This book definitely has moments where it works. The emotional heart is strong. The non-linear storytelling is goofy but it works in theory. And I enjoy Nico and Will and several of the side characters and some of the humor. But it's definitely kind of artless in its execution and there isn't as much charm and quirkiness and there usually is in a Rick Riordan novel. The plotting is much more competent and coherent than in the Heroes of Olympus series, but that's a pretty low bar. And a lot of the references and jokes were just too cringey for me. They might be less so for someone who's actually currently the target audience. I'm glad that the youth of today get gay cringe about Nico di Angelo, but ultimately that's what this book is.