TW/CW: Fantasy violence, mild language, character death

RATING: 4/5

REVIEW:

*SPOILERS*

*THERE BE SPOILERS HERE*

*SPOILERS, DO NOT CONTINUE*

*LAST CHANCE THIS REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS*

*JUST KIDDING, ONE LAST CHANCE IF YOU DON’T WANT SPOILERS TURN AWAY*…

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The Burning Maze is the third book in The Trials of Apollo series by Rick Riordan. It follows the god Apollo who has been sent to earth in human (gawky teenager) form to finish a quest to save the Oracles.

This book broke my heart! I can’t believe it ended as it did. The first time I read it I kept hoping that he wasn’t really dead and that he’d come back somehow, but that doesn’t happen. Jason was my favorite character since The Lost Hero and killing him like that totally made me stop the series for…uh…three years.

I’m going to force myself through the next two books but I don’t think this series will ever set well with me because the author had to kill my FAVORITE CHARACTER.

Otherwise, this was a good book and a good addition to the series. It was well written and interesting, exciting and engaging.

This book is also LGBTQIA+ friendly.

I recommend to fans of fantasy and middle grade/young adult fiction. ( )

Not the strongest entry in this series (there's been a bit of a decline from book 1, through 2, to 3), but still quite enjoyable. Honestly I'm a bit biased because I think the reference to Herophile predicting the birth of Jesus is pretty out of place and incredibly stupid. I was quite happy reading about non-Christian mythology up until that bit of Christian nonsense got thrown in there. Which is why I'm docking it a star. I'm sure the heavens will weep for my wrath. In hindsight, it's kind of funny. I'm less annoyed that Jason was killed than I am at that. Probably because there are two books left and it could possibly be reversed. Whereas this bit of random Christian trivia is sticking around forever.

But overall, it has the same charm and fun of the other two books. Apollo is even more self-sacrificing, even if even he notes he never does it unless he knows he'll survive, though he actually proves himself wrong on multiple occasions. Meg is a delight. It's fun to see Grover again, and a bunch of old friends. I really loved Apollo's heartfelt interactions with Piper and Meg this book, particularly with Piper. There's a steady theme of Apollo being abused by his father throughout the books, and it's nice to see Apollo be able to have heart-to-hearts with people who respect and care for him. I also really dig that the biggest solution to the major problem was talking. And having really physically powerful and capable women on hand. But talking to Helios and appealing to his better nature definitely made a difference.

I'm still having a great time with the series. Looking forward to book 4. ( )

Really enjoyed this one! It was more compelling than the second book and I may have even shed a tear or two towards the end. ( )

So many unexpected tears ( )

"When life gives you seeds
Plant them in dry rocky soil
I'm an optimist"
The first half of this book was... Not it. Took me forever to get by and just sounded like more and more of the same. I was ready to proclaim it the worst one yet.
but. BUT.
Surprisingly.
My exact problem with the previous one is what saved The Burning Maze: the special guests. As someone who neither loved nor hated Jason and Piper, I was so amazed by how well the two of them worked in this story. It really felt like developmental both for the characters and the plot, and not simply a marketing device aiming for nostalgia.
I say this specially because I went in knowing about The Spoiler and I was so sure it was only for shock value that the emotional impact was actually unexpected. Jason's resignation and Piper's denial emphasize that this series really is darker than the other ones. Not everyone makes it. And Rick is not vague about it.
I'm also really glad to see the impact this is having on Apollo. I reiterate how much I appreciate this protagonist and gloomier, nihilistic view of the Percy Jackson world. One does not survive four millennia with a mortal heart. He's finally changing and I hope we don't see this character development go just to create conflict on the next book.
"Whatever happens, when you get back to Olympus, when you're a god again, remember. Remember what it's like to be human." ( )