Listener sentiment
The Newest Olympian continues to draw overwhelmingly positive reviews, with listeners describing it as a beloved weekly ritual that makes Mondays something to look forward to. Both longtime Percy Jackson fans and newcomers discovering the series through the show praise host Mike Schubert's infectious enthusiasm, his frequently hilarious (and occasionally eerily accurate) predictions about where the story is heading, and the warm, communal book-club atmosphere he cultivates with guests. The inclusive approach—featuring guests who speak to neurodiversity, disability, and LGBTQ+ representation in the source material—remains a frequently highlighted strength, as does the genuine joy of watching a first-time reader encounter beloved scenes and characters. On the criticism side, a recurring concern is that the growing number of live-show episodes doesn't translate well to the audio-only format, with some longtime listeners missing the intimate one-on-one guest conversations from earlier in the run; a few have also flagged editing glitches involving repeated segments, and a small number find Schubert's on-air venting about listener feedback tiresome. A handful of low ratings appear to be off-topic or troll posts rather than substantive critiques. These remain minority concerns against a backdrop of near-universal acclaim.
Apple4.7 · 289
Summary generated Jul 27, 2026
