Yes they so are Hazel is still a little miffed with certain demigods about calling Nico's trustworthiness into question but she'll get over it.

The cover is heart-wrenching. But I haven't had a chance to read the preview yet since I'm having issues downloading my copy of Song of Sobek. :( (Totally, there were so many tears whether they were described or not.) It was one of the things they did right among so many others.