The Red Pyramid (Kane Chronicles, #1)

by Rick Riordan

[Katie King]

**2 Stars**

The plot had an interesting concept. The kids being host to gods and having to learn to work together and uncover secrets of the past to take down Mr. Evil was cool. Was it simple? No. Did Riordan make it simple? Yes, and not necessarily the greatest choice. I thought that with changes, this could be a great novel. Some of the characters were even great as they were. Bast and Amos, I thought, were quite developed. They weren't perfect, they weren't shams, they were real, solid characters with flaws and a myriad of emotions. I wish I had seen more of Isis and Horus.

I had some issues with this novel. The relationship between Carter and Sadie felt very...forced? I know they've been kept apart most of their lives but they seemed like a mix of hating each other and being completely indifferent. Not in a way that normally describes siblings, either. It wasn't believable to me.

I also took issue with the revelation of information, or lack thereof. I felt as though very little was really explained, and even more was just further complicated with every chapter. Several times the characters figured something out, would nod their heads at each other with wisps of verbal acknowledgment, and I as the reader was left wondering what the heck major plot point I just missed.

The narration asides at the beginning of each chapter were annoying. They served no function except to take up space in the chapter. I have similar thoughts in regards to Sadie.

Throughout this whole novel, I was bored. I sincerely struggled to make it through this one. There's action and adventure, but it was really weak. I'm a fan of mythology and I just didn't care about any of it. And maybe that's just my own interest speaking, but I enjoy mythology. I did not enjoy this book.

Everything works out for our special snowflake main characters without the slightest effort. Iskandar is the gatekeeper and lets them through with no effort, Shezmu names himself, they travel the Duat and find every answer they need, they are the most special and powerful kids ever, Bast helps them do everything, Sobek drowns everyone but not our hero, and Zia tricks Sekhmet in the perfect set of coincidences ever. EVERYTHING works out SO WELL, it's amazing.

Summary
Overall, I wasn't impressed. I have read Riordan's Percy Jackson series and the start of his Heroes of Olympus series, but this one really fell flat for me. Boring plot movement, annoying characters, and very little explanation of copious information given left a bad taste in my mouth. I will not be reading any more of the Kane Chronicles.