With the first two books done and the third, and supposedly final book due in the Spring of 2012, Riordan must not have much time for hobbies like flyfishing or golf. The series is supposed to be a trilogy, but I'll believe that when I don't see a fourth book. Riordan's characters seem to go on forever – part of what makes me very happy!
Where the Percy Jackson series embraced the world of the Greek Gods, the Kane Chronicles does the same for Egypt. Carter and Sadie Kane, a brother and sister who are complete opposites, share the telling of the story with each taking charge of the microphone for different chapters. Carter, raised by their father, is black, American, and ultra responsible. He grew up in hotel rooms as their father, an archaeologist, home schooled him and moved them between dig sites and lectures – always living out of a suitcase and never staying in one place for very long. Sadie, the younger of the two, was raised by their maternal grandparents, is white, English, and a bit of a rebel. Their mother died in an accident when Carter and Sadie were little, and after a bitter custody dispute (at least that's what they were told), the two were split up and only see each other at Christmas.
Of course, what they don't realize, is that they are really "blood of the pharaohs" and they come from a long line of Egyptian magicians. Actually, they come from two long lines of Egyptian magicians – which means double the trouble and the real reason they were kept apart as children – too many explosions! After their father is abducted to the underworld during an explosion at the British Museum, the two set out on a quest to rescue him. Plenty of monsters, more explosions, magic, Egyptian mythology, and the uncovering of their ancient Egyptian lineage ensue. Great fun!
The narration is a bit unusual as Kathrine Kellgren voices Sadie and Kevin R. Free voices Carter. The two switch off covering different chapters in the story. The premise is that the story is actually a recording they are going to hide at a later date for future young magicians who are discovering their powers. These students will be drawn to the location of the recording, which will then explain what's going on.
Love the series, love Rick Riordan, love these two readers. Enough said!
I downloaded both books from Library to Go. You can listen to samples there, or at the Brilliance Audio links below.
Listen Up!
The Red Pyramid, 15 hours, Brilliance Audio, (2010)
The Throne of Fire, 13 hours, Brilliance Audio, (2011)The third book comes out in the Spring of 2012
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