this was only a sample because I had to wait until the book was released to talk about it, because wow, this book blew me out of the water. I already knew I would like it because I am a huge fan of the Percy Jackson universe, but I had no idea how much this book would personally mean to me.

I am 28, and started reading PJO when I was Percy’s age, around when the books actually started coming out. Nico di Angelo came out of the closet in Heroes of Olympus even before I did to myself. I didn’t realize the impact he had on me until much later, ironically much like Nico himself, who in a beautiful bit of fourth wall shattering, doesn’t realize his impact on the queer people at Camp Halfblood just like his impact on IRL queer readers.

Taking into account this is a middle grade to YA novel and I’m an adult, I was surprised at the emotional maturity being explored (not because kids can’t have or shouldn’t have that), but the level of focus it had. Rick and Mark really listened to how fans interpreted this character, shaped by so much trauma, and made a book about being a queer person navigating PTSD in a long term relationship. rather than just a book about their queer romance, or dealing with trauma as a teen. Ironically, many of the things Nico comes to realize about himself, his trauma, and his relationship were things I had to work out on my own in my 20s, and reading this felt like looking back on my own journey, despite it being about a teenage boy.

This book felt like a great addition to this universe, because it examines the impact these insane circumstances have on a child, which is what has always made these books stand out. Rick has always emphasized the horrors of being a demigod, rather than making it an adventure kids want to go on alongside these kids. But Mark and Rick did a masterful job not only balancing styles between each other, but also not making it a full on constant trauma fest, letting us revel in the small moments in Will and Nico’s relationship, giving us more depth to Nico’s love for his friends, and giving us more insight into Will as a person.

I guess you could read this book having not read every single other PJO/HOO/TOA novel, but I don’t think it would hit as hard, to be honest. And that’s a good thing - this novel as an emotional epilogue on the three series feels perfect. Nico was always the odd man out in every series, so it’s fitting he get the final say in his odd book out, so to speak.

For example, Nico’s reckoning with being outed, a scene in the HOO books that was quite controversial, might not hit as hard without the context, despite TSATS on its own doing a great job to describe it, especially with Jason’s relationship to Nico. This book reframing that scene as something that does happen to queer people and how they navigate it can be complex was important, though, and a really good example of how Rick has learned over time to fix past mistakes. (In this case, having a queer co-writer reframe those events adds this new context).

This novel also emphasizes all the things that make Nico great, things implied in other books and vehemently defended by fans for decades at this point. Just like Percy’s fatal flaw of loyalty, Nico’s selflessness that only others like Will are able to point out to him becomes a central theme. The book, just like his loved ones, emphasizes how his heroism comes from his care and emotional intelligence for others, his thoughtfulness for those forgotten by everyone else, a hero of the marginalized, as he is in real life, too.

I cried several times reading this book. I also laughed, as PJO books always make me do (and there’s a very funny extremely niche Star Wars reference that I asked Mark about on Twitter that was apparently on purpose!) The whole time I kept thinking about how important this book will be in some kid’s life. Maybe in their queer identity, maybe in dealing with their trauma, maybe in navigating a new teen relationship. I hope this book doesn’t get banned somewhere. I know if I’d had it as a kid things might have turned out differently for me. Thank you so much for this book.

I didn't realize this was just an excerpt. Waited to review until reading the whole book.

A little bit slow in the beginning, but a solid entry into the world of Camp Half-Blood. A must read for Percy Jackson fans. For grades 5 & up.

This was only an excerpt so can't really "review" it! Though I will say it was nice being back in the Percy Jackson multiverse :)

WAS SO EXITED FOR THE PREVIEW CHAPTER LOVE THE BOOK. Bought the actual book the first week it was out.

Everything Rick Riordan writes is GOLD. Mark Oshiro is an added BONUS. This is an amazing read and everyone should read it. I love them so much! Thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley for the opportunity to read in exchange for a review.

A great beginning to a wonderful book! Since reading this preview, I have read the entire title, and it was amazing! Rick Riordan always delivers and Mark Oshiro adds a wonderful element to the story. The queer humor was on point and mixed well with the classic Riordan style. I'm so glad we got a look into Nico's mind. I also love that we saved a friend that otherwise would have been left behind. I recommend reading at least the Heroes of Olympus series to understand this, as some of the in-jokes and emotional beats work better with that in mind.

I've read the whole book by now and it did not disappoint!

Being the first queer characters I read about, these two will always have such a special place in my heart <33

This book has this charm all the riordanverse have: adventures with high stakes and a lot of humour sprinkled in, discussing deeper topics as well! I loved it so much!

I loved the excerpt of The Sun and the Star and read it together with my almost 13-year-old daughter: it made us both even more excited to read the book, which I preordered months ago! I can already tell this is going to be a fantastic book!

Thank you NetGalley and Disney Hyperion for the ARC, all opinions are my own.

I have always appreciated the diversity in Riordan's books, and this is no exception. As someone who grew up reading PJO, I found this book a good continuation of Nico's story (and I loved reading more about Will!). I've already bought my copy and can't wait to read it again!

A story that focuses on my favorite character, Nico and also Will? Yes please! Another fun story from Riordan that fans of the Camp Half Blood series won't want to miss.

Another installment in the Camp Half-Blood Chronicles, and once again it was amazing. Loved following Nico and Will on their adventure to save Bob from Tartarus. I loved how Rick and Mark wrote the dynamics between Nico and Will, and how they both had to come to terms with things about each other. I enjoyed this very much and while I don't know if there will be any more books to come, I really hope there are. I would love to see more of Nico and Will.

Thanks so much to the publisher and to Netgalley for providing me with an e-ARC copy of this book!

I have scheduled promotional posts around release day for this book and I will provide a full review on my Instagram once I am able to get to this read.

Rating 5 stars on Netgalley as a placeholder for me to update later once the review is complete.

Will also complete a review on Goodreads once read.

Thanks again!

4.5 rounded up
Love the characters and yhe story. Wonderful escape book. Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH, I'm so incredibly excited for this book !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Advance 50 pages for the new Rick Riordan book, just got me hyped to read the book. It's looking good so far and I cannot wait for the real thing.

A great new addition to the Percy Jackson Universe. This story has me wanting to do another deep dive into all the percy jackson books just to get an idea of how everything connects.

Fantastic book! Great characters, interesting Underworld mythology, compelling character development, it's got it all!

I haven't read the books in a good couple of years and I was still able to follow along with the story. I'll re-read them soon and re-read this again with a better understanding of the events they referenced throughout the book.

The start of this book was wonderful. It has a couple prophecies, visions and things from previous Percy Jackson books. If you liked Percy Jackson then you will really like this book. I can’t wait to get the full novel. Thank you to Disney Books & Net Galley for the advanced excerpt to confirm my love for Percy Jackson!

Rick Riordan quite literally is the reason I read today. I can recall exactly the first time I saw one of his books and felt intrigued by the concept of books. My friend Miguel was on our school bus reading Battle of the Labyrinth and I, bored as can be, pestered him until he put the book down and spoke to me. I had asked him what he was reading and he mentioned he had just bought it from our book fair. He then proceeded to tell me about the book. Whether it was because I had a crush on him or because the book genuinely interested me, I went that weekend to Walmart and bought the first book in the series. Everything else fell into place after that.

It was a joy to revisit these characters, especially Nico, who I keep dear in my heart and fervently name whenever someone asks me what my favorite series is. While this was only an excerpt that I read, for that short time, I once again felt like a 9-year-old me asking my mom to buy me the blue book with a kid holding a trident on the cover.

This was a 50 page excerpt of a book I'm really looking forward to reading and I had a great time with it. It left me wanting more and it made me want the book like now. I'm really excited for this story.