Reviews with content warning for Blood - The Sun and the Star

I loved this book!

My main reason for not giving it 5 ⭐️s is because the voice is slightly different from books that Uncle Rick does alone (which wasn’t a problem, but sometimes I missed what I’m more used to a bit). For the most part it wasn’t even noticeable, though. Another difference from Rick’s other books is the depiction of Mr. D, who acted more as a therapist here. It makes sense, but was also unexpected for me, given how he’s shown in other PJO books.

Idk why it sounds like I’m whining so much. I genuinely really enjoyed this book and would 100% read it again. It was very dark, of corse, but there were still happy, sweet, and other lovely moments throughout the story. There was also a lot of character growth, both for Will and Nico, and there were a lot of valuable lessons, both for the characters and the readers. I was a bit skeptical about another Tartarus book because of the darkness aspect, but I really loved it. :)

Content Warnings

wildatheart1339's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.25

Content Warnings

melaschnie's review against another edition

Go to review page

5.0

Content Warnings

val_theburrowofstories's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous emotional funny hopeful medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

One word to describe the whole book is CUTE. Which is funny considering this is a Nico Di Angelo story, but his relationship with Will is just so cute, they’re my babies, I want to protect them from everything and I loved them from the very first pages 🥺💛

This book is basically Nico’s quest to go to Tartarus and save “the one who calls his name” and Will knew it was going to dangerous for him to go too because he’s a son of a Apollo and needs the sun, but that would not stop him and he goes along. I loved seeing both of them protecting each other, their strength, their determination, their loyalty, their love 🤧

I know sometimes their dialogue and nicknames could seem cheesy, but to me it was just so cute and sweet and funny. They’ve been together for a year and I was so happy that we got to read some stories between them at the beginning of their relationship (the moment they knew they liked each other, how one asked the other on a date, their first kiss). There were moments where I could’ve cried of how cuteness and how happy and proud I am of them 😭❤️

As always, even the smallest appearance of Percy and Annabeth makes me happy, and is so cheesy and funny that their only advice for them on Tartarus was that they would be okay because they had each other lmao but it’s true! That’s how Percabeth survived after all.

This is so coming of age, so cute, being proud of who you are and loving who you want, coming out... I feel like this book can be SO important for so many kids out there who want and need someone to feel related and safe. And this book is perfect for that.

I’m going to miss Nico and Will so much, this is easily a 4.5 ⭐ for me.

Content Warnings

scrubsandbooks's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

My personal feelings about this book: I was confused at first. I read the audiobook so maybe the narration was hard to decipher between characters but the POVs flip flop between both characters within chapters and I don't think that's really helpful. Maybe it would have been easier to read the hardcopy. The flashbacks and flashforwards were also hard to keep track of initially too.

But, I rounded up half a star from 3.5 to 4 because this book is so important in the general sense. A middle grade book written by a beloved middle grade mythology writer featuring queer teens. Not only do those teens navigate rough patches in their relationship during this harrowing journey into Tartarus (which is NOT easy to do when one of you is the son of Apollo) but they openly feel their feelings. There is no hesitation when it comes to conveying their emotions which might be one of the more healthier depictions of mlm queer teen romance I have ever read in a book.

I know a lot of reviews here say this reads like fanfiction and maybe it does somewhat, but so what?? It doesn't take away from the importance of Nico's journey with his own demons and his relationships with the people around him who he has both loved and lost or love but are still there. There's also a calico cat that can turn into a sabre-toothed tiger, and that itself deserves a few stars.

Content Warnings