Rick Riordan Does It Again 2010-09-06

Reviewer: Nikki (Wicked Awesome Books)

Rick Riordan once again delivers with an all new, exciting adventure that explores the Egyptian gods and two children who are someone meant to save the world. The Kane Chronicles will inevitably be compared to the Percy Jackson series and I'm happy to say that it really lives up to it.

Carter and Sadie Kane are intelligent kids with a whole lot of courage and even more willpower. At just 14 and 12 years of age, respectively, the brother sister duo bring some great humor with their bickering and sibling rivalry. The instant character connection is something that Riordan is so good at. It's impossible not to like Sadie and Carter. Their distinct, and quite amusing, voices are so lively and fun. Having grown up separately, their bickering is, at times, a bit more deep than your average brother/sister fighting, but that strengthens their bond.

The Egyptian gods, the royal bloodlines, the artifacts and historical figures are all wonderful. I have no idea how Riordan is able to do all this research and then somehow spin it into a magical tale, but I hope he never stops doing so. Egyptian history/mythology always interested me more than Greek mythology, so I was completely enthralled with The Red Pyramid. The gods were interesting, the fighting was exciting, and the twists and turns were phenomenal. As a fan of Riordan in general, I adored this book; and as a fan of the PJO series, I loved the implied connection to that world within this one. I look forward to the continuation of a sure-to-be brilliant series.

Opening line: We only have a few hours, so listen carefully. ~ pg. 1

Favorite line: You see gods have great power, but only humans have creativity, the power to change history rather than simply repeat it. ~ pg. 179

Enjoyable for all ages if you have a liking for all things Egyptian 2010-09-06

Reviewer: anonymous

This caught my eye for the Egyptian references. Although I'm decades beyond "young adult" status, I grew up on the YA books on Egypt by Eloise Jarvis McGraw and the YA books by Robert A. Heinlein, and this was enjoyable and entertaining. I enjoyed the in-depth description of Egyptian gods and goddesses, LOVED Bast, and the interplay between brother and sister was nicely done. A reviewer felt that the characters acted overly "mature" for their ages, but when I think of well-loved YA adults from the 60s forward, they also were smart, thoughtful, courageous, and struggled with life and death decisions. This book depicted some pretty amazing visuals that were a treat to mentally conjure up; it was surprisingly easy to see the different structures, palaces, etc. Other things that stood out: the New Orleans scenes, the respect for the kids' bi-racial diversity, the emotional connection between the secondary characters.

The beginning format dropped the reader right into the middle of the action, which was fun: "If you're reading this, it means you're already in danger", which is a nice construct for a YA book and breaks the fourth wall in an engaging way.

Pulls you in from the first chapter 2010-09-03

Reviewer: R. Nelson

I can't wait for the other books in the series to be published. I found the story gripping and full of twist and turns to keep your interest. Is a great chapter book to read out-loud with your kids, especially if they enjoyed the Percy Jackson series. I liked that the book concluded at a descent stopping point, while you're still left with some mystery you're not left with a total cliff-hanger. I wish people would enjoy the book for its intended fictional category and, not try to point out some little error in a god reference, this isn't a history book. It makes reference too many things we believe to be true of the way the Egyptians were looked at.

It's OK 2010-08-30

Reviewer: Prabal Guha Biswas

It is strictly OKAY read. Witty in parts and the author does have a knack in introduction Mythological figures in a smooth manner. The end is hopelessly prolonged, seems that the publisher instructed the author that "so" many pages MUST be filled.

However, I do not look forward to read the second book, if and when it is released. Not good enough!

amazing tale 2010-08-29

Reviewer:

this is an amazing book filed with egyptin culture and traditions not to mention a great plot. sadie and cater kane have been seperated since they were very young. sadie lives in england with her grandma and carter with their father. but one day when carter and their faher go to vist the takea trip to the rosetta stone in a muesam. all the sudden the rosetta stone explodes and in front of them is the evil god set. they soon discover that they are blood of the pharoes and go on a thrillering adventure. the meet the gods and become very close as siblings. you must understand egypton culture and past to understand and enjoy this book.