Name: Kathleen Boyle's review of The Hidden Oracle (The Trials of Apollo, Book 1) by Rick Riordan
Item: The Hidden Oracle (The Trials of Apollo, Book 1)
Rating: 5
Author: Kathleen Boyle

Rick Riordan

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 4,000-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

The Hidden Oracle (The Trials of Apollo, Book 1)

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 disoriented, 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 favor. 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.

Pia 

“and quite possibly fatal." "Exactly," Leo said. "Fun.”

Not them lining up to hot Leo so relatable 

“The line starts to the left! Orderly queue, guys!" "Is this really necessary?" Leo asked.

I followed his gaze. Spiraling down from the clouds was a large winged creature that glinted of Celestial bronze. On its back were two human-size figures. Their descent was silent, but in my mind a joyous fan- fare of Valdezinator music proclaimed the good news. Leo had returned.

The weekend was here. Percy Jackson had arrived.

“and after that shadow-travel, Nico is going to pass out any second." No, I'm not," Nico complained, then passed out.

Someone is a bit obsessed with his doctor but I get it so it’s fine 

"Will, Kayla, Austin," I said, "come with me." "And Nico," said Nico. "I have a doctor's note."

Okay so now how does this make sense at all?

It takes a Village People to protect your mind "YM.C.A." Yeah

You see, Apollo, Meg brought you here, just as I asked her to. Well done, my sweet.”

Oh probably nothing as the goddess of wisdom 

This god is going to kill me this is so funny

I turned and fled, running face-first into a tree.

But I suppose he and his friends had undergone a few minor hardships.

 I am much too selfaware to be egotistical.

Standing behind the kitchen counter, making a smoothie, was a strikingly attractive mortal woman of about forty. 

“Besides, he likes me. I taught him everything he knows."

"As you wish," I said. Let's find Percy Jackson."

Did I ever mention how much I love Apollo he is hilarious

Zeus needed someone to blame, so of course he'd picked the handsomest, most talented, most popular god in the pantheon: me.

Paige

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 disoriented, 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 favor. 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

Julia Rutgers

Kathleen Boyle

i loved learning about things that happened in the other series plus solangalo and leo coming back

Stella

ang 

i wanna be lester papadopoulos when i grow up (we are the same age)

Kat 

Apollo and Meg bro☹️

Apollo and his children too😭😭

Pjo Apollo is such a mood istg

Christine

I read this at 3 in the morning and for some reason I found it absolutely hysterical. I don't even want to question myself

Christine Frisbie

I really enjoyed the pacing of this book and the way that Rick handled the characters' emotions and development. It contains his trademark humor and wit, yet also introduces more of Apollo's background and some stories we've never heard before. He also did a marvelous job of managing to tie together the events of both the series preceding this one in the Percy Jackson world, which really impressed me. I also found the haikus at the beginning of each chapter quite humorous.

I wasn’t feeling this book in the beginning but I ended up liking it a lot. Love nico and will. 

Leah Diaz 

apollo finding his home in camp half blood 😭😭 i loved this book i loved all characters 

julia

AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!! Apollo's character development was so good. Things that made me really happy: (view spoiler)[ 1. Percy Jackson is going to have a little sister!!! 2. Solangelo!! 3. Apollo and his children 4. LEO's RETURN!!! 

  Also I love how we are told about things that occurred back in PJO and never found out, how this group was behind Luke Castellan's rebellion and orchestrated Gaia's war.  (hide spoiler)]

nina 

AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!! Apollo's character development was so good. Things that made me really happy: (view spoiler)[ 1. Percy Jackson is going to have a little sister!!! 2. Solangelo!! 3. Apollo and his children 4. LEO's RETURN!!! 

  Also I love how we are told about things that occurred back in PJO and never found out, how this group was behind Luke Castellan's rebellion and orchestrated Gaia's war.  (hide spoiler)]

Ally

this was refreshing to read. there were fresh sentences and funny moments (aka the rick classic). would've been better if I actually remembered the percy jackson series

hilda ☆

the things i’ll force myself to read for my little gay son nico di angelo 😞

3.5/5 hubiera sido 5 si yo no hubiera leido nico first but that’s on me. anyway apollo es so silly

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 disoriented, 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 favor. 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. Also included, a bonus short story: "Percy Jackson and the Singer of Apollo"

Absolutely loved apollo on this! Can't wait to read the next one!

Sara

Hannah Yang

My Instagram algorithm has been recommending a lot of PJO content to me recently, so that is my excuse for starting this series. Searching in the children's section of the library for this book got me some weird looks, but anyways. I had forgotten how fun the Riordanverse was! There is something addictively readable about his books, and I admire Riordan's creativity in imagining how mythology could be woven into our every day (I'm kind of delighted by the idea of Roman emperors are driving capitalism/the military industrial complex).

Admittedly, The Hidden Oracle felt much more middle-grade than I remember the rest of the series being (how did we get from the angst and maturity of Percabeth's relationship, especially in Tartarus, to Apollo defeating a statue of himself with hayfever?), but there is some good groundwork here for addressing things like child abuse (with Meg/Nero) and accountability (with Apollo's reflections on his previous disregard for human life, etc). I do think that in contrast to what I remember about previous PJO books, The Hidden Oracle felt too much like a set-up for the rest of the series than a plot that stands on its own. Will that stop me from finishing the series? Probably not, this nostalgic read sparked a lot of joy.

alexandra

oof the only good things about this book was nico and will, percy, and (SPOILER!!!!!) leo (OKAY END SPOILER).

i couldn’t stand apollo as a character and physically couldn’t bring myself to read the book after a few chapters. i put it off for a few years, and with each new release i’m like, “but it’s rick riordan & i love the pjo world!!!” so i decided to force myself to read it with the audiobook. 

conclusion: i still can’t stand apollo. i’m a character-driven reader and if i don’t like the mc, it’s reaaaally hard for me to enjoy the book. the other lead, meg, was better but not the pjo-hoo material i was expecting. the plot wasn’t enough to cover apollo’s annoying-ness, or maybe it was simply the way he was narrated. although apollo does change and get BETTER through time, he’s still ://// ugh. 

the best parts were definitely when old characters came back :’)). not sure if i’ll continue this series. i’m conflicted bc i love nearly EVERYONE ELSE except apollo, but this is the trials of apollo ;——;

Camille Carso

I wanted to read this series after rereading Percy Jackson and the Heroes of Olympus series. Apollo is an unlikeable narrator. However, he is meant to be this way. Even within the first book we are able to see his growth. I really didn’t like the character of Meg. Also the relationship between Will and Nico is so precious and beautiful. I’m excited to see how that grows.

wren

** spoiler alert **
           LEO VALDEZ.

Alexander Aguirre

I have so many things to share about this book. This review contains some spoilers, please read under your own responsibility. 

(view spoiler)[ Now, let's start with the good stuff. 
First thought about the book is a bad feedback, but a feedback anyway. Rick Riordan tried too hard to include LGBT characters, as a gay reader I do appreciate it but like not that hard man, make it more soft, more easy, not like, chapter one, gay chapter 2, gay and like it helps the plot, but kind of forces it (My opinion tho). This leads us to....
Thought number two: #Solangelo. What do I have to say about this? Well, like the 19366 character I have left would not be enough, I will need to summarize. Too rushed, too beautiful... I know, I know, those thoughts should not be together, is just I don't really know how to feel about Solangelo because, I mean, it was my OTP since The Blood of Olympus I was like O M G. But as a true shipper I expected more slow progress, I know it has been 6 months, but I really wanted to see Nico sweating in the Cabin 7 door with some flowers asking Will for a date.  I guess I'll have to survive with Fanfictions But I loved so much the way Will is so sweet and Nico is so  "Significant annoyance, in your case" I just loved it and hated it so I think it must be love. 
Third thought! My father Apollo, in case it is not obvious in the perfectness of my body OMG if I was not in love with this God now I am... Just kidding I was. The way uncle Rick put Apollo on the book is so f*cking The Titan's Curse I mean, like Gods! He's human, he must have like 1000000000 enemies and he is like "My midriff was covered with a floral pattern of bruises from my fall into the Dumpster and my subsequent kicking.  But even worse, I had flab! See what I mean? I completely loved it, completely loved the fact he has not forgiven himself for Hyacinthus and Daphne. I completely love how he accepts he's not a good father, but beyond that, I love the fact he looks forward to have it resolved even if we know Olympians are not allowed to interfere in the mortal life. Loved how he's not afraid of screaming and cursing Zeus, like who in the nine worlds would curse the big bad guy? Percy and Apollo. Which reminds me...

Thought number FOUR! it is number 4 right? Perseus Jackson. Am I the only one who sees Percy is ending like Luke? Like on The Heroes of Olympus says repeatedly he is tired of doing the Gods work and his first words to Apollo were "Why" which indicates he is getting even more tired, he did not even really help on the quest.  (hide spoiler)]

This is pretty much what I think about this gorgeous book. Rick please go and get you a beer, you deserve it.

Apollo tidak pernah merasa seterhina ini selama empat ribu tahun kehidupannya! Semua orang mengenalnya sebagai dewa paling tampan, paling berbakat, dan paling populer. Namun, kini wujudnya yang mengagumkan berubah menjadi sesosok remaja culun berambut keriting, dengan muka berjerawat dan perut menggelambir bernama Lester Papadopoulos! Sang Dewa Musik tidak lagi memiliki satu kekuatan dewata pun dan tanpa sengaja malah membuat dirinya terikat menjadi pesuruh seorang demigod remaja bernama Meg. Siapa yang membuat Apollo dikutuk menjadi manusia fana dan berakhir di dalam salah satu tong sampah di New York? Apa yang harus dia lakukan demi mendapatkan kembali wujud dewatanya dan pulang ke Olympus? [Mizan, Fantasi, Noura Books, Nourabooks, Novel, Rick Riordan, Percy, Terjemahan, Best Seller, Indonesia]

The Trials of Apollo #1

The Hidden Oracle

Stef

Buku pertama dari Rick Riordan yang di baca tahun ini. Hampir satu bulan buat nyelesain buku ini, premis nya masih sama soal dewa-dewi yunani dan kali ini yang jadi lead chracternya dewa apollo yang di kutuk menjadi fana dan menjalani misi untuk mengembalikan status dewanya. Well, dari segi karakter kurang suka sama apollo ini. Karakternnya sedikit annoying dan ngga bikin aku yang baca simpati sama dia. Dan karena sifat karakternya yang begitu yang buat bikin lama bacanya. 

Meskipun apollo nya bukan likeable karakter, plot dan beberapa jokes nya masih oke dan bikin tahan untuk nyelesain bukunya. Masih bakal lanjut baca buku keduanya, semoga apollo less-annoying :)

Nicole Sonja

I can't tell you how exciting this is. I'm finally reading a book just after it was published. This book was hilarious and made me look like a hyena. All the same, hyenas are cool and make people laugh about nothing in particular. So, I didn't mind.

Azaura A

Leoooo!
Leo's back!
Leo Leo Leo Leo!

I'm sorry, in this moment I can't think in everything else!

Anna

Bon pour l’instant je suis septique. Pas un coup de cœur il ne se passe quasiment rien dans ce premier tome.
Mais je sais que la suite va être incroyable comme toujours. Pour moi ce tome c’est une mise en place du contexte de cette nouvelle quête ! J’ai hâte de lire la suite pour retrouver définitivement l’univers des demi dieux !!!

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 disoriented, 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 favor. 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.

- Apollo's personality is well done. He's a bit cocky, with a flair for the dramatic. It was easy to see Rick Riordan's version as fitting with the well known version from mythology.

- Meg has depth. She knew what she liked, and who she is. I felt she was seriously underappreciated most of the book.

- The mythology is well researched, as always it's fun and interesting to see what elements Rick did tie together.

- Parts of the story became preachy. I hated that the author felt he needed to justify some of his choices. Rick, you're not wrong to make certain characters feel or act a certain way, they are YOUR characters.

- Too many characters to keep track of. I kept getting confused who was who that wasn't the main cast.

- Percy Jackson felt like he was thrown in as fan service. Taking over for Apollo at times where Apollo should have and could have shined.

- Plot like was too similar to the first books of the original Percy Jackson series. Made it very easy on what to expect, and took a lot of the suspense out of the story for me.

Ariel Johnson

Pros:
- Apollo's personality is well done. He's a bit cocky, with a flair for the dramatic. It was easy to see Rick Riordan's version as fitting with the well known version from mythology.
- Meg has depth. She knew what she liked, and who she is. I felt she was seriously underappreciated most of the book.
- The mythology is well researched, as always it's fun and interesting to see what elements Rick did tie together.

Cons:
- Parts of the story became preachy. I hated that the author felt he needed to justify some of his choices. Rick, you're not wrong to make certain characters feel or act a certain way, they are YOUR characters.
- Too many characters to keep track of. I kept getting confused who was who that wasn't the main cast.
- Percy Jackson felt like he was thrown in as fan service. Taking over for Apollo at times where Apollo should have and could have shined.
- Plot like was too similar to the first books of the original Percy Jackson series. Made it very easy on what to expect, and took a lot of the suspense out of the story for me.

Kimberly Burgess 

Very much Emperor-Kuzco-getting-turned-into-a-llama-and-getting-his-groove-thrown-off vibes 🤣 but it was so fun and funny and reminded me of the original Percy Jackson series, I'm looking forward to the next one!

One of my favorite books in the percy jackson universe

Arav

Oh my. This story was simply fantastic., I never wanted to put the book down! Apollo is a very refreshing character who's point of view is hilarious to read from. As an immortal god fallen from Olympus, he has a lot to say! 
The writing like in ever Rock Riordan book was filled with jokes that made me laugh out loud while reading! I loved returning to Camp Half Blood and getting some more action from Percy! 
The book is fast paced but it doesn't seem rushed. It also ties up a lot of strings from previous books that were left open. It makes me think just how far ahead Rick was thinking!

Kathleen Boyle &
The Hidden Oracle (The Trials of Apollo, Book 1) by Rick Riordan

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The Hidden Oracle (The Trials of Apollo, Book 1) by Rick Riordan