The Hidden Oracle Book Review 2025/06/27

This book was the first one in the Trials of Apollo series, and it was a phenomenal piece of literature to start the beginning of a great series. The part that I enjoyed the most was when Meg betrayed Apollo, thinking Nero was not The Beast, but her stepfather. That’s… concerning. Meg didn’t want to harm Apollo, and she begged Nero to have mercy on him, but I wondered what would’ve happened if Meg actually didn’t care about Apollo. She could’ve let Nero kill Apollo, or just command Apollo to kill himself. I wonder if Apollo has to obey EVERY order he gets from Meg, or just orders that don't concern Apollo’s death. I also enjoyed reading the spectacular haikus that the former god of poetry wrote. It was really funny when the haikus were some kind of foreshadowing of the chapter, or when he makes up haikus on the spot. It’s also funny how every time Apollo falls, he lands on trash piles. Maybe it actually does have something to do with Meg, (she’s a daughter of Demeter) or maybe it’s just humor or coincidences. My favorite character has to be Peaches. He’s (she?) adorable, funny, and kind of cool. He appears when he is needed most, then disappears casually after defeating enemies. Maybe Peaches listens to every command Meg gives, but I’m not so sure. So Meg’s got 2 people (1 karpos) under her control. Maybe Meg is secretly the person who controls people and makes them do her biddings. One thing I disliked, is that every time Apollo breaks an oath on the River Styx, he’s supposed to die painfully. He broke 2 oaths, and he’s fine. Zeus probably had something to do with it. I also disliked why a peaceful goddess gave birth to a warrior-type daughter. She wields 2 blades, and can grow and manipulate plants to her will. Maybe the 2 blades part is because of her sad and traumatic history, but aside from that, it makes absolutely no sense.

11/10!

Very fun, intriguing, and humorous. It was very enjoyable. I highly recommend this book to people who finished the Percy Jackson series and the Heroes of Olympus. 😉