Throne of Fire by Rick Riordan

Book Jacket

Ever since the gods of Ancient Egypt were unleashed in the modern world, Carter Kane and his sister Sadie have been in trouble. As descendants of the House of Life, the Kanes have some powers at their command, but the devious gods haven't given them much time to master their skills at Brooklyn House, which has become a training ground for young magicians.

And now their most threatening enemy yet - the chaos snake Apophis - is rising. If they don't prevent him from breaking free in a few days' time, the world will come to an end. In other words, it's a typical week for the Kane family.

To have any chance of battling the Forces of Chaos, the Kanes must revive the sun god Ra. But that would be a feat more powerful than any magician has ever accomplished.

First they have to search the world for the three sections of the Book of Ra, then they have to learn how to chant its spells. Oh, and did we mention that no one knows where Ra is exactly?

Narrated in two different wisecracking voices, featuring a large cast of new and unforgettable characters, and with adventures spanning the globe, this second installment in the Kane Chronicles is nothing short of a thrill ride.

Review

Hurray!  I think I am a fan of Egyptian mythology now!  Riordan's first book set in Egyptian folklore, The Red Pyramid, was only okay.  This sequel has converted me.  And I won't lie; my love is mostly for Bes, the ugly dwarf god in a speedo.  I know.  I didn't expect it either.

I find I am quickly becoming attached to books that deal with sibling relationships, and Sadie and Carter are an excellent example of the loyalty, jealousy, annoyance, and love that characterizes (most) brother/sister bonds.  Their alternating narrations are great fun, and provide for some nice cliffhangers at the ends of chapters.

Also, the Duat?  Mixing with the stages of sleep?  So cool!  Throw in a hippopotamus goddess and Ra as a babbling senile sun god, and I am in love with this book.

But am I a horrible person for not caring whether or not Walt succombs to the curse?  I never really connected to him, and anyway, I really like the idea of a mortal/god romance.  Anubis FTW!

Four out of five staffs and flails.

Release Date:  May 2011
Reading Level:  Grade 3+
Where In Dunlap Public Library's Collection:  YPL RIO


Don't believe me?  Check out these reviews of Throne of Fire:

Figment
Honest Illusion