#honestly if you don't want to see me stan Nero this is your warning

[haec-est-fides]

Tower of Nero Reactions

Tower of Nero absolutely wrecked me, exactly as I knew it would, but I can now say -- without a doubt -- that Trials of Apollo is my favorite Riordan series by far. It feels like a fitting ending in many ways, a capstone to an amazing journey that started back in 2005 (not that I’ve been around quite that long, lol).

Anyway, below the cut are some of my thoughts on this last book. Emotional roller coaster is an understatement, and I am still very much processing. (Also, I will keep tagging Tower of Nero spoilers until the end of November, just fyi.)

I don’t even know where to begin. This is going to be a long post...

I’ll start with the good news: ✨💜✨💛✨NERO✨💛✨💜✨

Not even kidding, I will never shut up about Nero. Trust me, if you told past me, at the very beginning of ToA, that in 2020 I’d be stanning Nero, I wouldn’t have believed you. Nevertheless, here I am.

Obligatory shout out to Pajama Nero, the moment I knew there was no going back 💜

I actually high key appreciate how the Triumvirate’s power was handled. I assumed as much at the end of Tyrant’s Tomb, but for Commodus and Caligula’s power to consolidate in Nero was perfect.

I’m trying not to scream about Nero, I promise. He’s just? God tier. Literally. 💛

The ultimatum? Throwing a party while NY burns? Even Dionysus said Nero has panache. His interior decorating and architectural sense? Impeccable. 💜

Ngl, Luguselwa betraying Nero had me VERY nervous until he completely called them out. His entire monologue? “I’m afraid your hands have offended me.” ??? 😳

Let’s be honest: every throne room scene killed me. Every line Nero had killed me. Why is he Like That?

How Nero made himself a metaphorical Kronos? Poetic cinema.

FaceTime Nero TM

The Sassanid gas was an absolute Power Move just btw

THE IMPERIAL HOUSEHOLD 💛

Nero and his fucking Purple Sofa TM

THE REMOTES !!! Dumb tech boiiiiiii 💜

When Lucius stabbed Apollo? So fucking proud of him. Next time, hit something vital, sweetheart. 🗡

You don’t know how hard I laughed when Apollo shot Nero directly in the face and Nero just glared at him and yelled “stop that!”

The Bee Gees TM

WHEN NERO CATCHES NICO’S SWORD WITH ONE HAND ?

HE BLEEDS ICHOR. ACTUAL, GOLDEN ICHOR.

WHEN HE BACKHANDS NICO ACROSS THE ROOM !

WHEN IT SEEMS AS IF HE PUSHES THE RIGHT BUTTON AND EVERYTHING IS OVER ?

Perfect Moments Do Exist 💜💛💜💛💜💛

Ofc, Will and Co. had to show up and ruin everything. Nero Panics TM and he is such a Baby TM ???

His fasces tho,,, ✨

HE GLOWS ? SHINY RADIANT SUN BOI ? ✨☀️✨ Commodus who? Caligula who? Nero said fuck Will Solace rights. How dare anyone outshine him in his own throne room? 💛

I should say something other than “Nero is a god” huh,,,

Making Nero tear apart his own fasces? I’d noticed that Riordan included the fact that Nero committed suicide in the glossary since book 1, and,,,yeah I was scared something like this would happen. Not this. This was worse.

His death scene? Oh my gods, I was a complete mess. How dare Apollo revoke Nero’s divinity? How dare Nero be burnt by his own divine power? How dare his last moments be spent sobbing, terrified? How dare Python literally drag Nero’s essence to Delphi and absorb it? *on the verge of tears*

I’m not going to get super into this rn, because it’s complicated and I’ll start crying again, but Python being the evil behind it all? The snake playing his own game, using both Apollo and the emperors as pawns? Whatever horrific power he had over the Triumvirate, and over Nero specifically? Nero taking it upon himself (for selfish, terrible reasons, yes) to step in and make sure that Python didn’t destroy humanity? When Nero, even with all his power, was fucking terrified of Python? I-

In Other News

I’ll be nice. Good for everyone who got their happy ending. I think Apollo’s “check-ins” were written fairly well. I think his personal feelings regarding being a god again were handled well in relation to his story arc.

How Apollo addresses the reader in closing? Oof.

Me @ Nico, Will, and Rachel specifically: Never Talk To Me Or My Romans Ever Again

Oh btw, I Am So Tired Of Hearing The Name Jason Grace. We get it. He’s a hero. Pls shut up.

What hurt the most, I think, is the way Triumvirate Holdings / the Imperial Household was handled. I knew it wouldn’t be done well. It still hurts.

We get some throwaway lines about Meg maybe inheriting the tower, CHB getting the Greek fire, the Germani being “regular people” but like,,, No?

Triumvirate Holdings is the largest, most influential company on the planet. Nero directly mentions the issue this poses: “You can’t destroy bank accounts with a bow and arrows.” All of that? Just? What? Isn’t a big deal?

I refuse to believe the Germani are just peachy integrating into society.

I refuse to believe the Imperial children are just peachy potting cacti in Palm Springs.

^ All of this will get its own post, because I’ve written posts about it before that I should follow up on. I’m just Bitter.

When Dionysus said “it appears some of us do get happy endings” I Felt that.

I suppose that’s the general overview. I’ll start posting my trash memes soon and work on like,,,real posts. This is also an open invitation to come yell at me btw!