The Dark Prophecy facts for kids
U.S. cover for first edition
|
|
| Author | Rick Riordan |
|---|---|
| Cover artist | John Rocco |
| Country | United States |
| Series | The Trials of Apollo (book 2) |
| Genre | Fantasy, Greek and Roman mythology, Young adult |
| Publisher | Disney-Hyperion |
|
Publication date
|
May 2, 2017 (hardcover, audiobook CD, Kindle/Nook eBook) |
| Media type | Print (hardback, paperback, audiobook CD, e-book) |
| Pages | 432 (hardcover) |
| ISBN | 978-1-4847-4642-4 |
| Preceded by | The Hidden Oracle |
| Followed by | The Burning Maze |
The Dark Prophecy is an exciting fantasy novel by American author Rick Riordan. It mixes Greek and Roman mythology with a modern story. This book came out on May 2, 2017. It is the second book in The Trials of Apollo series. This series is a spin-off from the popular Percy Jackson & the Olympians books.
The book's cover art was created by John Rocco. The Dark Prophecy is available in many forms. You can find it as a hardcover or paperback book. It also comes as an audiobook and an ebook. The story has been translated into 7 different languages.
The adventure in The Dark Prophecy picks up right after The Hidden Oracle ends. Apollo, who is now a human teenager, continues his quest. He needs to find and restore the ancient Greek Oracles. These Oracles have gone silent, and Apollo must fix them to get his god powers back. He travels with Meg McCaffrey. Their journey takes them to the Oracle of Trophonius in Indianapolis. Apollo also faces his old enemy, Commodus. Commodus is one of the Emperors from the Triumvirate Holdings.
Critics liked the novel for its humor and interesting characters. In its first week, The Dark Prophecy sold about 63,000 copies. It quickly became a top seller on The New York Times and Publishers Weekly lists.
The Story of The Dark Prophecy
Six weeks after the first book, Apollo is still human. He is traveling with Leo, Festus, and Calypso. They are trying to stop Nero, known as the Beast. Nero wants to control all the Oracles.
They are saved from monsters by Hemithea. She invites them to the Waystation in Indianapolis Union Station. Apollo remembers helping Hemithea long ago. He had turned her into a goddess, but she chose to join the Hunters of Artemis instead. Now, Hemithea and Josephine live as mortals. They gave up their immortality for love.
Their adopted daughter, Georgina, went missing. She was looking for the Oracle of Trophonius. She wanted a prophecy to stop Emperor Commodus from taking their griffins. Instead, she got a message that confused her mind.
Britomartis, the goddess who owns the Waystation, gives Apollo and Calypso a quest. They must rescue the griffins stolen by Commodus. They manage to save the griffins. But they are cornered by Lityerses, Commodus's helper. Just in time, Meg McCaffrey arrives. She fights Lityerses while Apollo frees other animals. Apollo, Meg, and a griffin escape back to the Waystation.
Apollo, Leo, and Meg then go to Commodus's hideout. They free all the captured animals and people, including Georgina. They find the Throne of Memory. Commodus discovers them, but they escape with help from Festus and the Huntresses of Artemis. They even rescue Lit, who was about to be harmed.
Everyone returns to the Waystation. Georgina shares a recorded message from Trophonius. It turns out Trophonius is Apollo's son! He calls Georgina his sister, making everyone think she is Apollo's daughter too.
Apollo and Meg decide to visit the Oracle for the prophecy. The others stay to defend the Waystation. At the Oracle, Apollo drinks from two rivers. One river is for memory, and the other is for forgetting. This prepares him for the prophecy but also makes him lose his mind for a short time. Meg sings a sad song, which helps Apollo regain his senses. The spirit of Trophonius appears. Apollo asks Trophonius to take him instead of Meg, and Trophonius agrees, but still gives Meg the prophecy.
Apollo helps Meg recover and destroys the Oracle. This fulfills Trophonius's wish. Peaches the karpoi and his friends drive them back to the Waystation. Apollo finds Commodus fighting Josephine, Calypso, Lit, and Thalia. Commodus is holding Leo, Hemithea, and Georgina hostage. Apollo feels a burst of his old godly power. He warns Commodus to stop. Commodus ignores him. Apollo then shows his true divine form, which blinds Commodus and his men.
Meg then shares a prophecy. It is a poem that tells them they must warn Camp Jupiter. An attack is coming in five days. They will need to travel through the Labyrinth with a satyr's help. Meg uses her powers to summon the closest satyr. It turns out to be Grover Underwood.
Main Characters in the Story
- Apollo / Lester Papadopoulos: He is the main hero of the story. Apollo continues his quest to free the Oracles that have gone dark. He goes to the Oracle of Trophonius to get the next prophecy.
- Leo Valdez: He is a demigod, a son of Hephaestus. Leo came back to life in The Blood of Olympus. He and his girlfriend Calypso help Apollo on his journey.
- Calypso: She is the daughter of the Titan Atlas. Leo freed her from her island prison. She helps Apollo with his trials. People thought she lost her magic, but she still has some powers.
- Meg McCaffrey: She is a 12-year-old girl and a daughter of Demeter. Meg helps Apollo at the Oracle of Trophonius.
- Commodus: He is the second and weakest Emperor in the Triumvirate. Commodus was once friends with Apollo. He wants revenge on Apollo for his past death.
- Festus: He is a bronze dragon robot. Leo Valdez fixed him in The Blood of Olympus. Festus breathes fire and helps guide them on their quest.
What Happens Next?
The third book in The Trials of Apollo series is called The Burning Maze. Rick Riordan announced it on October 17, 2017. It was released on May 1, 2018.
See also
In Spanish: La profecía oscura para niños
