New
twist on the old formula
Fiction - Juvenile - Urban
Fantasy/ Adventure
Age Level: 10 and up Grade Level: 5 and up
516 pages
Publication Date: August
16, 2011
The Kane Chronicles Book 1
Literary awards: School Library Journal Best Book of the Year
(2010), Goodreads Choice Nominee for Favorite Book, Young Adult Fantasy (2010)
Since the death of their
mother, under strange circumstances six years before, siblings Carter and Sadie
Kane have been raised apart. Carter
spends his time in constant travel with their Egyptologist father, Dr. Julius
Kane, while Sadie lives in England with their Grandparents. Only, allowed to see Sadie two days a year
Dr. Kane uses one of his visits to take the siblings to the British Museum
where he plans to “right a wrong”.
Unleashing forces beyond his control Dr. Kane is taken prisoner. In order to save him Carter and Sadie must
learn about their Egyptian heritage which includes magic, the blood of Pharaohs
and communing with Egyptian gods. Using the
newly acquired knowledge they must quickly learn to master their new skills and
challenge the god Set, to save not only their father, but all of Northern
America.
Told by both Carter and
Sadie this story is a tale similar to Percy Jackson’s with an Egyptian
twist. This, however, doesn’t hurt
it. Riordan found a good formula with
Percy Jackson and I can’t fault him for applying it in another series. He has fairly developed main characters in
the Kane Chronicles and nicely incorporates Egyptian mythology into real life
to create an interesting story.
On the other hand, the
format took a bit to get used to and this book was far less funny than Percy
Jackson. I did not care for Sadie’s
constant and unnecessary derogatory use of the term “God”, nor did Riordan quite
pull off her Britishness (calling some “thick” and eating “bangers and mash” does
not make a Brit). I also, while appreciating
the glossary, would have liked it more in depth.
Overall it was okay. I don’t regret the time reading it, but I do
hope in the next one Riordan can find a better rhythm.
ISBN13: 9781423113454
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