The Tower of Nero (The Trials of Apollo Series #5)

by Rick Riordan

Overview

At last, the breathtaking, action-packed finale of the #1 bestselling Trials of Apollo series is here!
"The Tower of Nero is the quintessential cherry on top of 'The Trials of Apollo' sundae series."—Laughing Place

• #1 New York Times best-selling series
• Rick Riordan is considered the "storyteller of the gods" because of his five #1 New York Times bestselling series based on mythology
• The conclusion of the Percy Jackson saga
• A new take on Greek and Roman mythology from the point of view of a fallen god
• Brings back beloved demigod characters from the Percy Jackson and Heroes of Olympus series
• Introduces new demigods
• Villains are based on Roman emperors
• Features a diverse cast with people from all kinds of backgrounds and lifestyles
• Perfect for middle schoolers but can be enjoyed by older readers, too

Will the Greek god Apollo, cast down to earth in the pathetic mortal form of a teenager named Lester Papadopoulos, finally regain his place on Mount Olympus?
Lester's demigod friends at Camp Jupiter just helped him survive attacks from bloodthirsty ghouls, an evil Roman king and his army of the undead, and the lethal emperors Caligula and Commodus. Now the former god and his demigod master Meg must follow a prophecy uncovered by Ella the harpy. Lester's final challenge will be at the Tower of Nero, back in New York.
Will Meg have a last showdown with her father?
Will this helpless form of Apollo have to face his arch nemesis, Python?
Who will be on hand at Camp Half-Blood to assist?
In the fifth and final installment of Rick Riordan's New York Times bestselling series, these highly anticipated questions and more will be answered for all eager demigods.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781484746455
Publisher:	Disney Publishing Group
Publication date:	10/06/2020
Series:	Trials of Apollo Series
Pages:	416
Sales rank:	16,819
Product dimensions:	5.60(w) x 8.20(h) x 1.30(d)
Lexile:	740L (what's this?)
Age Range:	10 - 14 Years

About the Author

Rick Riordan , dubbed “storyteller of the gods” by Publishers Weekly, is the author of five #1 New York Times best-selling middle grade series with millions of copies sold throughout the world: Percy Jackson and the Olympians, The Heroes of Olympus, and the Trials of Apollo, based on Greek and Roman mythology; the Kane Chronicles, based on Ancient Egyptian mythology; and Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard, based on Norse mythology. Rick collaborated with illustrator John Rocco on two #1 New York Times best-selling collections of Greek myths for the whole family: Percy Jackson’s Greek Gods and Percy Jackson’s Greek Heroes. Rick is also the publisher of an imprint at Disney-Hyperion, Rick Riordan Presents, dedicated to finding other authors of highly entertaining fiction based on world cultures and mythologies. He lives in Boston, Massachusetts with his wife and two sons. Follow him on Twitter at @RickRiordan.

Hometown:

San Antonio, TX

Date of Birth:

June 5, 1964

Place of Birth:

San Antonio, TX

Education:

B.A. in English and History, University of Texas

Editorial Reviews

2020-10-22
In this tumultuous series closer, Apollo, transformed into a mortal teenager, takes on both a deified emperor in a luxurious Manhattan high-rise and an older adversary.

Lester/Apollo’s coast-to-coast quest reaches its climactic stage as, with help from both eager squads of fledgling demigods from Camp Half-Blood and reluctant allies from realms deep below New York, he invades the palatial lair of Emperor Nero—followed by a solo bout with another foe from a past struggle. Riordan lays on the transformation of the heedless, arrogant sun god to a repentant lover of his long-neglected semidivine offspring and of humanity in general, which has served as the series’ binding theme, thickly enough to have his humbled narrator even apologizing (twice!) to his underwear for having to change it periodically. Still, the author delivers a fast, action-driven plot with high stakes, lots of fighting, and occasional splashes of gore brightened by banter and silly bits, so readers aren’t likely to mind all the hand-wringing. He also leaves any real-life parallels to the slick, megalomaniacal, emotionally abusive Nero entirely up to readers to discern and dishes out just deserts all round, neatly tying up loose ends in a set of closing vignettes. The supporting cast is predominantly White, with passing mention of diverse representation.

A brisk, buffed-up finish threaded with inner and outer, not to mention sartorial, changes. (glossary) (Fantasy. 10-14)

Kirkus Reviews

Rick Riordan’s epic Trials of Apollo series comes to an end with this fifth and final installment. Narrator Robbie Daymond has been the smug, funny, and entirely convincing voice of Greek god Apollo from the very beginning. As Apollo, Meg, and their friends return to New York after a cross-country road trip and prepare to wage their final battles against baddies Nero and Python, Daymond is in perfect step with all of the action and emotion. He adds squeaks and pops to his repertoire for the language of the underground troglodytes and gives voice to a large cast of characters both familiar and new, but as always, Apollo’s journey is at the heart of the story, and Daymond is that heart. Will they prevail, and will Apollo become his godly self again? Listen and find out. J.M.D. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2020, Portland, Maine

NOVEMBER 2020 - AudioFile