It’s been over a dozen years since Nico di Angelo was introduced to readers. Since then, he’s appeared in nine books: Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Titans Curse, The Battle of the Labyrinth, The Last Olympian, The Demigod Files: The Sword of Hades, Heroes of Olympus: The Son of Neptune, The Mark of Athena, The Blood of Olympus, The Trials of Apollo: The Hidden Oracle, and The Tower of Nero. His tenth appearance will be in his first leading book. However, Nico isn’t the only one appearing as a leading character – his boyfriend, Will Solace, who has appeared in five books in his own right, will also be in the spotlight for this novel. Will has appeared in five books as of date.
The novel is written by both Rick Riordan and Mark Oshiro. Rick Riordan, the creator of Nico and Will, returns to the world of Camp Half-Blood once again with a new quest for the couple. As if Nico hasn’t been through enough, it’s time to go back to Tartarus. But this time, he’s bringing Will along for the ride rather than making the journey alone. This is in part why Mark Oshiro is co-writing the novel with Riordan. Both contribute to the story by ensuring that the experiences of people within the LGBTQIA+ community was something taken into account throughout the series and helping to further develop both Nico and Willl. The collaboration between Riordan and Oshiro helps the story succeed in new and exciting ways.
The relationship between the pair is equally prioritized as the quest they’re on. Nico and Will are funny, endearing, and most of all flawed. Insecurities, love, and trust all play a part in relationships, and theirs is no exception. However, this only adds to the story. From the very first page, it’s clear that neither is more important than the other when it comes to surviving their quest. This may be a Nico di Angelo story, but just like all healthy relationships, Will Solace is his equal in the story in every way.
I was only able to read the first five chapters of the book, but it was an absolute joy in those pages. The environment feels familiar and the characters are very natural. Everyone’s dynamics are what long-time readers might remember and are equally comprehensible to newer readers. However, there is an immediate sense of growth in the world for readers who are familiar with this world. Particularly in Nico, who seems to have naturally progressed in many ways that keep him both consistent to his core and a more developed character. The dialogue may be a bit silly at times, but it’s never unnecessary and perfectly fits the target audience. Needless to say, this story is one for all to enjoy.
Rick Riordan and Mark Oshiro are a great team and have given fans a new exciting adventure for Nico and Will. Although the world may be familiar, things have certainly changed. It’s through this development that the story takes off and continuously holds a sense of urgency. Moreover, The Sun and The Star: A Nico di Angelo Adventure is an exciting story that offers new challenges to the characters while staying true to the characters and is sure to be considered one of the memorable books from the world of Percy Jackson.
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