From the World of Percy Jackson: The Sun and the Star

This exciting standalone fantasy adventure features Nico di Angelo, son of Hades, and his boyfriend Will Solace, son of Apollo. In The Tower of Nero, the final book of "The Trials of Apollo" series, Bob the Titian sacrificed himself to save several demigods. Since then, Nico's been hearing Bob's voice from the Underworld begging for his help. In this book, Nico's determined to rescue him. Despite Nico's worry for Will's safety, he accompanies Nico on this dangerous quest to Nico's home and source of his pain. As an exhausted Nico and injured Will are in Tartarus telling old nymph Gorgyra their stories in exchange for her help, flashbacks from both of their points of view describe the obstacles they've encountered so far. Constantly beset by disturbing nightmares, Nico and Will struggle to not let the Underworld overwhelm them or make them doubt themselves or each other. Chapters end on cliffhangers as Nico and Will try to defeat Nyx, a primordial goddess of darkness, and her monster children, who are trying to prevent them from freeing Bob. Amid the grimness, there's lightness and humorous banter, as Will calls Nico "My grumpy little ball of darkness" and Nico calls Will his "Night Light" because he glows in the dark. Besides Nico and Will, there's other LGBTQIA+ and diverse representation in the supporting cast. VERDICT A seamlessly written, action-packed story that's also a sensitive, introspective character study. Fans who've been waiting for more of adorable couple Nico and Will won't be disappointed.—Sharon Rawlins

Set in Riordan's Percy Jackson universe, this thrilling queer standalone from Riordan and Oshiro (You Only Live Once, David Bravo) follows two demigods in love--Nico di Angelo, teenage son of Hades, and Nico's boyfriend, Will Solace, son of Apollo--on their journey to Tartarus, the Underworld's deepest abyss. Summer at Camp Half-Blood is over, but Nico and Will have nowhere to go, so the pair is planning a quiet season with the camp's staff when cries for help start haunting Nico's dreams. Nico believes he's hearing the voice of Bob, a Titan who helped two beings escape Tartarus only to become trapped there himself. After a prophecy directs Nico to find the entity calling for him, he and Will commence a quest to do just that--never mind that Hades has banned the living from the Underworld, that Will needs sunlight to survive, or that something seems to be shadowing their every step. Reprising the Greek myth-grounded books' goofy humor, high-stakes action, and whimsical worldbuilding, the collaborators weave in tender romance and emotionally complex ruminations on change, self-identity, and mental health, balancing adventure with heart and heft. Characters are intersectionally diverse. Ages 10-14. Agents: (for Riordan) Nancy Gallt, Gallt & Zacker Literary; (for Oshiro) DongWon Song, Howard Morhaim Literary. (May)

A standout.