Book Review: The Hidden Oracle by Rick Riordan

The Hidden Oracle (Trials of Apollo #1)

By Rick Riordan 

Published year : 2016

Page count : 360 pages 

Medium used : Paperback 

Genre : Fantasy, Adventure, Mythology, Ancient Greece, Greek Gods, Modern World, 2024-read. 

Rating : 5/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

The Ancient Gods haven’t been wiped away. They have adapted themselves to the modern world. They have chosen their new lairs and still interfere in the affairs of men everyday. They are kept alive by the thoughts of people and what less – the internet! 

The book is full of fun, wit and amazing adventures from the start. There is no where an iota of boredom even. There are many characters and I felt it would be difficult to remember all of them but it wasn’t necessary. The character evolution – or rather, devolution – of Apollo is very well portrayed. I felt sorry and sad for the character of Meg – of what her step father did to her. The adventures are very funny and the opportune times when Apollo regains his much needed powers felt miraculous to read. I am an adult and this book I have enjoyed as thoroughly as I would have if I were a child! Highly recommend!! 

Apollo, the god of Archery and Illness, is punished by his father Zeus. He is pushed down from Olympus onto Earth. To become a mortal. To be devoid of all his powers. He has been punished in a similar way twice before and had regained his stature after service to mortal kings and pleasing his father enough. So he thinks the same will be his fate this time. But there is much more in store for him and the demigods he befriends on his journey. Someone is trying to sabotage and take over the four oracles in the world – which are controlled by God Apollo. They are trying to locate a fifth oracle and destroy it. By controlling the remaining oracles, they mean to control the fate of humanity and become Gods themselves. Apollo could have put an end to this with one breath had he been a God but alas, he must fight them as a human with limited to no powers. In this book, he rescues the fifth oracle and goes on a journey to one of the four other oracles. Very excited to read the second book in the series! Cheers!