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cos_is_me's review against another edition
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
He Would Not Fucking Say That: the novel…
I’m so sad, this could have been so good, but I hated the characterisation, the forgotten lore, typos, poor pacing, inconsistent writing, and forced-down-your-throat messages which destroyed any nuance it might have had. I know it’s a middle grade book but kids aren’t stupid. They can understand stuff without it needing to handed to them on a silver platter. It really pains me to rate it so low, but it honestly reads like fanfiction. And I don’t mean that in a derogatory sense, nor am I trying to discount fanfic writers, because some of them can be brilliant. I truly mean that it just feels like Rick didn’t even work on this, save for a few passages, and it falls into over-indulgent tropes sometimes. These things are okay in fanfiction because it is by nature self-indulgent, and there’s certain leeway given for things like characterisation and inconsistencies. However, when it’s like that in an official book, it comes across as messy, unedited, and like the characters are just caricatures. There were things I liked about it too, but they were unfortunately outweighed by things that made me roll my eyes. Also this book was a chance to give Will his own spotlight but I still came away feeling like I knew nothing really substantial about him, and he’s honestly kind of the most useless main quest character in this entire series. He’s a battle medic, but he doesn’t know to bring a weapon???? I truly can’t bring myself to care for his character much, and I’m glad solangelo exists but I find it to be poorly-executed, and this didn’t really convince me otherwise. I’ll always stand by the opinion that Rick easily could have written HOO to make either Jason or Leo a love interest for Nico. It’s a shame because there are good ideas in here too. I see the vision, and I respect it, and I think it can resonate with the target audience, but it could have been executed way better. Also I hate absolutely everything about those Cocoa puff things. Just gonna pretend that doesn’t exist
I’m so sad, this could have been so good, but I hated the characterisation, the forgotten lore, typos, poor pacing, inconsistent writing, and forced-down-your-throat messages which destroyed any nuance it might have had. I know it’s a middle grade book but kids aren’t stupid. They can understand stuff without it needing to handed to them on a silver platter. It really pains me to rate it so low, but it honestly reads like fanfiction. And I don’t mean that in a derogatory sense, nor am I trying to discount fanfic writers, because some of them can be brilliant. I truly mean that it just feels like Rick didn’t even work on this, save for a few passages, and it falls into over-indulgent tropes sometimes. These things are okay in fanfiction because it is by nature self-indulgent, and there’s certain leeway given for things like characterisation and inconsistencies. However, when it’s like that in an official book, it comes across as messy, unedited, and like the characters are just caricatures. There were things I liked about it too, but they were unfortunately outweighed by things that made me roll my eyes. Also this book was a chance to give Will his own spotlight but I still came away feeling like I knew nothing really substantial about him, and he’s honestly kind of the most useless main quest character in this entire series. He’s a battle medic, but he doesn’t know to bring a weapon???? I truly can’t bring myself to care for his character much, and I’m glad solangelo exists but I find it to be poorly-executed, and this didn’t really convince me otherwise. I’ll always stand by the opinion that Rick easily could have written HOO to make either Jason or Leo a love interest for Nico. It’s a shame because there are good ideas in here too. I see the vision, and I respect it, and I think it can resonate with the target audience, but it could have been executed way better. Also I hate absolutely everything about those Cocoa puff things. Just gonna pretend that doesn’t exist
viqwxcs's review against another edition
5.0
☆ finished: 12/30/23 review created: 3/20/24
☆ ∞/5 stars
☆ Summary
As the son of Hades, Nico di Angelo has been through so much, from the premature deaths of his mother and sister, to being outed against his will, to losing his friend Jason during the trials of Apollo. But there is a ray of sunshine in his life–literally: his boyfriend, Will Solace, the son of Apollo. Together the two demigods can overcome any obstacle or foe. At least, that’s been the case so far...
Now Nico is being plagued by a voice calling out to him from Tartarus, the lowest part of the Underworld. He thinks he knows who it is: a reformed Titan named Bob whom Percy and Annabeth had to leave behind when they escaped Hades’s realm. Nico’s dreams and Rachel Dare’s latest prophecy leave little doubt in Nico’s mind that Bob is in some kind of trouble. Nico has to go on this quest, whether Mr. D and Chiron like it or not. And of course Will insists on coming with. But can a being made of light survive in the darkest part of the world? and what does the prophecy mean that Nico will have to “leave something of equal value behind?”
☆ Thoughts
I've never loved a book as much as I love TSAT. It perfectly elaborated on the relationship of Nico and Will. Though, I cringed at some parts, which is perfectly normal for a rrverse book, I loved it all the same. And, I can finally rest peacefully knowingmy son Nico was finally given closure and a happy ending, at least for now.
☆ Quotes
“Three words.
A promise of hope.
The words tingled in Will’s ear.
They ignited his heart.
‘I love you.”
“There cannot be light without darkness, nor darkness without light. You must have the contrast for both to exist.”
“Pain is a part of all lives, mortal and immortal,’ said the nymph. ‘It is inescapable. We all must navigate this river to get where we want to be.’
‘Shouldn’t we aim to avoid pain?’ Will asked. ‘Or at least mitigate it?’
Nico shook his head. ‘You know it’s not that simple.’
‘Pain helps us learn,’ said Gorgyra. ‘It is unfortunate, but we rarely forget the lessons taught to us in moments of pain.”
☆ ∞/5 stars
☆ Summary
As the son of Hades, Nico di Angelo has been through so much, from the premature deaths of his mother and sister, to being outed against his will, to losing his friend Jason during the trials of Apollo. But there is a ray of sunshine in his life–literally: his boyfriend, Will Solace, the son of Apollo. Together the two demigods can overcome any obstacle or foe. At least, that’s been the case so far...
Now Nico is being plagued by a voice calling out to him from Tartarus, the lowest part of the Underworld. He thinks he knows who it is: a reformed Titan named Bob whom Percy and Annabeth had to leave behind when they escaped Hades’s realm. Nico’s dreams and Rachel Dare’s latest prophecy leave little doubt in Nico’s mind that Bob is in some kind of trouble. Nico has to go on this quest, whether Mr. D and Chiron like it or not. And of course Will insists on coming with. But can a being made of light survive in the darkest part of the world? and what does the prophecy mean that Nico will have to “leave something of equal value behind?”
☆ Thoughts
I've never loved a book as much as I love TSAT. It perfectly elaborated on the relationship of Nico and Will. Though, I cringed at some parts, which is perfectly normal for a rrverse book, I loved it all the same. And, I can finally rest peacefully knowing
☆ Quotes
“Three words.
A promise of hope.
The words tingled in Will’s ear.
They ignited his heart.
‘I love you.”
“There cannot be light without darkness, nor darkness without light. You must have the contrast for both to exist.”
“Pain is a part of all lives, mortal and immortal,’ said the nymph. ‘It is inescapable. We all must navigate this river to get where we want to be.’
‘Shouldn’t we aim to avoid pain?’ Will asked. ‘Or at least mitigate it?’
Nico shook his head. ‘You know it’s not that simple.’
‘Pain helps us learn,’ said Gorgyra. ‘It is unfortunate, but we rarely forget the lessons taught to us in moments of pain.”
rosegoldteacher's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
erin_rita's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
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
3.75
angeliq_star's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
2.0
zippz's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
fast-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
3.0
Cute, though a little heavy-handed.
astridagirl's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
zoe_vdv's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
fast-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
mlarali's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75