The first half of this book was... Not it. Took me forever to get by and just sounded like more and more of the same. I was ready to proclaim it the worst one yet.
but. BUT.
Surprisingly.
My exact problem with the previous one is what saved The Burning Maze: the special guests. As someone who neither loved nor hated Jason and Piper, I was so amazed by how well the two of them worked in this story. It really felt like developmental both for the characters and the plot, and not simply a marketing device aiming for nostalgia.

I say this specially because I went in knowing about The Spoiler and I was so sure it was only for shock value that the emotional impact was actually unexpected. Jason's resignation and Piper's denial emphasize that this series really is darker than the other ones. Not everyone makes it. And Rick is not vague about it.

I'm also really glad to see the impact this is having on Apollo. I reiterate how much I appreciate this protagonist and gloomier, nihilistic view of the Percy Jackson world. One does not survive four millennia with a mortal heart. He's finally changing and I hope we don't see this character development go just to create conflict on the next book.