I loved this book and how it follows Meg and Apollo’s journey as I mean they are both just pretty cool characters. And having our old favourites make appearances? That’s just amazing. Oh and if that appearance is from Nico especially if Will is with him then it can’t get much better. I really can’t wait to see how Apollo continues to develop throughout the series as in just this first book he has already changed so much and is well learning how to care and prioritise others which is awesome to see. I also can’t wait to have some of my other favourite characters return within the future books. .
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THIS BOOK WAS CLASSIC RICK RIORDAN FUN. IT FELT LIKE READING PERCY JACKSON AGAIN LIKE GOING BACK HOME. I REALLY ENJOYED APOLLO’S CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT. IT’S KIND OF HILARIOUS TO HEAR HIS THOUGHTS THROUGHOUT HIS JOURNEY OF SURVIVING MORTALITY. I DIDN'T ENJOY MEGS PART SHE SEEMED RUDE FOR NO REASON. READING ABOUT CAMP HALF BLOOD AND THE PREVIOUS CHARACTERS AFTER THE WAR WAS AN INCREDIBLE INSIGHT AND EVERYTHING I NEEDED. THE ENDING OF THE BOOK WAS AMAZINGLY DONE AND THE REVEAL OF THE BAD GUYS WAS MIND BLOWING.
SOLANGELO WAS MY FAVOURITE PART OF THIS BOOK HONESTLY😂.
100% RECOMMEND THIS SERIES

Apollo is charming, dorky, and makes for a really grey protagonist. Unlike the other books, where we know Percy, Magnus, Jason, etc. are "good", Apollo has to really work towards being a good person. He comes up short sometimes but it's pretty believable because if I were a god for 4000+ years and then became a mortal, it'd take me some time to shake off that godly ego too.

I found Meg endearing and really admired her spunk and grit!

Onto the next adventure, ahem , trial!

Another brilliant fantasy series to rival any middlegrade favourites, I adore Rick Riordan's books! The Hidden Oracle was such a fun start to a new series and I will definitely be carrying on with The Trials of Apollo, I can't wait to find out what happens next.

Unfortunately this book wasn't for me.

I've read all the Magnus Chase and Percy Jackson books and love them all but I just hate Apollo!

This meant that it took me around 2 weeks to manage to finish this book and I won't be continuing with the series

I really struggled with this one. The ebook is misaligned so I was sent the audiobook. I don’t think I’m the intended target audience however.

This is a great little read, especially if you are looking for something for teens who are fans of the Percy Jackson series!
I hopped on this readalong because as a teacher, I’ve really been struggling for good books recommendations for some of my older pupils. By that I mean those in the early teens category. They love a good series and I’m so glad that this is one I can now recommend to them. Well the first book anyway 😂.

We start the story with Apollo falling to earth. He’s just been exiled from Olympus by his father Zeus and must bear the brunt of his punishment by living as a mortal teen. Not sure what to do, he decides to make his way to Camp Half-Blood where the Demi-Gods on earth train (these being children of unions between Gods and humans). Upon landing, Apollo realises not all is right at Camp Half Blood and he must find the lost oracle if he is to save the day, albeit with some help from those around him.

The first thing I noticed about this book was that it’s very well researched. Rick Riordan knows his Greek and Roman Gods inside out! If you didn’t know the different Gods going into this, you’ll have a fair idea by the end! Apollo is also full of egotistic, sarcastic humour. He made me laugh out loud especially at the beginning where he struggles with being a ‘mere’ mortal and the fact that he has acne! 😂 Mortals just don’t compare to the Gods you know 😉.

I have to say I really enjoyed the book and hope to continue with the rest in the series as the reread continues. This may not be your cup of tea, however the next time you’re looking for a good book for a teen, this may be an option for you!

It's been such a long time since I've had this much fun with a book.

Let me preface this review by saying I'm a massive Percy Jackson fan, having grown up with the series and becoming obsessed with Greek mythology as a result. So going into this book felt like seeing old friends for the first time in years, and it was incredible just how easy it was to slip back into this universe.

I think I missed a LOT of action - a whole series worth! - but it didn't distract from the rest of the read. Riordan is great with writing exposition so it doesn't feel like an info dump. And now I’m desperate for more. Like, how talented can an author be that he writes novels with young protagonists you not only cheer for but see yourself in? I connected HARD. I love these books which shine with their diversity, tough subject matter, and hilarious puns.

The Trials of Apollo is the first in a new series from Percy Jackson author Rick Riordan. This series follows God Apollo, as he is cast from Olympus and forced to live as a mortal teenager. When he makes it to Camp Half-Blood he discovers his enemies are plotting to bring down Olympus permanently.

This is such a fun and fast paced adventure. The reader is dropped right in the middle of the action and it doesn’t let up for the whole book. If you’re looking for a story that will sweep you along, this is definitely a series to try. The plot is a little on the predictable side, but the story is enjoyable and steeped in Greek and Roman mythology.

Apollo is a great protagonist, he’s self centred and vain – believing everything should revolve around him. He has a bit of a hard time of being mortal and it’s interesting seeing him grow as a person and learn what it means to be a human. I also really liked Meg, she’s a kick-ass character and I loved her little sidekick Peaches. This is actually my first time reading a Rick Riordan book and while I really enjoyed it I think I would have been better off starting with the Percy Jackson series, as it’s referenced all the way through this story. I think I would have been able to appreciate the story more if I’d known the previous stories.

I’ve been curious about these books for a long time and after reading this one I’m definitely going to pick up more from this author. If you love action packed stories with a dash of comedy, this is going to be just the series for you.

The Hidden Oracle is the first instalment in The Trials of Apollo series by Rick Riordan. It is also my first ever Rick Riordan read, I had heard great things about The Percy Jackson books, so when approached to read this book I was very keen.

The story follows Apollo the God of Archery, Music and Disease, as he drops to Earth turned into a mortal boy of 16, with no powers to his name and a face pocked with acne too boot. This in itself led the book to be absolutely hilarious, Apollo coming to terms with the fact that he was no longer a beautiful, awe-inspiring god no longer. Having been an age-old immortal previously, the struggle with allowing himself to act as a mortal teenager warred within him.

The book focuses on the oracles that are going missing, without oracle's, prophecies cannot be made. This is a disaster. There is one known hidden oracle which needs to be found, in the hopes of stopping the evil man in mauve, known as The Beast.

I absolutely loved the way in which Rick writes, he has a great sense of humour, which had me laughing throughout the book. Also, I loved his inclusiveness and openness about sexuality. It made it a really heartwarming novel knowing that the author is supportive of diversity.

I would 100% recommend this book. To middle grade, YA and adult readers.

The Hidden Oracle was a fantastic continuation of Riordan's Demi-God world. Apollo was a fantastic narrator, his inner monologue was refreshing and really funny. I love how Riordan uses humour in his books. Getting to 'see' some of my favourite characters from his earlier books was great too - especially Will and Nico, and of course my favourite son of Poseidon - Percy Jackson.

The story was well plotted, the pacing pretty consistant throughout. Meg was a welcome addition to the univserse and her interactions with Apollo were refreshing to read - I really felt that she kept him grounded. I'll definitely be continuing with this branch of the story, I need to see what happens to Apollo and his two new companions as they embark on their mission to find and protect the other Oracles, and if Meg can ever redeem herself...

Thanks to the publisher, and Tandem Collective UK for allowing me to participate in this readalong.