Rick Riordan Presents Race To The Sun

by Rebecca Roanhorse

Lately, seventh grader Nizhoni Begay has been able to detect monsters, like that man in the fancy suit who was in the bleachers at her basketball game. Turns out he's Mr. Charles, her dad's new boss at the oil and gas company, and he's alarmingly interested in Nizhoni and her brother, Mac, their Navajo heritage, and the legend of the Hero Twins. Nizhoni knows he's a threat, but her father won't believe her.

When Dad disappears the next day, leaving behind a message that says "Run!", the siblings and Nizhoni's best friend, Davery, are thrust into a rescue mission that can only be accomplished with the help of Diné Holy People, all disguised as quirky characters. Their aid will come at a price: the kids must pass a series of trials in which it seems like nature itself is out to kill them. If Nizhoni, Mac, and Davery can reach the House of the Sun, they will be outfitted with what they need to defeat the ancient monsters Mr. Charles has unleashed. But it will take more than weapons for Nizhoni to become the hero she was destined to be . . .

Timeless themes such as the importance of family and respect for the land resonate in this funny, fast-paced, and exciting quest adventure set in the American Southwest.

• ISBN10: 1368024661
• ISBN13: 9781368024662
• Publish Date: 14 January 2020
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: US
• Imprint: Rick Riordan Presents
• Format: Hardcover
• Pages: 320
• Language: English
• URL: https://penguinrandomhouse.com/books/isbn/9781368024662

Reviews

[Nessa Luna]

I had heard excellent things about Rebecca Roanhorse's The Sixth World series, which I will definitely check out soon. When I heard she was writing a book for the Rick Riordan Presents label, I immediately added it to my TBR and bought a copy as soon as I could.

I loved learning about gods and creatures I knew next to nothing about and I am curious to read more. I think this is a standalone though, which kind of makes me sad, but I believe the Sixth World books are about Native American/Navajo mythology as well so hopefully, that will satisfy my need!

I did kind of wish there had been more action, but honestly, that's just a me thing. I learned a lot and I highly recommend it to people who want to learn more different mythologies than just the Greek/Roman or Norse ones!

[Beth C.]

I tend to read a fair amount of middle-grade titles, and it's because they can be so much more creative than some adult writing. Having said that - it's not uncommon for writers who do primarily adult content to struggle with middle-grade. It's a very different thing, I would imagine, writing for an adult audience, and sometimes that difficulty comes through when it feels like the writing is talking down to the kids. So I was a little nervous to read Rebecca Roanhorse's first MG novel. However - I loved it.

The characters are great - so vibrant and alive. The Native Gods manage to make some funny appearances, and I adore how she captured them. And the story is excellent - about tradition, and family, and honor. How we are so often more than we realize, and how we can be hardest on ourselves.

This title works perfectly well as a stand-alone, but I truly hope that it becomes a series. AT LEAST a trilogy. I would happily spend more time hanging with Nizhoni, Mac, Davery, and all the rest.