The Trials of Apollo is a pentalogy of young adult fantasy novels by Rick Riordan, the bestselling author of the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series. The books follow the adventures of Apollo, the Greek god of the sun, who has been cast down to earth and turned into a mortal teenager as punishment for his arrogance and misdeeds. In order to regain his godly powers and status, Apollo must undertake a series of trials, which involve fighting monsters, solving puzzles, and helping demigods and other mythical creatures.
The first book in the series, The Hidden Oracle, introduces us to the new incarnation of Apollo, who is now known as Lester Papadopoulos, a scrawny and awkward sixteen-year-old boy with acne, braces, and no musical talent whatsoever. Lester is shocked to find himself in New York City, where he is rescued by Meg McCaffrey, a tough and streetwise demigod who becomes his unlikely ally and guide.
Together, Lester and Meg embark on a quest to find and defeat the villainous Triumvirate, a group of three Roman emperors who are plotting to destroy the legacy of the Olympian gods and conquer the world. Along the way, they encounter a variety of colourful characters, including other demigods, centaurs, nymphs, and gods, as well as monsters like the Colossus of Rhodes and the Python.
Titles in This Set:
- The Hidden Oracle
- The Dark Prophecy
- The Burning Maze
- The Tyrant's Tomb
- The Tower of Nero
One of the strengths of the Trials of Apollo series is its humour and wit. Rick Riordan is known for his clever and irreverent writing style, which blends classical mythology with modern pop culture references and humour. The books are full of puns, jokes, and witty one-liners, as well as snarky comments and observations from Apollo/Lester, who is not shy about sharing his opinions and criticisms of the mortals and gods he encounters.
Another strength of the series is its diversity and inclusivity. Riordan has been praised for his efforts to create a more diverse and representative cast of characters in his books, including characters of different races, ethnicities, genders, sexual orientations, and abilities. The Trials of Apollo features several prominent LGBTQ+ characters, including Apollo himself, who is bisexual, and his son Will Solace, who is gay and in a relationship with Nico di Angelo, another demigod.
About the author:
Rick Riordan is an American author who is well-known for his young adult fiction, notably his mythology-inspired series, which has been widely popular among young readers. Born on June 5, 1964, in San Antonio, Texas, Riordan spent most of his childhood in Texas and attended the University of Texas at Austin, where he earned a degree in English and History.
Riordan started his writing career as a middle school teacher and began writing books for his students.
However, it wasn't until the release of his first young adult novel, The Lightning Thief, in 2005 that he gained widespread recognition and success. The book was the first in his Percy Jackson and the Olympians series, which follows a young demigod named Percy Jackson and his adventures in Greek mythology.
Since the release of The Lightning Thief, Riordan has written several other popular series, including The Heroes of Olympus, The Kane Chronicles, and Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard. He is known for his engaging writing style and ability to seamlessly incorporate mythology into his stories, making them both educational and entertaining for young readers.
In addition to his writing, Riordan is also a strong advocate for literacy and has established the "Rick Riordan Presents" imprint with Disney Publishing Worldwide, which aims to promote diverse and underrepresented voices in children's literature. Rick Riordan's contributions to young adult literature and his dedication to promoting literacy have made him a beloved and influential author among both young and adult readers alike.
From the publisher:
The Hidden Oracle
He was once an immortal God. Now, he's a teenage boy called Lester. Apollo has angered his father, Zeus, for the last time. So, how do you punish an immortal? By making him human. Obviously. Cast down from Olympus, he's weak, disorientated and stuck in New York City as a teenage boy.
The Dark Prophecy
There's only one way he can earn back Zeus' favour, and that's to seek and restore the ancient oracles - but that's easier said than done. Apollo must head to the American Midwest, where rumour has it that a haunted cave may hold answers. There are a few things standing in his way, though. The cave could kill him or drive him insane. Oh, and a Roman Emperor whose love of bloodshed makes Nero look tame.
The Burning Maze
He was a God once. Until he was cast out by his father, Zeus. Now he's an awkward teenager called Lester. The only way out is a series of scary and dangerous trials, of course. For his third trial, Apollo must journey through the Labyrinth to free an Oracle who only speaks in puzzles. Then, defeat the most vicious of three ruthless Roman Emperors, all without the use of his godly powers.
The Tyrant's Tomb
Things are getting terrible, very fast, for Apollo. The former God Apollo is having a pretty rough time of it. Well, for one thing, he's been turned into a human and banished from Olympus. And he's called Lester. But being an awkward mortal teenager is the least of his worries right now. Though he and some of his friends have emerged from the Burning Maze, rescued the Oracle and lived to fight another day, they can't escape the tragedy that has befallen them or the terrible trials still to face.
The Tower of Nero
The battle for Camp Jupiter is over. New Rome is safe. Tarquin and his army of the undead have been defeated. Somehow Apollo has made it out alive, with a little bit of help from the Hunters of Artemis. But the battle may have been won, but the war is far from over. Now Apollo and Meg must prepare for the final - and, let's face it, probably fatal - adventure. They must face the last emperor, the terrifying Nero, and destroy him once and for all. Can Apollo find his godly form again? Will Meg be able to face up to her troubled past? Destiny awaits.
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