Review: The Storm Runner by J.C. Cervantes

The Storm Runner 

(The Storm Runner #1) 

By J.C. Cervantes 

September 1, 2018 

Rick Riordan Presents 

Source: ARC from pub 

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A contemporary adventure based on Maya mythology from Rick Riordan Presents! 

Zane has always enjoyed exploring the dormant volcano near his home in New Mexico, even though hiking it is challenging. He'd much rather hang out there with his dog, Rosie, than go to middle school, where kids call him Sir Limps a Lot, McGimpster, or Uno—for his one good leg. What Zane doesn't know is that the volcano is a gateway to another world and he is at the center of a powerful prophecy. A new girl at school, Brooks, informs him that he's destined to release an evil god from the ancient Maya relic he is imprisoned in—unless she can find and remove it first. Together they return to the volcano, where all kinds of crazy happens. Brooks turns into a hawk, a demon attacks them in a cave, and Rosie gives her all while trying to protect Zane. When Zane decides to save his dog no matter the cost, he is thrust into an adventure full of surprising discoveries, dangerous secrets, and an all-out war between the gods, one of whom happens to be his father. To survive, Zane will have to become the Storm Runner. But how can he run when he can't even walk well without a cane? 

Feisty heroes, tricky gods, murderous demons, and spirited giants are just some of the pleasures that await in this fresh and funny take on Maya mythology, as rich and delicious as a mug of authentic hot chocolate. 

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Zane, born with a leg shorter than the other and a limp, rather explore the volcano by his house with his dog Rosie, than go to school and face the bullies. Then Brooks, a mysterious new girl at school informs Zane of a prophecy that he’s the star of. According to Brooks, Zane is destined to release an evil God from his prison, unless she can find the secret prison first. Zane’s unforgettable adventure begins deep in his volcano and is full of demons, hawk girls, squabbling gods and goddesses, and a mighty mission to save his beloved Rosie. 

The Storm Runner is the second book from the Rick Riordan Presents and is a wonderful addition to this awesome imprint that celebrates diversity and own voices! Full of captivating Maya mythology, action-packed adventure, and diverse characters, The Storm Runner is a breathtaking treat from beginning to end. 

Author J.C. Cervantes spins a spellbinding story overflowing with humor, heart, and head spinning thrills. Cervantes immerses readers in the fascinating world of Maya mythology and brings key players and stories within this mythology to life in big, amusing ways. Young readers will love diving into this epic mythology and be inspired to learn even more about this vastly intriguing and intricate world. Like the worlds found in Rick Riordan’s mythology inspired books, Cervantes gives her Maya gods, goddesses, and other beings larger than life personalities, creating entertaining and always surprising characters.  

And while the various gods and goddesses are lots of fun, it’s the younger characters in The Storm Runner that really shine. From brave Zane, loyal Brooks, and funny Hondo, Cervantes offer readers engaging, diverse, and relatably flawed characters that readers will root for, admire, and see themselves in.  

Twists and turns abound in this book as Zane and readers are taken on a heart-pounding thrill ride across the country, across realms, and across reality. Bursting with all things mythical, fantastical, and down-right cool, young readers will find The Storm Runner unputdownable!

MY RATING

5/5 Cupcakes

Jen (J.C) is an award-winning children’s author; her most recent book, THE STORM RUNNER  is scheduled for release in September 2018 with its sequel THE FIRE KEEPER, coming in 2019. As an author, she has earned multiple awards and recognitions, including the New Mexico Book Award, Zia Book Award, and was named a New Voices Pick by the American Booksellers Association for her first book Tortilla Sun.  

Jen's a champion of the underdog, an advocate for more POC in children's fiction, and a believer in magic. But only if you’re willing to listen to the whispers of the universe. 

Follow her on Twitter @jencerv and Instagram authorjcervantes 

Review: Aru Shah and the End of Time by Roshani Chokshi

Aru Shah and the End of Time 

(Pandava Quartet #1) 

by Roshani Choksi 

March 27, 2018 

Rick Riordan Presents 

Source: from pub for review 

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Amazon / B&N / Indiebound 

Twelve-year-old Aru Shah has a tendency to stretch the truth in order to fit in at school. While her classmates are jetting off to family vacations in exotic locales, she'll be spending her autumn break at home, in the Museum of Ancient Indian Art and Culture, waiting for her mom to return from her latest archeological trip. Is it any wonder that Aru makes up stories about being royalty, traveling to Paris, and having a chauffeur? 

One day, three schoolmates show up at Aru's doorstep to catch her in a lie. They don't believe her claim that the museum's Lamp of Bharata is cursed, and they dare Aru to prove it. Just a quick light, Aru thinks. Then she can get herself out of this mess and never ever fib again. 

But lighting the lamp has dire consequences. She unwittingly frees the Sleeper, an ancient demon whose duty it is to awaken the God of Destruction. Her classmates and beloved mother are frozen in time, and it's up to Aru to save them. 

The only way to stop the demon is to find the reincarnations of the five legendary Pandava brothers, protagonists of the Hindu epic poem, the Mahabharata, and journey through the Kingdom of Death. But how is one girl in Spider-Man pajamas supposed to do all that? 

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Twelve year old Aru Shah sometimes tells fantastical lies about her life to fit in with her affluent classmates. After all, living in the Museum of Ancient Indian Art and Culture with a mom who is always off on an archeological adventure without Aru isn't that exciting. But when three classmates dare Aru to light a magical lamp she finds herself in an adventure that even she couldn't make up. Lighting the lamp unleashes a powerful demon called the Sleeper, who is determined to awaken the God of Destruction. It is Aru's duty to stop the Sleeper, but to do so she must locate the reincarnations of the legendary Pandava brothers, face actual gods and goddesses, find some magical weapons, and oh yeah, journey through the Kingdom of Death! 

Roshani Chokshi's Aru Shah and the End of Time is the first book from the new Rick Riordan Presents imprint. Beloved author Rick Riordan, of Percy Jackson fame, is using his gigantic platform to bring more mythology-based books to children, and these diverse books, covering a wide range of mythologies, will be written by own voices authors...which is just awesome! 

Aru Shah and the End of Time is a wonderfully crafted and wildly fantastic start in what is sure to be a beloved series. In this book, Roshani Chokshi explores the endlessly fascinating world of Hindu mythology. Like the Greek mythology Rick Riordan explored in his Percy Jackson books, the Hindu mythology Chokshi writes about is rich, complex, insightful, and full of unforgettable characters, wondrous settings, and valuable lessons to be learned. With pitch-perfect storytelling, excellent world-building, and so much humor, Chokshi presents this immense and immersive world in a way that will captivate, charm, and challenge young readers. Readers will love meeting the larger than life gods; goddesses; and other beings, be mesmerized by the Hindu legends and stories Chokshi includes, and be thrilled by the various amazing and exciting settings. 

And of course, readers will love our heroines, Aru and Mini! These relatable, brave, smart, capable girls Get. Things. Done. And they do so with imagination, intelligence, and a whole lot of heart. 

Full of lovable heroines, enthralling storytelling, and captivating mythology, this is definitely an all-nighter page turner! 

MY RATING 

5/5 Cupcakes

Roshani Chokshi is the New York Times bestselling author of The Star-Touched Queen and A CROWN OF WISHES. Her middle grade debut, ARU SHAH AND THE END OF TIME, will release April 3, 2018 with Disney/Rick Riordan Presents. Her next young adult novel, THE GILDED WOLVES, is slated for Winter 2019. Chokshi's work has appeared in Strange Horizons, Shimmer, and Book Smugglers. She was a finalist in the 2016 Andre Norton Award and the Locus Top Ten for Best First Novel. Her short story, "The Star Maiden," was longlisted for the British Fantasy Science Award.