Rick Riordan’s newest book, The Sun and the Star is the first standalone book from the author of Percy Jackson and the Olympians. Co-authored by “gender-queer LatinX” Y.A author, Mark Oshiro, The Sun and the Star focuses on the fan favorite character, Nico di Angelo, the son of the Greek god, Hades. The book takes a dive into the world of LGBTQ+ children’s literature and while most of the Percy Jackson fandom is very pro-LGBTQ+, the book is quickly (and ironically) ripping the fandom apart.
The Sun and the Star follows Nico di Angelo and his boyfriend, Will Solace, son of Apollo, on their quest to save the character Bob the Titan from Tartarus. On the way, the story adresses the Nico’s struggles with his mental health, his relationship, and accepting himself as a young gay man. The story not only focuses a lot on these topics, but also throws in extra characters that fall into the LGBTQ+ alphabet mafia for extra woke brownie points.
While this should be enough to satisfy the recently deteriorating Percy Jackson fandom, the book has actually ripped it appart in another example of “Go Woke: Go Broke”. Fans who bought the book have mixed reviews, praising it for its inclusivity, but criticizing it heavily for being incredibly preachy, reading like fanfiction, and being choppy due to being written by two authors.
Braver souls have criticized it for being a gay romance novel and having too many discussions about sexuality for what is supposed to be a kids’ book. One review on Amazon says, “This is book is a romance novel. And not a very good one. It’s a slog to get through, especially the front half. The writer seems more interested in pushing the MESSAGE than writing a good novel.”
2.0 out of 5 stars Romance novelReviewed in the United States on May 15, 2023
This is book is a romance novel. And not a very good one. It’s a slog to get through, especially the front half. The writer seems more interested in pushing the MESSAGE than writing a good novel.
One parent who bought the book for their child angrily commented, “No thanks. I don’t appreciate this indoctrination targeted at young people in an effort to further the LGBTQ agenda.”
1.0 out of 5 stars Not interested in LGBTQ indoctrination fiction for my teen.Reviewed in the United States on May 23, 2023
No thanks. I don’t appreciate this indoctrination targeted at young people in an effort to further the LGBTQ agenda.
Another commenter from the U.K. said, “It wasn’t very Percy Jacksonish. Like I’m bi, and I understand the need for representation, but I just think there was too much in this book ??? Like there was a good bit of plot convenience, too much backstory, wayyyyy too much romance and understanding and serious psychological realisations for 15 year olds, the time was inconsistent (referenced call me by your name video when it’s only 2012 at best) and overall I just think will wasn’t realistic, he was too airheaded and kindve odd, and nicos character changed completely. Like kissing Bob on the temple? Not in character. The whole thing with his mother an Bianca was rlly random too. This felt more like one of those feel good “talk about ur feelings!!! Be urself!!! Understand how others feel!!! It’s ok to be queer!!!” books than a Rick Riordan one. Too much movie type realisations and cringe jokes (grumpy ball of darkness? I’m going to kms) (big ole queer mess 🤓🤓🤓) over all, I think it read like a watt pad fanfiction but with proper punctuation and fancier words. No real plot, a lot of romance for no reason, bad jokes, inconsistent with the world, why did they make everyone queer like I litch am no but I was like ffs this is so forced, unenjoyable, not a proper read, Rick Riordan you can do way better this makes me nervous for the new Percy Jackson book ur releasing. I’m done now just really thought this book was cringe and forced.”
idkReviewed in the United Kingdom on May 22, 2023
It wasn’t very Percy Jacksonish. Like I’m bi, and I understand the need for representation, but I just think there was too much in this book ??? Like there was a good bit of plot convenience, too much backstory, wayyyyy too much romance and understanding and serious psychological realisations for 15 year olds, the time was inconsistent (referenced call me by your name video when it’s only 2012 at best) and overall I just think will wasn’t realistic, he was too airheaded and kindve odd, and nicos character changed completely. Like kissing Bob on the temple? Not in character. The whole thing with his mother an Bianca was rlly random too. This felt more like one of those feel good “talk about ur feelings!!! Be urself!!! Understand how others feel!!! It’s ok to be queer!!!” books than a Rick Riordan one. Too much movie type realisations and cringe jokes (grumpy ball of darkness? I’m going to kms) (big ole queer mess 🤓🤓🤓) over all, I think it read like a watt pad fanfiction but with proper punctuation and fancier words. No real plot, a lot of romance for no reason, bad jokes, inconsistent with the world, why did they make everyone queer like I litch am no but I was like ffs this is so forced, unenjoyable, not a proper read, Rick Riordan you can do way better this makes me nervous for the new Percy Jackson book ur releasing. I’m done now just really thought this book was cringe and forced.
Rick Riordan is no stranger to criticism from his fans. In recent years, he has faced backlash for raceswapping the role of Annabeth Chase (a blonde, white female) and Grover Underwood (another white character) with black actress Lia Jefferies and Middle-Eastern actor Aryan Simhadri in the new Percy Jackson and the Olympians T.V. show that will be coming out on Disney+ in 2024.
Mark Oshiro is a self-described “Latinx, queer author” who has written such books as Anger is a Gift, Each of Us a Desert, which push LGBTQ+ messages for kids and a book for the Star Wars franchise.
In my opinion, this is an example of how even teenagers on both sides of the political isle are starting to get tired of the woke identity politics and want books that are actually good. If you want to push a message in your stories, that’s fine, but nuance is something that Rick Riordan – and Mark Oshiro – clearly lack. If your book becomes all about pushing a particular message in a way that removes any plot that would otherwise have been good and shows that the author thinks that fans are stupid by constantly screaming the moral of the story, then you have done something wrong. Even worse, if your book is so pushy and preachy when it comes to LGBTQ+ identity politics that even people in that community think its heavy-handed, then you definitly know that you did something wrong and should change your ways. Instead of centering your sales around the woke schools and libraries, start selling to the audience who actually cares about your books, otherwise your francise is going to become another cash-grabbing zombie like the recently destroyed Star Wars, Indiana Jones, and Disney francises.
The Tanuki Corner 
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