Scan barcode
jadethereader's review against another edition
5.0
Oh, amazing.... I'll never look at the moon the same, though! ;)
beammey's review
5.0
Another great Rick Riordin book. I don't think I'll ever find out that I don't like. Highly entertaining, well researched, and heart felt. We follow more of Carter and Sadie's story in Egyptian mythology and learn about Ra and Apophis along the way. A solid edition to this trilogy and I'll be reading the last book as soon as I can. I would recommend this book and series to kids and adults a like. 5 out of 5 stars.
kaishi01's review against another edition
3.0
bro rlly fell in love with what is essentially the equivalent of a ceramic vase
jody_diou's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
eesh25's review against another edition
4.0
The Throne of Fire is second book in The Kane Chronicles. I read the The Red Pyramid almost a year ago, so it would make sense to forget some things. But this is a Rick Riordan book and give how much I love the author, I'd expected to remember more than I did. But I'd forgotten so much! The big showdown in which they made a deal with Set, the fact that Zia wasn't even Zia, Carter and Sadie inviting other magicians...
The book, thankfully, did a pretty good job of jogging my memory even as it was going full speed ahead toward the end of the world because Apophis (who I'd also forgotten about) would be rising in a matter of days and Carter and Sadie needed to find a way to stop him, which involved awakening Ra.
Now normally, I would start by comparing some aspects to that of the previous book but I can't do that this time. I will say that I enjoyed the book. Carter and Sadie are great protagonists. It's also nice to see a duo of siblings working together, which we don't see that often. It creates a different dynamic. Whereas usually, we get love interests or even friends working together, family changes stuff up with the fact that they're more honest about who they are. Also, the tension is of a very different kind.
Carter and Sadie don't always get along. Part of it is because they lived separately for so long, and part of it is because they're so different. Their way of dealing with a problem, their priorities, it's all different. So we get to see two perspectives of a situation not just in terms of who's narrating, but in terms of how they see things.
But despite their problem, the two work well together, they care about each other a lot and, when it comes to the big picture, they're able to put their differences aside to focus on the bad guy. Plus the added bonus of two gods talking in their heads, the complicated situation with their dad being a god, their respective love interests, and the godly sidekick they get so that they can have a chance against their godly enemies; it all makes for a fun ensemble, all trying to stop a giant snake from destroying the world.
I liked all of that. In fact, I liked almost everything about the novel. I've always wanted to read about Egyptian mythology and this series was a great place to start. The thing that bothered me was the romantic element. Carter kicked-puppy thing when it comes to Zia can be bothersome. But Sadie boy-crazy thing is just friggin' annoying.
Rick Riordan's books almost always have love interests for characters. And since the feelings usually stem from friendship, that's never bothered me. But the thing with Sadie needs to stop. The world is literally about to end in a matter of days, how is it important to write about Sadie's feelings for one or the other boy? It was constant too and started to grate on me pretty quickly. All I can hope is that the third book will give us a reason for why we need to discuss Sadie's conflicting feelings over two boys that often. I mean, Anubis on his own was bad enough, did we really need a love triangle? She's thirteen!
Overall, a good sequel with some things that I didn't enjoy. But it set up the third book nicely, I loved many of the new characters that were introduced, especially Bes, and I'm interested to see where the last book will take us.
The book, thankfully, did a pretty good job of jogging my memory even as it was going full speed ahead toward the end of the world because Apophis (who I'd also forgotten about) would be rising in a matter of days and Carter and Sadie needed to find a way to stop him, which involved awakening Ra.
Now normally, I would start by comparing some aspects to that of the previous book but I can't do that this time. I will say that I enjoyed the book. Carter and Sadie are great protagonists. It's also nice to see a duo of siblings working together, which we don't see that often. It creates a different dynamic. Whereas usually, we get love interests or even friends working together, family changes stuff up with the fact that they're more honest about who they are. Also, the tension is of a very different kind.
Carter and Sadie don't always get along. Part of it is because they lived separately for so long, and part of it is because they're so different. Their way of dealing with a problem, their priorities, it's all different. So we get to see two perspectives of a situation not just in terms of who's narrating, but in terms of how they see things.
But despite their problem, the two work well together, they care about each other a lot and, when it comes to the big picture, they're able to put their differences aside to focus on the bad guy. Plus the added bonus of two gods talking in their heads, the complicated situation with their dad being a god, their respective love interests, and the godly sidekick they get so that they can have a chance against their godly enemies; it all makes for a fun ensemble, all trying to stop a giant snake from destroying the world.
I liked all of that. In fact, I liked almost everything about the novel. I've always wanted to read about Egyptian mythology and this series was a great place to start. The thing that bothered me was the romantic element. Carter kicked-puppy thing when it comes to Zia can be bothersome. But Sadie boy-crazy thing is just friggin' annoying.
Rick Riordan's books almost always have love interests for characters. And since the feelings usually stem from friendship, that's never bothered me. But the thing with Sadie needs to stop. The world is literally about to end in a matter of days, how is it important to write about Sadie's feelings for one or the other boy? It was constant too and started to grate on me pretty quickly. All I can hope is that the third book will give us a reason for why we need to discuss Sadie's conflicting feelings over two boys that often. I mean, Anubis on his own was bad enough, did we really need a love triangle? She's thirteen!
Overall, a good sequel with some things that I didn't enjoy. But it set up the third book nicely, I loved many of the new characters that were introduced, especially Bes, and I'm interested to see where the last book will take us.
erine05_'s review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
kathydavie's review against another edition
3.0
Second in the Kane Chronicles urban fantasy for children revolving around the Egyptian culture of gods and goddesses. The main focus of the series is the contention between the Kane family and the House of Life over whether the gods should be brought back or not.
The Story
Apophis, through his human agent, sets trap after trap for the Kanes and their followers as Carter and Sadie struggle to find the missing bits of the Book of Ra. The world will end in five days at the spring equinox unless the Kanes can bring Ra back to battle against Apophis.
They've found one part of the scroll but then Sadie is attacked in London by Nekhbet (vulture goddess) and Babi (baboon god), rescued by Bes only to fly off to hunt the second bit of the Book of Ra in Russia to almost drown off the coast of Greece. Hints from both allies and enemies send Carter and Sadie off in different directions hunting the third and final bit of the Book of Ra and to rescue Zia.
But finding the hidden sections of the Book of Ra is only the beginning, the Kanes must puzzle out the riddles and find Ra before the enemy frees Apophis.
Ma'at is the order of the universe; Chaos is its opposite.
The Characters
The House of Life is led by Michel Desjardins, Chief Lector and master of the First Nome. The Hall of Ages is the main reception room at its main headquarters under Cairo. House of Life magicians consider the Kanes rogue magicians. All members of the House of Life, rogue or not, are descendants of a royal Egyptian bloodline which gives them "a natural capacity for magic and hosting the power of the gods".
Carter and Sadie Kane are brother and sister as well as descendants of two royal bloodlines. At the end of Red Pyramid, they sent out a request for others like them to come to Brooklyn and learn how to use their magic. Love life-wise, Carter loves Zia while Sadie is torn between Walt and Anubis. Freaky is the griffin they've sort of inherited after they broke into the Brooklyn Museum. Gran and Gramps are the Kanes' London-based maternal grandparents and had custody of Sadie while their father took Carter with him on his digs.
Amos is Carter and Sadie's paternal uncle. After rescuing them in London after their father's death, he transported them to Brooklyn via Egyptian barque where he taught them enough to survive and learn their magic and beat the Red Pyramid after which he returned to Cairo for healing.
Ranging in age from nine to fifteen, the children who respond to Sadie and Carter's request include Walt who prefers to use charms, has a rather deathly secret, and some power he can't explain; Jaz who specializes in healing; Felix who thinks penguins will solve everything; Julian who had chosen the path of Horus, the warrior; Alyssa is studying the path of Geb, the earth god; Sean; and, Cleo is the future librarian.
Zia Rashid is the girl, well, Carter thought she was a real girl, with whom he fell in love but she turned out to be a shabti and then Iskandar, the old Chief Lector, stole her away and hid her from everyone. Carter is desperate to find her and jeopardizes the entire mission in going after her.
Khufu is a baboon who resides in the Brooklyn branch of the House of Life and helps the Kanes. He only eats food that ends in "O" and conveys a wide range of meanings with a grunt.
Vladimir Menshikov, the evil ice cream vendor, is the descendant of a Russian Prince who once imprisoned Bes. He's the third most powerful magician in the House of Life and is plotting against…everyone.
The Egyptian gods include:
My Take
As much as I enjoyed the general story, a great deal of it was just irritating. Well, actually, Sadie was the one who was so incredibly irritating. Selfish, impulsive, and something of a brat. The world is going to end in five days, they've only recovered one of the three lost bits of the Book of Ra and Sadie wants to take the day off to go to London and celebrate her birthday with her two best friends, Emma and Liz. Then she commences to whine her way through and complain about old people—very disrespectful.
On a positive note, it's a great way to learn more about the religion practiced by the ancient Egyptians and its gods and goddesses. And I did enjoy how Riordan manages to grab the essence of kids while giving them responsibility and independence along with some great adventures. I do enjoy the snarky comments from Sadie and Carter as they squabble like normal siblings…too funny!
Riordan does use a rather unique method of storytelling. He has Carter and Sadie recording the tale on a tape and squabbling as they scramble for the microphone to give their version.
Do be sure to read the Author's Note at the end…I do love Riordan's immersion into the story!
The Cover
The cover gives a pretty good indication of the adventures within as Sadie and Carter, replicating Ra's nightly voyage past the Twelve Houses with Ra's throne of fire blazing in recreated glory, ride Ra's broken-down barge down the river into the Duat as they head to the Fourth House.
The Throne of Fire is Ra's throne when he was pharaoh. When he retired, his chair died.
The Story
Apophis, through his human agent, sets trap after trap for the Kanes and their followers as Carter and Sadie struggle to find the missing bits of the Book of Ra. The world will end in five days at the spring equinox unless the Kanes can bring Ra back to battle against Apophis.
They've found one part of the scroll but then Sadie is attacked in London by Nekhbet (vulture goddess) and Babi (baboon god), rescued by Bes only to fly off to hunt the second bit of the Book of Ra in Russia to almost drown off the coast of Greece. Hints from both allies and enemies send Carter and Sadie off in different directions hunting the third and final bit of the Book of Ra and to rescue Zia.
But finding the hidden sections of the Book of Ra is only the beginning, the Kanes must puzzle out the riddles and find Ra before the enemy frees Apophis.
Ma'at is the order of the universe; Chaos is its opposite.
The Characters
The House of Life is led by Michel Desjardins, Chief Lector and master of the First Nome. The Hall of Ages is the main reception room at its main headquarters under Cairo. House of Life magicians consider the Kanes rogue magicians. All members of the House of Life, rogue or not, are descendants of a royal Egyptian bloodline which gives them "a natural capacity for magic and hosting the power of the gods".
Carter and Sadie Kane are brother and sister as well as descendants of two royal bloodlines. At the end of Red Pyramid, they sent out a request for others like them to come to Brooklyn and learn how to use their magic. Love life-wise, Carter loves Zia while Sadie is torn between Walt and Anubis. Freaky is the griffin they've sort of inherited after they broke into the Brooklyn Museum. Gran and Gramps are the Kanes' London-based maternal grandparents and had custody of Sadie while their father took Carter with him on his digs.
Amos is Carter and Sadie's paternal uncle. After rescuing them in London after their father's death, he transported them to Brooklyn via Egyptian barque where he taught them enough to survive and learn their magic and beat the Red Pyramid after which he returned to Cairo for healing.
Ranging in age from nine to fifteen, the children who respond to Sadie and Carter's request include Walt who prefers to use charms, has a rather deathly secret, and some power he can't explain; Jaz who specializes in healing; Felix who thinks penguins will solve everything; Julian who had chosen the path of Horus, the warrior; Alyssa is studying the path of Geb, the earth god; Sean; and, Cleo is the future librarian.
Zia Rashid is the girl, well, Carter thought she was a real girl, with whom he fell in love but she turned out to be a shabti and then Iskandar, the old Chief Lector, stole her away and hid her from everyone. Carter is desperate to find her and jeopardizes the entire mission in going after her.
Khufu is a baboon who resides in the Brooklyn branch of the House of Life and helps the Kanes. He only eats food that ends in "O" and conveys a wide range of meanings with a grunt.
Vladimir Menshikov, the evil ice cream vendor, is the descendant of a Russian Prince who once imprisoned Bes. He's the third most powerful magician in the House of Life and is plotting against…everyone.
The Egyptian gods include:
- Ra, the sun god and the Lord of Order, retired thousands of years ago leaving the throne to Isis and Osiris; although we learn the true story in Throne of Fire
- Apophis, Lord of Chaos. Imprisoned by the gods, Set plans to free Apophis upon which Apophis will swallow the sun, i.e., end the world.
- Bast is the goddess of protection and cats and was disguised as Sadie's cat, Muffin, for ages and now she's sticking around to protect Sadie and Carter.
- Bes is the god of dwarves and his might weapon is BOO. Well, that and how incredibly ugly he is…especially in a Speedo. At Bast's behest, he starts out helping the Kanes grudgingly but grows to care for them due to the qualities they display in the fight.
- Tarawet, the hippo goddess, is mostly important for how much she loves Bes.
- Osiris is the blue-skinned god of the underworld…and the Kane children's father.
- Anubis is the jackal-headed god of the dead who appears to Sadie as a hunky teenager, a godly James Dean. He appears to be in love with her, helping her where he can.
- Horus is the falcon-headed god whose avatar Carter has worn before; he tempts Carter with taking up the crook and the flail, taking the throne, because Horus himself wants to be pharaoh again.
- Set is a god of storms, conflict, evil and allied with Apophis against Horus and Ra although he seems to be rather mischievous as well.
- Isis is the goddess of motherhood, fertility, and magic. Osiris was both her brother and her husband; Horus was her son. She persuaded Ra to step down from his throne and retire.
My Take
As much as I enjoyed the general story, a great deal of it was just irritating. Well, actually, Sadie was the one who was so incredibly irritating. Selfish, impulsive, and something of a brat. The world is going to end in five days, they've only recovered one of the three lost bits of the Book of Ra and Sadie wants to take the day off to go to London and celebrate her birthday with her two best friends, Emma and Liz. Then she commences to whine her way through and complain about old people—very disrespectful.
On a positive note, it's a great way to learn more about the religion practiced by the ancient Egyptians and its gods and goddesses. And I did enjoy how Riordan manages to grab the essence of kids while giving them responsibility and independence along with some great adventures. I do enjoy the snarky comments from Sadie and Carter as they squabble like normal siblings…too funny!
Riordan does use a rather unique method of storytelling. He has Carter and Sadie recording the tale on a tape and squabbling as they scramble for the microphone to give their version.
Do be sure to read the Author's Note at the end…I do love Riordan's immersion into the story!
The Cover
The cover gives a pretty good indication of the adventures within as Sadie and Carter, replicating Ra's nightly voyage past the Twelve Houses with Ra's throne of fire blazing in recreated glory, ride Ra's broken-down barge down the river into the Duat as they head to the Fourth House.
The Throne of Fire is Ra's throne when he was pharaoh. When he retired, his chair died.
imagined245's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
3.5