Monday, July 8, 2013

Kernel's Library: Egyptian Mythology Comes To Life

The Red Pyramid by Rick Riordan Book 00092: The Red Pyramid by Rick Riordan

Title:
- The Red Pyramid

First Publication:
- 4th May 2010 by Hyperion Books


Trivia:
- The Red Pyramid is the first book in The Kane Chronicles, a trilogy that focuses on Egyptian Mythology where Percy Jackson focuses on Greek.
- The book is 'said' to be a transcription of the main characters' -- Sadie and Carter Kane -- audio recordings, delivered directly to the author.
- The book claims the story are actual events and not merely a product of imagination.
- The book was adapted to a graphic novel by Orpheus Collar.


Awards:
- School Library Journal Best Book of 2010
- Shortlisted for the 2011 Red House Children's Book Award
- Winner of Children's Choice Book Awards 2011: Best Book, Grades 5-6
- A #1 New York Times Bestseller




Despite the fact Rick Riordan's being one of my favorite authors, the first time I attempted to read The Read Pyramid I immediately put it down not finishing the first page. I was not a fan of the audio recording story-telling and the story feels entirely different and didn't really fit in to the mold why I liked his Percy Jackson series.

But it was all for the good of that, actually. It gives an entirely new feel compared with his previous series, giving it a more unique sense and proving how versatile an author Riordan is.

First impression never really lasts, because on my second attempt -- after a few months -- the book actually gave me new chills and excitement. That was made possible when I removed from my system the Percy Jackson mania and avoided any instances of comparison.

Although it did not really reach to the success of the former series, it is equally delectable, and is informative to boot. A nice way to learn ancient mythologies in the modern world.

Plot 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.


Grade: A-

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