The Hidden Oracle facts for kids

The Hidden Oracle is an exciting fantasy adventure book by Rick Riordan. It's the first book in The Trials of Apollo series. Imagine being a powerful god, then suddenly becoming a regular human! That's what happens to Apollo, the god of music, poetry, and the sun. He's sent to Earth as a teenage boy named Lester Papadopoulos. To become a god again, he must complete a series of dangerous tasks and restore several ancient oracles. His first big challenge is to find a lost oracle and get a new quest, all while trying to survive as a clumsy, mortal teenager.

What is The Hidden Oracle About?

This book kicks off a thrilling five-book series. It follows the Greek god Apollo after he makes a big mistake. His father, Zeus, punishes him by turning him into a mortal teenager. He loses all his godly powers and becomes a regular, awkward boy named Lester Papadopoulos.

Apollo lands in a dumpster in New York City. He quickly meets a young demigod named Meg McCaffrey. Meg is a powerful daughter of Demeter, the goddess of agriculture. She becomes Apollo's reluctant master, and together they must go on a quest. Their mission is to free the ancient Oracles from evil forces. These Oracles are special places where prophecies, or predictions about the future, are given.

Why is Apollo in Trouble?

Apollo is punished by Zeus because of the events in the previous series, The Heroes of Olympus. Zeus blames Apollo for starting a war. This war involved the Roman and Greek demigods. As a result, Apollo is stripped of his powers. He is forced to live as a human until he can prove himself worthy again. This means facing dangers without his usual godly abilities.

Who are the Main Characters?

• Apollo / Lester Papadopoulos: Once a proud and powerful god, now a clumsy, acne-prone teenager. He's used to being worshipped, so being mortal is a huge shock. He has to learn humility and bravery.
• Meg McCaffrey: A feisty and mysterious demigod. She has a powerful connection to nature and can summon plant creatures. Meg is Apollo's master, which means he has to obey her commands.
• Percy Jackson: The famous demigod hero from previous series. He makes a brief appearance to help Apollo and Meg. He offers advice and support before they start their main quest.
• Chiron: The wise centaur and activities director at Camp Half-Blood. He helps guide Apollo and Meg. He provides them with important information and resources.

What is Camp Half-Blood?

Camp Half-Blood is a secret training ground for demigods. These are children born from a god and a human. It's located on Long Island, New York. Demigods learn to fight monsters and use their special powers there. It's a safe haven for them. Many characters from Rick Riordan's other books live and train at this camp.

The Quest for the Oracles

Apollo and Meg's main goal is to restore the Oracles. These are ancient sites where prophecies are given. Prophecies are important messages from the gods about the future. They help demigods understand their quests.

The first Oracle they need to find is the Oracle of Delphi. It has fallen silent and is controlled by a mysterious, evil organization. This group is called the Triumvirate Holdings. They are three Roman emperors who have become immortal and very powerful. They want to control all prophecies.

Challenges and Adventures

Apollo and Meg face many challenges on their journey. They encounter dangerous monsters from Greek mythology. They also meet other demigods and mythical creatures. Apollo has to learn to fight and survive without his godly powers. He relies on his wits and Meg's strength.

The book is full of humor, action, and suspense. Apollo's struggle to adapt to human life is often funny. He misses his godly comforts and powers. He slowly learns what it means to be a hero. He also learns about friendship and loyalty.

Themes in the Book

The Hidden Oracle explores several important themes:

• Humility: Apollo, once proud, must learn to be humble. He realizes that even gods can make mistakes.
• Friendship: The bond between Apollo and Meg grows stronger. They learn to trust and rely on each other.
• Responsibility: Apollo must take responsibility for his actions. He also learns to care for others.
• Heroism: The book shows that heroism isn't just about power. It's about courage, kindness, and doing the right thing.

About the Author

Rick Riordan is a very popular American author. He is famous for his fantasy novels based on mythology. His books often feature young demigods. He makes ancient myths exciting and relevant for modern readers. His other popular series include Percy Jackson & the Olympians and The Heroes of Olympus.

Other Books in The Trials of Apollo Series

The Hidden Oracle is the first book. The series continues with:

• The Dark Prophecy
• The Burning Maze
• The Tyrant's Tomb
• The Tower of Nero

These books follow Apollo's journey. He continues to face challenges and grow as a character. He works to regain his godly status.