Read our review of The Dark Prophecy by Rick Riordan and enter a giveaway to win a copy of the book, along with a Trials of Apollo journal and pen!

About ‘The Dark Prophecy’

Zeus has punished his son Apollo–god of the sun, music, archery, poetry, and more–by casting him down to earth in the form of a gawky, acne-covered sixteen-year-old mortal named Lester. The only way Apollo can reclaim his rightful place on Mount Olympus is by restoring several Oracles that have gone dark. What is affecting the Oracles, and how can Apollo/Lester do anything about them without his powers? After experiencing a series of dangerous–and frankly, humiliating–trials at Camp Half-Blood, Lester must now leave the relative safety of the demigod training ground and embark on a hair-raising journey across North America. Fortunately, what he lacks in godly graces he’s gaining in new friendships–with heroes who will be very familiar to fans of the Percy Jackson and the Olympians and Heroes of Olympus series. Come along for what promises to be a harrowing, hilarious, and haiku-filled ride…

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‘The Dark Prophecy’ book review

The second book in the Trials of Apollo series is here and it brings back the faces we’ve gotten accustomed to for the latest installment in the Percy Jackson world. Apollo leads the charge as an arrogant albeit good god-turned-human. He’s a work in progress, and this book continues that journey for him. Leo and Calypso’s greatest moments are when they’re together, although Riordan does a fine job of reminding us they each have their own personality and talents. Apollo and Calypso’s relationship is particularly interesting, especially as we see them grow as friends.

It wouldn’t be a Rick Riordan book without plenty of mythology, and you get that in The Dark Prophecy. We meet new gods with interesting quirks and formidable powers. We also get more history lessons in the form of the Roman emperors of old. They pose a powerful threat, although they’re instilled with Riordan’s typical humor. He always finds a way to balance the silly with the serene.

There are plenty of new characters as well, and the author continues his trend of portraying life’s diversity, whether that’s to do with skin color, sexual orientation, or religion. It never feels forced; in fact it feels like a truer snapshot of the world than most books ever attempt to display. He has a way of making his stories about people first and foremost, not the labels society places upon them.

Trials of Apollo: The Dark Prophecy does feel like it’s a stepping stone to the next book, but it offers plenty on its own. Apollo further learns what it means to be human and we see an expansion of the world we’re already familiar with. Percy Jackson’s universe is already chock full of incredible characters and fascinating scenarios, but fans (this one included) are always looking for more–more development, more secrets, more adventure–and the latest installment of Rick Riordan’s third Greek and Roman mythology series certainly provides that.

‘The Dark Prophecy’ God of Poetry prize pack

One winner will receive a copy of The Dark Prophecy as well as a Trials of Apollo pen and pocket journal.

Giveaway open to US addresses only. Prizing and samples provided by Disney-Hyperion.