The Sun and the Star Summary, Characters and Themes
The Sun and the Star: A Nico di Angelo Adventure is a thrilling 2023 middle-grade fantasy novel co-authored by Rick Riordan and Mark Oshiro. The book explores the emotional journey of Nico di Angelo, son of Hades, and his boyfriend Will Solace, a son of Apollo, as they embark on a dangerous mission to rescue Bob the Titan from the depths of Tartarus.
The adventure delves into themes of darkness, light, trauma, and acceptance, with both characters learning about themselves and each other as they traverse the Underworld. Their relationship deepens as they face physical and emotional challenges in this rich, heart-pounding story.
Summary
Nico di Angelo, the son of Hades, is haunted by nightmares that revisit some of the darkest moments in his life.
These terrifying dreams are interrupted by a voice reaching out to him from the pit of Tartarus, the lowest part of the Underworld. The voice belongs to Bob, a Titan who once sacrificed his life for Percy Jackson and Annabeth Chase.
Now trapped in Tartarus, Bob’s call for help sparks a prophecy that Nico and his boyfriend, Will Solace, a son of Apollo, must heed. Armed with advice from Percy and Annabeth, the two demigods set off on a perilous quest to rescue Bob from the nightmarish realm.
Their journey begins with unexpected obstacles.
As they attempt to enter the Underworld, Nico and Will are ensnared in a loop of nightmares, conjured by Epiales, the god of nightmares. Will discovers a hidden ability to summon a powerful beam of light, which helps them break free from Epiales’ grip.
As they press on, Nico begins to feel the weight of his own darkness, believing himself to be consumed by it, while Will’s reliance on light creates a rift between them. Will’s initial failure to understand that life and light can coexist with darkness adds to Nico’s growing frustration.
Their bond is tested as they encounter strange beings in the Underworld, including the troglodytes—an amphibious, humanoid species that aids them in finding a path to Tartarus.
Will also has a meaningful exchange with Persephone, Nico’s stepmother, who teaches him how to embrace the complexities of loving someone connected to the Underworld. Despite this, Will struggles to cope with the physical and emotional toll the Underworld exacts on him, leaving him disoriented and weak at times.
The narrative alternates between their current journey and flash-forwards to a future conversation with the nymph Gorgyra, where Nico and Will recount joyful memories of their relationship.
They believe these memories are payment for using her boat, but Gorgyra reveals that their shared happiness strengthens them for the challenges ahead. Once their timeline aligns, they descend deeper into Tartarus on her boat.
Tartarus is overwhelming, filled with despair and endless threats. They face monstrous foes like the cynocephali and wrestle with their own inner demons.
After a tense encounter with Amphithemis, a personification of mania, Nico and Will clash over morality, but they manage to resolve their differences through honest communication.
Guided by Bob’s loyal cat, Small Bob, they eventually locate Bob himself, trapped in a cycle of regeneration. Nyx, the goddess of night, keeps him locked in his past identity as Iapetus, but Bob no longer wishes to return to who he once was.
In the final confrontation with Nyx, both Nico and Will reach a transformative understanding of themselves.
Will embraces his own darkness, and Nico finds his inner light. Nico also confronts his negative emotions, personified as cacodemons, and decides to release their hold over him. He humorously renames them “Cocoa Puffs,” and they choose to join him and Will as they escape Nyx’s grasp.
In the end, Nyx is defeated by her refusal to change, unlike Nico and Will, who learn that growth comes from accepting all parts of themselves—light and dark alike.
Returning to the surface, Nico and Will’s relationship emerges stronger. Bob and Small Bob head west, free at last, while Nico and Will return to Camp Half-Blood, content with their newfound understanding of each other and themselves.
Characters
Nico di Angelo
Nico di Angelo is the central character in The Sun and the Star, a demigod and son of Hades, whose internal conflict forms much of the emotional core of the story. Nico is haunted by trauma, loss, and the sense of being an outsider, having always been surrounded by death and darkness.
His perception of himself as being only darkness reflects the deep emotional scars left by his painful past, including the loss of his sister Bianca and his long struggle with identity and isolation. Nico’s journey through Tartarus becomes a metaphorical and literal exploration of his own psyche, where he confronts his fears, insecurities, and negative emotions, which manifest in the form of the cacodemons.
Over the course of the novel, Nico learns an important lesson: rather than suppressing or rejecting the darker parts of himself, he must accept and live with them. His acceptance of his own complexity — the coexistence of darkness and light — is critical to his character growth, making him a more rounded, self-aware individual.
His relationship with Will Solace becomes a source of strength as he learns that he doesn’t have to shield others, especially Will, from his darker emotions.
Will Solace
Will Solace, the son of Apollo, represents light in contrast to Nico’s darkness. At the beginning of the story, Will is portrayed as optimistic, warm, and deeply loving toward Nico, but his character arc involves grappling with his own misconceptions and limitations.
Initially, Will views darkness and negativity as something to be fixed or healed, which becomes a point of tension in his relationship with Nico. He assumes that his role is to guide Nico toward light and happiness, inadvertently causing Nico to feel misunderstood and rejected for who he truly is.
However, Will’s journey into the Underworld and Tartarus forces him to confront his biases. As he experiences the literal and emotional toll of Tartarus, Will begins to recognize that darkness is not inherently evil or something to be feared.
He gains a deeper understanding of Nico’s world and ultimately realizes that love is not about erasing someone’s darkness, but rather embracing the whole person, including their pain and shadows. Will’s physical struggles in the Underworld, as well as his conversations with Persephone and encounters with the various creatures in Tartarus, lead him to mature and see the value in darkness as well as light.
His growth allows him to become a more empathetic partner, accepting that both light and darkness can coexist harmoniously.
Bob the Titan (Iapetus)
Bob, formerly known as Iapetus, is a complex character who symbolizes the possibility of change and redemption. Having once been an enemy of demigods, Bob sacrificed himself to save Percy Jackson and Annabeth Chase in a previous story, showcasing his transformation from a malevolent Titan into a selfless figure.
However, in The Sun and the Star, Bob is trapped in a cycle of regeneration, a state of limbo that reflects his internal struggle to reconcile his past as Iapetus with his new identity as Bob. Nyx, who despises change, wants to force Bob back into his old identity, but Bob resists.
His journey through the novel mirrors Nico’s in many ways, as both characters are working to accept who they are, rather than who they were or who others think they should be. Bob’s acceptance of his past but refusal to return to it highlights the novel’s broader themes of change, personal growth, and the rejection of rigid identities.
Bob’s role as a guide and protector for Nico and Will cements his place as a symbol of redemption. His decision to leave for the west at the end of the novel signifies his desire to chart his own future, free from his past burdens.
Small Bob
Small Bob, a cat who accompanies Nico, Will, and Bob, serves as a symbol of loyalty and continuity. Though Small Bob is a seemingly minor character, his presence provides comfort and guidance in the oppressive and terrifying environment of Tartarus.
His role as a companion to Bob emphasizes the novel’s themes of companionship and the strength derived from even the smallest sources of support. Small Bob, with his tenacity and connection to both the Underworld and the mortal world, also represents the blending of light and dark, much like the other characters’ internal struggles.
Nyx
Nyx, the primordial goddess of night, is the primary antagonist of the novel and embodies the theme of resisting change. As the personification of night, she represents eternal darkness, but more importantly, she is a figure who rejects transformation and growth.
Nyx wishes to drag Bob back into his identity as Iapetus, denying him the opportunity to continue as Bob. Her opposition to change is what ultimately leads to her downfall, as the forces of light and dark, represented by Will and Nico, are able to defeat her by accepting that growth and transformation are necessary parts of existence.
Nyx’s rigidity and inability to evolve stand in direct contrast to the journeys of the protagonists. Nico and Will learn to integrate their darkness and light, ultimately overcoming her.
Persephone
Persephone, the wife of Hades and stepmother to Nico, plays a pivotal role in Will’s character development. As a goddess who herself straddles the line between the living world and the Underworld, Persephone provides Will with valuable advice on how to love someone like Nico, who has deep ties to the Underworld.
Her wisdom about accepting darkness and recognizing the value in it helps shift Will’s perspective on both Nico and the Underworld itself. Persephone represents balance and serves as a reminder that love requires understanding and accepting the complexities within those we care about.
Epiales
Epiales, the god of nightmares and a child of Nyx, is a secondary antagonist who traps Nico and Will in a cycle of nightmares early in the story. He represents the oppressive power of fear and negative emotions, forcing the characters to confront their deepest anxieties.
While his role is not as central as Nyx’s, Epiales serves as a thematic manifestation of the inner demons that Nico and Will must face. His defeat, when Will discovers the ability to shoot a beam of pure light, symbolizes the triumph of hope and resilience over fear and despair, setting the stage for the characters’ deeper emotional battles.
Gorgyra
Gorgyra, the nymph whom Nico and Will encounter, offers a subtle but significant contribution to the story. While Nico and Will believe they are exchanging happy memories for the use of her boat, Gorgyra understands that these memories are actually vital for their survival in Tartarus.
Her insight into the power of positive emotions adds another layer to the novel’s exploration of light and darkness. Gorgyra is a guardian figure, aiding the protagonists not through direct intervention, but by reminding them of the strength that can be found in joy and love, even in the darkest of places.
The Troglodytes
The troglodytes, a species of subterranean humanoid frogs, provide guidance and assistance to Nico and Will as they navigate the Underworld. Their knowledge of the landscape and willingness to help the demigods serve as a reminder that even in the Underworld, there are allies and sources of hope.
The troglodytes’ role emphasizes the theme of community and the importance of seeking help from others, even in the most dire circumstances. They also contribute to the story’s lighter, more whimsical moments, balancing the heavier emotional tones of the novel.
Themes
The Interplay of Light and Darkness as a Metaphor for Emotional Complexity
One of the most profound themes in The Sun and the Star is the intricate dynamic between light and darkness, which serves as a metaphor for the emotional complexity within and between the main characters. Nico di Angelo, a demigod of the Underworld, embodies darkness both literally and symbolically.
His powers are tied to shadows, death, and the underworld, but they also reflect his inner turmoil—his trauma, grief, and feelings of isolation. Will Solace, on the other hand, is the son of Apollo, the god of light and healing, representing optimism, warmth, and life.
Their relationship juxtaposes these opposing forces, showing that light and darkness are not inherently in conflict but can exist in harmony. Throughout their journey, the narrative challenges the simplistic binary that light is good and darkness is bad.
Nico wrestles with the belief that his darkness is something to be feared or eradicated, while Will struggles with his perception that light is inherently superior. The story dismantles these misconceptions by showing that healing doesn’t come from eliminating darkness but from accepting it.
The metaphor of light and darkness thus transcends the conventional good-versus-evil dichotomy, evolving into a nuanced discussion about emotional wholeness. Both Nico and Will learn that darkness can be as valuable as light—it carries wisdom, depth, and power, while light alone can be shallow and unsustainable without the grounding balance of shadow.
In this way, the story presents light and darkness not as opposites but as necessary complements in emotional maturity and self-acceptance.
The Trauma of Self-Perception and the Journey to Self-Acceptance
Another central theme is the trauma of self-perception, particularly for Nico, who harbors a deep sense of shame and alienation due to his powers, his experiences, and even his identity as a son of Hades. Nico’s traumatic experiences in the past, including the loss of loved ones and his time in Tartarus, have left him feeling like an outsider, burdened by darkness in a way that feels incompatible with Will’s brightness.
He internalizes these feelings, believing that he is “too dark” or “too broken” for someone like Will, who represents the light and healing Nico feels he lacks. The constant juxtaposition of Nico’s self-loathing with Will’s optimism creates tension, especially when Will struggles to understand the depth of Nico’s trauma.
The journey through Tartarus becomes a physical and emotional metaphor for confronting the darkness within oneself. The Underworld is not just a place of external danger; it is a reflection of Nico’s inner world, full of shadows and fear.
Will’s struggles in the Underworld parallel Nico’s struggles with his identity, as Will is physically and emotionally weakened by the oppressive environment. However, the resolution of this journey shows that both characters must accept themselves and each other for who they are, without the need to “fix” one another.
For Nico, this means accepting his darkness not as a curse, but as a part of who he is, while Will learns that his love for Nico cannot be conditional upon healing or changing him. This theme underscores that self-acceptance is not a process of purging one’s negative emotions or trauma, but learning to live with them as a part of the whole self.
The Ethics of Vulnerability and Power in the Face of Trauma
The novel explores the ethics of vulnerability and the use of power, particularly in moments of trauma. This is exemplified in the confrontation between Will and Amphithemis, the personification of “mania.”
Amphithemis is a being who is defined by his vulnerability—his very nature makes him susceptible to influence and manipulation. Will’s decision to use Amphithemis’s suggestibility to their advantage brings up a crucial ethical dilemma: Is it right to exploit someone’s weakness, even if the goal is survival?
Nico’s anger at Will for taking advantage of Amphithemis reflects his sensitivity to the exploitation of vulnerable beings, perhaps because he sees aspects of himself in Amphithemis’s helplessness. This situation raises larger questions about how trauma affects one’s perception of morality and power.
Nico, as someone who has endured severe emotional and physical trauma, is acutely aware of how being in a weakened or vulnerable state can be dangerous. His moral compass, shaped by his own experiences of suffering, makes him empathize with Amphithemis.
This ethical conflict also ties into the broader theme of control in relationships. Nico and Will’s journey highlights that true partnership does not come from exerting power over one another or over others, but through mutual respect, understanding, and accountability.
The resolution of this theme is key to their emotional growth, as they learn that healing requires empathy, not just for oneself, but for others who are vulnerable or broken.
The Necessity of Change and the Dangers of Stagnation
In the figure of Nyx, the novel presents a thematic exploration of the dangers of resisting change and clinging to the past. Nyx, as the personification of primordial night, represents the forces of stasis, darkness, and unyielding tradition.
Her desire to revert Bob the Titan to his original form, Iapetus, is a metaphor for refusing to let go of past identities and the rigid structures of existence. Nyx’s opposition to change becomes her downfall, as she is ultimately defeated because of her inability to adapt or evolve.
Her static nature contrasts sharply with Nico, Will, and Bob, all of whom undergo significant personal growth over the course of the narrative. For Nico and Will, the ability to change—whether in terms of accepting different facets of their personalities, overcoming trauma, or learning to communicate more openly—becomes a central survival mechanism.
The novel suggests that embracing change is not only necessary for personal growth but also for survival in a world that is constantly in flux. In contrast, Nyx’s refusal to adapt makes her a tragic figure, eternally trapped in her own unchanging worldview.
The battle against Nyx becomes symbolic of the broader struggle against internal stagnation—emotional, psychological, and spiritual. Nico and Will’s ultimate victory over her demonstrates that the capacity for change, growth, and transformation is what allows individuals to transcend their limitations and move forward into a healthier, more balanced future.
Emotional Memory and the Healing Power of Positive Reflection
A particularly sophisticated theme woven into the novel is the concept of emotional memory and how positive reflection can serve as a form of strength and healing. Throughout the story, Nico and Will recount happy memories of their relationship to Gorgyra, believing that these stories are transactional—offered in exchange for a favor.
However, these memories are more than just bartering chips. They represent an essential source of emotional resilience. By reflecting on moments of love, joy, and connection, Nico and Will build the psychological fortitude necessary to survive the torment of Tartarus.
In a place that feeds on despair, these positive memories provide them with the strength to combat overwhelming darkness. This theme illustrates that emotional healing is not just about confronting pain or trauma, but also about deliberately recalling and nurturing positive experiences.
The act of remembering happy times is shown as a vital part of resilience, giving the characters the mental and emotional resources they need to endure their harrowing journey. The novel subtly argues that while trauma and darkness may shape an individual, love and joy are equally powerful forces in building emotional fortitude.
This theme speaks to the broader human experience of finding balance between difficult and joyful memories, and how embracing both can lead to a fuller, more resilient sense of self.