“You have your whole life to take care of yourself. This isn’t like a demigod quest, where you seek out an item, solve a puzzle, defeat some horrible creature, and then it’s done. You’re doing this every day, every moment of your life. … Perhaps you shouldn’t race toward a finish line that doesn’t exist.”

The Court of the Dead, Rick Riordan & Mark Oshiro

I can’t believe I’m saying this.

I read a Rick Riordan book aaaaaaaaand … *dramatic music* I didn’t care for it.

I have a lot of hot takes when it comes to the Riordanverse. I thought a certain character’s death in The Trials of Apollo was executed phenomenally. I absolutely LOVED The Sun and the Star. I think the new Percy Jackson books are just as funny as the originals. And I think the tv show is EXCELLENT. 

That being said, The Court of the Dead was not it. 

Rick Riordan and Mark Oshiro dropped the ball hard after the masterpiece of a soul crusher TSatS was. 

So a two-sentence summary: Nico di Angelo and his boyfriend Will Solace are called upon by Hazel Levesque at Camp Jupiter to help with a problem of mythic proportions. Will, Nico and the Coco Puffs’ adventure to California is a scramble of emotions as everything the gang knows about fighting monsters is flipped on its head.

Okay, so let’s get into things and by things I mean spoilers. Beware.

I just didn’t like the plot. It’s that simple. Monsters, I mean mythics, suddenly not wanting to be monsters is an odd plot choice. Also, some people don’t deserve or need redemption. The Minotaur is one of them. 

The Minotaur KILLED so many campers and celebrated it. He’s a serial demigod murderer! And we’re supposed to forget that because he’s sorry? Because he’s knitting sweaters now? No, thank you. I will not be falling for this propaganda. 

It’s sad because I liked the messaging. We don’t have to be the person we were born to be. We have a choice to not accept the hand life deals us. We make decisions every day that decides who we are and who we will be. 

However, a much better plot line for this message would’ve been maybe reaching out to campers who turned to Kronos during the Titan War. That offers the same messaging but with a much more agreeable plot that doesn’t interfere with canon. 

I also just thought the plot was boring. It didn’t hold my interest, which is why it took me a whole THREE WEEKS to finish the dang thing. I kept putting it down and dreading picking it back up. 

And I just felt as if this book lacked the heart TSatS wielded so effortlessly. It’s a far less personal journey, so it’s easy to lose grip on what should be an investment on the reader on Nico’s growth. 

Additionally, I thought Will became a background character. Aside from his mom’s cameo, he was really just a crutch and KitKat vending machine for Nico when needed. Which is fine, but after TSatS, I really wanted more of Will’s emotional entanglements. So much potential is lost. 

Though, I did enjoy seeing more of Hazel and how she’s handling her new position at Camp Jupiter. Seeing the respect she’s earned as a leader made me so happy.

Also, as a side note, I started a BookTube channel! So if you want to watch me ramble, check out LifeofBryBooks on YouTube. 

Now let’s get into my thoughts:

• So many people said Mr. D was out of character, but I don’t think so at all.
  I think this is an evolving Dionysus. He’s always put on the act of hating campers, but still helping them when called upon — think saving Percy from the manticore and Dr. Thorn in TTC.
  I think this is an evolving Dionysus. He’s always put on the act of hating campers, but still helping them when called upon — think saving Percy from the manticore and Dr. Thorn in TTC.
  He lost a son, after all. One he saw all the time; one he watched grow up. That changes a person, sure it can change a god. Or maybe it’s just a newfound respect for what demigods risk to protect the world gods take for granted. 
  Besides this is also the first time we have a POV of a year-rounder; somebody who’s gotten close to Mr. D. Nico has a unique perspective of Dionysus. Not just a face you bicker with from time to time, but someone you see every day; a real counselor; someone you’ve befriended (which is SO in character for Nico).
  Not to mention, Dionysus is the god of madness. Perhaps he feels partially responsible for the mental anguish impacting these demigods. It makes sense after everything, he’d be the one to implement methods to help step back from the brink of madness.
• Idk how I feel about this plot but I get it fits the theme. The messaging is there, so I’ll hold my opinion ‘til I see the execution.
• Since when can Hazel shadow travel? And why? It doesn’t really make sense to me.
• I really like the motif of handling emotions. It’s the reason I adored TSatS. It’s a unique perspective on the demigod experience. It’s about unraveling the trauma of being a hero, but also just being a human. We all — gods and demigods, mythics and mortals — have to learn to coexist with the emotions we have daily. It’s all about how we respond to them and learning to accept they’re valid. It’s such a great message for a middle-grade book (and all ages, honestly)
• Oh … Will saying how saving Annabeth helped him grieve Michael Yew. How he could take that anger and put his emotions into healing. To do something productive with his rage.
• Something about Nico realizing Percy wasn’t to blame for Bianca’s death. How he was just angry, and it was easier to be angry at Percy than it was Bianca. Because it was Bianca’s fault. She chose to be a hunter. She chose to leave Nico. And then she was gone. There was no one physically there to blame but Percy. 
• And something about the difference between how Will and Nico channeled their grief. How Will was able to take that rage and do something positive, while Nico simmered in his.

• “I’m the Ghost King. You don’t scare me.” I love to see the confidence! Especially with Nico being unsure of so much in this book, it’s nice to see the other side of the coin. Nico is comfortable in combat. It’s where his darkness can shine. He’s sure of himself in those moments. He’s still a terrifyingly powerful force.
• Say what you want about this book, but Hazel and Nico being called necro-babies was a good zinger.
• “Ce la farai” … I love learning more about Nico’s past. These last words from his nonna are so powerful and impactful to his story. “You will make it.” You will manage.” “You will be able to handle it.” What a mantra for Nico to keep close. 
• Thinking about Nico’s bomber jacket as a metaphor for his own self.
  He’s so upset over the tear in TCotD because it’s a reflection of himself. He’s endured so much, and this jacket is proof of his survival. The rip makes it feel as if he’s unraveling. He already feels so torn up inside, and now it’s physically reflected in front of him with a torn sleeve.
  And something about Nico offering his jacket to Hades to save Hazel. How he can’t take losing another loved one, so he offers up a piece of himself.
  And how Hades returns it … mended. How it shows Nico he isn’t alone. How it’s Hades backing his words with action. How it tells Nico he doesn’t always have to give up himself. How loss is part of life but we learn to live with and heal from it. We stitch ourselves back together with help from those we love.
  How the jacket is the physical embodiment of Nico’s progress. He is mending. Stitch by stitch.  
• I honestly do not care about this plot. It’s boring. Deeply boring. And I understand how and why the story got here, but it just doesn’t make sense to me from a Doylist perspective.
  • If monsters/mythics are changing, then how does that affect the training/lives of demigods? Can’t a monster pretend to be changed and then go on a murder spree? But I guess that’s how it is with human beings … 
• This book just doesn’t have the same heart as the first. It’s less personal, less intimate of a narrative. I guess while TSatS deals with untangling those deep, inner emotions, TCotD handles the outward projection of those feelings. Which is physically manifested in the coco puffs. 
• Naomi hugging Nico hit me right in the feels. Because it is so unfair his mom is gone, and his feelings of jealousy and loss are so valid. But Naomi is proof Nico still has someone in his corner. Someone to wrap him in a loving hug and pray for his safety. He is loved. 
• Rick is reaching deep into Greek mythology for this shit.
• I’m still so out on the concept. And the entire plot. I get the message but not feeling the execution. I just don’t care. 
• It’s nice to see Hazel being a badass, but Frank kinda gave me the ick this whole book. Idk why, he just pissed me off.
• I love that Nico feels so safe. Safe and happy. It’s such a far cry from that scared, grieving little boy who ran off in The Titan’s Curse. Especially as someone who started reading RR books as a child and is now an adult, seeing the growth in Nico is so heartwarming to see. I feel like I’ve grown up with Nico. I’ve rooted for him to have what he does now. His safety and happiness means a lot. 
• Awe! I love seeing Dionysus so soft. Gods get sappy too. But also it feels like a reward for what he’s done for Nico and other demigods for trying to help their mental health. 
• The ending did hit me in the feels a bit. Fuck everyone who hates these new additions. They are so sweet despite all the flaws. Nico deserves this peace. 

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