Hello! My name is Chie. I am likely to be the girl you'll see whose eyes would bulge out of their sockets at the sight of a book store and be seized by waves of epileptic shock whenever there is a book bargain. I'll probably be the one pushing you out of my way to get through the book bargain bins and tediously combing through the pile. (I forget my manners when it comes to books). I am tone deaf and have two left feet. But I would endure the embarrassment of a performance in exchange for books (terms and conditions apply). I have created this blog in order to find kindred souls. Those who would gladly share the same passion for books and reading because although reading is solitary task most of the time, it's no fun having no one to ramble to after..
Synopsis: When young magicians Carter and Sadie Kane learned how to follow the path of the ancient Egyptian gods, they knew they would have to play an important role in restoring Ma'at - order - to the world. What they didn't know is how chaotic the world would become. The Chaos snake Apophis is loose and threatening to destroy the earth in three days' time. The magicians are divided. The gods are disappearing, and those that remain are weak. One of Carter and Sadie's most gifted initiates, is doomed and can already feel his life force ebbing. Zia is too busy babysitting the senile sun god, Ra, to be of much help. What are a couple of teenagers and a handful of young trainees to do?
There is, possibly, one way to stop Apophis, but it is so difficult that it might cost Carter and Sadie their lives, if it even works at all. It involves trusting the ghost of a psychotic magician not to betray them, or worse, kill them, They'd have to be crazy to try. Well, call them, crazy.
Review: Because I didn't enjoy the first two books (The Red Pyramid and The Throne of Fire), I tried to put off reading the third and final book in the series. Until curiosity won me over and I picked up the book... and didn't put it down until I was halfway through the book and I can barely keep my eyes open.
Oh my. It is too good. I wanted to bring the book everywhere with me just so I can continue reading. The only downside to my reading The Serpent's Shadow too late was that I already forgot alot of what occurred in the first two books.
The Serpent's Shadow had alot of witty banter that made me chortle. I really appreciated the infusion of humour, which made the story engaging and easy to read. Looking back, the two previous books were also laden with humour, but this is the first time I really enjoyed a book in the Kane Chronicles.
The book was chock-filled with the fun adventures (fun for us readers but maybe not so much for them?) and really interesting battles. Carter and Sadie each had their own equal time in the spotlight and chance at romance, which slightly baffled me. Aren't they just fourteen and fifteen, and yet they're already kissing and having boyfriends? Or maybe that's how teens are nowadays.
It's not because I am more partial to female heroes, but I liked Sadie more than I did Carter. Sadie seemed so capable, strong and braver. She wasn't the type to quake in her boots when faced with something truly horrendous. Furthermore, she wasn't so easily tempted and swayed by Isis and Setne. And she's younger than Carter, to boot. Carter just seemed like a wimp and quite a bit of scaredy-cat, if not for Horus' help. I can't help but compare him to other teen heroes at his age (Hello, Harry Potter?) but maybe they're supposed to be anti-hero kind of hero.
You've got your familiar motley of characters that helped bring life to The Serpent's Shadow, such as the adorable Speedo-wearing Bes and the hot kitty momma Bast. The House of Brooklyn's anklebiters were a cute addition and added to the awww factor of the story. Of course, Walt and Anubis were also there and their feelings for Sadie was just really adorable. Although the resolution to Walt's dilemma and Anubis' love (?) for Sadie did not sit well with me, perhaps because I can't see it happening in real life, no matter how awesome it would be to have a guy as hot as that love you.
Zia, of course was also there. Her role in the story finally came to light, and her entombment was explained, satisfactorily. How old is she? I thought she was older than Carter, and I was actually surprised she liked Carter, too. There was no hint that she also had feelings for Carter, only her shabti did.
Apophis was a proper right bad-ass villain. He was a destroyer of everything, a divider of allies, poisoner of thoughts, and had enough charm (or magic) to sway you to sympathize for him if you weren't on your guard. Although he wasn't as crazy as evil as the other villains in literature, he was still impressive and very hateable - and the evil degree was just right for a YA book. Good job, Rick!
I am actually a bit sad that The Serpent's Shadow is the last book in the Kane Chronicles, and too bad I liked the series at the end only. Reading about the Egyptian gods and goddesses was refreshing since there is quite a proliferation of fiction about Greek gods and goddesses.
Synopsis: When young magicians Carter and Sadie Kane learned how to follow the path of the ancient Egyptian gods, they knew they would have to play an important role in restoring Ma'at - order - to the world. What they didn't know is how chaotic the world would become. The Chaos snake Apophis is loose and threatening to destroy the earth in three days' time. The magicians are divided. The gods are disappearing, and those that remain are weak. One of Carter and Sadie's most gifted initiates, is doomed and can already feel his life force ebbing. Zia is too busy babysitting the senile sun god, Ra, to be of much help. What are a couple of teenagers and a handful of young trainees to do?
There is, possibly, one way to stop Apophis, but it is so difficult that it might cost Carter and Sadie their lives, if it even works at all. It involves trusting the ghost of a psychotic magician not to betray them, or worse, kill them, They'd have to be crazy to try. Well, call them, crazy.
Review: Because I didn't enjoy the first two books (The Red Pyramid and The Throne of Fire), I tried to put off reading the third and final book in the series. Until curiosity won me over and I picked up the book... and didn't put it down until I was halfway through the book and I can barely keep my eyes open.
Oh my. It is too good. I wanted to bring the book everywhere with me just so I can continue reading. The only downside to my reading The Serpent's Shadow too late was that I already forgot alot of what occurred in the first two books.
The Serpent's Shadow had alot of witty banter that made me chortle. I really appreciated the infusion of humour, which made the story engaging and easy to read. Looking back, the two previous books were also laden with humour, but this is the first time I really enjoyed a book in the Kane Chronicles.
The book was chock-filled with the fun adventures (fun for us readers but maybe not so much for them?) and really interesting battles. Carter and Sadie each had their own equal time in the spotlight and chance at romance, which slightly baffled me. Aren't they just fourteen and fifteen, and yet they're already kissing and having boyfriends? Or maybe that's how teens are nowadays.
It's not because I am more partial to female heroes, but I liked Sadie more than I did Carter. Sadie seemed so capable, strong and braver. She wasn't the type to quake in her boots when faced with something truly horrendous. Furthermore, she wasn't so easily tempted and swayed by Isis and Setne. And she's younger than Carter, to boot. Carter just seemed like a wimp and quite a bit of scaredy-cat, if not for Horus' help. I can't help but compare him to other teen heroes at his age (Hello, Harry Potter?) but maybe they're supposed to be anti-hero kind of hero.
You've got your familiar motley of characters that helped bring life to The Serpent's Shadow, such as the adorable Speedo-wearing Bes and the hot kitty momma Bast. The House of Brooklyn's anklebiters were a cute addition and added to the awww factor of the story. Of course, Walt and Anubis were also there and their feelings for Sadie was just really adorable. Although the resolution to Walt's dilemma and Anubis' love (?) for Sadie did not sit well with me, perhaps because I can't see it happening in real life, no matter how awesome it would be to have a guy as hot as that love you.
Zia, of course was also there. Her role in the story finally came to light, and her entombment was explained, satisfactorily. How old is she? I thought she was older than Carter, and I was actually surprised she liked Carter, too. There was no hint that she also had feelings for Carter, only her shabti did.
Apophis was a proper right bad-ass villain. He was a destroyer of everything, a divider of allies, poisoner of thoughts, and had enough charm (or magic) to sway you to sympathize for him if you weren't on your guard. Although he wasn't as crazy as evil as the other villains in literature, he was still impressive and very hateable - and the evil degree was just right for a YA book. Good job, Rick!
I am actually a bit sad that The Serpent's Shadow is the last book in the Kane Chronicles, and too bad I liked the series at the end only. Reading about the Egyptian gods and goddesses was refreshing since there is quite a proliferation of fiction about Greek gods and goddesses.
