"The Red Pyramid" by Rick Riordan

Title: The Red Pyramid

Author: Rick Riordan

Series:  The Red Pyramid #1

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Since his mother's death six years ago, Carter Kane has been living out of a suitcase, traveling the globe with his father, the brilliant Egyptologist Dr. Julius Kane. But while Carter's been homeschooled, his younger sister, Sadie, has been living with their grandparents in London. Sadie has just what Carter wants – school friends and a chance at a"normal" life. But Carter has just what Sadie longs for – time with their father. After six years of living apart, the siblings have almost nothing in common. Until now.On Christmas Eve, Sadie and Carter are reunited when their father brings them to the British Museum, with a promise that he's going to "make things right." But all does not go according to plan: Carter and Sadie watch as Julius summons a mysterious figure, who quickly banishes their father and causes a fiery explosion.Soon Carter and Sadie discover that the gods of Ancient Egypt are waking, and the worst of them – Set – has a frightening scheme. To save their father, they must embark on a dangerous journey – a quest that brings them ever closer to the truth about their family and its links to the House of Life, a secret order that has existed since the time of the pharaohs.

Okay, this guy is seriously one of my all-time favorite authors. Riordan's writing style – descriptions, dialogue, inner mental babbling – bring his novels to life in a way that is always enjoyable and heart-warming.

The Red Pyramid is the first book in the Kane Chronicles trilogy, Riordan's Egypt mythology series. It follows two siblings, Carter and Sadie Kane, as they find out about their family's bloodline – the powers that lie behind the legacy "Kane." They discover they are magicians, descendants of the Ancient Egyptian gods. They are thrown into a perilous situation when they must stop the god of evil, Set, from completing the "Red Pyramid" and awakening Apophis, the serpent of Chaos. As their powers awaken, Carter becomes the host of the god Horus, and Sadie the host of the goddess Isis. The kids and the gods work together, meeting new enemies and friends as they train and "defeat" (if gods can indeed be defeated) Set, saving the end of the world for another time.

Pretty much any plot line for any story you read. But! Riordan livens his work up with very stereotypical teenagers. Carter and Sadie are some of the most sarcastic kids, as well as the gods they are hosting. The internal banter between the kids and the gods leaves you laughing long after you set the book down to catch your breath. His diction so perfectly describes the thoughts, thought processes, and emotions of teenagers that you find yourself chuckling at every little thing, no matter how pointless, and rolling your eyes because you know exactly how a scene looks and plays out. You find yourself thrown into being Carter and Sadie as they narrate throughout the chapters, sighing, laughing, and mimicking facial expressions as you read.

Overall, Riordan's writing is enjoyable, humorous, and just down-right lovable. The characters come to life in the craziest of ways, making it all the harder to set the book down.

Not only is it – insert synonym for "enjoyable" here – it also incorporates elements of mythology. Reading Riordan's work, you learn things about the gods of Egypt – who's the god of what, what the rituals and beliefs of the people were, who's always fighting who, relationship issues – and because he intertwines the facts in with the storyline, you almost don't even notice you're learning anything.

Another highly recommended trilogy that should definitely be part of your repertoire as a reader. Fun, cute and non-stop laughing. At least, you'll be smiling every now and then at the silliness.

Rick Riordan:

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