ParentsPick

The Dark Prophecy — Content Guide for Parents

By Rick RiordanDisney-Hyperion2017ISBN 9781368009553414 pages
The Dark Prophecy

Themes present

Violence
Religious themes
Profanity
Sexual identity
LGBTQ+ themes

Not found

Scary contentRacial/cultural contentClimate changeGender roles

Content themes

Factual summary of themes present in this book. No opinion — just the facts.

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Religious themes

PRESENT

Contains references to prayer and church attendance. A minister character plays a supporting role in two chapters.

About this book

Zeus has punished his son Apollo -- god of the sun, music, archery, poetry, and more -- by casting him down to earth in the form of a gawky, acne-covered sixteen-year-old mortal named Lester. The only way Apollo can reclaim his rightful place on Mount Olympus is by restoring several Oracles that have gone dark. What is affecting the Oracles, and how can Apollo do anything about them without his powers? After experiencing a series of dangerous -- and frankly, humiliating -- trials at Camp Half-Blood, Apollo must now leave the relative safety of the demigod training ground and embark on a hair-raising journey across North America. Fortunately, what he lacks in godly graces he's gaining in new friendships.

Frequently asked questions

  • Is The Dark Prophecy appropriate for a 7-year-old?

    The book contains numerous violent scenes, including skirmishes where mythological creatures are killed or injured in various ways, such as being skewered or blinded. There are also references to magical healing of serious injuries, indicating a level of graphic violence. The book does not contain genuinely frightening content that would cause fear or distress. While it includes action and mythological creatures, the tone remains adventurous and suitable for its target audience.

  • Does The Dark Prophecy have violence?

    The book contains numerous violent scenes, including skirmishes where mythological creatures are killed or injured in various ways, such as being skewered or blinded. There are also references to magical healing of serious injuries, indicating a level of graphic violence.

  • Does The Dark Prophecy have scary content?

    The book does not contain genuinely frightening content that would cause fear or distress. While it includes action and mythological creatures, the tone remains adventurous and suitable for its target audience.

  • Does The Dark Prophecy have religious themes?

    The story incorporates elements of Greco-Roman mythology, with Apollo, a Greek god, as the main character. The narrative explores themes of divinity and the consequences of Apollo's actions as a god, reflecting on religious beliefs within the context of the story.

  • Does The Dark Prophecy have racial/cultural content?

    The narrative includes diverse characters, but race is not a central theme or plot point in the story. The focus is primarily on mythology and adventure rather than racial issues.

  • Does The Dark Prophecy have profanity?

    There are instances of mild profanity, such as characters cursing their choices of words. However, the extent and frequency of such language are not clearly detailed in the sources.

  • Does The Dark Prophecy have climate change?

    There are no themes related to climate activism or environmentalism present in the book. The narrative focuses on mythological adventures rather than ecological issues.

  • Does The Dark Prophecy have sexual identity?

    The book includes discussions of sexual orientation, particularly through the character of Apollo, who is portrayed as bisexual. However, the explicit nature of sexual content is not detailed in the search results, leading to a lower confidence in the extent of this content.

  • Does The Dark Prophecy have gender roles?

    While the book features strong female characters and LGBTQ+ representation, it does not actively discuss or critique gender roles as a central theme. The portrayal of characters does not promote traditional or modern gender roles explicitly.

  • Does The Dark Prophecy have lgbtq+ themes?

    The book features multiple LGBTQ+ characters, including Emmie and Jo, who are both identified as lesbians, and Apollo/Lester, who is bisexual. The narrative normalizes these identities without excessive focus, presenting them as part of the characters' lives.