Camp Jupiter Classified: A Probatio's Journal

The Trials of Apollo #4.5

by Rick Riordan

Time to discover what's been going on at Camp Jupiter . . .

It's the February after Gaea's defeat. Camp Jupiter, like everyone else, should be celebrating.

But something is causing chaos.

Mysterious, sinister incidents are wreaking havoc throughout the camp. Tensions are high, and suspicion quickly falls on Claudia, the Fourth Cohort's newest probatio. After all, the mischief started shortly after she stumbled into camp.

To find out the truth, delve into the pages of Claudia's personal journal. Through her eyewitness accounts, you'll visit the crime scenes - a row of seats in the coliseum, an underground aqueduct tunnel - and see the bizarre events unfold . . .

And you'll be right alongside Claudia when she discovers an ancient secret that may hold the key to Camp Jupiter's safety.

Genres: Fantasy, Mythology, Middle Grade, Percy Jackson, Young Adult, Fiction, Audiobook

146 pages, Hardcover

First published May 5, 2020

About the author

Rick Riordan is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of many books, including the Percy Jackson series.

Reviews

[nico]

Lmao rick riordan can write about blackjack's love life and I'd still read it

[Jayson]

(B) 75% | More than Satisfactory
Notes: A Nancy Drew-ish ingénue who follows clues while paying dues, decent camp-life overview if overall too Scooby-Doo.

*Check out progress updates for detailed commentary:

Progress updates:

09/12/2023 (1) - Preamble

(1) I'd planned to read this after "The Tyrant's Tomb," to keep in publication order, but this is due back at my library in a few days.
- I also need waiting room reading material and this is the only unread e-book I have. I don't want to lug around my hardcovers.
(2) I'm fairly confident this won't spoil anything in "The Tyrant's Tomb," but there's always the risk.

09/12/2023 (2) - Days I-XI

(1) No need to have worried about spoilers for "The Tyrant's Tomb." There's a preview chapter at the end of this, so the expectation is that people haven't read it yet.
- Based on events described, this is set either before or during "The Burning Maze."
(2) The protagonist Claudia is a "Legacy of Mercury," not a demigod.
- So, I guess Camp Jupiter recruits decedents.

09/12/2023 (3) - Days XII-XXV

(1) I'm essentially done. I read the glossary first as a kind of reading warm-up and I'm not bothering with the sample chapter of "The Tyrant's Tomb."
(2) This was a straight-up novella, which is unique among companion books in general, and Riordan's especially.
- It illuminates camp-life in quite a natural, non-didactic way, though with a story of very little depth.

[Era ➴]

clumsy Frank moments? check.
badass Reyna Avila Ramirez-Arellano content? MY QUEEN IS HERE SLAYING.
new insight into Camp Jupiter? check.
fun new characters? check.
conspiracy myth theories? present and accounted for.
depressing reminders of demigod deaths? COMPLETELY UNNECESSARY.
sass? ASDKFJLKDASJGAKLDSJFGASHADJLGJLKJKL
perfection? Yes.

[Alexandra Elend Wolf]

“The Olympians will probably be fine – that lot seems to survive everything thrown at them. It’s the minor deities I’m afraid for.”

As far as novellas come Camp Jupiter Classified had far more plot than I had originally thought it would have.

First, I had thought it would be very similar to the previously published Camp Half-Blood Confidential which centered greatly on giving us an exclusive and fuller view of our beloved camp. However, we do know more of the ins and outs of Camp Jupiter by this point, so it comes to reason that we are given a different approach to the situation.

Still, we get the inside look of a new probation and her experience coming to camp in a mostly normal way.

“The First retaliated with venom. (The verbal kind, not the actual venom. At least… I don’t think so.)”

The book is brimming with Riordan's usual snark and sarcasm and humor that makes even the direst of situations an enjoyable endeavor making this novella a highly easy and enjoyable read that it's perfect to relax.

It doesn't have a lot of nuances or overcomplications. No, we embark on a bit of mystery and lose no time into putting matters right and discovering the dynamics between the ranks of the legion.

The journal-ish style of storytelling was the perfect way to tell a story that could have easily been very long and simplify it into something told matter-of-factly and to the point. It doesn't diminish the experience in the least and it was personal.

Sure, it does leave little space for dialogue but it is not something that was too weird to not have or missed too greatly.

“Especially because I knew next to nothing about my family until two months ago.”

I laughed a lot reading this novella and it was great to see this place in a different light, from the perspective of someone that doesn't know all the drama that had happened previously. Like, a bit of a respite while still been enveloped in a world that I am well and truly obsessed with.

Now, I wouldn't say this is my favorite work from between the Percy Jackson universe, not by a long shot, but it was a pretty oaky read that did its job in giving me a bit more of the famous and acclaimed Camp Jupiter.

“As usual, when tragedy strikes, the powerless and disenfranchised are the ones who suffer most.”

___________________

That was a fun... though, I'll admit, that Claudia did annoyed me some.

Still, it was nice and a lot different than what I thought it was gonna be.

RTC.
___________________

I am so ready to read this little companion book!

A couple of years back I remember reading the Camp Half-Blood version and it was so much fun to learn a bit more of a place that had been central to so many adventures. So, I can only imagine that this time around is gonna be just as fun and rewarding.

It's also sure to be a fast, light, easy read which will feel nice right about now.
_______________

How dare this book hid from me?!

Seriously, how did I not know this existed until right now? MONTHS after it's publication.

It's a travesty.

It's a sin.

It needs to be immediately fixed. I need to atone for it.

Not to worry, I'll fix it presently.

[eden ⊹]

after reading this absolute gem i now know two things:
⤷ claudia nolastname u are the people’s princess (it’s me, i’m the people!)
⤷ the reyna + frank as praetors dynamic actually means the world to me

[Veronica Alvarez]

3.5

A really good story after all

The writing always at its point, really good characters, plot, always got me interesting to know more.

But at the end of the day I'd say it lack deepness, I think is because is just a story, but I needed more about the characters, and since the beginning I was wondering if certain character was the one planning all and yeah, it was so I didn't feel like a whole surprise.

Good story to keep going the adventure but nothing surprising or nothing new that Rick has done before.

[Lilah]

I enjoyed reading it way more than I thought I would!
I was a bit disappointed at first that it didn't include much of the original characters from HoO, but it STILL remains to be so much fun for me to read about the adventures of any demigod, whoever that may be.
It doesn't contain any substantial content BUT it's perfect as a light-read!

[chev ۫ ꣑ৎ]

read it a while ago, but it is an interesting addition to the series
5/5 Chev's picks, amazing addition to the series
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[Tina➹ lives in Fandoms]

3.25 Golden Stars

just a tiny review, not like the others
because I need some fangirling out!
even tho not about this book completely, just this world, & a "certain someone"

even if this one had something like a plot (well, not as rich & complicated & weaving as the main series of course, it's a journal, but there is something going on) with a few new characters, but I liked the Camp Half-Blood companion better.

I wished we had the same thing like that CHB version, it was funnier, & with familiar characters
specifically, I'd been thrilled thinking that there might be a small chapter with his narration too (which, as I said, was not)
also, because it's apparently February here, sooooo...
(Main series plot reference- if you know, you know)

I especially want a short story before he'd gone to camp Halfblood, about his days at Camp Jupiter. & I will announce it everywhere maybe one day uncle Rick saw it.

I want to continue my HoO re-read right now!!!!

[LW]

What a fun little story! I love all things Rick Riordan writes.

It could have been much better if it wasn't told in journal format though. There was lots of telling, little showing.

But overall, it was really fun!

[A_ bookbound _soul]

Another great short story by Uncle Rick! I hope we get to see Claudia and friends in future novels.

[Ryan Buckby]

Would our situation have got so out of control if people had opened up and shared what they knew sooner? Maybe.

This was a good little novella that i enjoyed reading and meeting some new characters that i do hope join us in the last book of the trials of apollo series.

Claudia is a very resourceful and a caring person that is also very protective with friends and will do anything to protect them. I found her a different breath of fresh air and a very different voice to the other characters that have appeared in the series.

This journal just shows her day to day life at camp jupiter while also trying to uncover someone messing with the camp in the process. This is when her resourcefulness kicks in and along with her friends come up with a plan to stop who's messing with the camp and they actually succeed in their task.

Even though this doesn't add anything to the main story i still did enjoy a different little story and a move away from the main series.

[Matal “The Mischling Princess” Baker]

I really enjoyed reading Claudia’s perspective in CAMP JUPITER CLASSIFIED: A PROBATIO’S JOURNAL. Riordan created an interesting plot and I appreciated that he included both a map of the grounds and a glossary.

The author also included a chart illustrating how all of the characters in all of his novels (e.g., Kane Chronicles, Percy Jackson, HoO, and MC) are related. This chart really puts all of RR’s writing in perspective and provides some insight into how the author was able to connect diverse story lines.

His is a great companion to the author’s series.

[- ̗̀ jess ̖́-]

interesting little companion book for camp jupiter but i feel like this is something that disney said had to happen

[📚 Alana (professional book nerd)(officially 18!)]

This was absolutely hilarious 🤣

[fyn]

Again, don't know how to review this but this one might have maybe made me tear up.

[Selin]

It was quite good. Just a bit childish.

[Natalia815]

Me pareció más interesante y divertido el libro centrado en el campamento Mestizo que este.

[Genevieve]

3.5

[gabriela⛤]

Well- I really like Claudia

[Manuela]

Nice read with a few new character that are introduced. I wonder if they will reappear in the Tower of Nero, as this book is billed belonging to the Trials of Apollo series.

[Cat Carstairs]

This was so enjoyable - I read it in one sitting! I like how Uncle Rick explored the situation of demigod legacies and children of minor deities. I liked our main character, Claudia, a descendant of Mercury. There was a really interesting plot twist at the end too! I definitely recommend this one if you liked the Heroes of Olympus series.

[Diana Zheng]

I just have one question after reading this book

Did Claudia survive the emperor’s attack? Or is she :(

[Neil Franz]

Good adventure!

[Ola]

rick wtf

[Victor The Reader]

As most of Riordan’s mythical novellas are, this one still delivers. We are brought back to Camp Jupiter and we follow Claudia, great-granddaughter of Mercury, who discovers trouble that she’s being framed forwhile trying to enjoy camp. For it’s size, it still has Riordan’s fun storytelling but it still could’ve been a longer spinoff. A- (91%/Excellent)

[karol ♡]

2.5

[Gosia]

Po dodatku nie spodziewałam się czegoś takiego. Naprawdę bardzo dobry. Niestety brakowało mi wątku camp half blod. Bardzo dobrze napisana. Polecam ❤️


P.S. nie znałam nikogo z 4 kochorty cieszę się że poznałam 😏🍊❤️👌😍😊😀

[Sᴏᴄᴏʀʀᴏ]

Tenía cero expectativas pero me encantó.
Es una historia corta sobre Claudia, del legado de Mercurio, y su periodo de probatio en el Campamento Júpiter. Ideal para pasar el rato.

[Diana Cano]

Es un libro super cortito, y aun así casi no me gustó 😬, es la primera vez que me sucede con el tío Rick.

El problema creo que está en el título, no le encuentro relación con las pruebas de Apolo, tal vez solo lo de la comunicación difícil, pero de ahi en fuera con nada, y Maldición del campamento Júpiter? Lo que pasa no es nada parecido a eso, asi que estoy decepcionada.

Personajes nuevos, dioses menores que no me esperaba que existieran y personajes que ya tienen un pedazo de mi 💓 Frank y Reyna.

Se lee super rápido, de eso no me queda duda.