The Hidden Oracle | Review

Summary:

How do you punish an immortal?

By making him human.

After angering his father Zeus, the god Apollo is cast down from Olympus. Weak and disorientated, he lands in New York City as a regular teenage boy. Now, without his godly powers, the four-thousand-year-old deity must learn to survive in the modern world until he can somehow find a way to regain Zeus’s favour.

But Apollo has many enemies—gods, monsters and mortals who would love to see the former Olympian permanently destroyed. Apollo needs help, and he can think of only one place to go… an enclave of modern demigods known as Camp Half-Blood.

Title: The Hidden Oracle (Trials of Apollo #1)
Author: Rick Riordan
Publication Date: May 3, 2016
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion
Age: Middle Grade

Review:

I finally got around to reading the first book in this new Riordan mythology series and I’m glad I did. This book was a great beginning to the Trials of Apollo series.

I was already a little biased going in since I’ve been a big fan of Riordan for some time now, but I still tried to keep my expectations low. Well, that didn’t happen and I still came out impressed. This book was hilarious from page one in true Riordan style. On top of the general humor from Apollo’s personality, we also get to experience these wonderful haikus at the beginning of each chapter. I’ll just share my favorite.

“Parenting advice:
Mamas, don’t let your larvae
Grow up to be ants”

Apollo is such an interesting character that I’m so glad we’re getting to know. He begins this book still in the mindset of being a god; very self-centered, self-important, and ignorant. However, as a mortal, he now has to deal with a bunch of challenges he didn’t have as a god, including new emotions such as regret, helplessness, and a bit of self-loathing. I think it’s through these vulnerable moments that Apollo has that begin to see what’s to become of him in the future. Some great character development, even just in book 1.

As well, we’re introduced to a new character, Meg McCaffrey. She is Apollo’s companion throughout this book and truly a puzzle to me. Her parentage is hidden during the first part of the book and her past is unknown almost until the end. I can’t wait to get to know her more through the rest of the series. She has a serious complex going on that I really want to explore.

Overall, this was a great beginning to, what looks to be, a new and exciting adventure about self-discovery and the power of enduring hope. Oh, and the power of poetry as well. This book could be easily enjoyable for MG and YA book lovers alike. 5/5 star for my favorite mythology author.

Rating: 5/5

To check out my other reviews, click here. Or to check out more books by Rick Riordan, go to his GoodReads profile or his website.