The Burning Maze is the third book in the Trials of Apollo series by Rick Riordan, following the journey of Apollo, who is cast down to Earth as a mortal teenager by Zeus. Accompanied by his twelve-year-old companion Meg and the satyr Grover, Apollo faces challenges such as battling evil emperors, sorceresses, and navigating through a corrupted Labyrinth. The book is praised for its suspenseful writing, character development, and the emotional connections Apollo makes in the mortal world, all while dealing with the loss of his godly powers.

The plot of The Burning Maze revolves around Apollo and his friends' quest to find the missing Oracles while facing sadistic emperors, Titans, sorceresses, and navigating through dangerous territories corrupted by polluted flames. The book is noted for its engaging storyline, witty humor, and the way Riordan explores themes of grief, sacrifice, and character growth. Readers are drawn into a world filled with action-packed sequences, unexpected twists, and emotional moments that keep them eagerly turning the pages.

Characters:

The characters exhibit significant growth, particularly Apollo and Meg, whose journeys tackle themes of trauma, healing, and friendship.

Writing/Prose:

The writing is a blend of humor and serious themes, showcasing Riordan's style through engaging prose and creative haiku chapter titles.

Plot/Storyline:

The story follows Apollo and Meg as they navigate challenges in California, facing emotional growth and consequences of their battles, particularly with the emperor Caligula.

Setting:

The setting spans from the labyrinth to fiery landscapes in California, intertwining myth with contemporary issues.

Pacing:

The pacing is quick with a mix of action and emotional moments, ensuring readers remain engaged throughout.

Notes:

The Burning Maze is the third book in The Trials of Apollo series by Rick Riordan.

Apollo, the god of the Sun, is cast down to Earth and must navigate life as a mortal teenager.

The book emphasizes character development, particularly Apollo's growth from a selfish god to a more empathetic friend.

There is positive LGBT representation in the series, presented in a casual manner.

Apollo's companion, Meg, also deals with personal trauma and shows significant growth throughout the story.

The plot features a darker tone compared to Riordan's earlier works, balancing humor with serious themes.

Key themes include friendship, sacrifice, and healing, as Apollo tries to support Meg while respecting her independence.

The characters face numerous challenges, including the villainous Emperor Caligula and various magical obstacles.

Grover the satyr and new characters like Crest, a pandai, aid in the journey, showcasing the diversity of magical beings.

A shocking character death at the end impacts Apollo significantly, reflecting the stakes of their quests.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings include medium levels of trauma related to themes of grief, loss of a beloved character, and abuse.

Has Romance?

The book contains medium-level romantic elements, mainly focused on character relationships and emotional connections.

From The Publisher:

The formerly glorious god Apollo, cast down to earth in punishment by Zeus as an awkward mortal teenager named Lester Papadopoulos, must restore five Oracles that have gone dark. Duty-bound to a confounding young daughter of Demeter named Meg, Lester managed to survive his first two trials. Now he and Meg must go through the Labyrinth to find the third emperor - and an Oracle who speaks in word puzzles - somewhere in the American Southwest.

Ratings (38)

Incredible (13)
Loved It (15)
Liked It (6)
It Was OK (3)
Hated It (1)

Reader Stats (78):

Read It (40)
Currently Reading (1)
Want To Read (22)
Did Not Finish (1)
Not Interested (14)

1 comment(s)

lemoon99

Liked It

9 months

Grover!! Seeing more of my boy was so good. We also got meg’s past ugh so many tears!!

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The Burning Maze

Rick Riordan

Book 3 in the series:The Trials of Apollo