The Sun and the Star

Nico di Angelo, son of Hades, travels into the deepest part of the Greek underworld to rescue the reformed Titan Bob. Accompanied by his boyfriend Will Solace, a son of Apollo, Nico descends into the physical and mental darkness of Tartarus. The mission is fueled by a prophetic voice calling to Nico from the pit, demanding help. Throughout the quest, the pair faces personified Night and personified Misery. They navigate physical hazards like the River Phlegethon while managing the conflict between Nico’s shadows and Will’s internal light.

Middle grade and young adult readers who follow the Percy Jackson universe read this for a focused look at Nico and Will’s romantic relationship. It suits those interested in how characters manage personal trauma while fulfilling mythological obligations. The audience gains a specific understanding of how queer identity functions within the world of demigods. Readers walk away with a resolution to a long-standing plot thread regarding the fate of Iapetus and a realistic depiction of how two different personalities maintain a partnership during a crisis.