After experiencing a series of dangerous—and frankly, humiliating—trials at Camp Half-Blood, Apollo must now leave the relative safety of the demigod training ground and embark on a hair-raising journey across North America (Goodreads).
While definitely not the worst Riordan novel, this second installment to the Trials of Apollo series is definitely not one of the best. The author brings us, yet again, another run-of-the-mill plot, and entertaining though it may be, it is getting strikingly less enjoyable every time Riordan adds new myths and monsters. Even with the new characters, conflict progression is rather repetitive. Finally, however, readers are given, not a teenage angst narration, but a unique voice in the mortality-stricken Apollo. His narration really develops nicely in this sequel, after being introduced well previously. Apollo's internal conflict with his past crimes is also brilliantly woven into the story, along with some great new antagonists. In other Riordan news: the Hunters of Artemis remain a convenient army and Leo is not nearly as awesome anymore. 6.6/10
