The Trials Of Apollo – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise
The Trials Of Apollo
book2022Children's Books, Fairy Tales, Folk Tales & Myths
76%
WISE Score
4.8
Amazon
Apollo gets kicked out of Olympus and must complete quests as a mortal teen—Riordan's farewell to Percy Jackson's world feels more obligatory than magical.
The Trials Of Apollo
book
2022, Children's Books, Fairy Tales, Folk Tales & Myths
76%
WISE Score
4.8
Amazon
Apollo gets kicked out of Olympus and must complete quests as a mortal teen—Riordan's farewell to Percy Jackson's world feels more obligatory than magical.
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Screenwise Verdict
Here's the truth: The Trials of Apollo exists because Rick Riordan needed to wrap up his demigod universe, not because anyone was clamoring for Apollo's redemption arc. If your kid devoured Percy Jackson and Heroes of Olympus, they'll probably read this for closure—and it's perfectly fine. The mythology is still there, the humor mostly lands, and the LGBTQ+ representation is a genuine strength.
But multiple parent and reader reviews confirm what fans suspect: Apollo is kind of annoying as a protagonist, the supporting cast feels thin, and the magic that made Percy Jackson special just isn't here. It's mythology-flavored YA that checks boxes without breaking new ground.
The 4.8 Amazon rating suggests most readers are satisfied enough, and for kids ages 9-13 who want more Camp Half-Blood, this delivers. Just don't expect lightning to strike twice. It's the Godfather Part III of the Riordan universe—completionists will read it, but no one's calling it the best.
Age Fit
Best for ages 9-14 who have already read Percy Jackson and want to see how the story ends. The mythology and humor work for middle schoolers, but the romantic subplots and weaker characterization mean it won't captivate younger or older readers the way the original series did.
WISE Breakdown
Wholesome
78
Rick Riordan's series maintains his signature blend of humor, friendship, and character growth. Apollo's journey from arrogant god to humble hero models personal accountability and empathy. The books feature diverse characters including LGBTQ+ representation handled naturally. Parent reviews note romantic content is present but age-appropriate—couples flirt, a teen comes out of the river 'very charged' with his boyfriend. Some reviewers found Apollo's past loves and romantic references could be awkward to read with parents, suggesting mild mature themes but nothing inappropriate for middle-grade readers.
Imaginative
82
Riordan continues his creative reimagining of Greek and Roman mythology in modern settings, blending ancient prophecies with contemporary pop culture. The series brings back beloved Percy Jackson characters while introducing fresh twists—Apollo as a mortal teenager is an inventive premise. The mythology-based world-building invites curiosity about ancient stories. However, some readers found the execution 'lackluster' compared to earlier Percy Jackson books, with Apollo described as 'annoying' and supporting characters feeling like 'afterthoughts.' The imaginative foundation is strong, but the execution may not reach the heights of Riordan's earlier work.
Safe
88
Books are inherently safe media with no unexpected visual content. The series contains typical Riordan-level fantasy violence (monster battles), minimal swearing, and age-appropriate romantic content. No graphic violence, sexual content, or trigger warnings beyond standard middle-grade adventure peril. The mythology-as-reality framework is clearly fantasy. Some religious families may object to polytheistic gods presented as real, but this is consistent across all Riordan books and clearly fictional. The main safety consideration is emotional maturity for handling romantic themes and character deaths typical in the genre.
Enriching
75
The series introduces Greek and Roman mythology, prophecies, and classical references in an accessible way that can spark interest in ancient cultures. Themes of redemption, humility, and personal growth are present as Apollo learns mortality. The books feature diverse representation and normalize LGBTQ+ relationships. However, multiple reviews suggest the series is weaker than Riordan's earlier work—'lackluster,' with hollow characters and Apollo being 'annoying.' The 4.8 Amazon rating shows general audience satisfaction, but critical readers find less depth here. It's entertaining mythology-lite but may not deeply engage readers the way Percy Jackson did.
Parent Info
✓
Why It Might Be Great
Brings closure to the entire Percy Jackson universe with familiar characters returning
LGBTQ+ representation handled naturally and age-appropriately throughout
Mythology education wrapped in adventure—kids learn about oracles, prophecies, and classical references
Apollo's character arc from arrogant god to humble hero models accountability and growth
Riordan's signature humor and fast-paced monster battles keep pages turning
⚠
What to Watch For
Multiple reviews call Apollo 'annoying' as a protagonist—your kid may find him grating compared to Percy
Romantic content includes references to past loves and couples being 'very charged'—nothing explicit but could spark questions
The series is considered weaker than Percy Jackson—manage expectations if your kid loved the earlier books
At five books, it's a commitment for a storyline some readers found hollow
Conversation Starters
"Apollo has to learn what it's like to be mortal after being a god for thousands of years. What do you think would be hardest about that?"
"The books have characters with different kinds of relationships. Did anything surprise you about how the characters cared about each other?"
"If you had to choose between being immortal but never changing, or mortal but able to grow and learn, which would you pick?"
"How is Apollo different from Percy as a main character? Who do you like better and why?"
