The Serpent's Shadow (Kane Chronicles #3)

 One of the highly anticipated children/middle grade book of the summer is Rick Riordan's The Serpent's Shadow, the third installment of his Kane Chronicles series. With his trademarks of adventure, mythology, action, and a dash of romance, The Serpent's Shadow is a delightful read and a great conclusion to the series.

Description (from the publisher): He's b-a-a-ack! Despite their best efforts, Carter and Sade Kane can't seem to keep Apophis, the chaos snake, down. Now Apophis is threatening to plunge the world into eternal darkness, and the Kanes are faced with the impossible task of having to destroy him once and for all. Unfortunately, the magicians of the House of Life are on the brink of civil war, the gods are divided, and the young initiates of Brooklyn House stand almost alone against the forces of chaos. The Kanes' only hope is an ancient spell that might turn the serpent's own shadow into a weapon, but the magic has been lost for a millennia. To find the answer they need, the Kanes must rely on the murderous ghost of a powerful magician who might be able to lead them to the serpent's shadow . . . or might lead them to their deaths in the depths of the underworld.

Review: Siblings Carter and Sadie Kane are once again trying to save the world from the forces of Chaos. The giant Chaos snake Apophis and his rebel magician allies are on the rise and hungry for power. Luckily, Carter and Sadie Kane are back, prepared to the best of their abilities, and ready to fight Apophis and restore Ma'at, the order of the universe.
  The Serpent's Shadow has a lot to offer it's readers. Though filled with expected action-pack excitement, there is a lot of character growth for the big cast of characters. The story like the previous two installments are told in alternating and enjoyable voices of Sadie and Carter. The dual narrative allows Riordan to focus on both genders as well as solidify the siblings as individual characters, highlighting her/his strengths, weaknesses, and insecurities. Though we've watched the Kane siblings prove they are more than capable of taking a lead role in restoring Ma'at, there is a bit of a hesitation that each feels. I really felt I got to know each of the characters on a more personal level in this book than I did in the last two books and I think a lot of it has to do with the characters growing up and maturing.
  Riordian deftly executes the theme of duality throughout the series: the battle of order versus chaos, living an ordinary life versus taking the risks to fail and become extraordinary, and perhaps much more touching-being protected and sheltered by parents versus stepping out of their parents shadows and becoming their own person. I thought that the theme was brought to a full circle with this book. We witness first hand the obstacles the Kanes and their allies face with the lots of twists and turns in the story. Although adults are present in the book and hold important roles, they take the backseat and let the kids drive, sort out their own problems. The line between friend and foe are blurry at best, especially when the ghost of an ancient psychotic magician is willing to offer help.
 The Serpent's Shadow is a rousing adventure with plenty of magic and food for thought. There are hints to future stories featuring other gods and I'm curious if Riordan will combine the Percy Jackson's gang with the Kane's, which could be really exciting. 

Rating: 4.5 stars

Curriculum Connection: Social Studies, English

Words of Caution: There is PG rated violence which happens mostly off the page. Recommended for Grades 5 and up.

If you like this book try: The Ank of Isis by Christine Norris, Children of the Lamp series by Philip Kerr or The Secrets of the immortal Nicholas Flamel series by Michael Scott

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The Flight of the Phoenix (Nathaniel Fludd Beastologist #1)

  Combining history, fantasy, and adventure is a winning trend for children's literature. I'm finding it that kids get more excited about learning facts through fiction instead of reading them in a dry, boring textbook. The Flight of Phoneix by R. L. LaFevers is sure to have high appeal to younger readers who are anxiously waiting to go on a great adventure.

Description (from Goodreads): Nathaniel Fludd’s life has taken a turn for the worst. With his parents lost at sea, he lands on the doorstep of a distant cousin—the world’s last remaining beastologist. Soon Nate is whisked off on his first expedition, to Arabia, where the world’s only phoenix prepares to lay its new egg. When disaster strikes, Nate quickly finds himself all alone.
   Will he be able to see the phoenix safely hatched, keep his accidental pet gremlin out of trouble, and rescue his guardian from the Bedouin? If he fails, nothing will stand between the world’s mythical creatures and extinction. Too bad Nate’s not the sort of boy who enjoys adventure . . .yet.


Review: Nathanial Fludd, who lives with his governess, has been anxiously waiting since his eighth birthday to be summoned by his parents, who are beastologists. Unfortunately, the only summoning comes from the family lawyer, who explains that Nathanial’s parents have been lost at sea. Nathanial must now live with a distant relative, who might as well be a complete stranger to him. Nathanial has only just settled in to his new "home" when he finds himself being whisked along to Arabia in a new adventure, where he witnesses the birth of a phoenix, an event so rare it only happens every 500 years.
  Flight of the Phoneix is a fast-paced story that successfully combines fantasy and history into an entertaining, believable world. The characters are definitely likable. Nathaniel is a reluctant adventurer and more of an artist who loves to draw, but does prove to himself and others that he can be brave and resourceful. LaFevers provides some details about the extensive Fludd family tree and the origins of beastology, but there are still plenty of mysteries left for a sequel. While the historical details may not be completely accurate, and the book uses the general tropes of traditional English boys' adventure stories as well as implies colonial clichés about the Bedouin culture, the book is exciting. Straightforward, simple sentences along with a linear narrative and short chapters with lively illustrations should make this book very exciting to beginning and middle grade readers.

Rating: 3.5 stars

Words of Caution: None. Recommended for Grades 2 to 5.

If you like this book try: The Basilisk's Lair (Nathaniel Fludd Beastologist #2) by R.L. LaFevers,
The Spiderwick Chronicles by Holly Black and Tony DiTerlizzi, Fablehaven series by Brandon Mull

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Throne of Fire (Kane Chronicles #2)

  Throne of Fire is the second book in the Kane Chronicles series by Rick Riordan. Riordan picks up Egyptian mythology this time and incorporating it with humor, adventure, family, and a dash of romance for good measure. I really enjoyed learning about the Egyptian gods and goddesses, something that I knew very little about before picking up this series. Although I didn't enjoy this series as much as his Percy Jackson series or Heroes of Olympus, which focus more on Greek and Roman mythologies that I'm well versed in, I really did like it. 

Description: The gods of Ancient Egyptian are unleashed in our world. Each desiring to have ultimate power and control. Caught in the middle are Carter and Sadie Kane who share a strange connection to the gods. While they may temporarily have saved the world last time, the sakes are even higher now as they must outsmart the House of Life and the gods of chaos in order to complete their worldwide search for an ancient Egyptian book.Who can they trust for help? Who is an ally? Who is a foe?

Review: As you may recall from the first book, The Red Pyramid, the gods of Ancient Egypt were unleashed in our world. Our main characters, Carter Kane and his sister Sadie have recently discovered each other and their connection to the gods. The Kane siblings are descendants of the House of Life and have unusual powers, destinies. Like the first book, Sadie and Carter narrate their new adventure with much urgency, warning us that the world is going to end and they need our help.
   Throne of Fire starts with a bang with a fire and a theft in the museum. Carter and Sadie, with the help of their trainees adn friends, try to get an ancient artifact from the museum that will help restore order in the world where the god of Chaos is quickly rising to power. If you are new to this series, I would highly suggest that you read The Red Pyramid first. Although Riordian provides a glossary of the Ancient Egyptian deities and a brief recap sprinkled throughout the story, a lot of the character and world is established in the first book. You can read my review of The Red Pyramid here.
   Throne of Fire was a quick read for me due to Riordan's excellent pacing. There are plenty of action packed moments in the book along with great character introspection as Carter and Sadie reveal their insecurities and worries to the reader. Though Egyptian mythology is not as familiar as Greek or Roman mythology, I never felt Riordan dumbed things down for me nor were they over my head. I learned as Carter and Sadie learned along the way. Seeing how duplicitous the gods are in the book was also a delight.
  I think Riordan connects to a wide range of audience because of his fantastic characters. Carter and Sadie are much more flushed out in Throne of Fire. Their bonds to one another is strengthened. Though they might disagree with each others plan, they are always on the same side. Carter, who seemed to be more serious and kind of bland, opens up more and his complexity begins to show as he reveals his fear of failing the people that he loves. Sadie,who constantly cracks me up with her one liners, is a feisty, smart, and snarky heroine. She can stand on her own two feet and take care of herself yet she too at times is doubtful of her abilities. We are also introduced to two new secondary and important characters, Walt and Jaz, who are important to Carter and Sadie and help move the story along. Throne of Fire, though a bit darker than the first book, is an adventurous roller coaster ride that fans of this series will no doubt love. I look forward to seeing how this exciting series comes to an end with the third and final book. 


Rating: 4.5 stars

Curriculum Connection: Social Studies, English

Words of Caution: There are some scary, fantasy violence that would be rated PG in the book. Recommended for Grades 4 and up, especially those who are interested in mythology and ancient worlds.

If you like this book try: The Ank of Isis by Christine Norris, Children of the Lamp series by Philip Kerr or The Secrets of the immortal Nicholas Flamel series by Michael Scott

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Gods, magic, and monsters

   Ancient Egypt is taught in so many social studies classes. I can easily recall learning about the Egyptian gods as well as the documentaries I remember watching in class. What better way to refresh your memory and learn something new then by reading a great book? The Red Pyramid is the first book in Rick Riordan's Kane Chronicles. Just like his previous, blockbuster series Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Riordan delivers another great series that effectively combines mythology, humor, and adventure.

Description: Since their mother’s death, Sadie Kane has lived in London with her maternal grandparents while her older brother, Carter, has traveled the world with their father, Julius Kane, a renowned African American Egyptologist. In London on Christmas Eve for a rare family get together, Carter and Sadie accompany their dad to the British Museum, where he blows up the Rosetta Stone and summons an Egyptian god. Unleashed, the vengeful god overpowers and entombs Julius, but Sadie and Carter manage to escape. Initially determined to rescue their father, but as they begin to understand their hidden magical powers and family secrets, they must take on the ancient forces bent on destroying mankind.

Review: The Red Pyramid has everything that I loved about the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series: a great cast of characters, a great adventure story, and humor all woven together with a complex layer of mythology. You are learning about the myths without the boring context of a textbook and you are witnessing the story first hand. The first-person narrative shifts between Carter and Sadie, which not only gives the novel a balanced presence of both genders, but also an interesting dual perspective on how both were raised. The reader is also able to witness the tension between the two siblings who are more like strangers at the beginning of the story. The chapters are short and hilariously titled. The plot is fast pacing right from the start. The story arc is complex and deals more with issues of family, loyalty, and courage. I did, however, have to slow down my reading pace a bit trying to grasp the Ancient Egyptian mythology because I'm not well versed in it, but nonetheless I did learn something new. The Red Pyramid is sure to satisfy fans of the Percy Jackson series and I look forward to reading more about this series. The second book is expected to come out Spring 2010.

Rating: 4.5 stars

Curriculum Connection: Social Studies, English
Words of Caution: There are some scary, fantasy violence that is PG rated. I think this book is appropriate for Grades 4 and up.

If you like this book, try:  The Ankh of Isis by Christine Norris

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