The Sun and the Star (2023)-Rick Riordan and Mark Oshiro

This book was written specifically for the Solangelo fans and I love it for that

Content Warnings: grief, death, monsters, peril, mentions of internalized homophobia

Rep: gay, bisexual, mlm, wlw, nonbinary author

Fav Quote: “You are a legitimate demigod Care Bear”

        The Sun and the Star is the most recent addition to Rick Riordan’s Percy Jackson universe. It is a middle grade, mythological fantasy novel that features many of fan’s past favorite characters but now focuses on Nico Di Angelo and Will Solace. The book seeks to provide closure to fans who have followed Nico through his many traumatic experiences and preach to readers acceptance in having an imperfect past.

        Boyfriends Nico and Will were last featured in the Trial of Apollo series where readers were first given a glimpse into their lives as a couple at Camp Half Blood—healing from former adventures and loses as well as learning to rely on others. In this book, their story picks up a year into their relationship after months of Nico receiving a desperate cry for help in his dreams. He believes these cries to come from Bob, a reformed titan who helped the demigods in their war against Gaea and left in Tartarus. Nico feels an obligation to return to the monstrous depths of the Underworld and Will insistently decides to join him on his quest.

        Nico and Will receive advice and aid from many familiar characters from past series but for the most part are alone and must rely on each other throughout their trials. These trials include encounters with monsters in Tartarus, demon-provoked mind games, and buried relationship issues that need to be unpacked to work together in the worst of circumstances.

       Nico and Will are a sweet young couple with a large fanbase behind the characters. They fit the classic “grumpy-sunshine” trope and are each individually very lovable. In this book Will often comes across as less than sunshiny as he’s taken out of his element and forced to address the biases he has against the Underworld. Meanwhile, Nico is his typical brooding self, but we see much character growth as he comes to terms with is past and learns to let people into his life. The writing of Nico at times falls short, however. Much of the dialogue seemingly meant to emulate Gen Z humor comes across more as a Boomer attempting to write a Millennial. Nevertheless, the book is thoroughly enjoyable and well-suited for fans of Percy Jackson and Solangelo.

4⭐️