THE COURT OF THE DEAD

The roles of heroes and monsters get even more complicated in this spinoff sequel from the Percy Jackson universe.

When Nico di Angelo, the son of Hades, and Will Solace, the son of Apollo, accept the call to help Nico’s half sister, Hazel Levesque, they don’t know what awaits them at Camp Jupiter, a Roman demigod camp in California’s East Bay. Inspired by Nico and Will’s rescue of Bob the Titan in Tartarus, mythics have chosen to forgo their former monstrous roles in favor of a peaceful life, seeking refuge at Camp Jupiter—to the outrage of some campers. To smooth over tensions between the demigods and the former monsters, Nico and Will support Hazel’s efforts to promote harmonious coexistence. But then, one by one, the reformed mythics start to go missing. Determined to save their new friends, Nico, Will, and Hazel expose the rogue efforts of the culprit that’s seeking to punish mythics who have eschewed their evil roles. When Hazel becomes a target, Nico and Will must confront the truth behind these events. Set a few months after their journey through Tartarus, Nico and Will’s well-developed adventure overflows with good-natured humor, thanks to the co-authors’ continued focus on the characters’ interpersonal relationships. The affection between Nico and Will, who present white, is at its sweetest. Although the first half of the book meanders, the mythical scales tip into the sublime as the tale progresses.

Satisfyingly epic.