Puffin lands book set in Percy Jackson universe co-written by Riordan and Oshiro

Puffin has landed a brand new upper-middle-grade adventure set in the Percy Jackson universe co-written by Rick Riordan and Mark Oshiro. 

Anthea Townsend, publisher, acquired UK, Commonwealth and European rights to The Sun and the Star from Jodie Hodges at United Agents. It will publish on 2nd May 2023. Disney Hyperion will publish simultaneously in the US with a global cover design by illustrator Khadijah Khatib. 

The story will follow fan favourites Nico di Angelo and boyfriend Will Solace in an all-new adventure. In the most recently published book set in the Percy Jackson universe, The Trials of Apollo: The Tower of Nero, Riordan planted the seed for a novel about Nico and Will travelling to Tartarus in search of Bob the Titan. As Riordan started to outline the story and develop Nico’s point of view, he recognised that his readers needed “the most authentic, true and impactful telling possible” the publisher said.  

Riordan teamed up with Oshiro, a finalist for the Lambda Literary Award for Best LGBTQ Young Adult Book. Together the two authors crafted the synopsis and manuscript, and they will receive equal credit on the book. 

The synopsis says: “As the son of Hades, Nico di Angelo has been through so much, from the premature deaths of his mother and sister, to being outed against his will, to losing his friend Jason during the trials of Apollo. But there is a ray of sunshine in his life – literally: his boyfriend, Will Solace, the son of Apollo. Together the two demigods can overcome any obstacle or foe. At least, that’s been the case so far. 

“Now Nico is being plagued by a voice calling out to him from Tartarus, the lowest part of the Underworld. He thinks he knows who it is: a reformed Titan named Bob whom Percy and Annabeth had to leave behind when they escaped Hades’ realm. Nico’s dreams and Rachel Dare’s latest prophecy leave little doubt in Nico’s mind that Bob is in some kind of trouble. Nico has to go on this quest, whether Mr D and Chiron like it or not. And of course Will insists on coming with. But can a being made of light survive in the darkest part of the world? And what does the prophecy mean that Nico will have to leave something of equal value behind?” 

The announcement comes as filming takes place for the Disney+ adaptation of Riordan’s original Percy Jackson series, Percy Jackson and the Olympians, published as the Percy Jackson series in the UK, with the first book titled Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief. 

Riordan said: “To say that I’m excited about this project doesn’t do it justice. This is really new and different for me, and working with Mark, who knows so much about Nico and the Percy Jackson world and writes such heartbreakingly beautiful books, has been such an incredible and rewarding process that I’m just sorry I didn’t think of it sooner.” 

Oshiro added: “I am thrilled to be chosen for this project and over the moon about The Sun and the Star. Before starting, I scoured the Percy Jackson, Heroes of Olympus, and Trials of Apollo books for all there is to know about Nico and Will and have thoroughly enjoyed exploring new territory with them as we put them through the wringer in this harrowing adventure.” 

Francesca Dow, managing director at Penguin Random House Children’s, also commented: “Storytellers of Rick’s talent are exceptionally rare, and even the whisper of a new story from Rick is cause for excitement among his millions of fans around the globe. But The Sun and the Star feels extra special – returning to Percy Jackson’s world with a story centred on two much-loved characters, told in partnership with another hugely talented author, Mark Oshiro. Together, Rick and Mark have given us a story that is as action-packed, authentic and full of heart and humour as any of Percy’s previous adventures. We cannot wait to share it with the world.”