The Red Pyramid by Rick Riordan

Amazon Synopsis: Since their mother's death, Carter and Sadie have become near strangers. While Sadie has lived with her grandparents in London, her brother has traveled the world with their father, the brilliant Egyptologist, Dr. Julius Kane.

One night, Dr. Kane brings the siblings together for a "research experiment" at the British Museum, where he hopes to set things right for his family. Instead, he unleashes the Egyptian god Set, who banishes him to oblivion and forces the children to flee for their lives.

Soon, Sadie and Carter discover that the gods of Egypt are waking, and the worst of them--Set has his sights on the Kanes. To stop him, the siblings embark on a dangerous journey across the globe -- a quest that brings them ever closer to the truth about their family, and their links to a secret order that has existed since the time of the pharaohs.

So I went to LA  earlier this month and instead of lugging some paperbacks around in my already heavy hand luggage. Instead, I figured I could use this chance to get through some of my Kindle books (of which there are a lot). First up was this one. 

This series seems to be Riordan's less popular parts of his "God's saga", if you will. Instead of the Greek God's this series follows the main Egyptian ones, which are infinitely more complicated in my opinion. There is a lot more explaining needed because Egyptian mythology is not quite as 'mainstream' as other mythology. I remember doing a project on it is Year 5, but it was never revisited in my higher education. For this reason the Egyptian myths need a bit more explanation and detail given so that the world could be fully developed. Riordan did it very well though. I applaud you, sir. 

Also I will say, nice save on the incest thing.

Despite the need for more world building there is no less action than in Riordan's other works. It takes only a few chapters for the usual fast-paced, action packed narrative to take over and the reader to be swept away in the high stake fights and escapes. This style of writing is what Riordan does best and I always love how he has found his writing style and uses it to his advantage. 

The story as well is in dual perspective. Every few chapters it changes between the siblings, Sadie and Carter. Each of them are totally different though. The narratives have enough differences that Riordan has successfully created two individual characters without the voices becoming too similar, but also kept some similarities - in humour mostly- that you can tell they are siblings. They each had a different story to tell and it worked very well. 

Any romance elements are a bit weird though. They are 12 and 13 years old. It makes me feel weird bit probably only because at 19 I am a pensioner compared to them.

Though not as popular as the Percy Jackson series, The Kane Chronicles first book has all the aspects of a Riordan book and are probably going to be enjoyed by his fans. There is a little cameo of Percy Jackson, but the rules have changed in this novel. There is a lot to wrap your head around - especially if you don't really know Egyptian mythology- but Riordan keeps it fresh and enjoyable for everyone.

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