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3.79 AVERAGE
3.79 AVERAGE
Ok, so I have huge admiration for Rick Riordan for knowing his audience really well and for channeling that audience towards mythologies that he doesn't know everything about written by Own Voices authors. I also have huge admiration for JC Cervantes for writing a fast paced, never ending mystery of an adventure that will absolutely appeal to Riordan fans -- this is an excellent book in that genre.
Unfortunately, I am not the right audience for that genre, so while I have an endless appetite for ridiculous romance scenarios and paranormal silliness, I just couldn't get into this thing, any more than I could get into the original Riordan books. Tell your rabidly pacing 3rd-6th graders who are dying for the next Riordan adventure to pick this up. They will not be disappointed. I'll be in the next aisle, enjoying steampunk and werewolves and adventuring wombats.
Unfortunately, I am not the right audience for that genre, so while I have an endless appetite for ridiculous romance scenarios and paranormal silliness, I just couldn't get into this thing, any more than I could get into the original Riordan books. Tell your rabidly pacing 3rd-6th graders who are dying for the next Riordan adventure to pick this up. They will not be disappointed. I'll be in the next aisle, enjoying steampunk and werewolves and adventuring wombats.
adventurous
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Not having known anything about Maya mythology I think it was really cool to learn a bit about it through this book. I also found the plot really original and interesting and the ending was SO GOOD (and really not what I expected which I love because predictable endings are usually kind of boring).
I have one question. Why aren't there any Mayan ancestors in my family tree? Seriously, they have a goddess of chocolate! Anyway, this latest from Rick Riordan Presents focuses on the story of Zane Obispo and the prophecy that is tied to his fate. It foretells that someone will release the imprisoned god of death. Actually, he is the "lord of three things...Death, disaster, and darkness." So what does one kid with a limp have to do with a conflict between ancient Mayan gods that could destroy the world? Zane himself has no clue, so readers learn about it as he does.
Along the way we meet various members of the Mayan pantheon, as well as demons, seers, giants, and shape-shifters. Zane's mother, his uncle (a huge fan of wrestling), his dog Rosie, and his neighbors Mr. Ortiz and Ms. Cab are the only ones Zane trusts. He has just started a new school and already clashed with bullies and the principal. There is a volcano in his backyard. He sees a plane crash. A mysterious girl shows up and warns him about the prophecy. What would a typical teenage guy do? You guessed it - the opposite of what everyone advises him to do.
So we have deadly chili peppers, magical chocolate drinks, enchanted party wear, giant serpents, jaguars, storms, owl attacks, killer basketball games, and all while our hero tries to survive long enough to either fulfill or fall victim to the prophecy. Which will it be?
For those who loved Percy Jackson and the Kane Chronicles, and have now found the joys of the new imprint with Aru Shah - this is your latest crush to be. Welcome to the incredible world of Mayan mythology. Highly recommended for middle grade readers and up.
I read an e-book provided by the publisher through NetGalley,
Along the way we meet various members of the Mayan pantheon, as well as demons, seers, giants, and shape-shifters. Zane's mother, his uncle (a huge fan of wrestling), his dog Rosie, and his neighbors Mr. Ortiz and Ms. Cab are the only ones Zane trusts. He has just started a new school and already clashed with bullies and the principal. There is a volcano in his backyard. He sees a plane crash. A mysterious girl shows up and warns him about the prophecy. What would a typical teenage guy do? You guessed it - the opposite of what everyone advises him to do.
So we have deadly chili peppers, magical chocolate drinks, enchanted party wear, giant serpents, jaguars, storms, owl attacks, killer basketball games, and all while our hero tries to survive long enough to either fulfill or fall victim to the prophecy. Which will it be?
For those who loved Percy Jackson and the Kane Chronicles, and have now found the joys of the new imprint with Aru Shah - this is your latest crush to be. Welcome to the incredible world of Mayan mythology. Highly recommended for middle grade readers and up.
I read an e-book provided by the publisher through NetGalley,
adventurous
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Dont know what those other reviews were about, I really liked this and i really got in the story quickly
This was so much fun!! I'm really glad that Rick Riordan started his 'Features' series - otherwise I might not have heard of this book. I really loved the kid-relatable writing style as well as the inclusion and implementation of Maya lore. This is definitely one to pick up for the kids in your life (or yourself!).
the start is not like percy jackson at all but after that if you already read rick riordn's books it's pretty much the same the gods and all of that i mean if your new to greek gods i say 100 percent you'll love it!!! ;)
adventurous
challenging
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I learned while reading this book that I have more difficulty connecting with these types of stories if they center a mythology that I have little to no familiarity with. This book deals with Mayan mythology of which I have only the most cursory knowledge.
Since I learned that, I will definitely continue on with the series since I discovered with Riordan's Magnus Chase books that I deprived myself of some awesome books because I walked away from the series due to this unfamiliarity.
That being said, Cervantes does not do much if any character development in this book. The plot takes up the majority of the action with the characters constantly in danger, moving from situation to situation with hardly a chance to breathe. While that made the book read quickly, I did not engage with any of the characters. (this also helped cement my knowledge that I am primarily a character-driven reader with just a hint of plot to back that up.
Cervantes crafted an excellent iteration of the Rick Riordan Presents imprint but I would rank this fourth out of the five different series from this imprint that I have now read.
Since I learned that, I will definitely continue on with the series since I discovered with Riordan's Magnus Chase books that I deprived myself of some awesome books because I walked away from the series due to this unfamiliarity.
That being said, Cervantes does not do much if any character development in this book. The plot takes up the majority of the action with the characters constantly in danger, moving from situation to situation with hardly a chance to breathe. While that made the book read quickly, I did not engage with any of the characters. (this also helped cement my knowledge that I am primarily a character-driven reader with just a hint of plot to back that up.
Cervantes crafted an excellent iteration of the Rick Riordan Presents imprint but I would rank this fourth out of the five different series from this imprint that I have now read.
adventurous
funny
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes