The Serpent's Shadow

June 1, 2012
Riordan's Kane Chronicles trilogy concludes with a smash, as Carter and Sadie Kane once again try to save the world from the forces of Chaos. The giant Chaos snake Apophis and his rebel magician allies are on the rise. Luckily, Carter and Sadie Kane are back, ready to fight Apophis and restore Ma'at, the order of the universe. The ghost of an ancient psychotic magician offers help: Find the shadow of Apophis, capture it and use it for an execration spell that will pop the evil god so far into the Duat--the magical realm that coexists with our world--that he will never return. As in the previous volumes--The Red Pyramid (2010) and The Throne of Fire (2011)--the tale is told in the alternating and still-fresh voices of Sadie and Carter. Beyond the explosive action and fireworks, Riordan deftly develops the theme of the duality of the universe--order versus chaos, living a normal life versus risking the extraordinary, being protected by parents versus growing up and stepping out of their shadows. A rousing adventure with plenty of magic and food for thought. Other gods and future stories are hinted at in the conclusion; in the meantime, Riordan's The Kane Chronicles Survival Guide is available to maintain the spell. (glossary, list of gods and goddesses) (Fantasy. 10-14)

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January 1, 2013
With Egyptian gods from the previous two books and teen magicians Zia and Walt, the Kanes face the culmination of peril. Serpent of Chaos Apophis is attempting to swallow Sun God Ra, destroying creation; Sadie and Carter try to perform a spell of banishment on him. The siblings' confidence and ability grows, wry asides keep them accessible, and Riordan's climax soundly delivers.

(Copyright 2013 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

September 1, 2012
Joined by the Egyptian gods who helped them in previous books (The Red Pyramid, rev. 7/10; The Throne of Fire, rev. 9/11) as well as their fellow teen magicians Zia and Walt, Sadie and Carter Kane face the culmination of peril in this third volume in the Kane Chronicles. Apophis, the Serpent of Chaos, is attempting to achieve his legendary goal of swallowing the Sun God, Ra, and destroying all creation. If Sadie and Carter can collect the knowledge and tools they need from journeys to ancient sites in Egypt and the Duat, the Egyptian underworld, they might be able to perform a spell of banishment on him -- but they could just as easily burn themselves out in a spell of such power. As they solve puzzles and fight demons, the siblings grow in confidence and ability. Their wry asides and comedic takes on their predicament keep them accessible to their adventure-loving audience, many of whom will enjoy the romantic byplay between Carter and Zia and between Sadie and Walt. Although little is new in this iteration of Riordan's universe, the climax soundly delivers, and the denouement hints at possible future overlap with foreign gods. Paging Percy Jackson? anita l. burkam

(Copyright 2012 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)