Nico di Angelo finally gets the spotlight he deserves in this heartfelt quest that blends classic Camp Half-Blood adventure with an intimate story about trauma, love, and healing. Co written by Rick Riordan and Mark Oshiro, The Sun and the Star sends Nico and his boyfriend Will Solace into Tartarus to rescue Bob, and along the way it asks a simple but powerful question: how is Nico, really?
The premise
A voice from Tartarus calls to Nico. He is sure it is Bob, the reformed Titan Percy and Annabeth left behind. A new prophecy makes the mission unavoidable, and Will refuses to let Nico go alone. Light and darkness descend together into the deepest pit of the Underworld, where monsters regenerate, the ground itself fights back, and the cost of every step feels personal. The prophecy warns that Nico must leave something of equal value behind, and the answer to that riddle cuts to the heart of who he is.
What shines
- Character first storytelling. This is Nico’s most revealing arc to date. The book lets him confront grief, guilt, identity, and the belief that happiness is for other people. Watching him name what hurts and choose hope is cathartic.
- A real relationship, not a postcard. Solangelo is tender, messy, and believable. Will’s sunlit optimism rubs against Nico’s shadows in ways that create friction and growth. They learn how to help each other without trying to fix each other.
- Comforting nostalgia with new stakes. Cameos and callbacks land for longtime readers, yet the focus stays on Nico and Will. The rescue of Bob gives the quest emotional weight, and Tartarus remains a vivid, hostile setting.
Mixed notes
- Two voices, two styles. The alternating prose sometimes makes it easy to spot who wrote which passage. Most of the time the blend works, but a few tonal jokes undercut serious moments.
- An antagonist that feels light. The villain energy leans playful when a sharper edge might have amplified the dread.
- Theme first, then plot. The book chooses emotional clarity over intricate plotting, which means convenience occasionally smooths the way out of danger.
Representation and resonance
For many readers, Nico has been a landmark of queer representation in middle grade and YA fantasy. This book honors that history. It gives space to discussions of outing, boundaries, and chosen family, and it treats healing as ongoing work rather than a single triumphant moment.
Should you read it?
If you grew up with Percy Jackson, this will feel like a homecoming with new rooms to explore. If you are here for a character driven quest about facing the dark and carrying the light anyway, it delivers. Younger readers will enjoy the humor and adventure. Older fans will find an empathetic look at trauma and recovery that respects how far this world and its readers have come.
Verdict: Warm, brave, and emotionally honest. Not flawless, but a deeply satisfying chapter for Nico and Will that earned my grin and a few tears.
Get your copy here: Buy on Amazon.
