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Trials of Apollo Books in Order

Below is the complete list of Trials of Apollo books in order of publication, which is the recommended reading order for the series by Rick Riordan....

Read All the Trials of Apollo Books in Order

Read The Trials of Apollo Books in Publication Order

  1. Percy Jackson and the Singer of Apollo (2013)
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  2. The Hidden Oracle (2016)
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  3. The Dark Prophecy (2017)
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  4. The Burning Maze (2018)
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  5. The Tyrant’s Tomb (2019)
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  6. Camp Jupiter Classified (Companion Book) (2020)
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  7. The Tower of Nero (2020)
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  8. Der Turm des Nero (2020)
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The Trials of Apollo Series by Rick Riordan

The Trials of Apollo series continues the mythological world created by Rick Riordan, returning readers to the universe first introduced in Percy Jackson & the Olympians and later expanded in The Heroes of Olympus. This time, however, the story shifts perspective by placing one of the Olympian gods at the center of the narrative—Apollo himself.

The series begins with The Hidden Oracle (2016), which opens with a dramatic fall from divine power. After angering his father Zeus, Apollo is cast down to Earth and transformed into a mortal teenage boy named Lester Papadopoulos. Stripped of his godly abilities and forced to survive in the human world, Apollo must navigate the unfamiliar challenges of mortality while attempting to regain Zeus’s favor.

Reading the Trials of Apollo books in publication order reveals the progression of Apollo’s journey from arrogant deity to a character forced to confront humility, responsibility, and personal growth. Accustomed to admiration and power, Apollo initially struggles with the vulnerability of being human. His story gradually evolves into one of redemption as he learns to understand the consequences of his past actions.

Early in the series, Apollo finds refuge at Camp Half-Blood, the training ground for demigods introduced in earlier Riordan books. There he meets Meg McCaffrey, a young demigod who becomes his protector and reluctant ally. Despite her age, Meg possesses formidable abilities tied to the goddess Demeter, and she often ends up guiding Apollo through situations where his former divine confidence proves less useful than he expects.

A major storyline throughout the series involves the mysterious disappearance of the ancient Oracles—sacred voices that once delivered prophetic guidance to demigods. Apollo soon learns that powerful enemies are attempting to control or destroy these sources of prophecy in order to reshape the balance of power among the gods and their followers. Recovering the Oracles becomes the central quest that drives the series forward.

The villains in the story are known collectively as the Triumvirate, a group of ancient Roman emperors who have achieved immortality and accumulated enormous power over the centuries. These figures manipulate events from the shadows, challenging Apollo and his allies across multiple locations as the quest unfolds.

As the narrative progresses, familiar characters from previous Riordan series appear throughout the books. Percy Jackson, Annabeth Chase, and other demigods occasionally assist Apollo, creating continuity across the larger mythological universe. These appearances highlight how the events of earlier series have shaped the world Apollo now experiences from a completely different perspective.

One of the most distinctive elements of the series is its narrative voice. Because Apollo serves as the narrator, the books are filled with humor, sarcasm, and dramatic exaggeration. He often reflects on his long history as a god, referencing past myths and historical moments with theatrical flair. Yet beneath the humor lies a gradual shift in his character as he begins to value loyalty, friendship, and sacrifice in ways he had previously overlooked.

The series also expands the mythology surrounding ancient prophecy and divine influence. Riordan blends traditional Greek myths with new interpretations, exploring how gods and mortals interact in a modern setting where ancient forces still shape the world.

Following the Trials of Apollo books in publication order reveals a transformation that is both mythological and personal. Through a series of dangerous quests and unexpected alliances, Apollo learns what it truly means to face hardship, accept responsibility, and earn redemption—experiences that reshape a god who once believed himself beyond consequence.

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