#I still love Solangelo

[yonemurishiroku]

I think TSATS is making things harder for itself - A mediocre background analyse

See:

It's, supposedly, a novel for Young Adults.

A large part of its consumers, however, would be adults.

Instead of the familiar actions and mythology, its focus is a relationship - romance, if you will - and self-discovery.

The last point technically isn't its fault, but it plays in the never-ending loop of critique, so Imma count that in.

For the most part, we're forgetting TSATS is a part of TSATS is a part of an already firmly established franchise, which is built upon a no little amount of actions, fightings, and tension in general. PJO, HOO, and TOA all feature nearing apocalypses that require missions and sometimes a journey to stop. This is comepletely not TSATS' fault, but it has inadvertedly become the drawbacks for its approach as the later-born of the universe.

The audience's age.

I know we've established that TSATS is a YA novel, however, I doubt the number of adults who end up engaging is negligible. Where do they come from?

They're the fans of the previous books. AKA, fans of this series since the day it was born.

Remember. The Lightning Thief was published in 2005. The Titan's curse came out in 2007. The Blood of Olympus, in which Solangelo was first hinted at, was published in 2014. The time distance is 18 , 16 and 9 years respectively.

Assuming one read TTC at 12 years old - the minimum age to read an YA book, they would be 28 years old now. That's an adult. If one read BOO at 12 years out, they would be 21 years old. Again, an adult.

Furthermore, are there many of them? Yes. Definitely yes. The Riordanverse as a series has been expanding over 18 years as one of people's childhood memories. The number of fans it holds, has gains and is gaining, throughout the years can't possibly be little. Along with the universe, they grow, too.

But would they read the book? Some of them might not, provided they fall out of love with the series or aren't interested. But some will. As I have said and we all know: PJOverse is many's childhood series. We love it, of course we would want to keep up with it.

-> TSATS is a YA novel, but it would end up being consumed by adults as well. I'm not quite sure it would be majority or not, but the number would be undoubtedly a lot.

SPOILERS: Also? The Lil Nas X reference absolutely does not help. I honestly don't know why Rick thought putting it in would be a good idea...

Which brings us to the second point:

2. TSATS, as it turns out, focuses on relationships and self-discovery rather than the familiar world-saving tension. I can have a field day with this.

It might cause misdirection, which involves preferences.

Named "a Nico di Angelo adventure", you'd epxect the story about the greatness, the horrors, the scenes and things you encouter along the way and how it grows you... You know, an Adventure.

But instead, it leans more towards the emotional part, with a relationship in the center. It might not what you've expected.

I can't speak for the YA in USA since our tastes might vary, but I've seen someone who claimed that the young adults - or "Kids", in their words - prefer a little bit of physical scenes. If that's the case, my point stands.

which leads us to another main point:

Since I've established that TSATS has a large number of adult consumers, does that mean this new topic - self-discovery, relationship problems, etc... - might interest them?

I'm not saying it won't, but it might not, because:

It's unfamiliar to its loyal audience, and unfamiliarity grants at least a bit of apprehension and repulsion.

It's quite natural, actually. You'd be wary if you encounter something you're unaccustomed to.

I have seen some people claming the Tartarus in TSATS doesn't match its previously portraited impressive aura, along with some problems in the story's pace. This, I suggest, might be the result of the sudden change in the story's focus: It weighs more in emotions and everything feelings, thus clouding the actions, thrilling scenes, etc...

I'm not saying the emotional aspect and relationships have never contributed to the PJOverse. And YA read about romance and emotions too! In fact, we have seen beautiful friendships and romances alike. However, as a series that take place in a mythological world and started out in the Adventure category, the Adventure part makes up a great foundation.

Without it, it's only logical that the story itsself would appear somewhat foreign.

The introduction of a new, unfamiliar author might invoke some disturbance, as well.

Mark Oshiro's style is definitely different from the usual Rick Riordan's flow. In a way, it diminishes the latter's usual shounen-like, mythological, thrilling vibes.

You'd expect them to work well together and complete each other, each specializes in a facet of the story. However, it might come out as restricting once they go out of sync. TSATS might come out as shallow - in the department of characters' emotional and mental aspects and/or lame - when it comes to the actions.

-> With the new story target, TSATS runs the risk of failing to meet the psychological requirements, along with the unability to utilize its famous, widely-loved mythological, fiction vibes.

In conclusion: I cannot fault Rick's choice to choose a new purpose for this book - considering Solangelo was deemed to be its main character, but it's obvious that this decision has brought TSATS many challenges. Some of which might be too much, hence a wave of critiques aimed at it just a few days after release.

I just feel very sad for this book.

[willthespy]

do you ever just sit in a group and realize everyone is some flavor of homo. that’s how i feel reading anything rick riordan. fuck, not every one of them is friends, but that just makes it more accurate

[emmedoesntdomath]

will, staring at himself covered in bruises in the mirror: someone once taught me that bruises are just the way god shows you that you need more color in your life

nico:

nico: someone once taught me that bruises are how you know you’re being a little bitch

[writer-room]

You ever just see people talk about the Percy Jackson books and know somewhere, deep in your heart, that none of these people have understood that this is a series made for middle schoolers. And that fandom will very frequently lie to them like, all the time. No, that character probably isn’t ooc, you’re just thinking of what the fandom turned them into. No, this book isn’t a horrible stain next to the others before it, literally all of them were like this. It’s Percy Jackson. It’s cheesy and occasionally makes a very questionable writing decision.

You gotta be in this for the long haul or jump ship my guys. Be cringe and free or be gone

[wierdshenanigans]

I haven't read Heroes of Olympus in a long time but the more I remember it the more it sounds like a fan fiction to me. I mean, we got the-

Estranged lost sibling of a character introduced in pjo (thalia) that gets reunited with them after gaining amnesia.

G a i n i n g a m n e s i a

Seventh wheel character that ends up getting a girlfriend instead of therapy.

Couple that ends up in a super hell full of tortures right after reuniting.

Nobody ever receiving therapy for the things that happened to them, or even considering getting therapy to heal.

Character that is so sad even the goddess of misery doesn't do nothing because he's so goddam SAD.

Characters that were super important and almost main characters in the original series making like...one or two appearances and mentions.

Sunshine x grumpy

And so much more.

But like, it's a well-written fanfic in my opinion.

[thestarstoasun]

Part 1

Blue eyes met worried dark ones. Instantly, he heard Nico's voice, but he couldn't make out what he said. Will tried to pinpoint where all of the pain was coming from, but everything just felt wrong. It took much of his willpower to focus on his surroundings, well those outside of the beautiful dark-haired boy we had woken up to.

The first thing he noticed was that he wasn't in the infirmary. While it made the instinct to not look for his older brother whom he knew wouldn't be there easy to ignore, it also made him feel uneasy. Where were they? How had they gotten here?

"-olace. Will!" Nico's accented voice cut through his thoughts. A cold hand holding tightly to his overheating one.

"You sound like an angel." Will wasn't sure why his mouth didn't get the memo that admiring Nico in dire situations normally stays in his thoughts, but before he could try to form any coherent way of "taking it back" Nico's cheeks tinted pink, and suddenly it was well worth it.

"Don't think compliments and flattery are going to save your ass." The pale boy scowled, though it was hardly as affective as it should have been. "Honestly, what the Hades were you thinking?"

Will tried to filter through his brain for any recollection of what Nico could be referring to, but it seemed his brain still hadn't caught up with the present. He was happy to be able to lift his hand to brush against Nico's cheek with confused eyes. "I don't understand. Where are we? What happened?"

Nico seemed to tense up and let out a quiet sigh. "We're still in Tartarus, Will. Right now, we are in the hut that belongs to Damasen. Small Bob brought us here." Will nodded and bit the inside of his cheek.

“Is he- is he around?” Will couldn't help but wince at how weak and pathetic his voice sounded. He was sure Nico noticed, but his boyfriend didn't say a word about it. “Damasen went out to find something that may help you. I fed you some ambrosia earlier..Will, I'm sorry. Shit, if I paid more atten-”

The blonde leaned up (much to the protest of his body) and grabbed Nico by the boy's aviator jacket and pulled him in for a kiss. It was short and sweet, but exactly what they both needed. “It's alright, Nico. I'd do anything for you.” Even if he couldn't exactly remember what happened, he could piece things together. After all, he wasn't stupid. Waking up in the hut of someone who was said to help with healing, Nico's worried eyes, ambrosia, Lee, all of it fell into place. Will had taken a near-fatal blow for Nico…and he would do it again in a heartbeat.

“If anything, I should be the one apologizing to you. I know how much you've lost people and I-”

“William Andrew Solace, if you apologize for saving my life so help me.” Nico was looking at the ground, shaking his head. His voice was filled with fond exasperation. “What am I going to do with you?”

“You could take care of me? Nurse me back to health?” Will could feel his cheeks heating up. Before this trip, it was something he would have never mentioned. Will Solace was not someone who got taken care of. Will Solace took care of others. Will Solace smiled through the pain. Will Solace didn't allow himself to break down or cry. Will Solace had to be a ray of sunshine in everyone's life. Will Solace had no darkness inside of him…

Or did he? Ever since his meeting with the goddess Persephone, Will couldn't help but think of all the times he so desperately wanted to cry for his big brothers. The hatred he felt towards Percy for months after the Battle of Manhattan, despite knowing it wasn't his fault. (He only didn't let Will look for Michael, but it's fine. Will has accepted it.) All of the times he felt like breaking under the pressure of being the perfect older brother and head counselor.

The truth was that Will Solace did have darkness inside of him - it was just hidden by the overwhelming light. Trust is a two-way road, and if he wants Nico to give him trust, he needs to show that he trusts Nico in return. Will wants to show Nico his darkness. He wants to allow himself to be cared for once again. It's a revelation that shocks him more than probably anything else so far on this trip, though it's not over yet. They still have to find Bob the Titan.

“Yeah, I'll take care of you.” Nico's voice is so soft that Will almost misses it, but he doesn't miss the comforting squeeze the cold hand in his warm one brings.

“Nico, can I tell you about my older brothers?”

“Go ahead, Will. We have a little time to rest.” Those soft brown eyes looked at him with such understanding and love that Will felt things were gonna be alright for the first time in a while.

[wishecho]

their first sorta interaction (that we saw)

[pjoedits]

Nico: I've decided to come clean. I like you.

Will: Sweetheart, we've been married for 3 years.

[thaliasthunder]

*smirks* gay ass look

[lavndvrr]

I just read the scene where soloangelo just met and I really don’t get the hype, maybe it’s cause they just met but it’s okish?

[kazucee]

It's just me rambling at this point.

But if you will imagine.

Will and Nico cuddling, and being soft dorks for each other. Then Nico feeling the most healing, most comforting warmth ever from his totally-not-sun-powered boyfriend. You already know where I'm going with this, I'm thinking portable heater Will Solace. His hugs are the absolute best and I stand by that fact. His hugs definitely feel like laying in the soft grass, letting the sun softly carress your face as you hear you're favorite people laughing about something silly in the background.

Which also means, 10/10 best expirience to cry in his arms. Because it's like a warm blanket comforting you from the cruel outside world and your even crueler thoughts.

Nico 101% takes advantage of it!

[yonemurishiroku]

*grabs Will’s collar* What do you mean Nico being happy is a funny joke?

[milomilesmib]

Actually I think one of my favourite tropes is when character A is having a panic attack of sorts and their love interest guides them through the five senses exercise but when they ask them what they can see/feel/hear/smell they just say "You. Only you."

(Which ships this reminds me of and fic ideas in the tags)

[willsolaceloml]

“Omg I bet Nico Di Angelo loves black coffee!” NO! He’s a hot chocolate boy and I know it because Rick told me!!! He PHYSICALLY cannot ingest coffee he HATES it! Even with tons of sugar he just. Cannot.

[ineffablejaymee]

best trope in media is

A: *watching the night sky*what a beautiful view × B: *looking at person A* yes it is beautiful

[insecuregodcomplex]

revisiting my last post and thinking about tangled ft solangelo