All the complaining about TSATS just shows, in my opinion, how the older audiences of Rick Riordan expect his books to age WITH them. In reality, Nico is a bit over a year older than the last time we read from his point of view. And in that year his life has changed drastically. A character showing growth and change doesn’t mean they are being written “wrong”. Nicos character, if anything, is such great representation for so many depressed teens a children. Personally, seeing his character finally heal and gain real stability for the first time in YEARS was so emotional for me.
Also, Nico literally called himself The Ghost King when he was like 13/14 and y’all are expecting him to NOT be cringe??? PLEASE 😭
AND WHEN HE SAID PERCY WAS NOT HIS TYPE. Y’all he’s been “cringe” he’s literally a teenager!!!!
All in all, if you thought this book was out of character or cringey, maybe you are just growing out of the genre :) (Like actually, I’m not trying to be mean saying this lmao) If I read this book expecting it to be like a “cutesy” gay YA romance, I would think it was cringe as well. But this book is so unapologetically Rick, and it was enhanced by Mark so well with how Nico and Will interacted.
There are so many important conversations in the book, I could literally write and essay on it. I won’t, but I could.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying this book is absolute perfection… but Nico’s character has been so “fandomized” that I also think his true identity has been so watered down and idealized. To me, this book read as the Nico that Nico should be. Making him any different would be a disservice to who he represents!
Also I want more friends on Good Reads so like add me pls
https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/98271429
