You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.79 AVERAGE
3.79 AVERAGE
Great read even if the main character doesn't listen to good advice or let ppl finish speaking ... Lol
2.5/3 stars, not sure
I have mixed feelings. Mostly, this was a fun, good read. It's only my second RR Presents book, but they do have the same vibe as PJO but bring something new to the table too. Having an MG book centring Maya myths was really great (I was a mythology nerd as a kid, so I remembered a tiny bit from my old research, but I still learned stuff and I generally love the idea of books centring non-European mythologies written by BIPOC). The pacing was weird at times and I think it could have been a slightly shorter book, but it was still fun. The important family aspect was nice, too.
I saw that a lot of bad reviews focus on Zane making 'stupid' decisions, but honestly, in a MG book I will totally not make that a criticism. The boy's thirteen, cut him some slack! I tend to not dislike characters who make bad, childish decisions at all, seems more realistic anyway. So, I liked Zane well enough, he was a great protagonist. I also liked Hondo and Quinn a lot, but I didn't necessarily love a lot of the side characters. I didn't buy Zane and Brooks' potential relationship AT ALL, but then again I am an aromantic adult so take my criticism with a grain of salt.
I struggled a bit more with the disability rep. I'm (maybe, still up for debate) not disabled, and I entirely understand how a book like this about a kid discovering his disability that he learned to dislike is actually a source of power. But, really, the amount of self-loathing thoughts about his disability, of slurs/ableist insults from other people or from himself was.... a lot to take in. There's also several instances where his limp disappear (because magic) and it's framed as the best thing to happen to him, and in one instance as something that makes him more "beautiful/perfect". It gets slightly better towards the end, but overall the treatment of disability didn't seem great to me.
I also kinda disliked the few instances where Zane is like "oh no my bandage is pink with flowers that is so uncool because, you know, pink = girls = uncool" and it's really a minor thing but still a bit annoying because it felt unnecessary to have the teenage boy MC go "traditionally girly thing is bad".
Anyway, yeah, I might read the sequel but I'm not entirely sure because the disability rep made me feel uncomfortable at times (though since the ending seemed to be a bit better I have hopes it might improve?). Still a fun read, but I was mostly excited about this one because of the disabled demigod/godborn MC and that part kind of let me down, so I'm a little disappointed. It still had that good good PJO/RR Presents vibe and that's always fun to read.
I have mixed feelings. Mostly, this was a fun, good read. It's only my second RR Presents book, but they do have the same vibe as PJO but bring something new to the table too. Having an MG book centring Maya myths was really great (I was a mythology nerd as a kid, so I remembered a tiny bit from my old research, but I still learned stuff and I generally love the idea of books centring non-European mythologies written by BIPOC). The pacing was weird at times and I think it could have been a slightly shorter book, but it was still fun. The important family aspect was nice, too.
I saw that a lot of bad reviews focus on Zane making 'stupid' decisions, but honestly, in a MG book I will totally not make that a criticism. The boy's thirteen, cut him some slack! I tend to not dislike characters who make bad, childish decisions at all, seems more realistic anyway. So, I liked Zane well enough, he was a great protagonist. I also liked Hondo and Quinn a lot, but I didn't necessarily love a lot of the side characters. I didn't buy Zane and Brooks' potential relationship AT ALL, but then again I am an aromantic adult so take my criticism with a grain of salt.
I struggled a bit more with the disability rep. I'm (maybe, still up for debate) not disabled, and I entirely understand how a book like this about a kid discovering his disability that he learned to dislike is actually a source of power. But, really, the amount of self-loathing thoughts about his disability, of slurs/ableist insults from other people or from himself was.... a lot to take in. There's also several instances where his limp disappear (because magic) and it's framed as the best thing to happen to him, and in one instance as something that makes him more "beautiful/perfect". It gets slightly better towards the end, but overall the treatment of disability didn't seem great to me.
I also kinda disliked the few instances where Zane is like "oh no my bandage is pink with flowers that is so uncool because, you know, pink = girls = uncool" and it's really a minor thing but still a bit annoying because it felt unnecessary to have the teenage boy MC go "traditionally girly thing is bad".
Anyway, yeah, I might read the sequel but I'm not entirely sure because the disability rep made me feel uncomfortable at times (though since the ending seemed to be a bit better I have hopes it might improve?). Still a fun read, but I was mostly excited about this one because of the disabled demigod/godborn MC and that part kind of let me down, so I'm a little disappointed. It still had that good good PJO/RR Presents vibe and that's always fun to read.
The Storm Runner by J.C. Cervantes is one of those books a reader just loves to binge-read. The characters are genuine and, at times, hilarious; the plot is engaging and unique; and the themes throughout the book are important and wonderful lessons to learn. The reader who picks up this book is about to go on one crazy adventure through Maya mythology with Zane Obispo and his friends! Every second spent among the pages of The Storm Runner is filled with fun and intrigue.
My thanks to NetGalley for an advanced review copy! All opinions expressed are entirely my own.
My thanks to NetGalley for an advanced review copy! All opinions expressed are entirely my own.
This book was just eh for me. I didn’t enjoy all the one word exclamations. It felt like a girl telling a boy’s story. Will not be reading next book and not sure of I’ll be adding it to my school library
I always find it hard to rate kid lit. On the plus side, “The Storm Runner” was fast paced and the Mayan gods were interesting. The main character, Zane, has a disability that he comes to terms with, thanks to these adventures.
On the negative: Pretty formulaic, unnecessarily complicated, definitely written for a Disney-fied epic battle scene, and designed as a series. I can see the TV show, and I’m sure some kids would enjoy “The Storm Runner” … but adults will have a hard time with the derivative gods-vs-mortals plot and shallow characters.
On the negative: Pretty formulaic, unnecessarily complicated, definitely written for a Disney-fied epic battle scene, and designed as a series. I can see the TV show, and I’m sure some kids would enjoy “The Storm Runner” … but adults will have a hard time with the derivative gods-vs-mortals plot and shallow characters.
adventurous
emotional
funny
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is a "Rick Riordan" presents book. It should definitely appeal to kids who like his books. I think this was well-written and fast-paced. It is appropriate for upper elementary and most likely will hold the attention of even some high school readers. I mostly enjoyed the audio book. The narrator was decent- but a little nasaly.
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes