Okay, I've been debating whether to give this book a 4 or 5 star review, and the 5 star won because this was a very well told story, with lots of great background of both Egyptian mythology and Egyptian history. It even drew a couple tears once or twice. Plus it addresses some real world issues without making it a huge part of the story.
Carter and Sadie are from a mixed family and have to deal with the constant shock that his dark skin and her blue eyes cause in people who don't expect a Black boy and a white girl to be brother and sister. Carter even comments a couple of times on how his father had to coach him to always dress his best and look friendly so he wouldn't draw unwanted attention.
I loved how these real world issues were sprinkled into the story in a matter of fact sort of way, making Carter's experience as a Black teenager realistic, without taking away from the action packed, mythology laden narration from both Carter's and Sadie's points of view.
After their father takes them on a visit to the British Museum to visit the Rosetta Stone, Egyptian gods are once again loosed into the world, despite the House of Life's attempt to keep them locked up since the fall of Egyptian civilization centuries before. When their father is taken captive by Set, the god of chaos, Carter and Sadie embark on a journey to save their father, filled with cameos from all kinds of Egyptian gods, while running from the secret organization that trains new magicians to keep the gods locked up tight, which their parents once belonged to.
The only reason I considered giving it 4 stars is because I've read other Rick Riordan series (has *anyone* not read the Percy Jackson series?), and I found a few themes being reused. A preteen discovering they have some kind of tie to an ancient mythology because their only parent goes missing? Having to rebel against the authority group to save gods? Becoming a trio because a very intelligent, female figure from the authority organization sees value in helping the so-called rebels and becomes a romantic interest for the main character?
That being said, despite seeing the parallels between Riordan's series and being able to predict at least one outcome because of it, this story was compelling and unique enough in its own right to deserve 5 stars.
Carter and Sadie are from a mixed family and have to deal with the constant shock that his dark skin and her blue eyes cause in people who don't expect a Black boy and a white girl to be brother and sister. Carter even comments a couple of times on how his father had to coach him to always dress his best and look friendly so he wouldn't draw unwanted attention.
I loved how these real world issues were sprinkled into the story in a matter of fact sort of way, making Carter's experience as a Black teenager realistic, without taking away from the action packed, mythology laden narration from both Carter's and Sadie's points of view.
After their father takes them on a visit to the British Museum to visit the Rosetta Stone, Egyptian gods are once again loosed into the world, despite the House of Life's attempt to keep them locked up since the fall of Egyptian civilization centuries before. When their father is taken captive by Set, the god of chaos, Carter and Sadie embark on a journey to save their father, filled with cameos from all kinds of Egyptian gods, while running from the secret organization that trains new magicians to keep the gods locked up tight, which their parents once belonged to.
The only reason I considered giving it 4 stars is because I've read other Rick Riordan series (has *anyone* not read the Percy Jackson series?), and I found a few themes being reused. A preteen discovering they have some kind of tie to an ancient mythology because their only parent goes missing? Having to rebel against the authority group to save gods? Becoming a trio because a very intelligent, female figure from the authority organization sees value in helping the so-called rebels and becomes a romantic interest for the main character?
That being said, despite seeing the parallels between Riordan's series and being able to predict at least one outcome because of it, this story was compelling and unique enough in its own right to deserve 5 stars.
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