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graceverse's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
maggierachael's review
5.0
What a blast from the past, man. It was such a fun time getting to relive this story I was obsessed with as a kid from a whole new perspective - both in the fact that I’m almost 22 now and the fact that this series was my first ever foray into audiobooks. I’m not a huge fan of reading YA/children’s books anymore because they tend to dumb everything down and make adventures not as fun, but this is just as wild a ride as I remember it being as a kid, and definitely still worth a read if you’re into ancient history. I’m so bummed that Rollins never wrapped up this series and left us hanging, because I absolutely adored it! Maybe one day we’ll get a resolution...
jilley28's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
4.0
hornborra's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture and War
trixie_reads's review against another edition
5.0
Jake is really too brave and smart for someone his age, but the story is so fun that I can buy it. Kids who liked THE RED PYRAMID would enjoy this.
jgolomb's review against another edition
3.0
My 7-year-old and I enjoyed the first Jake Ransom book and sowere looking forward to James Rollins' follow up. The books are very similar...the plot line continues in "Howling Sphinx" from where "Skull King's Shadow" left off more or less.
The book is full of fantasy, dinosaurs and magic...plenty to ignite the imagination of young boys. I did, however, find the story a bit meandering and hard to follow in places and felt that I had to summarize and recap certain events for my son so he understood thoroughly.
This book hits on so many positives for the young male reader that the convoluted plot lines are easily overcome. I'd definitely recommend this for 4th-6th graders, with 2nd and 3rd graders being read to by a parent.
I received "Jake Ransom and the Howling Sphinx" as part of the Goodreads First Reads program.
The book is full of fantasy, dinosaurs and magic...plenty to ignite the imagination of young boys. I did, however, find the story a bit meandering and hard to follow in places and felt that I had to summarize and recap certain events for my son so he understood thoroughly.
This book hits on so many positives for the young male reader that the convoluted plot lines are easily overcome. I'd definitely recommend this for 4th-6th graders, with 2nd and 3rd graders being read to by a parent.
I received "Jake Ransom and the Howling Sphinx" as part of the Goodreads First Reads program.
_laurensbooks's review against another edition
4.0
Not quite as good as the first. Ended with a cliffhanger!
lpcoolgirl's review against another edition
5.0
What a great book! Great mystery, and great history, and great action! Another great James Rollin's book! I hope a 3rd one is coming out soon!!!!
kailey_luminouslibro's review against another edition
3.0
Jake and his sister Kady are thrown into another mythical world of the past, this time with a lost tribe from Egypt. Jake's old friends are pulled into the desert with him, and they must fight to survive in the strange land. Once the young Princess Nefertiti takes them as captive slaves to the capital city, the dangerous plans of the Skull King become apparent, and even the Princess will turn to Jake for help in fighting against that ancient evil. Surrounded by mystical beasts and magical stones, Jake and his friends are in the thick of another wild adventure!
I LOVE the action in this story! The plot takes a million twists and turns, the puzzles and mysteries keep me guessing, and I can barely stop reading because every scene flows into more action.
The world building is fantastically imaginative! So many little creatures, and strange landscapes, and burning magical objects that do weird things! I was fascinated by all the beautiful and horrifying aspects of this new world.
I'm a little disappointed that there isn't much character development in this book. We had a lot of it in the first book, developing friendships, establishing characters' personalities and strengths. Not as much of that in this one. Characters feel a little static. They are still good characters, and they DO have their moments of good dialogue, but they haven't changed or grown much since the last book.
I wish the rest of the series was written already!
I LOVE the action in this story! The plot takes a million twists and turns, the puzzles and mysteries keep me guessing, and I can barely stop reading because every scene flows into more action.
The world building is fantastically imaginative! So many little creatures, and strange landscapes, and burning magical objects that do weird things! I was fascinated by all the beautiful and horrifying aspects of this new world.
I'm a little disappointed that there isn't much character development in this book. We had a lot of it in the first book, developing friendships, establishing characters' personalities and strengths. Not as much of that in this one. Characters feel a little static. They are still good characters, and they DO have their moments of good dialogue, but they haven't changed or grown much since the last book.
I wish the rest of the series was written already!
novelgoddess's review against another edition
4.0
I just won a copy of this thru First Reads!
I, like others, hadn't read the first book before diving into this one with my 12 year old son. Parts were a bit confusing in the beginning, but David and I decided we want to go back and read the first book in this series.
David and I love these kind of adventures where we are taking on a thrill ride through history, though the story takes place present day. Lots of chills and thrills, twists and turns which is what makes it exciting for both of us.
This story is a prime example of why I still read to my 12 year old before bed...we both love these adventure stories and as my baby gets older I have to relish these stories as part of the childhood we shared.
I, like others, hadn't read the first book before diving into this one with my 12 year old son. Parts were a bit confusing in the beginning, but David and I decided we want to go back and read the first book in this series.
David and I love these kind of adventures where we are taking on a thrill ride through history, though the story takes place present day. Lots of chills and thrills, twists and turns which is what makes it exciting for both of us.
This story is a prime example of why I still read to my 12 year old before bed...we both love these adventure stories and as my baby gets older I have to relish these stories as part of the childhood we shared.