The Burning Maze

The Burning Maze (2018) is the third book in Rick Riordan’s young adult Trials of Apollo series, following The Hidden Oracle (2016) and The Dark Prophecy (2017). Set in Riordan’s Percy Jackson universe and inspired by ancient Greek and Roman mythology, the series follows the former god Apollo, who is now forced to live as a mortal teenager named Lester Papadopoulos. To regain his immortality, Apollo must serve under Meg, a daughter of Demeter and the mortal botanist Phillip McCaffrey. Together, Apollo and Meg undertake a quest to recover the sources of prophecy before a triumvirate of ancient Rome’s most brutal emperors (all of whom are now minor gods) uses them to destroy nature and reshape the world.

The Burning Maze begins with the satyr Grover leading Meg and Apollo west through the Labyrinth. In Palm Springs, at the ruins of Meg’s childhood home, they join forces with dryads and demigods. Together, they investigate a series of unquenchable fires and uncover an emperor’s godly aspirations. To regain control of the Erythraean Sibyl, Herophile, and stop the emperor from achieving his goal, Apollo will have to confront the most painful part of being human.