tj_thenerd's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous emotional funny reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

I'm really struggling to know how to feel about this book. I was a big fan of Nico Di Angelo when I initially read PJO and HoO, not to mention now as an adult queer I often seek out queer romance. But this isn't what I'm looking for. And I fear I've just grown away from this writing style. Things feel ham-fisted and it's constant references to ToA made me exhausted. 

I didn't enjoy that series and didn't finish it, so maybe I was hoping it would mostly be ignored? But I imagine if I had finished them, it would also bother me that everything was constantly being summarised again. It felt like I was simultaneously being isolated as someone who didn't engage with ToA AND isolated as someone who knew what had already happened. Over explained and under explored? 

I felt like it was trying to be one of those companion short stories that felt like bonus scenes in a DVD menu but instead it became a full movie that doesn't really stand up alone. Is that a bad thing? For me, yes, I think so. I think I was looking for something different here. And I think I knew going in it wouldn't be what I hoped but I read it anyway.

The relationship is sweet in places and made me smile. If you're still deep into these stories and enjoyed ToA, I think you'll like this. I just think I unfortunately have to concede that new additions to the Riordanverse aren't for me anymore. 

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

eetishmeh's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous emotional slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

I'm gonna give it to you straight (even though we all know how not-straight this book is) (sorry): This book did not meet my expectations. 
Don't get me wrong; I love Nico and I've been dying to read this for YEARS. Unfortunately, the plot was clunky and there were scenes that should've been cut. There were also some mistakes towards the end which really should've been weeded out by a round of editing. These all made the book feel like an unpolished draft instead of a final version. Also, is it just me or do they pass out a lot? They're gonna give Jason a run for his money! 

Okay, now I've gotten that out of the way, I gotta give some praise to the book. I loved it mostly because IP works on me and Nico has been one of my favourites since The Titan's Curse, but that doesn't mean I don't love other things about it too. I liked Gorgyra, though I don't really know how to feel about how her segments were structured. And also, having this book be written by an author who isn't Riordan truly shows how different writing styles can be. It made me reflect a lot on my own writing (especially since Oshiro's voice reminds me of my own lol!)

All right, that's all from me. Bob says goodbye~ ⭐☀️

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

smurphiavelli's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5


Expand filter menu Content Warnings

abby_can_read's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous emotional funny medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

📖
I had a wonderful time reading this book. Nico and Will were adorable. I liked their relationship. 

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

jamie003's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous challenging dark tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25


Expand filter menu Content Warnings

ducktofu's review against another edition

Go to review page

fast-paced

2.75


Expand filter menu Content Warnings

fuqing_god's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0


Expand filter menu Content Warnings

melaschnie's review against another edition

Go to review page

5.0


Expand filter menu Content Warnings

julesadventurezone's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous emotional reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

The beginning was really slow and i just don't like humor derived from mispronouncing things and brand names. I also thought the character arcs were pretty obvious. 
Nonetheless, I was very invested toward the end and liked Will and Nico's relationship very much.

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

thesvnthsense's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25


Expand filter menu Content Warnings