Tittle : The Red Pyramid (Kane Chronicles #1)Author : Rick Riordan
Publication date : May 4th 2010 by Hyperion Books for Children
Well, I picked this book based on my co-worker recommendation. Geez, how come I couldn't spot another bookworm in this office! I have been planning on reading Riordan's books for a while, but I have no idea which series I should start with. Since Kane Chronicles doesn't get much hype like Percy Jackson, I have to say that I am not familiar with it but, as a mythological sucker, I know I have to read it sooner or later and come to think of it, why not sooner?
Carter and Sadie Kane are siblings. They are the children of a famous Egyptology expert, Julius Kane. For some reason, they only meet twice a year. Sadie lives with their grandparents while Carter continue traveling around the world with their father. After a tragedy in London that cause them to lose their father, Carter and Sadie finds out that there are actually "possessed" by Horus and Isis. They have to find a way to say Julius Kane as well as to stop Set for spreading chaos.
Overall, I think The Red Pyramid is a good book. It is fully loaded with actions, god on god combats, magic, explosions, you name it. It has every element a kick ass book should have. I like the pacing, the description is also crystal clear. What I don't like is the repetitiveness. For example the scenes are mainly about escaping the enemy, falling asleep with their souls roaming around somewhere and they get visions or clues on what to do next there, well you get the idea. For a chapter, it's interesting but if it happens too often, it becomes annoying.
The Red Pyramid is told with a dual point of view, Carter's and Sadie's. However, I can't differ whose is whose because the voice and the tone are very much alike. I can't see their personalities in their dialogue because both of them tries to be funny and sarcastic. Come on, just because they're siblings, it doesn't mean that they have the same trait, right? A good story has strong characters in it, bus Sadie and Carter, they're far from strong, if you ask me.
Now let's talk about the battle. This book is full of it, just like I mentioned before, however the battle to me seems to easy. I don't if it's because I still have A Song of Ice and Fire fresh in my minds so I cannot help but expect the combat to be more, you know gruesome. Well, okay, maybe not gruesome since this is a young adult book, but I still expect more from it.
Having said that, I like the ending of this book. Even though it is a part of series, the ending leaves no unfinished business and it is of course, a good thing. Now it's time for favorite quote:
I remembered Dad explaining how the Egyptians made it from river plant because they never invented paper. The stuff was so thick and rough, it made me wonder if the poor Egyptians had had to use toilet papyrus. If so, no wonder they walked sideways. (Sadie Kane).
Funny isn't it? Well, if you are looking for a book with some joke, The Red Pyramid is for you. Sad to say that I cannot give this book more than 2 stars. The million dollar questions is, will I read the next book? I think yes, but not anytime soon. Maybe I will read Percy Jackson series in the meantime, I don't know, but the sure thing is, I will still read Riordan's work. I have a feeling that The Red Pyramid is just not his best though I still believe that he's one of the most respected fantasy author ever and he gets it because he deserves it.
Which of Riordan's series you like the most?
