The Hidden Oracle is a fantasy novel based on Greek and Roman mythology written by American author Rick Riordan.
The book follows the god Apollo, who is turned into a human teenager and thrown down from Olympus to New York City as a punishment by his father, Zeus.
Joined by the demigod Meg McCaffrey, Apollo goes to Camp Half-Blood, where he discovers that he will have to regain control of the five oracles of Ancient Greece in order to receive pardon from Zeus.
After falling into a dumpster in a New York City alley, the god Apollo has only very vague memories of his father, Zeus, punishing him.
After arriving at the Camp, Apollo discovers that the Oracle of Delphi, in the form of Rachel Elizabeth Dare, can no longer issue prophecies; similarly, travel and communication do not work for any of the demigods.
They overhear Delphi's guard, Python, talking to "the Beast" about how to control all the oracles and destroy the Grove of Dodona.
She reveals that a secretive company, Triumvirate Holdings, has conspired against the gods and is attempting to control all the oracles, starting with Dodona, which is located at the camp and has been drawing campers to itself.
Nero appears and reveals that he is now a “god-emperor,” as he found a way to turn himself and the other two emperors in Triumvirate Holdings into gods, using the worshipping they received throughout history.
Nero sends the Colossus Neronis to destroy the camp, but with the help of Percy and the other campers, Apollo defeats the statue by hitting it with a plague-enchanted arrow.
The next morning, Leo Valdez and Calypso return to Camp Half-Blood, and the two offer to help Apollo in his quest to rescue the Oracle of Trophonius from Triumvirate Holdings.
Riordan liked the concept and decided to "subject poor Apollo to that punishment for a third time and write a series from his point of view as a newly outcast 16-year-old mortal".
[2] The cover, illustrated by John Rocco, was revealed on October 10, 2015; it shows the two versions of Apollo in an alley of New York City.
April Spisak, wrote in The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books that "Riordan fans will find all of the key elements here: wisecracking narration, underdog kid turned hero... mythological core, and robust side characters"[21] In the same way, The Guardian highlighted Riordan's ability to "inject humor, even during sad moments" into his writing.
[24] Sarah Hunter of Booklist praised the way Riordan mixed comedic elements with "Greek myths throughout the story [which] adds some emotional depth to his often vainglorious lead.
[26] Kirkus praised this narration, noting Apollo's bragging about his own "godly virtues (including his open bisexuality) and [his] gripes about his current awkwardness and servitude to Meg".
[23] Aditi Saha of The Times of India regards Apollo as Riordan's best character whose "love for poems, sarcasm, and selfishness will make any readers fall for his unusual charm".
She also praised the "portrait of Greek mythology complete with a well-developed world", but criticized the lack of introduction to the old characters.
[27] Similarly, Carrie R. Wheadon of Common Sense Media commented positively on the narration, but unlike Saha, felt that due to "balance between mythological monster battles and character growth, humor, and pathos, this start to a spin-off of a spin-off series doesn't disappoint longtime Riordan fans".
Writing for the School Library Journal, Beth L. Meister highlighted the diversity of the characters, especially with Apollo openly discussing his bisexuality.
Publishers Weekly commented that "Robbie Daymond’s narration is delightful: lively and comical, he perfectly captures the lovably conceited and pompous Apollo".