The Hidden Oracle

★ ★ ★ 1/2 (rounded up)
This originally appeared at The Irresponsible Reader.
—
Only 361 pages? Riordan is taking it easy on his readers. And maybe himself.

Anyway, following the events of The Heroes of Olympus, Zeus is a little displeased with Apollo and demonstrates this by turning him into a human teen (read: YA/MG novel star) and casting him to earth. He appears to be fully human – not even a demigod like Percy and the rest. Speaking of Percy, as soon as Apollo figures out what happened to him and where he is, he makes a beeline for Percy's apartment to get help. Smart move. Percy gets him to Camp Halfblood and disappears back to NYC to do homework.

Once there, Apollo begins trying to figure out what quest he'll have to do to return his status to quo. Along the way, he'll make some friends, get a better perspective on himself and his offspring (yeah, that's not weird), and maybe go through some of that personal growth. Note that I said, “some” personal growth and “better” perspective – that's not saying much, basically Apollo comes across as a a teenaged-Gilderoy Lockheart with a conscience. Instead of the large number of missions that we've become accustomed to in these books, there's really just one (plus the series-arc mission) – such a nice change.

A lot of people from the Percy Jackson and The Heroes series are name-dropped and discussed, not to mention the few that we see – there's even a nod to the Magnus Chase series – thankfully, my favorite is one of those who shows up in the flesh. There's also a good amount of in-jokes to please the long-time fans. But readers new to this universe shouldn't be put off by any of this – it's absolutely approachable, maybe even moreso than anything since The Lightning Thief.

This is told in the typical breezy style that characterized non-adult mystery Riordan novels, but given the different protagonist, feels a little fresher. A little briefer, a little change of pace – still full of that Riordan magic. The Hidden Oracle is a sold first-entry in yet another adventure in this world. Give it a shot.

5/5 stars

Rick Riordan never fails to impress.

I had high expectations for The Hidden Oracle, and not only were those expectations exceeded, but they practically got squashed by a giant s-oops sorry spoiler alert.

Years ago, when I read PJO for the first time, Apollo was my favorite god. He was just so full of himself, and so obsessed with haikus, that every scene he was in made me laugh so hard. I'm glad to see that he hadn't changed. I've seen countless reviews contain this comparison, but I have to agree. He's Gilderoy Lockhart, but severely less annoying.

I only have to complaints about this book: not enough Percy, and absolutely no Annabeth. But the fact that there was Percy, and the moments of Nico and Will's relationship made this book even more perfect.

It's getting really formulaic. So, for every single book in every single series written by Rick Riodan, it goes roughly the same way. A threat that could result in the destruction of human civilisation. Then a new, bigger quest is hinted at and we learn of an EVER BIGGER THREAT TO HUMAN CIVILISATION FJDJSJDJDHAHSHSHALDKS, rinse and repeat.

After the first couple times being told that my darling protagonists are bravely facing the most dangerous danger, introducing an even bigger threat just... loses it's impact. My emotions get worn out, danger loses meaning. Riodan is trying to make the Triusomething sound significant it hopes that us readers will care about the story, but sorry, it might work the first five times but not now.

I was eagerly awaiting the climax of the book, when I looked at the pages and realised I'm already 90% through. There was some pacing issues, but I'm a poor writer myself and find it hard to identify the problem.

I wish Riodan wrote his books in Percy's universe in a way more similar to how Orson Scott Card wrote his books in Ender's world. At least for Ender's series, different books and different series have different challenges: some big some small, unique, but still relevant to the bigger picture. It doesn't have to be bigger threat after bigger threat. This isn't a damn d*ck size contest.

2,5/5.
Este livro foi quase um DNF. Demorei absurdos para concluí-lo, colocando várias leituras n frente; para me importar com as personagens - e por elas, digo, Apollo, porque Meg não teve salvação no meu coração (é uma personagem fraca e sem razão para estar lá :[). E não apenas isso. Por mais que eu tenha ciência que os livros de Rick são muito “tudo da mesma coisa”, “fórmula pronta” e etc, eu gosto do mundo construído e de como ele o desenvolve. Mas me surpreendeu o quanto esse livro é... fraco, comparado com as demais séries. Ainda mais, o quanto Magnus Chase é superior a esta série (considerando que é o mesmo autor, escrevendo paralelamente estórias distintas).
O que “salva” este livro, é as aparições de Percy, as menções aos demais livros e a “promessa” do trio que seguirá para o segundo livro porque, minha gente LEO voltooooouuu. E ponto.

 I read The Hidden Oracle as an audiobook, as I do with most of what Rick Riordan writes. I found Apollos godly arrogance really funny, but I'm looking forward to seeing more of the character growth we see him go through in this book continuing within the rest of the series. The Hidden Oracle was a three star book for me primarily due to the characters. I really value the characters in a story, and was looking forward to seeing some of my favorites who either were not in this book at all, or were only in it a little bit. I'm sure I'll grow to love the main characters in this series as I read more of Trials of Apollo. Despite not having many of my favorite characters, the end of The Hidden Oracle left me wanting to read the next book in the Trials of Apollo, The Dark Prophecy, as soon as possible.

Si Rick Riordan hubiera hecho a cierto personaje como yo quería, los siguientes libros de esta serie habrían sido totalmente queer y habría sido hermoso, pero igual estoy contenta con que incluyan a este personaje que no puedo mencionar porque es spoiler.

Y ahora sí de verdad tengo que darme un descanso con Rick y su mundo, tengo que leer otra cosa!

• 1st person POV from Apollo - he is a hilarious, pompous and narcissistic arse I found it impossible not to love.
• Introduces the character of Meg, who I really liked, especially the interactions between her and Apollo.
• More Nico DiAngelo development, hurrah!
• Lots of wit and snark throughout
• Cameos from Percy and lots of other old favourites
• Slow start but gains momentum
• Interesting watching Apollo interact with his kids while trapped in the guise of an awkward teen
• Really loved how each chapter starts with a poem composed by Apollo referencing the coming events
• All around fun read, with some good insights and character development.

“When one is a god, the world hangs on your every word. When one is sixteen... not so much. 

I walked right into that one, didn't I? You can't blame me—I had a huge PJO phase. Who didn't have a PJO phase? (Spoiler: no one, that's who.) And now Rick Riordan's back! After a quick stop at the Norse Mythology session, that is. And, yes, I liked this book. I liked The Hidden Oracle. There, said it. HEY, IT'S NOT MY FAULT (it's totally my fault and I am sorry).

The thing is that I wasn't sure I would like this book. I mean, it's still repetitive, the main character still talks like Percy Jackson, and there's still a prophecy thing (more Oracles! more prophecies!), but—I love everything so much, I can't help it. I'm not proud, you guys. Not AT ALL. As a reader, as a pagan, as a human being, I am not proud, right? Right. Fine. Okay. I think we can talk about The Good now, because I am dying to. (Possible spoilers ahead.)

THE GOOD: Solangelo (Will/Nico) is probably the best pairing to exist in the history of pairings, hands down. I am so happy they were there, I'm so happy they exist! I crave queer representation in media, guys, and I am so here for it. ALSO ALSO ALSO Apollo is bi/pansexual. CANONICALLY SO. I am happy. Besides, there's Leo Valdez. I love me some Leo Valdez. Leo Valdez is amazing. Give Leo Valdez a book.
THE BAD: It's all very repetitive. Again, it just feels like we've heard it all before (it is less repetitive than Magnus Chase, though... I think?), and, like I said, it reads very much like Percy Jackson's still narrating the story, only now he's got a huge ego. Besides that, now we've got another Annoying Talking Weapon. yikes! I missed Mr. D.
THE UGLY: What the fuck was that with Apolo thinking camp boys and girls were cute and/or considering flirting with them? Gross, dude. I mean: GROSS, dude.

• surprisingly charming after magnus chase #1 !
  + apollo-bias
  + apollo's relationship with meg and his kiddies ;___;
  + percy's retirement and his CONFIRMED BABY SISTER and role reversal with apollo
  + hooooooooly hell the scenes where apollo is solo and desperate and lonely
  + robbie daymond was awesome to listen to and possibly the reason i was forgiving overall about the negatives that follow
  + no diversity bingo
  
  - everyone other than apollo and will and meg are boring
  - even meg is pretty boring
  - even nico and percy are boring, especially if you treat this series as a new one, which by the way seems hard to do because it's not interested in explaining continuity
  - hella repetitive (we get it, human brains are small, come up with a new way to complain about your predicament)
  - the sense of urgency that came with the river styx has been destroyed, as with many pre-established things in the pjo universe... packing things on top of each other is getting too convoluted
  - i hate riordan's fandom-based memes more often than not
  - i also continue to hate many of riordan's choices from the previous series, including our travelling companions for the next book, although from a technical standpoint i understand WHY that hasty hook-up was thrown in at the end of BOO :
  - no (tasteful) diversity at all, unless you count apollo's constant “Have I Mentioned I Am Bisexual Today?”
  
  a good travel companion on a 10 hour road trip, though!

Short Review: More standard Riordan. Which I really enjoy. This builds on the Percy Jackson and Heroes of Olympus series. And I got bored and never finished the last of the Heroes of olympus series. I should go back and read that. So there were a couple holes in the story for me. But that was easy enough to guess at what happened.

Apollo is a lovably annoying character (this is first person in his voice.) You see his character growth. But you really like the other character in the story and so at least I read, more for interest in her than in him.

I will keep reading them. It was a good change of pace.

my very slightly longer review on my blog http://bookwi.se/hidden-oracle/

Another great read from Rick Riordan. The Apollo POV was so funny! Answered a couple questions left at the end of Blood of Olympus too. I'll have to look back at the quotes I highlighted. I look forward to the next installment!

Christian POV note: This book also reminded me of how awesome Jesus is. Though He was God, He humbled himself as a human by choice, served, and gave His life for us willingly.

When I was younger, I would have killed to have more content in the PJO universe and this would have scratched that itch perfectly. It even brings back some characters from the original series! As a YA fiction book, this is great. Adventurous, funny, well-worthy of a spot in the canon. Honestly, the lead-up to the big confrontation scene at the end made the book worth reading all by itself.

I do wish that he had spent more time on some of the minor characters. He mentioned their names and one thing about them, but I just wanted a little more.

Age range: 10-15
Lots of LGBT content/allusions/asides, in case that matters to you. Nothing other than that.

——————–

Eu ganhei esse livro pro meu aniversário de um amigo meu da UFMG e, apesar de já ter lido esse livro há 6 meses, eu decidi repetir. E essa vez a experiência foi exponencialmente melhor! Eu acho que quando eu li pela primeira vez, eu não estava na fase de querer ler um livro desse gênero. Então pra mim parecia um pouco brega e juvenil. Mas esse foi só o quarto livro que eu tenho lido em português na minha vida, então meu nível de entendimento é até de humor e bem mais baixo nessa língua. Porém, eu ri de verdade das piadas que o autor fez, eu fui muito investido no desenvolvimento do personagem principal e eu achei que o jeito que o autor conectou essa série com as anteriores deu bem certo.

Eu deixei minha avaliação de 4 estrelas ao invés de 5 porque o plot parecia muito com os outros livros que esse autor tem escrito. Só faltava um pouco de originalidade. Não quero dar um spoiler, mas esse livro até tem uma arma falante!

Faixa etária recomendada: 10-15
Violência igual o padrão do autor, uma cena chegando ao fim que o perigo em que os personagens se acharam e muito assustador. Também contém conteúdo LGBT, se isso for importante pra você.