The Red Pyramid (novel)
The Red Pyramid is a 2010 fantasy adventure novel based on Egyptian mythology written by Rick Riordan. It is the first novel in The Kane Chronicles series, which tells of the adventures of modern day fourteen-year-old Carter Kane and his twelve-year-old sister Sadie Kane, as they discover that they are descended from the ancient Egyptian pharaohs Narmer and Ramesses the Great. Carter learns that he is a host of Horus, and Sadie is a host of Isis. The siblings have amulets. Carter has the Eye of Horus, and Sadie has the Knot of Isis. Their father, Julius Kane, attempts to summon Osiris through the Rosetta Stone, but also releases the five children of the "Demon Days": Horus, Set, Isis, and Nephthys. Osiris is confined by Set. Soon, Carter and Sadie scramble to Phoenix, Arizona, where they attempt to kill Set, and destroy his red pyramid.[1]
Origins
Riordan, a former middle-school social studies teacher, stated the idea for The Red Pyramid and The Kane Chronicles originated from the fact the only more popular subject than Ancient Greece was Ancient Egypt.[2] The idea of having a brother and sister who were multiracial came from two siblings that he taught, as well as the fact that Egypt is an ancient multicultural society, although the European tradition has been to separate Egypt from African history.[3]
Synopsis
Major characters
- Carter Kane: He is fourteen and was a host of Horus. Since he was 8, when his mom died, he traveled with his father, Julius Kane. He is Sadie's older brother.When he is with his sister(Sadie Kane) his magic power grows in strength.[1]
- Sadie Kane: She is twelve and was a host of Isis. She loves gum and has lived with her grandparents since the age of six. Most suspect Sadie to be a diviner. Whe she is with her brother (Carter Kane) her magic grows in strength.[1]
- Julius Kane: An Egyptian magician who is a host of Osiris. He is Carter and Sadie Kane's father. His wife, Ruby Kane, died trying to seal away the chaos snake Apophis in Cleopatra's Needle.[1]
- Amos Kane: An Egyptian magician who became a partial host of Set. He is Julius Kane's brother, and a former protector of the Kane children. The children find out that he has been Set's host.[1]
- Zia Rashid: An Egyptian magician who is a host of Nephthys. In the end of the first book, it is discovered that Iskandar made a shabti of Zia, and the real Zia is somewhere in a deep slumber. It is revealed in the second book that Zia is hidden where her village was destroyed, with the Crook and Flail of Ra. Carter finds her in a coffin made of water, to contain the power of Nephthys. [1]
- Bast: The Egyptian goddess of cats. She becomes the Kane children's protector after Sadie calls for her to defend and help the children while in Amos's mansion. She was released by Ruby Kane, who died trying to seal the chaos snake Apophis in Cleopatra's Needle. She loves the Kane children so much she thinks of them as her own "kittens". Her host in the mortal world is a cat named Muffin, who is Sadie's cat.[1]
- Set: The Egyptian god of chaos and evil, who is the main antagonist of book one. His ultimate plot is to, by his birthday, bring about destruction by means of constructing the Red Pyramid, for which the book is named.[1]
Critical reception
The Washington Post said that Riordan "begins [the book] with a literal bang" and "the pace never flags as the narrative cuts between Carter and Sadie".[4] The book also was listed in The Washington Post's summer book club.[5] The New York Times's Bruce Handy said that The Red Pyramid had "eruptions of mayhem every few pages and exposition falling like hail". They also said that reader's minds would begin "to wander for even a single paragraph: you will find yourself cast adrift on a sea of churning narrative". The New York Times also said that "Riordan fans young and old will eat this new book up". It also commented that the book was "wholly satisfying while also setting the table for what promises to be a rip-roaring saga with nasty villains, engaging love interests".[6] Kirkus Reviews thought the story was similar to Riordan's other works like The Lightning Thief in terms of chapters, characters, and plot, but noted, "that's not all bad".[7]
Awards
The Red Pyramid was named a School Library Journal Best Book of 2010.[8] It has also been shortlisted for the 2011 Red House Children's Book Award.[9]
Publication history
The Red Pyramid had a first printing of one million copies.[10] The series is planned to come out one book a year to build aniticipation.[2]
A graphic novel based on the book is planned to be released in 2012.[11]
The second book in the series, The Throne Of Fire was published on May 3, 2011. [12][13]
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h Riordan, Rick (May 4, 2010). The Red Pyramid. Disney Hyperion. pp. 516. ISBN 9781423113386.
- ^ a b Springen, Karen (5 November 2009). "Riordan Sets His Sights on Egypt". Publisher's Weekly. http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/new-titles/adult-announcements/article/26017-riordan-sets-his-sights-on-egypt-.html. Retrieved 25 February 2011.
- ^ Farley, Christopher John (4 May 2010). "Rick Riordan's Gods and Monsters". The Wall Street Journal. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704608104575220852938331066.html?mod=WSJ_NY_Culture_LEFTTopStories. Retrieved 25 February 2011.
- ^ Quattlebaum, Mary (June 20, 2010). "Novels for kids from John Grisham, Candace Bushnell and Rick Riordan". The Washington Post. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/06/18/AR2010061803517.html. Retrieved 2011-01-18.
- ^ "Summer Book Club for young readers includes books by blockbuster authors". The Washington Post. June 16, 2010. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/06/15/AR2010061505012.html. Retrieved 2011-01-18.
- ^ Handy, Bruce (June 4, 2010). "Children's Books - Justice League". The New York Times Book Review. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/06/books/review/Handy-t.html?_r=2&scp=3&sq=Rick%20Riordan&st=cse. Retrieved 2011-01-18.
- ^ "The Red Pyramid by Rick Riordan". Kirkus Reviews. 15 April 2010. http://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/childrens-books/rick-riordan/the-red-pyramid/. Retrieved 1 June 2011.
- ^ "School Library Journal Best Books of 2010". School Library Journal. http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/slj/newslettersnewsletterbucketextrahelping/887793-443/best_books_2010_fiction.html.csp. Retrieved 2011-01-19.
- ^ "2011 Shortlist". Red House. http://www.redhousechildrensbookaward.co.uk/award-shortlist.asp. Retrieved 1 June 2011.
- ^ Farley, Christopher John (4 May 2010). "'Percy Jackson' Author Rick Riordan on His New Book 'The Red Pyramid': Does the Cover Tell the Whole Story?". The Wall Street Journal. Speakeasy. http://blogs.wsj.com/speakeasy/2010/05/04/percy-jackson-author-rick-riordan-on-his-new-series-the-kane-chronicles-does-the-cover-tell-the-whole-story/. Retrieved 25 February 2011.
- ^ Riordan, Rick (February 13, 2011). "The Week in Review–Myth & Mystery". http://rickriordan.blogspot.com/2011/02/week-in-review.html. Retrieved February 13, 2011.
- ^ Riordan, Rick. "Kane Chronicles - My Books: The Online World of Rick Riordan". rickriordan.com. http://rickriordan.com/my-books/kane-chronicles.aspx. Retrieved 2011-01-18.
- ^ Riordan, Rick. "The Throne of Fire - Kane Chronicles: The Online World of Rick Riordan". rickriordan.com. http://rickriordan.com/my-books/kane-chronicles/books/book-2.aspx. Retrieved 2011-01-18.
External links