The Sun and the Star: A Nico di Angelo Adventure

***The Sun and the Star: A Nico di Angelo Adventure*** is a 2023 young adult fantasy novel co-written by American authors Rick Riordan and Mark Oshiro. It was published on May 2, 2023 by Hachette Books. Following the events of *The Tower of Nero*, the last installment in the *Trials of Apollo* series, Riordan decided to do a standalone book from Nico's point of view. The plot focuses on Nico and his boyfriend, Will Solace, who are sent on a quest to rescue the Titan Iapetus from Tartarus.

## Synopsis

As the son of Hades, Nico di Angelo has been through so much, from the premature deaths of his mother and sister, to being outed against his will, to losing his friend Jason during the trials of Apollo. But there is a ray of sunshine in his life–literally: his boyfriend, Will Solace, the son of Apollo. Together the two demigods can overcome any obstacle or foe. At least, that's been the case so far . . .

Now Nico is being plagued by a voice calling out to him from Tartarus, the lowest part of the Underworld. He thinks he knows who it is: a reformed Titan named Bob whom Percy and Annabeth had to leave behind when they escaped Hades's realm. Nico's dreams and Rachel Dare's latest prophecy leave little doubt in Nico's mind that Bob is in some kind of trouble. Nico has to go on this quest, whether Mr. D and Chiron like it or not. And of course Will insists on coming with. But can a being made of light survive in the darkest part of the world? and what does the prophecy mean that Nico will have to “leave something of equal value behind?”

Nico will have to face demons both internal and external as his relationship with Will is tested to the core in this standalone adventure featuring two of the most popular characters in the Percy Jackson saga.

## Dedication

*To all the Nicos, Wills and Pipers, and everyone else: this is for you. Shine as bright as the sun and the stars*

## Background

*The Sun and the Star* was announced on October 6, 2021, by *Entertainment Weekly*. Being straight, Riordan decided to co-write this book with YA author Oshiro to ensure that both Nico's point of view as a gay person and Nico and Will's romantic relationship would be as authentic as possible.

It was Riordan's first co-written a novel "with anyone. I have never invited another writer into the Percy Jackson world to do their own take on my characters in this way. But for the Nico and Will novel, this seems incredibly important, and Mark is just the person to do it!" He continued to elaborate that it was a "full 50-50 partnership in which [they] share equal credit and an equal advance." There was no title established yet at the time, and the tentative date was set to be in 2023. Oshiro said in a statement, "To say this is a dream come true is an understatement. My journey through the Percy Jackson saga included the development of a deep, unwavering love for Nico and Will. To have the chance to tell their story is truly an honor, and I can't wait to do them justice."

On September 28, 2022, the cover art was announced alongside the final release date for the project. The cover art was done by Khadijah Khatib, and the release date for North America and the United Kingdom was May 2, 2023.

## Plot

Two months after the defeat of Nero and Python, Rachel Elizabeth Dare provides the prophecy for Nico di Angelo and his boyfriend Will Solace's quest into Tartarus to rescue the Titan Iapetus, better known as Bob. Concerned that Bob's situation must be getting more dire, Nico convinces a reluctant Chiron and Mr. D to issue them an official quest. Before departing, the two contact Percy Jackson and Annabeth Chase for advice based upon their own experience in Tartarus.

Making their way into the Underworld through the Door of Orpheus, which Nico and Percy had previously used, the two demigods are immediately set upon by the demon of nightmares, Epiales, who reveals that their mother is after Nico before Will manages to kill the demon using his newly-discovered power to emit light. Nico and Will seek out the help of the troglodytes, who agree to lead them to a shortcut to Tartarus. But first, they pass the farm of Menoetes, who only agrees not to tell Hades about their quest in exchange for some stolen fruit from Persephone's garden. Although the heist is successful, Will encounters Persephone herself, who offers him advice on his struggles to understand Nico, suggesting that Will embrace his own inner darkness rather than rejecting it, before gifting Will the stolen pomegranates.

Pleased with their success, Menoetes reveals that Bob, while reforming from dying while helping Percy and Annabeth, was captured by the primordial goddess of night, Nyx, who seeks to force Bob to go back to being Iapetus despite Bob's continuous rejection of his past. Nico reveals that he had encountered Nyx while traveling through Tartarus before getting captured by the giants and she took an interest in him, realizing that Nyx is using Bob as bait to get at Nico. The trogs lead the demigods to the River Acheron where the nymph Gorgyra agrees to help them in exchange for Nico and Will sharing their story with her.

Using Gorgyra's canoe, Nico and Will descend into Tartarus where the power of the river forces them to confront their insecurities and differences of opinion, particularly on the nature of the Underworld. Locating Bob's pet saber-toothed skeleton cat, Small Bob, the demigods discover that Percy and Annabeth's giant friend Damasen is still reforming and can't help them before finally reaching Nyx's home, the Mansion of Night, where Bob is imprisoned in a continuous regeneration cycle. By combining their powers, Nico and Will free Bob before Nyx arrives with Nemesis, Hypnos, a reformed Epiales, and an army of monsters to cut off their escape.

Nyx reveals that she has created *cacodemons* out of manifestations of Nico's darkness, and urges him to accept his darkness and stay in Tartarus, where the goddess believes that he belongs. With the encouragement of Will and Bob, Nico fights back against Nyx's manipulations, embracing the fact that he is more than just his darkness while Will accepts his own darkness to tap into Apollo's plague powers to fight Nyx. Taking control of the *cacodemons*, Nico decides to release them, symbolically letting go of his demons and fulfilling the part of the prophecy that he would have to leave something of equal value behind. Nemesis, Hypnos and Epiales turn on Nyx and restrain her long enough for the group to get on the Acheron which Nyx can't cross. To Nico's surprise, the *cacodemons*, which he renames Cocoa Puffs, decide to join them of their own free will.

As Bob sails the group back up the Acheron to the Underworld, Nico is visited in a dream by Hades and the spirits of his mother Maria and sister Bianca. Hades reveals that he had sent Nico the prophecy so that he would rescue Bob, and arranged this dream. Maria and Bianca express their love and pride in Nico, as does Hades who admits that Percy's actions have made him rethink his behavior towards his son, particularly when Hades realized that the quest had risked Nico losing someone else that he loves. Hades, Maria and Bianca urges Nico to enjoy his future with Will and find happiness.

Returning to Camp Half-Blood, Bob declines an invitation to stay, instead deciding to head west to figure out his future, looking forward to finally having the freedom to do so. Nico adopts the *cacodemons* and contacts Piper McLean and her new girlfriend Shel to discuss their shared grief over the loss of Jason Grace. With a more hopeful outlook on life, Nico looks forward to what the future holds for him.

## Critical reception

*Kirkus Reviews* wrote, "maintains earlier Percy Jackson entries' glorious knack for mythical machinations, profoundly sharp conflicts, and contemporary humor. At its core, this stellar tale centers a richly woven love story that shines with ease between two boys who are seemingly different from one another..." *Kids' Book Review* penned, "the perfect blend of romance and adventure while also discussing really deep topics such as PTSD and trauma. [...] I was overjoyed to experience another layer of inclusivity in his books."

*Laughing Place* praised the themes and message of finding oneself and acceptance, adding that "The love and care between the two not only show a positive healthy relationship that demonstrates the complexities of teen romances but reminds everyone that love is love." They continued, "a masterpiece of execution between two writers that blend so perfectly to tell one story, that fans will reread these pages for years to come."

## References

1. ↑ "Happy News for October!". *Rick Riordan*. October 7, 2021.
2. ↑ Holub, Christian (October 6, 2021). "Rick Riordan's Next Camp Half-Blood Book Will Focus on Nico di Angelo and Will Solace". *Entertainment Weekly*.
3. ↑ "The Sun and the Star: A Nico di Angelo Adventure". *Kirkus Reviews*. May 1, 2023.
4. ↑ "Junior Review: The Sun and The Star". *Kids' Book Review*. June 26, 2023.
5. ↑ Gowsell, Bill (May 2, 2023). "Book Review: "The Sun and the Star"". *Laughing Place*.