Hey and how-de-do to all you fans of reading! The Iron Guy has been extremely busy lately. Life at the library gears up for summer and, after the big season hit, I went into hyperdrive.You've probably noticed that I haven't posted any of my own reviews for a while and that's because I've been so busy--which is good because that means so many kids are out there reading! (And I really appreciate reader guys like Michael and Sammer and mphuff who have taken up the slack) But, no matter how busy things getI always make time for a Rick Riordan book. I'm a HUGE fan of his stuff and was very excited when The Serpent's Shadow, the third and final volume of The Kane Chronicles series, fell into my eager hands. I finished it during the summer and enjoyed it. A lot of you have probably already read it, but some of you haven't. If you haven't, then pay attention. If you have, write and tell us how YOU liked it.
In case you don't know what these books are about, here's the lowdown--Carter and Sadie Kane are the son and daughter of a famous Egyptologist, who just also happens to be a powerful magician. Through a series of adventures too complicated to relate briefly, Carter and Sadie find themselves as the only two humans to stop Apophhis, the giant Chaos Serpent from rising from his ancient prison and swallow the sun. In this book, they finally discover a way to banish Apophis, but it's a tremendous risky task--they must find his shadow and cast an execration spell right to his face!
This book has all the Rick Riordan trademarks that we guys love so much--the action, the humor, and the vivid and believable otherworldly settings. This story moves right along, keeps your attention, and makes you laugh often along the way. I enjoyed it but, to tell the complete truth, I didn't feel the incredible suspense that I found in all the other Rick Riordan books. This is not a criticism because I enjoyed this book very much; it's just that I knew somehow that the characters would come out all right, even when the had to go face-to-face with Apophis. Maybe it's because I've read so many RR books that I just knew Carter and Sadie would make it.I didn't get that feeling in, for instance, The Last Olympian. There you really felt that Kronos might actually destroy the world and Percy along with it.But don't let me stop you from reading this book--like all of Rick Riordan's books, this is a good read. Maybe some of you have read it and disagree with me. If so, write in and tell me!
I have one mild criticism, though. I love his humor, but there may have been a little too much here. That sounds weird, I know. I enjoyed the insults and the quick quips all through the book but it seemed that Sadie and Carter were always hurling witty insults at each other, even in the most dangerous moments. it got a bit annoying. BUT--criticizing Rick Riordan is like critiqueing Michael Jordan. Or Babe Ruth. Or the Beatles. Rick Riordan is still one of the giants of guy writing and I cannot wait until The Mark of Athena, the final book in the Heroes of Olympus trilogy. (PS--you can read the first chapter here!)
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Blog: Boys Rule Boys Read! (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
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Blog: Where The Best Books Are! (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: 2011, The Kane Chronicles, Summer Books for Kids, The Skinjacker Trilogy, The Chronicles of the Red King, The Relic Master, The Norumbergan Quartet, book series for teens, Pathfinder, Add a tag
Blog: The Children's Book Review (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Alex rider, Twilight, Star Wars, Rachel Cohn, Stephenie Meyer, David Wiesner, David Levithan, Anthony Horowitz, James Dashner, Sherman Alexie, Cassandra Clare, Lane Smith, Rick Riordan, Markus Zusak, Jeff Kinney, Best Sellers, Maggie Stiefvater, Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Suzanne Collins, Mike Lupica, Jane O'Connor, Fancy Nancy, The Hunger Games, Robin McKinley, Mary Ann Hoberman, Annie Barrows, John Flanagan, Becca Fitzpatrick, Goodie Bag: Books to share and give, The Ranger's Apprentice, Lauren Kate, The Kane Chronicles, Maze Runner, Anna Dewdney, Simon Beecroft, The Heroes of Olympus, Percy Jackson & the Olympians, The Infernal Devices, Add a tag
By Bianca Schulze, The Children’s Book Review
Published: November 2, 2010
Here’s the scoop on the most popular destinations on The Children’s Book Review site, the most coveted new releases, the bestsellers, and kids’ book events.
THE HOT SPOTS: THE TRENDS
Interview with Lian Tanner, Author of The Keepers Trilogy
2010 Children’s Choice Book Awards Nominees
Where to Find Free eBooks for Children Online
20 Sites to Improve Your Child’s Literacy
THE NEW RELEASES
The most coveted books that release this month:
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Ugly Truth
by Jeff Kinney
(Ages 9-12)
by Mike Lupica
(Ages 9-12)
by Robin McKinley
(Young Adult)
by Anthony Horowitz
(Ages 12 and up)
You Read to Me, I’ll Read to You: Very Short Fables to Read Together
by Mary Ann Hoberman
(Ages 4-8)
THE BEST SELLERS
The best selling children’s books this month:
PICTURE BOOKS
by Anna Dewdney
(Ages 0-5)
Add a CommentBlog: The Spectacle (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Chris Eboch, The Red Pyramid, The Kane Chronicles, magic powers, fantasy, new book, Rick Riordan, Add a tag
I know many Rick Riordan fans were waiting with great anticipation for The Kane Chronicles #1: The Red Pyramid, which was released on May 4. No doubt some young readers have devoured the book multiple times by now. You can see my complete review for The New York Journal of Books.
You can also read an interview with Rick Riordan on Shelf Awareness, where he discusses the teaching elements of a book that draws on ancient Egyptian history and culture.
The Kane Chronicles premise — young people find out they have an important, mysterious lineage and magical powers — is far from original. Harry Potter, the Charlie Bone series, The Children of the Lamp series (about children who learn that they are genies), and Riordan’s own Percy Jackson series are just some of the Kane Chronicles predecessors. But it’s a formula that works, for who wouldn’t love to discover that they are secretly someone important, with magic powers? The Kane Chronicles doubles its kid appeal with the ancient Egyptian angle. There is something about ancient Egypt that speaks to kids (and many adults) all these thousands of years later.
Magic and history, history and magic… hmmm….
If you could have magic powers, what would they be?
If you could travel to an ancient culture, which one would be your first choice?
If you could take on the powers of a magician from an ancient culture, what culture would you choose? Does that change your answer to do the first two questions?
Chris Eboch grew up in Saudi Arabia, which may be why she hankers for a magic genie lamp.
Filed under: Chris Eboch Tagged: fantasy, magic powers, new book, Rick Riordan, The Kane Chronicles, The Red Pyramid 3 Comments on The Magical History Tour, last added: 7/20/2010
Blog: The Pen Stroke | A Publishing Blog (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Books, J.K. Rowling, In The News, Lois Lowry, The Giver, Rick Riordan, The Red Pyramid, The Kane Chronicles, Add a tag
What am I reading now? The Giver by Lois Lowry
Move over Rolling Stones, there’s a new breed of rockstar causing mass hysteria. They don’t come with a guitar strapped to their chest, but instead they’re packing heat in the form of a pen. Bow down to the greatness that is the children’s book author.
We’ve all seen the clips of J.K. Rowling waving at a sea of screaming children. Fans who will happily lose their voice for a day or two if it means seeing their hero up close and personal. Imagine what they would do just to ask her a single burning question.
Well, I was fortunate enough to experience this same phenomenon first hand last Sunday. It was on a smaller scale but let me tell you the reaction was absolutely identical. I’m talking about Rick Riordan who was in town to promote The Red Pyramid, the first book in his new series entitled The Kane Chronicles.
An intimate gathering of 25 fans got the chance that so many merely dream of having. They waited in absolute silence until Riordan’s arrival. When the moment of truth arrived and Riordan stood in front of them, the fans erupted with uncontrollable excitement. In addition to answering all their questions, each child got their few precious moments with Riordan. In awe of their hero, every child left with an unforgettable memory.
What does this represent? I’ll go so far as to say this hysteria felt by throngs of young readers is a shift in popular culture. With the creation of the Harry Potter series, J.K. Rowling tapped into a hunger that lay dormant for so long. It’s the hunger for adventure, fantasy, imagination and magic. Now authors, like Riordan, are continuing to feed that hunger with the most delicious of creations.
Blog: Boys Rule Boys Read! (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Rick Riordan, The 39 Clues, The Red Pyramid, the Kane Chronicles, Sluggers giveaway, Add a tag
Lastly, being Charlotte's #1 Rick Riordan fan, I'm very excited that The Red Pyramid comes out this Monday! It's the first book in the new Kane Chronicles series that brings ancient Egyptian mythology into the modern world. Of course, the library takes longer than bookstores to get copies on the shelves, but I'm on our waiting list! The newest 39 Clues book, The Emperor's Code, is already here and kids are checking them out. The last two, Storm Warning and Into
Blog: Boys Rule Boys Read! (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
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Behold, all you reader guys, the cover of the latest book from the mighty Rick Riordan! It's The Red Pyramid, the first in the Kane Chronicles. This book brings the ancient Egyptian immortals into the modern world, just as the Percy Jackson books did for the Greek myths. Doesn't this look cool? The book comes out on 5-24-10. CAN'T WAIT!!
Carl
If you want to learn more and read the first few paragraphs, click on this link.
I would stick with ancient Egypt. The pyramids and the Sphinx and all those secret passageways have a serious draw.
I’m thinking Egypt too–but specifically, the library of Alexandria, with the magical ability to read and remember all the writings contained therein!
Although I’d also really really like to see the Colossus of Rhodes…and the Hanging Gardens of Babylon…
I would love a wand and spells. I could get so much more done. I’m not too keen on traveling into the past. I don’t think most women were treated that well.