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A review by monniebiloney
The Burning Maze by Rick Riordan
adventurous
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
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
4.0
So far The trials of Apollo series has been disappointing. This book, by far has been the best of the 3, but still falls to some of the problems I had with the previous books.
the Pros: Apollo is a character with a personality and goals. (this was lacking in the 1st book), and goes through great character development (which was lacking in book 2). He has Meg around to have a relationship with (Apollo doesn't have any chemistry with any of the main cast in Book 2) and we have some nice side character show up here. The book had some iconic scenes and emotions ones as well.
Cons: We are still doing Hot potato with who has to hang out and help Apollo. all characters introduced are either A: Killed off, or B: Decide that they have better things to do the to help save the world. It's jarring to as the least. I under stand that the 7 are tired and just want questing to be over with, but it feels wrong for all for them (except for Jason, he was worried) to be so nonchanlant about everything.
The main problem I really had with this is the characters that died. The first character died when be barely had 50 pages with him! It was no where near enough time for us (and Apollo) to truly bond with him before his dead (Which is greatly shown by how Apollow reacts to Person As dead VS Person B who we had around 100+ pages of interactions with!) as a long time reader, I felt saddened for how one of my favorite characters ended with their potential nevee fufilled (for thats whats sad about his death--His potential. Not that a beloved character, a beloved friend has died. Not his dead is sad because it truly never really meant much.)
I loved the second character that died and his dead was well written and I really can't blame Rick for it, but I morn him all the same. I feel.like he had so much potential.
All in all the Apollo books feel like almost a cash grab to make sure we get a bunch of cameos and to 'close up' some problems with characters other fans probably complained about in the first 2 series. And it comes off as almost like they HAD to do it, rather then a sorry written with love.
the Pros: Apollo is a character with a personality and goals. (this was lacking in the 1st book), and goes through great character development (which was lacking in book 2). He has Meg around to have a relationship with (Apollo doesn't have any chemistry with any of the main cast in Book 2) and we have some nice side character show up here. The book had some iconic scenes and emotions ones as well.
Cons: We are still doing Hot potato with who has to hang out and help Apollo. all characters introduced are either A: Killed off, or B: Decide that they have better things to do the to help save the world. It's jarring to as the least. I under stand that the 7 are tired and just want questing to be over with, but it feels wrong for all for them (except for Jason, he was worried) to be so nonchanlant about everything.
The main problem I really had with this is the characters that died. The first character died when be barely had 50 pages with him! It was no where near enough time for us (and Apollo) to truly bond with him before his dead (Which is greatly shown by how Apollow reacts to Person As dead VS Person B who we had around 100+ pages of interactions with!) as a long time reader, I felt saddened for how one of my favorite characters ended with their potential nevee fufilled (for thats whats sad about his death--His potential. Not that a beloved character, a beloved friend has died. Not his dead is sad because it truly never really meant much.)
I loved the second character that died and his dead was well written and I really can't blame Rick for it, but I morn him all the same. I feel.like he had so much potential.
All in all the Apollo books feel like almost a cash grab to make sure we get a bunch of cameos and to 'close up' some problems with characters other fans probably complained about in the first 2 series. And it comes off as almost like they HAD to do it, rather then a sorry written with love.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death
Minor: Animal cruelty, Body horror, Body shaming, Child death, Deadnaming, Self harm, Slavery, Torture, Grief, and Suicide attempt