Book Summary – The Sun and the Star

Book summary by chapter of The Sun and the Star. Includes spoilers from the first farewell to the end of the book. In the demigod cosmos, every love is a comet crossing Tartarus—radiant, improbable, fated to burn. Nico and Will confront not only mythical beasts, but the gravity of their own shadows, chasing the voice of a fallen titan who still believes in redemption. By the end of the book, the abyss no longer swallows them—it sees them, for they’ve learned to love in its own language.

Nico and Will standing among broken columns before a hooded spirit – Chapter-by-chapter summary of The Sun and the Star: A Nico di Angelo Adventure

Introduction – The Sun and the Star

The echo of a prophecy can be more terrifying than any monster when it reverberates in the hearts of those still haunted by old wounds. In The Sun and the Star, Rick Riordan and Mark Oshiro open a new chapter in the Camp Half-Blood universe, where darkness doesn’t only dwell in the Underworld—it lives in the mind of those brave enough to face it. This is not just a mythological quest, but an emotional journey where love, trauma, and redemption twist together with every step deeper into Tartarus.

Throughout this full chapter-by-chapter summary, we follow Nico di Angelo and Will Solace as they dive into the depths of pain, unspoken truths, and revelations only found in shadow. With ancient forces like Nyx, living nightmares, and choices that demand the ultimate price, this is an odyssey that redefines what it means to be a hero… and to love.

But before diving into this new tale from the demigod universe, it's essential to understand how we got here. If you're not yet familiar with the full path that links Percy, Annabeth, Apollo, Nico, and many more unforgettable characters, explore the full timeline here: Reading order of the complete Rick Riordan universe ➤

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Reading Order ➤

Chapter Navigation

• Chapter 1 Summary – The Sun and the Star – The Summer Farewell at Camp Half-Blood

• Chapter 10 Summary – The Sun and the Star – The Trial of the River Styx

• Chapter 20 Summary – The Sun and the Star – Shadows of the Past and Path to Tartarus

• Chapter 30 Summary – The Sun and the Star – The Fall into Tartarus

• Chapter 40 Summary – The Sun and the Star – The Garden of Night and the Power of Light

• Chapter 50 Summary – The Sun and the Star – Scars, Cacodemons, and a Pending Call

Chapter 1 Summary – The Sun and the Star – The Summer Farewell at Camp Half-Blood

Nico di Angelo experiences a day full of emotions as he says goodbye to his friends Kayla and Austin, who are returning to the mortal world from Camp Half-Blood. Amid jokes about dating Star Wars villains and tender moments with his boyfriend Will Solace, Nico reflects on how lucky he is to have him by his side. Despite the lightheartedness, he feels growing unease from a voice calling to him in his dreams. As Kayla and Austin board the taxi of the Grey Sisters, Nico can’t help but recall the prophecy he heard with Will weeks earlier. With the camp now empty, Nico and Will try to enjoy the peace, but the unease persists. The voice crying for help from Tartarus becomes harder to ignore, and although calm reigns at camp, Nico knows something dark and urgent awaits beyond their well-earned rest.

Chapter 2 Summary – The Sun and the Star – The Consequences of Darkness

Nico tries to understand the disturbing voice visiting him in dreams, pleading for help. Despite Will’s fear of the Underworld, Nico opens up to him, which leads him to finally speak with Mr. D. Surprisingly, Dionysus offers support, setting daily meetings to monitor Nico’s dreams and help him stay sane. Though reluctant, Nico agrees, and gradually finds that speaking with the god brings a measure of relief. Their conversations—filled with sarcastic remarks and unevenly served food—reveal Mr. D’s concern for Nico’s physical and mental health. While some dreams are too painful to share, Nico begins to accept that he needs help. Still, the source of the visions and the voice remains a mystery. The daily sessions with Dionysus fail to answer the most unsettling question: why is that voice calling out to him specifically?

Chapter 3 Summary – The Sun and the Star – The Unsettling Dreams

That night, Nico is swept into a series of intense dreams blending real memories and scenarios distorted by his subconscious. First, he relives moments with his mother and sister Bianca in the Lotus Casino, feeling powerless as he watches them without being able to reach out. Then he’s on the Williamsburg Bridge in the midst of battle with Kronos—something he never actually experienced. He’s also trapped again in the jar where the giants imprisoned him, feeling increasingly small and isolated, until Percy appears in a disturbing scene. Finally, a dream takes him to Salona, where he faces past trauma involving Cupid. But this time, the figure shifts, and Will takes the god’s place, speaking to him gently. Just before waking, the figure urges him to speak the truth when the time comes. Nico wakes up shaken, finds comfort in Will’s arms, and then Rachel Dare appears with a prophecy that won’t wait.

Chapter 4 Summary – The Sun and the Star – The Call to Hear the Truth

Rachel delivers the prophecy amid a burst of green smoke, warning Nico that he must seek the one crying for help from Tartarus, even if it means sacrificing something of equal value. Agitated, Nico confesses to Chiron and Mr. D that he had already heard those words before. Rachel reveals the prophecy has been repeated twelve times, confirming the urgency of the call. Nico is convinced it’s Bob—the reformed titan—who desperately needs him. Although Will expresses fear about what descending into Tartarus means, Nico insists he can’t ignore the plea. Aware of the danger but also of his moral duty, he accepts the mission. Mr. D, to everyone’s surprise, supports him. Rachel hopes for the best—not just for them, but because she needs the prophecies to stop before her trip to Paris. The decision is made. Nico will go to the Underworld.

Chapter 5 Summary – The Sun and the Star – The Courage That Must Be Left Behind

After Rachel’s revelation, Nico faces the difficult decision of returning to Tartarus to help Bob. Though everyone warns of the risks, he doesn’t back down. Will begs him not to sacrifice himself or leave him behind, afraid the prophecy implies irreversible loss. Nico reassures him, though he secretly fears it might be true. The words “leave behind something of equal value” haunt him, but he insists Bob deserves a chance. Mr. D, between popcorn and sarcasm, offers his peculiar support, and Rachel confirms the prophecy won’t stop until it’s fulfilled. Nico officially accepts the mission, with Will as his companion. Despite the doubts gnawing at him, his resolve is strong. Chiron points out that a quest requires three members, but Nico argues Bob will be the third. As the meeting ends, everyone is aware of what’s at stake. The journey to Tartarus has begun.

Chapter 6 Summary – The Sun and the Star – Heading to the Underworld

Nico tries to stay calm while Will becomes obsessed with preparing for their trip to the Underworld, packing sweatshirts, food, and even a solar lamp. Chiron, concerned, offers them ambrosia and nectar, but Nico just wants to leave as soon as possible. Will, reluctant to use magical transportation, insists on taking a regular taxi, and they end up in one that speeds them all the way to Montauk. Already on the train, Will remains restless, unable to relax, while Nico appears more composed. During the ride, Will shares childhood memories of traveling through New York’s subway with his mother and confesses his fears about Tartarus, while Nico tries to comfort him. Both reflect on their childhoods, their identities as demigods, and the idea of living a normal life. When they arrive at Penn Station, Nico decides to take a detour. He has a plan: to seek advice from those who have survived the place they’re about to enter.

Chapter 7 Summary – The Sun and the Star – Counsel from the Past

Nico leads Will through the bustle of New York to Sally Jackson’s apartment. He doesn’t plan to recruit Percy or Annabeth, but rather wants Will to talk with them about Tartarus. Sally welcomes them kindly and takes them to Percy’s room, where they connect with him through Iris-message. Percy and Annabeth joke about the quest but grow serious when they hear the word “Tartarus.” Nico reveals that Bob, the titan who once helped them, might still be alive. Both demigods express guilt for having left him behind. Annabeth explains how Tartarus attacks identity and the mind, and that only their bond allowed them to survive. Percy notes that Nico and Will have something similar: they have each other. Will admits his fear but promises to try. After ending the message, Sally sees them off with cookies and a reminder: they have something powerful that many demigods don’t—a family that supports them.

Chapter 8 Summary – The Sun and the Star – The Door of Orpheus

In Central Park, Nico takes Will to a secret entrance to the Underworld: the Door of Orpheus. To open it, Will must sing, and his melody causes the rock to reveal a hidden staircase into the depths. Though nervous, Will is reassured by Nico, who promises he knows the way and that they’ll be safe. They descend the damp, dark stairs, lit only by the faint purple glow of Nico’s sword. Soon, both feel something is wrong. They hear whispers, see visions, and sense an endless descent. At one point, it seems they’ve reached the Underworld, but everything vanishes and they find themselves back on the stairs. Over and over, they glimpse Erebus and then return to Central Park, confused and afraid. Will begins to weaken, and Nico suspects something—or someone—is manipulating the environment. The entrance to the Underworld is no longer just a door, but a mental labyrinth testing their limits.

Chapter 9 Summary – The Sun and the Star – Shadows and Memories

Will collapses onto the grass, exhausted, and Nico realizes they are trapped in an illusion loop. They reopen the Door of Orpheus and descend once more, but the confusion intensifies. Visions blur with reality, and Nico starts to believe Will has vanished. Finally, on their third attempt, they manage to reach the River Styx, but the effort has drained Will, who struggles to stay conscious. His skin begins to dim, and Nico urges him to keep fighting. However, darkness swallows them again, and they’re transported back to Central Park. Then, Bob’s voice echoes in Nico’s mind, pleading for help. On the brink of collapse, Nico understands the Underworld is disorienting them, digging into their deepest fears. The mission hasn’t officially started, yet they are already facing trials that threaten to break their bond and their grasp on reality.

Chapter 10 Summary – The Sun and the Star – The Trial of the River Styx

Will finally sets foot in the true Underworld and stares in horror at the red sky and the imposing wall of Erebus. Nico, excited, welcomes him and dives into the River Styx as if it were routine. Will, confused and enraged, doesn’t understand how Nico can swim there, knowing the dangers Percy once described. When his boyfriend shouts for him to trust him, Will jumps, but the water burns his body and nearly pushes him to collapse. Though he makes it to the shore, the experience leaves him injured and shaken. As he recovers, Nico moves on without waiting, disappearing into the shadows. Alone and vulnerable, Will feels betrayed. The voices in his head grow louder, and he begins to wonder if Nico is changing, if the Underworld is already affecting him. Then, a dark shadow covers him completely. He can’t see anything. Not even himself.

Chapter 11 Summary – The Sun and the Star – Nightmares with a Name

Nico wakes up dazed on the ground of the Underworld, only to discover a dark creature stalking Will. As he confronts it, it reveals itself as Epiales, a nightmare demogod who has been manipulating their minds. Epiales is hurt by not being recognized and explains their job of sowing terror among demigods. Nico tries to flatter them to buy time while attempting to control the bones on the ground, but Epiales anticipates this and restrains him with dark tendrils. When Will wakes up and asks who they are, the demogod is offended at being mistaken for some “uncle.” Both are captured by the shadowy appendages and engulfed in suffocating mist. Epiales declares victory, proclaiming they will keep them asleep forever. Nico struggles to resist, but his strength wanes. The creature, proud of its work, shows no intention of letting them go. And so, trapped in darkness, both boys fall into an even deeper nightmare.

Chapter 12 Summary – The Sun and the Star – Broken Dreams and Hidden Truths

Nico relives the painful memory of his sister Bianca’s death at Camp Half-Blood, but quickly takes control of his mind and confronts Epiales, who watches him through Chiron’s body. The demogod is surprised to learn that Nico has been having nightmares for months, as they were only meant to intercept him after passing through the Door of Orpheus. Meanwhile, Will wakes up in a sewer in the Underworld alongside Meg, Rachel, and his father Apollo in human form. Despite his efforts to heal Nico with his singing, what seemed like a moment of restoration turns into a nightmare: Nico absorbs his light, weakening him and leaving him drained. The scene dissolves when Nico, falling into darkness, seizes Epiales’s essence and breaks the spell. He wakes up clutching the demogod’s neck, ready to fight. The battle has only just begun, and the darkness has yet to yield.

Chapter 13 Summary – The Sun and the Star – Shelter Under the Darkness

Nico holds Will’s sleeping head in his lap while reflecting on everything they’ve endured and what it means to love in the midst of darkness. He strokes his hair and muses on how ironic it would be to introduce his boyfriend to Hades, and how Will has brought him a happiness he never thought possible. He remembers past losses and fears this peace could also be taken from him. When Will wakes up, Nico feeds him ambrosia and asks about his new powers. Will admits he never knew he could project light like that, though he had suspected something was hidden. They decide to move on and begin descending a narrow path beside the River Styx. Will, still shaken by the visions, suspects someone is following them. Nico tries to reassure him, promising they are no longer trapped in a nightmare. At last, they reach a hidden cave where Nico announces his return to the troglodytes—with his shining boyfriend by his side.

Chapter 14 Summary – The Sun and the Star – Welcome to the Troglo Kingdom

The troglodytes joyfully welcome Nico and Will, wearing colorful cloaks and multiple hats. Criii-Bling, their eccentric leader, guides them through their new underground city, now a vibrant place with tunnels lit by mushrooms, machines powered by the River Styx, and a dream-recycling system. Will, puzzled by the troglo style and language, offers gifts with awkward phrases but manages to win their favor. During the meal, they sample soup with unexpected ingredients like fake chameleon and shoelaces, causing both horror and laughter. Amid the celebration, Criii-Bling mentions a strange “smell of changeling” clinging to Nico and Will. Though they try to brush it off, Nico becomes alarmed, recalling Epiales’s warnings and a theory he’s reluctant to accept. While the troglos celebrate, Nico begins to suspect that something more ancient and terrifying is lurking deep within the Underworld.

Chapter 15 Summary – The Sun and the Star – The Name That Awakens Shadows

In a troglo conference room, Nico reveals to the council that he suspects who is behind the nightmares and the awakening in the Underworld: Nyx, the primordial goddess of the night. The troglos react with fear and surprise, and Will, confused, realizes he didn’t know the full truth about his boyfriend’s past. Nico confesses he has faced Nyx before in Tartarus but never dared speak of the trauma he experienced there. Will assures him he doesn’t need to force himself to remember, but Nico decides to tell him everything, convinced it’s the only way to move forward. As the troglos watch expectantly, the weight of memory and fear rises in Nico, who understands that his bond with darkness is deeper than he has admitted. The threat of Nyx grows, and the mission to save Bob is becoming far more dangerous than they ever imagined.

Chapter 16 Summary – The Sun and the Star – The Descent into Tartarus and the Encounter with Nemesis

Nico finds the entrance to Tartarus, a dark hole in the ground that doesn’t seem so terrifying—until the Chimera attacks him. Then Echidna, the Mother of Monsters, appears and pushes him toward his fate: falling into Tartarus. During his descent, Nico experiences a living, monstrous darkness. Upon landing, he finds himself surrounded by deformed creatures and an army preparing for war. In a desperate escape, he reaches a mysterious house and is received by Nemesis, the goddess of vengeance, who confronts him with truths about justice, the imbalance in his heart, and his mission. She gives him three pomegranate seeds that may help in times of need. Upon leaving, Nico accidentally releases an empousa and discovers that monsters regenerate more quickly in Tartarus. Despite the terror, he sees the river Phlegethon in the distance, his guide toward the Doors of Death.

Chapter 17 Summary – The Sun and the Star – The River of Fire and the Reality of Tartarus

Nico follows the river Phlegethon through a desolate, sickly terrain full of living traps. The farther he goes, the more Tartarus consumes him, warping both reality and his sanity. The air is filled with ash, and his lungs burn. The thirst becomes unbearable, and after recalling a verse from The Divine Comedy, he decides to drink from the fiery river. Surprisingly, instead of dying, he feels renewed and healed. Even so, the oppressive environment remains—the trees in the twisted forest seem to watch him, and the eyes that stare from the shadows never attack. Upon reaching a wall of darkness, he finds a hidden path that leads to a supernatural garden. There, he witnesses a conversation between the primordial goddess Nyx and the god of sleep, Hypnos. Nico tries to escape, but Nyx detects him and traps him, subjecting him to her dark judgment of who he truly is.

Chapter 18 Summary – The Sun and the Star – The Mansion of Night and the Giants’ Trap

Nyx interrogates Nico and confronts him with his inner truth, insisting that his place is in the darkness. Just as he is about to be consumed by it, two giants—Otus and Ephialtes—interrupt, demanding to take the demigod to use as bait against his friends. Nyx resists but ultimately agrees, on the condition that if Nico survives, he must confront his true nature. During his escape attempt, Nico encounters the Mansion of Night, a terrifying structure made of dark insects that emotionally breaks him. Nyx comforts him with a mix of sweetness and menace, declaring she will continue her task of forcing him to choose between his darkness and his destiny. The giants trap him in a bronze jar while Nyx’s vampire horses neigh hungrily. Exhausted, with only the pomegranate seeds as hope, Nico sinks into the thought that he has failed everyone.

Chapter 19 Summary – The Sun and the Star – Confessions and Alliances in the Troglodyte Refuge

After sharing his story, Nico is left vulnerable in front of Will and the troglodytes, who listen respectfully. The troglo council debates whether to help, and Nico reveals that Nyx turns negative feelings into real entities. Will suggests that Epiales’s attack was a test for Nico. They understand that Nyx despises change and that Bob represents a threat to her, since he chose a new path after losing his memory. Nico feels pressure to embody that possibility of change. The troglos decide to guide them secretly through the Underworld toward Tartarus. Will expresses discomfort with the ghosts and darkness, and though Nico tries to understand, he feels hurt by how his partner perceives his home. In the nap cave, Nico reflects on his sadness as a part of his identity. That night, he dreams of Nyx disguised as Bianca, who injures him in the dream and warns that she’ll be waiting.

Chapter 20 Summary – The Sun and the Star – Shadows of the Past and Path to Tartarus

Will dreams of the Stymphalian bird attack and relives his first encounter with Maron, but this time the scene turns into a nightmare: his mother and Maron tell him Nico will abandon him. When he wakes, Will fears he’s been left behind, but Nico comforts him with troglo stew and silent affection. Amid fatigue and tension, Will and Nico share memories of their relationship—how Will once helped Nico vent by screaming, or how Nico assisted in the infirmary. They recall how their bond began, strengthening their connection. Guided by the troglos Criii-Bling and Sssu-Majestad, they enter a subterranean tunnel toward Tartarus. Will struggles with the darkness and his disconnection from the sun, but a solar orb and a song from his mother give him strength. As they approach the tunnel’s exit, Will begins to glow—a symbol of his resilience and hope—just before facing the next challenge.

Chapter 21 Summary – The Sun and the Star – The Underworld Farm

Nico grows uneasy as he watches how the Underworld is affecting Will, who looks increasingly weak. During a moment of rest, they open up to each other, and Will expresses a desire to meet Nico’s father—an act that moves Nico. Guided by Criii-Bling and Sssu-Majestad, they arrive at a ghostly farm that feels strangely familiar. There, they discover that the overseer is Menoetes, a bull-demon who works for Hades. He reveals he’ll only let them pass if they bring him a fruit from Persephone’s orchard. Nico resists, knowing the orchard is heavily protected and that Persephone allows no one to take anything. Still, they agree to the deal. Their journey across the barren Erebus continues, with Will increasingly affected by the environment. Nonetheless, the two remain united, facing fear, nostalgia, and the secrets beginning to surface between them.

Chapter 22 Summary – The Sun and the Star – A Gift for Geryon

Nico introduces Will and the troglodytes to Menoetes, who is excited but quickly turns to blackmail: if they don’t bring him fruit from Persephone’s orchard, he’ll tell Hades they’re there. Nico and Will reluctantly accept the mission, though Nico knows stealing from the orchard could doom them. Menoetes confesses he wants the fruit as a gift for his partner: Geryon, the three-bodied giant who was once an enemy. Will, touched, advocates for giving them a chance, reminding everyone that people can change. Although Nico is reluctant because of Geryon’s past, he eventually agrees. As a sign of trust, Menoetes offers them demon donkeys to travel faster toward Hades’s palace. While they prepare, the troglodytes stay behind, forming an unexpected alliance with Menoetes. With time running out and the mission growing heavier, Nico and Will ride toward one of the most dangerous places in the Underworld.

Chapter 23 Summary – The Sun and the Star – Persephone’s Garden

The demon donkeys take Nico and Will to a secret entrance of Hades’s palace. There, they discover Persephone is present, complicating their plan. They sneak into her garden, a radiant place filled with gemstone plants and impossible flowers. Nico leads Will to the pomegranate trees, confident they can take a fruit unnoticed. However, Nico finds he can’t touch them—his hands pass through. It’s Will who easily picks them. They collect three and prepare to flee. But before reaching the exit, Persephone appears before Will, separating them. Her presence is dazzling and unsettling. The goddess begins speaking to him, leaving Nico immobilized. Will, caught between admiration and fear, tries to find the right words to justify their presence. He knows the truth could doom them, but any lie might only enrage Persephone further.

Chapter 24 Summary – The Sun and the Star – Persephone and the Decision to Love

Will is mesmerized by Persephone, who confronts him with sweetness and irony. The goddess, more curious than angry, questions him about his relationship with Nico and their mission. Will admits that loving someone like Nico—marked by darkness—is not easy. Persephone replies with an unexpected lesson about love: it’s not enough to feel it; one must choose to maintain it. She shows him a flower that only blooms in darkness, reminding him that he too has shadows. She suggests that instead of offering only light to Nico, he should also share his darkness. Will realizes he doesn’t need to save Nico, but to accept him completely. Before leaving, he offers her a pomegranate as a sign of respect, but Persephone leaves it to him as a gift, acknowledging his sincerity. She then vanishes. Will returns to Nico without revealing what happened. Together, they flee the garden, hearts full of doubt, hope, and secrets shared only with a goddess.

Chapter 25 Summary – The Sun and the Star – The Price of True Love

Nico and Will return with the pomegranates, surprising Menoetes, who receives them with joy and emotion. The bull-demon reveals he wanted them as a gift for Geryon, who has changed since his resurrection. Seeing Menoetes’s devotion, Nico feels touched and envious of a love that needs no conditions. Grateful, Menoetes offers crucial information: Bob is still alive, but trapped by Nyx, who forces him to relive his life repeatedly in a regeneration bubble until he gives up his identity. The news fills Nico with rage, but Will calms him with a simple show of support. Menoetes tells them to seek Damasen’s cabin in Tartarus, a giant who may help. At last, Gorgyra gives them the promised boat. As they descend the river toward Tartarus, Nico remembers his first kiss with Will—that moment of light that changed his life. Bound by their wounds, they move forward into the abyss.

Chapter 26 Summary – The Sun and the Star – The River of Pain

The troglodytes guide Nico and Will through an increasingly dark terrain, bringing them closer to the edge of the Underworld. Weakened, Will stumbles and falls down a slope, leading to a confrontation with two drakons. While Criii-Bling distracts the beasts, Sssu-Majestad helps Nico take down one with a swift, precise strike, guiding his sword through the monster’s joint. Nico is impressed, though more concerned for Will, who shows signs of physical deterioration. Wounds that shouldn’t bleed do, and his natural healing fails. Despite the pain, Will remains composed. Eventually, the group reaches the summit from which they can see the Acheron—a powerful, ominous river plunging into a bottomless abyss. The troglos bid a heartfelt farewell, revealing they can go no farther. Sssu-Majestad decides to stay with Menoetes. With mixed emotions, Nico and Will approach a mysterious woman guarding the next step.

Chapter 27 Summary – The Sun and the Star – The Nymph at the Edge

The woman by the fire introduces herself as Gorgyra, an unknown nymph who lives at the edge of the Underworld. Her dress is woven from lonely souls, whispering laments that only Nico can clearly hear. Gorgyra reveals her husband is the river Acheron, who lost his physical form after absorbing too much suffering. Nico and Will face the dilemma of crossing the river to reach Tartarus, and the nymph offers her boat as transport—though she warns it won’t remove their pain, only make it bearable. Gorgyra agrees to help them but asks for something unusual in return: stories. As she speaks with them, she uses her powers to reveal the emotional threads that bind them, exposing insecurities and deep desires. Will and Nico, affected by the intensity of the experience, realize Gorgyra doesn’t want to hurt them but to show them the importance of being heard. Darkness, pain, and hope intertwine in her presence.

Chapter 28 Summary – The Sun and the Star – What We Are Together

Seated before Gorgyra, Nico agrees to share a story as part of the exchange for the boat. While Will struggles to stay upright, weakened and bleeding, Gorgyra asks them to speak about themselves as a couple. The request stirs intense emotions in Nico, who recalls Will’s wounds and the urgency of their mission. Despite his fear, Nico prepares to share the most intimate part of their bond. Will, softly taking his hand, shows he can still lean on him. Nico feels the weight of the whispers surrounding him, but also the strength that arises from their love. It’s not just about crossing the Acheron—it’s about reaffirming their story and what they’ve built together. With that commitment, Nico begins to speak, ready to offer the emotional truth of their relationship as the price for passage into the darkness ahead.

Chapter 29 Summary – The Sun and the Star – Two Sides of the Same Coin

Nico and Will sit on the dock, gazing at the Acheron. Gorgyra asks them to speak of their most cherished possessions, and both reveal what they symbolize. Nico shows a coin engraved with their symbols—Will’s sun and Hades’s helmet—a gift he received after the battle against Nero. In return, Nico gave Will a skull ring he had worn for years, a symbol of his commitment and affection. As they recount these memories, Gorgyra listens attentively, moved by the depth of their bond. The recollections evoke the last great war and the sacrifices they endured. Seeing the love and hope still present between them, Gorgyra grants them the boat. The voices once woven from loneliness now reflect warmth and connection. The souls in her dress shift in color, tinged with pink. Nico and Will prepare to depart, clinging to their memories as a shield against what lies ahead.

Chapter 30 Summary – The Sun and the Star – The Fall into Tartarus

The boat approaches the Acheron’s edge, where the river’s voices grow deafening—full of pain, guilt, and resentment. Will begins to hear them and is overwhelmed by dark memories and self-destructive thoughts. Nico, also affected, tries to help but is pulled into his own traumas: battles, deaths, and Bianca’s loss. The voices accuse them of being killers. Will, torn, confesses he let Nico kill and feels guilty because of it. Desperate, Nico assures him he’s not responsible for the past, but the river’s voices keep attacking. On the verge of losing control, they manage to focus just enough to row together and face the fall. As they plunge into the abyss, they hold onto each other, driven by the hope of telling stories again someday. Tartarus awaits—and the true challenge is only beginning.

Chapter 31 Summary – The Sun and the Star – Descent into the Heart of Pain

The fall through the Acheron seems endless for Nico and Will, immersed in a void with no light or sense of time. Nico tries to summon light from his sword, but the darkness devours it. Will struggles to resist the weight of the blackness, unable to generate light. Only Nico’s presence keeps him grounded in reality. As the heat of Tartarus begins to surround them, the air becomes scorching, and the blood-red landscape reveals their fate: they are about to crash. Will screams, Nico grabs hold of him, and together they brace for impact. Then Nico comes up with a desperate plan: he summons a ramp of skeletons to slow their fall. Thousands of bones rise in obedience to his power, and the boat crashes down with a thunderous landing until it stops near the river. Exhausted but alive, Nico and Will laugh at the absurd feat. Drained by the effort, Nico faints, and Will strokes his hair, watching over him in silence.

Chapter 32 Summary – The Sun and the Star – The Refuge of Bones and Shadows

Will watches over Nico while he rests, exhausted after saving them. Around them, Tartarus is repulsive: clouds of blood, regeneration pods for monsters, and thick air that hurts to breathe. Though weak, Will wants to help. He builds a shelter using the boat and bones to protect Nico, feeling useful for the first time in a while. Noticing the nearby hills covered with giant blisters, he decides to explore, hoping to contribute something valuable. Though the air burns him from the inside, he climbs until he accidentally breaks a pod and releases a Stymphalian bird. Soon, more creatures emerge, drawn by the opening. Surrounded and attacked by the flock, Will tries to flee but is lifted into the air by the demonic birds. Looking back in horror, he sees a monstrous figure by the boat, looming over Nico. The threat multiplies as he is carried through the poisonous sky, trapped in Tartarus’s grasp.

Chapter 33 Summary – The Sun and the Star – Amphithemis's Obsession

Nico wakes up in Tartarus and finds a strange creature with twisted horns that resembles a satyr. The being introduces himself as Amphithemis, a centaur from the river Lamos obsessed with finding a child Zeus tasked him to protect: Dionysus. Nico doubts his sanity, especially when Amphithemis sniffs his clothes and mutters incoherently. Despite his doubts, Nico decides to cooperate if it helps him find Will. Amphithemis claims the son of Apollo is nearby and crosses the Acheron without hesitation. Nico, weakened, follows, struggling against the weight of his regrets amplified by the river. Upon reaching the other side, the centaur acts erratically again, forgetting everything and repeating his obsession with the child. Suddenly, Amphithemis shouts that the child is Dionysus. Nico realizes the truth: he’s facing a mania—an obsessed soul trapped in an eternal loop, doomed to repeat a mission that no longer makes sense.

Chapter 34 Summary – The Sun and the Star – The Lost Child and the Phantom Tiger

Will is carried by the Stymphalian birds to a hill infested with regeneration pods, where he accidentally releases cynocephalus monsters. Unarmed, he hides behind some rocks, convinced he has doomed the mission. Then a giant saber-toothed tiger appears and attacks the monsters. Will recognizes him: it’s Little Bob, who shifts between feline and feral form. Elsewhere, Nico fights Amphithemis, who turns physical and wounds him. Nico flees and arrives at the scene where Will and Bob are battling the cynocephali. Reunited, the boys discover that the deranged Amphithemis is still searching for Dionysus. Will improvises and tricks the mania into believing the monsters kidnapped the child. Furious, Amphithemis chases after them. Exhausted, Will and Nico argue, releasing guilt and fears. Will cries, and Nico comforts him. They reconcile and promise to keep looking after each other, while Little Bob purrs in their arms as a loyal guardian.

Chapter 35 Summary – The Sun and the Star – The Path of Pain and Hope

While Will sleeps, Nico reflects on the mission and the possibility that Nyx influenced their encounter with Amphithemis. The trembling ground worries him, but he lets his boyfriend rest. Upon waking, Will consumes ambrosia to recover, and together they consider their next move. Little Bob, the ghost cat, meows insistently and leads them to the boat. Will suggests they follow the Acheron literally, as Menoetes had advised. They decide to trust the cat’s instincts, which lead them back to the starting point. Convinced they must follow the river, they push the boat into the water. Will, increasingly affected by the darkness, struggles to stay calm while Nico supports him. Aboard, the Acheron’s voices whisper to the son of Hades, trying to seduce him with guilt and despair. But seeing Will’s trembling, determined hand, Nico understands where he truly belongs. Together, with Little Bob by their side, they venture deeper into Tartarus.

Chapter 36 Summary – The Sun and the Star – The Canyon of Tartarus and the Eyes in the Shadows

Nico endures the constant torment of the Acheron’s voices while protecting a weakened Will, who sleeps under a protective mist that grows more fragile. The Tartarus landscape shifts, revealing a volcano whose lava flows are part of the protogenos’s circulatory system. Entering a canyon flanked by mountains of bones and blades, Nico senses shadows silently following them. As the boat squeezes between the canyon walls, an eerie tension sets in. Nico, weapon in hand, watches hidden creatures—none attack. They escape the pass without incident, though the mental pressure remains. When Will awakens, they’re horrified to discover they’ve entered Tartarus’s digestive system. Blisters appear on their skin, and acidic air chokes them. Little Bob, the cat, leads them to a mangrove where they manage to disembark. Despite the pain, they laugh together, regain a bit of hope, and prepare for what lies ahead.

Chapter 37 Summary – The Sun and the Star – The Aeternae of the Swamp

In the swamp, Nico and Will confront unfamiliar monsters made of bones and matted hair—the aeternae, mythical warrior creatures. Little Bob, transformed into a saber-toothed tiger, attacks fiercely. Amid the chaos, Nico wounds one named Carl, prompting an argument with his companion Bartholomew over whose death will yield the better bone collection. To their surprise, the boys discover the monsters can speak and are engaged in a ridiculous rivalry. Bartholomew demands to be killed to outdo Carl, but Nico refuses. Finally, Little Bob finishes the creature, leading to a sentimental farewell between the two aeternae as they sink content into the earth. Still bewildered, Nico and Will decide to tell no one about the bizarre episode. Guided by Little Bob, they continue through the swamp. The sticky, oppressive air and exhaustion test their relationship, forcing them to rely more deeply on one another as they continue their perilous journey.

Chapter 38 Summary – The Sun and the Star – Lost Refuge at Damasen’s Cabin

Nico and Will reach a cabin belonging to Damasen, only to find it empty—the giant hasn’t returned. Still, they take refuge and light a fire. Will recharges with the warmth, while Nico allows himself a rare moment of rest. In the comfort of the cabin, they share tender, intimate moments, and Will expresses a desire to better understand Nico’s world. While sleeping, Nico dreams of his mother in Venice—a happy memory that turns nightmarish as she casts him into the void. The trauma wakes him in anguish, but he lets Will sleep. Nico reflects on the need to open up emotionally, realizing that in their relationship, he must also share his pain to build a genuine connection. Despite their physical and emotional exhaustion, the hope of rescuing Bob and Nico’s love for Will keep them going through the depths of Tartarus.

Chapter 39 Summary – The Sun and the Star – The Invisible Path and the Fall Averted

Little Bob wakes them and leads them through the swamp to a desolate landscape Nico recognizes as the path to Nyx’s Mansion. Though Will can’t see it, he trusts Nico and follows him along a narrow trail suspended over a void. Tension builds as Will begins hearing voices from the abyss, urging him to jump. He clings to Nico, who guides him firmly to a door made of darkness and beetles. Inside, they find a regeneration capsule containing Bob, painfully shifting between his former identity as Iapetus and his current self. Nico and Will try to free him, but nothing works—until they realize they must act together. Will sings with the power of light while Nico wields his sword. Combining their strengths, they break the capsule and rescue Bob. But before they can celebrate, Nyx appears with an army of monsters, ready to confront Nico, who has arrived exactly where she wanted him.

Chapter 40 Summary – The Sun and the Star – The Garden of Night and the Power of Light

Nyx’s garden looms dark and tangled. Nico and Will find Bob trapped in a regeneration capsule, shifting between his identities as Iapetus and Bob. When they try to free him, Nico’s sword bounces off and Will’s powers fail. Bob manages to communicate—they must act together. When they do, Will’s luminous song and Nico’s dark energy merge, transforming the sword into a blaze that shatters the capsule. Bob emerges exhausted but free, embracing both his cat and Nico. Relief is short-lived—Nyx appears, majestic and terrifying, flanked by an army. She addresses Nico directly, declaring she has been waiting for him. The atmosphere turns oppressive. The threat is immediate. Nico, Will, and Bob prepare themselves, knowing the final moment is near and their fate is about to be fulfilled.

Chapter 41 Summary – The Sun and the Star – The Wrath of Nyx Unleashed

Nico, Will, and Bob face an army of Tartarus creatures under Nyx’s command. Hypnos, Nemesis, and even the resurrected Dr. Thorn appear in a tense scene. When Thorn disobeys, Nyx eliminates him mercilessly. The goddess tries to lure Will into Chaos, mocking him with tourist brochures promoting her domain. Bob defends his friends with unstoppable force, and Will channels his solar energy to wound Nyx, briefly weakening her. Nico summons the dead to balance the battle, while Bob and Little Bob wreak havoc among the monsters. Will’s power strengthens Nico’s sword, and together they hold their ground. Furious, Nyx unleashes her whip of stars and knocks down Bob. She then captures Nico in darkness, forcing him to look at her and accept his fate. He resists, promising never to surrender, but the darkness consumes him.

Chapter 42 Summary – The Sun and the Star – The Mansion That Calls for Sacrifice

As Bob fights Nyx and Little Bob attacks her, Nico rushes to Will, who is weakened and hears the voice of the Mansion of Night. Despite the danger, Will resists its influence and remembers the promise he made with Nico. Together, they renew their resolve to survive. Bob urges them to escape, revealing that the mansion has begun to burn for unknown reasons. Seeing the monsters inactive, Nico suspects something more is at play. They flee toward the path of Chaos as Nyx’s fury grows. Nico discovers that the goddess’s realm shifts throughout Tartarus, explaining why it’s so hard to find. At the edge of a cliff, the rivers Phlegethon and Cocytus clash in a brutal collision of fire and cold. With no other option, Bob insists they must cross, while Nyx’s threat intensifies.

Chapter 43 Summary – The Sun and the Star – The Children of Darkness

Nyx reveals to Nico a group of horrific creatures called cacodemons, born from the darkest parts of her soul. Each represents a trauma: grief, guilt, sorrow, envy, isolation, and shame. When Nico touches them, he relives intense memories—losses, rejections, and deep fears. Will tries to stop him, but Nico cannot ignore these creatures that, in a way, are part of him. Nyx urges him to accept his nature as someone consumed by pain, but Nico realizes that isn’t his whole truth. Instead of surrendering, he summons the dead and strikes back. He declares that Nyx doesn’t know him and refuses to accept that his traumas define him entirely. As the ground trembles beneath him, Nico, sword in hand, makes a choice: to face his darkness—and the goddess who’s used it against him—in a final attempt to break him.

Chapter 44 Summary – The Sun and the Star – Will and the Wrath of the Son of the Sun

Will watches in horror as Nyx turns Nico’s traumas into living beings. Despite the fear, he sees his boyfriend resist and unleash an army of the dead. Inspired, Will decides to help and connects with his own inner darkness—his fear, loneliness, and envy. With this power, he unlocks a strange ability inherited from Apollo: he causes Nyx to have an allergic reaction to pollen, making her sneeze uncontrollably. However, the cacodemons attack Will, knocking him down and injuring him. Just as he’s about to give up, Nico raises his voice and commands them to stop. The cacodemons obey their creator, acknowledging Nico as their father. Bob helps Will to his feet, and Nico, now in control of his demons, prepares to make a choice that will change his destiny. As Nyx begins to lose control of her children, her allies start to question her. Darkness no longer holds absolute power over Nico.

Chapter 45 Summary – The Sun and the Star – Chocobolitas and Earned Freedom

Nico accepts that the cacodemons are part of him, but decides not to control them. He grants them freedom and renames them “chocobolitas.” With this choice, he fulfills the prophecy by letting go of something precious: his need to dominate his darkness. Nemesis, Hypnos, and Epiales rebel against Nyx, refusing to follow her any longer. Together, they weaken the goddess, giving Nico and his friends a chance to escape. Nemesis uses her power to change their fate and shows them the way. They find Gorgyra’s boat and sail through Tartarus’s rivers. Bob transports them, enduring Cocytus’s despair. Amid the suffering, Nico thanks him for his strength, and Bob refuses to sacrifice himself, clinging to his freedom. Upon reaching the other shore, Nemesis warns them that Nyx has broken free. She guides them with her final power and vanishes. At that moment, Nyx returns—now unleashed, transformed into a black hole.

Chapter 46 Summary – The Sun and the Star – The River That Rejected the Darkness

Aboard the boat, Nico, Will, and Bob escape as Nyx, in monstrous form, tries to reach them from the shore. The river has changed: it no longer calls to Nico, and the souls do not whisper to him. Bob explains that only those who surrender to despair are trapped by the Acheron. When Nyx tries to enter the water, it burns her—because the river represents pain she cannot accept. Unable to follow, her form withers and fades, leaving the boat in peace. Suddenly, the chocobolitas appear, running along a cliff. Nico senses they’re not attacking but fleeing. He asks Bob to stop the boat, and the cacodemons leap aboard, huddling away from Will. Although Nico freed them, he never imagined they’d want to stay. Will accepts their presence, and together they joke, relaxing for the first time in a long while. The boat sails on, leaving Nyx and the echo of darkness behind.

Chapter 47 Summary – The Sun and the Star – Titan’s Tears and the Love That Heals

As the boat drifts slowly through the Underworld, Will watches the chocobolitas with a mix of suspicion and tenderness. The titan Bob weeps with gratitude for his freedom, recalling how he once told Percy and Annabeth that titans couldn’t change. Now, he knows even he has evolved. Will and Nico talk about their fears and how they treated each other during the quest. Will admits he tried to “fix” Nico’s darkness, not understanding it was part of him. Both acknowledge their mistakes and promise to accept each other as they are. They kiss, laugh, and rest. While Nico sleeps, Will reflects on love, describing it as calm amid pain. One of the chocobolitas curls up beside him, and Will accepts it as part of his new reality. Surrounded by unlikely companions, they finally feel safe—though still within Tartarus.

Chapter 48 Summary – The Sun and the Star – Hades’s Gift in a Dream

Nico dreams of the Lotus Hotel, where he reunites with Bianca and Maria, his sister and mother. Hades has brought them there, appearing with an awkward but sincere gesture. The god of the Underworld reveals that he sent the prophecy, believing Nico was the only one who could save Bob. Despite his doubts, Hades confesses he is proud of his son. Nico is moved by the affection of his family, who comfort him for all he has lost. Hades asks him to choose happiness—not for others, but for himself. As a final request, Nico asks for Amphithemis to be freed, an overlooked soul of Tartarus. Hades, touched, agrees. When the dream fades, Nico wakes up on the boat, Erebus in sight. Bob reveals he knows another way out. Exhausted but hopeful, Nico cuddles with Will as the boat continues toward freedom.

Chapter 49 Summary – The Sun and the Star – Return Home and Farewell to the Titan

Nico awakens under a blue sky, with stars and a sea breeze on his face. The boat has exited the Underworld. Bob, Will, Nico, and the chocobolitas arrive at Long Island Sound. As the mortal world reveals itself, emotions run high. Upon arriving at Camp Half-Blood, Nico runs to hug Chiron, who greets them in surprise. Bob and Little Bob disembark, and the chocobolitas cause a stir. Bob announces he must head west to begin a new life. He thanks Nico and Will tenderly before departing. Watching him leave, the demigods feel both pride and sadness. Chiron congratulates them and offers a hot meal. Nico refuses to heal a cheek wound, choosing to keep it as a symbol. Amid laughter and warmth, Will and Nico acknowledge how much they’ve changed. They are finally home—and this time, with peace in their hearts.

Chapter 50 Summary – The Sun and the Star – Scars, Cacodemons, and a Pending Call

During breakfast at Camp Half-Blood, Will and Nico recount their adventure to Chiron and Mr. D, who listen in awe. The chocobolitas devour pancakes under the table, causing adorable chaos. Despite Mr. D’s sarcasm, everyone recognizes Nico’s bravery in freeing a part of himself. Will points out it’s not about erasing the past but learning to live with it. Later, still uneasy, Nico retreats to his cabin and places an Iris call to Piper McLean. Through tears, he apologizes for not reaching out after Jason’s death. Piper forgives him, sharing her own grief journey. They discuss labels, love, and acceptance. Nico realizes he doesn’t need all the answers to live in peace. Closing the circle, he feels freer and ready for change. Exhausted but relieved, he falls asleep dreamlessly—knowing he is not alone.

Chapter 51 Summary – The Sun and the Star – The Light After the Darkness

Nico wakes with a start, remembering he promised to meet Will. He crosses Camp Half-Blood and arrives at Apollo’s cabin, where he interrupts Kayla and Austin. After greeting them, he sits with Will and apologizes for falling asleep after talking to Piper. They chat briefly, acknowledging that they’ve talked more that day than the entire year. Will assures him he doesn’t want to change him and admits that, unintentionally, he’s sometimes treated Nico like a dark figure. Nico, in turn, admits he’s reinforced that image as a defense. They laugh about the chocobolitas, with Nico joking about using them to scare others. Amid laughter and confessions, both feel they’re growing and learning to love each other without fear. They lie down together, surrounded by the chocobolitas curling up in the bed. As he watches Will sleep, Nico realizes that—for the first time—he’s not afraid of the future. He feels at peace, held by love and hope.

Conclusion – The Sun and the Star

When everything seems lost—when even the sun begins to dim in the heart of the one who carries it—the only way forward is to embrace every scar as part of a shared story. In this full chapter-by-chapter summary of The Sun and the Star, Rick Riordan and Mark Oshiro remind us that the greatest battles are not fought with swords, but with the courage to love unconditionally.

Nico and Will didn’t just face monsters and gods—they confronted their own fears and contradictions. And in that descent to the deepest parts of Tartarus, they discovered that true light doesn’t always come from the sun, but from mutual acceptance in the midst of shadow. Because to love in the Underworld is also to choose to move forward, even when everything hurts.

If this journey moved you and you wish to continue exploring every interconnected story in the demigod universe, follow the full path here: Reading order of the complete Rick Riordan universe ➤

FAQs – Chapter by Chapter Summary – The Sun and the Star

What does Nico and Will's journey into Tartarus truly symbolize in The Sun and the Star?

Their descent into Tartarus is far more than a heroic quest—it’s a deep emotional dive into trauma, guilt, and self-acceptance. Nico confronts his inner wounds while Will faces his fear of darkness and of losing himself. Together, they challenge not only monsters and gods, but their own beliefs about love and pain. This is a story where mythology merges with raw emotion, showing that to love someone means also embracing their darkness.

Why is Bob, the reformed titan, such a significant character in the story?

Bob isn’t just a forgotten ally—he’s the embodiment of the book’s central theme: redemption. His existence challenges the notion that monsters can’t change, representing hope for transformation, even for those with the darkest pasts. His suffering in Tartarus, forced to forget who he is, mirrors Nico’s own struggle to define himself beyond pain. Saving Bob becomes a symbol of preserving the right to change and choose one’s identity.

What role does Nyx play as the antagonist in the novel?

Nyx, the primordial goddess of night, represents resistance to change and fear of the unknown. Unlike traditional villains, she attacks emotionally—twisting insecurities into nightmares and using internal darkness as a weapon. Her power lies not in destruction, but in convincing the characters they are unworthy of transformation. She’s a formidable force because she reflects their deepest fears, making them question who they are and who they can become.

How does Nico and Will’s relationship evolve throughout the book?

Their relationship matures from romantic attachment to a profound emotional and spiritual partnership. As they endure physical dangers and emotional wounds, they learn that love isn’t just comfort—it’s commitment. Will realizes he can’t simply be light for Nico; he must accept his darkness too. Nico, in turn, learns he’s not doomed to isolation. Their bond strengthens not by surviving, but by choosing to hold each other through every storm.

What is the meaning behind the coin and the ring Nico and Will exchange?

The coin engraved with Will’s sun and Hades’s helmet, and the skull ring Nico gives to Will, are more than tokens of affection. They symbolize their choice to love each other across contrasts—light and shadow, death and life, fear and hope. These items are silent vows of mutual acceptance, reminders that, despite coming from opposing worlds, they’ve built something uniquely theirs. When words fall short, these objects speak their truth: what they are together.