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3.79 AVERAGE
3.79 AVERAGE
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I didn't love Zane so I didn't feel very invested. It follows Percy Jackson's recipe for a good demigod book and it does have some interesting concepts and unique supporting cast. It wasn't bad, but not overly memorable to me.
Not as compelling as some of the others in this genre. I'm not sure if I was unimpressed because it wasn't as good, because I wasn't as captivated by the Mayan mythology, or because I'm just tired of the plot. I will say that Mayan mythology tends toward the disgusting more than I'd prefer. Lots of eyeballs floating around and putrid smells. The plot was very Percy Jackson-ish. A young kid who is half divine has three days to save the world. The details were different, but the bones of the plot are the same as many of Rick Riordan's books. It's been very successful, so why mess with a proven winner. However, as an adult reading the books, I get tired of the same basic plot over and over.
Zone makes a lot of bad decision throughout the book. He often does the exact opposite of what's he's been asked to do by a responsible adult, and it gets him into trouble every time. For example, he's told to stay home and be safe, but no - he has to go talk to his mother RIGHT NOW and he and his mother are attacked. Be patient and wait! He's even told to stay away from the volcano housing Ah-Puch's prison, but again he has to do his own thing. Because he chooses to explore the volcano, he gets his dog killed (and lets not even go into all the trouble he gets into trying to get his dog back from the dead) and Brooks injured. The book doesn't seem to leave many loose ends, so I'm not sure where the rest of the series will go.
Zane is a disable main character. He has one leg shorter than the other. Turns out, that is a trait inherited from his father. His shorter leg is the seat of his divine power. So, it goes from being a source of difficulty to a source of power (it is a kid's book, so the symbolism is extremely obvious). There are a few times that his limp is enchanted away and he loves the feeling.
Zone makes a lot of bad decision throughout the book. He often does the exact opposite of what's he's been asked to do by a responsible adult, and it gets him into trouble every time. For example, he's told to stay home and be safe, but no - he has to go talk to his mother RIGHT NOW and he and his mother are attacked. Be patient and wait! He's even told to stay away from the volcano housing Ah-Puch's prison, but again he has to do his own thing. Because he chooses to explore the volcano, he gets his dog killed (and lets not even go into all the trouble he gets into trying to get his dog back from the dead) and Brooks injured. The book doesn't seem to leave many loose ends, so I'm not sure where the rest of the series will go.
Zane is a disable main character. He has one leg shorter than the other. Turns out, that is a trait inherited from his father. His shorter leg is the seat of his divine power. So, it goes from being a source of difficulty to a source of power (it is a kid's book, so the symbolism is extremely obvious). There are a few times that his limp is enchanted away and he loves the feeling.
Actual rating: 2.5
Full review± http://evelynreads.com/the-storm-runner-review/
Full review± http://evelynreads.com/the-storm-runner-review/
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Very similar to Percy Jackson. Solidly written book, but wasn't super original.
I have a lot of thoughts I still need to flesh out. I don't think I can rate it yet. I plan on reading at least book two before rating cause it had disability representation but the rep was problematic at best and leaning toward the offensive. I want to see how it plays out to see if this internalized ableism is better handled or if continues to support a lot of harmful beliefs while masquerading as empowerment (I don't mean this as a shot against Cervantes, I think she aimed to tell an empowering story but sometimes when it is not an own voices story good intentions can really backfire).
Also there was a lot of plot and character building that just didn't make sense or needed a lot more development or storylines that didn't contribute anything and or were completely dropped by the end. And like 95% of the plot progression relied on stupidity with the MC saying it was foolish and doing it anyways (now multiply that 100+ times over)
But guys, it is based on Maya Mythology and also has great intergenerational friendships (and a fantastic uncle/nephew relationship). I am pulling on strings but I WANT to love it. So I will give book 2 a try and hopefully finish the trilogy and circle around to a rating.
Also there was a lot of plot and character building that just didn't make sense or needed a lot more development or storylines that didn't contribute anything and or were completely dropped by the end. And like 95% of the plot progression relied on stupidity with the MC saying it was foolish and doing it anyways (now multiply that 100+ times over)
But guys, it is based on Maya Mythology and also has great intergenerational friendships (and a fantastic uncle/nephew relationship). I am pulling on strings but I WANT to love it. So I will give book 2 a try and hopefully finish the trilogy and circle around to a rating.
2.95 / 5 stars
This book did not do it for me.
I just never found myself caring about the characters... Like any of them! (Except Rosie...) The plot was pretty predictable but it was really the cliches I found most exhausting. And I went into this expecting it to be funny, with the humor that fuelled Percy Jackson and Aru Shah, which it is not. But that's just a case of mismanaged expectations. I am going to continue with the series before recommending it, or not, to anybody.
This book did not do it for me.
I just never found myself caring about the characters... Like any of them! (Except Rosie...) The plot was pretty predictable but it was really the cliches I found most exhausting. And I went into this expecting it to be funny, with the humor that fuelled Percy Jackson and Aru Shah, which it is not. But that's just a case of mismanaged expectations. I am going to continue with the series before recommending it, or not, to anybody.
The Storm Runner by J.C. Cervantes is the first book in a middle grade fantasy series that builds on Mayan myths. Zane lives in New Mexico near a dormant volcano. He loves exploring it until one night when a supernatural being crash lands in the volcano and sets in motion a series of events that will lead to a roadtrip and quite possibly the end of the world.
As this book is published under the Rick Riordan Presents label, it's no surprise that Zane is a demi-god. His physical problems (namely a leg that is shorter and weaker than the other) are a result of that pairing.
33FF00- family utopia interstate
http://pussreboots.com/blog/2020/comments_05/storm_runner.html
As this book is published under the Rick Riordan Presents label, it's no surprise that Zane is a demi-god. His physical problems (namely a leg that is shorter and weaker than the other) are a result of that pairing.
33FF00- family utopia interstate
http://pussreboots.com/blog/2020/comments_05/storm_runner.html
Disclaimer: I received an earc from NetGalley. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Rating: 5/5
Publication Date: September 18, 2018
Genre: MG Fantasy
Recommended Age: 10+ (violence, slightly mature scenes)
Pages: 448
Author Website
Amazon Link
Synopsis: A contemporary adventure based on Maya mythology from Rick Riordan Presents!
Zane Obispo spends every day exploring the sleeping volcano in his backyard. "The Beast," as he calls it, is the one place where he can escape other kids, who make fun of him because he has a limp and walks with a cane.
After a twin-engine plane crashes into The Beast, a mysterious girl named Brooks shows up at Zane's doorstep, insisting that they meet at the volcano, where she will reveal a terrible secret. Zane agrees, mostly because beautiful girls like her don't usually talk to him. Brooks tells him that the volcano is actually a centuries-old prison for the Maya god of death, whose destiny is directly tied to Zane's. No way, Zane thinks. He's just a thirteen-year old nobody, and destiny or no destiny, he wants nothing to do with any of it, especially some god of death.
But Brooks opens his eyes to the truth: magic, monsters, and gods are real, and Zane is at the center of an ancient prophecy that could mean the destruction of the world.Suddenly finding himself entangled in a web of dangerous secrets, Zane embarks on a quest that will take him far from home and test him to the very core.
Feisty heroes, tricky gods, murderous demons, and spirited giants are just some of the pleasures that await in this fresh and funny take on Maya mythology, as rich and delicious as a mug of authentic hot chocolate.
I’ve only read the first book of the Rick Riordan series but damn I got so many Rick Riordan vibes while reading this book! It was truly amazing! I felt like the characters were vivid and developed, the plot was developed and intriguing, and the pacing was on point. The whole story made me learn and appreciate so much more about the Maya culture and now I want more!
However, I do feel it’s a bit longer than most middle grade books and a little more mature than the one’s I’ve read before, so just be sure your child can handle it or that you’re on hand to explain some of the more mature scenes.
Verdict: A book that is absolutely amazing.
Rating: 5/5
Publication Date: September 18, 2018
Genre: MG Fantasy
Recommended Age: 10+ (violence, slightly mature scenes)
Pages: 448
Author Website
Amazon Link
Synopsis: A contemporary adventure based on Maya mythology from Rick Riordan Presents!
Zane Obispo spends every day exploring the sleeping volcano in his backyard. "The Beast," as he calls it, is the one place where he can escape other kids, who make fun of him because he has a limp and walks with a cane.
After a twin-engine plane crashes into The Beast, a mysterious girl named Brooks shows up at Zane's doorstep, insisting that they meet at the volcano, where she will reveal a terrible secret. Zane agrees, mostly because beautiful girls like her don't usually talk to him. Brooks tells him that the volcano is actually a centuries-old prison for the Maya god of death, whose destiny is directly tied to Zane's. No way, Zane thinks. He's just a thirteen-year old nobody, and destiny or no destiny, he wants nothing to do with any of it, especially some god of death.
But Brooks opens his eyes to the truth: magic, monsters, and gods are real, and Zane is at the center of an ancient prophecy that could mean the destruction of the world.Suddenly finding himself entangled in a web of dangerous secrets, Zane embarks on a quest that will take him far from home and test him to the very core.
Feisty heroes, tricky gods, murderous demons, and spirited giants are just some of the pleasures that await in this fresh and funny take on Maya mythology, as rich and delicious as a mug of authentic hot chocolate.
I’ve only read the first book of the Rick Riordan series but damn I got so many Rick Riordan vibes while reading this book! It was truly amazing! I felt like the characters were vivid and developed, the plot was developed and intriguing, and the pacing was on point. The whole story made me learn and appreciate so much more about the Maya culture and now I want more!
However, I do feel it’s a bit longer than most middle grade books and a little more mature than the one’s I’ve read before, so just be sure your child can handle it or that you’re on hand to explain some of the more mature scenes.
Verdict: A book that is absolutely amazing.
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I loved the two main characters and the world building. The plot was fairly predictable but I don't mind that in a middle grade. I really liked the use of the cane.