penelopecanosreads's review
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
steffi_23's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Spoiler
Ah-Puch becoming my favourite character? More likely than you thinkbookbragger's review
5.0
Following on from the cliff-hanging events of The Storm Runner, Zane is adjusting to his new surroundings on Isla Holbox but he is struggling to come to hand with his newfound fire powers and his true feelings for Brooks. This book is even better than the first with a different quest ending in a shocking twist. I loved how this book incorporates more Aztec mythology versus the first book plus I got to learn about a few Aztec gods and it was fun meeting them and pronouncing their names. Well developed villains that you just want to hate but still feel sorry for. this is an epic edge of-of-your-seat adrenaline filled Mayan/Aztec mythology-inspired story. I recommend this book to readers aged 12+ due to themes of violence and gore.
gfilicetti's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
rbellirving's review
4.0
Definitely liked this one better than the first one! I liked the layers of mythology that were added, and I like that Zane isn't really the chosen one, per se. His flailing is refreshing for this genre (though at times a bit overdone and repetitive). I especially loved the action in this book, the pacing was awesome for me. Ah-Puch may have been my favourite character. I thought it was great that it didn't have to be explicitly stated he had softened to Zane, it was all shown through character choices and how the character evolved through the story.
My only complaint really comes down to Brook's characterization. It felt really inconsistent in book 1, but since she wasn't in Book 2 quite as much the issue wasn't as noticeable. A good example is how she is all keen to sass the gods back and put up a fight in one scene, but then in another scene scolds Zane for forgetting who's boss. And there still isn't more clarity on her motivations or goals. She wanted to find her family, but then she and Quinn reunited like it was nothing in Book 1. There's been no further insight into her lost family other than the very last page and that didn't give much. So I still don't feel like I know who she is, which is distracting when she's such a primary motivator for Zane. Honestly, I think a lot of my confusion comes down to the exclamation points - they're often placed where the tone doesn't make sense to me and changes the intention of the sentence away from how I interpreted the character. But then maybe I'm reading it as the wrong kind of emphasis (shrug)
This is definitely just my interpretation of it. Hopefully, I'll find that connection in Book 3, because of course they're going to school now.
My only complaint really comes down to Brook's characterization. It felt really inconsistent in book 1, but since she wasn't in Book 2 quite as much the issue wasn't as noticeable. A good example is how she is all keen to sass the gods back and put up a fight in one scene, but then in another scene scolds Zane for forgetting who's boss. And there still isn't more clarity on her motivations or goals. She wanted to find her family, but then she and Quinn reunited like it was nothing in Book 1. There's been no further insight into her lost family other than the very last page and that didn't give much. So I still don't feel like I know who she is, which is distracting when she's such a primary motivator for Zane. Honestly, I think a lot of my confusion comes down to the exclamation points - they're often placed where the tone doesn't make sense to me and changes the intention of the sentence away from how I interpreted the character. But then maybe I'm reading it as the wrong kind of emphasis (shrug)
This is definitely just my interpretation of it. Hopefully, I'll find that connection in Book 3, because of course they're going to school now.
lazygal's review
5.0
This is the second in a series, but that doesn't matter. What matters is that this is the perfect read for those students who loved Percy Jackson, they'll love Zane Obispo and the Mayan pantheon. With Rick Riordan's eye on things there's quality control that will count for a lot with middle grade readers. Plus there's the whole focus on Mayan gods, an area that students know a little about but this really helps bring them to life.
ARC provided by publisher.
ARC provided by publisher.
evamadera1's review
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Knowing that I rated the first book a 3.5 set me up to be pleasantly surprised with this sequel, especially since I had not originally planned to pick it up. This book expands the world tremendously by centering the godborn experience. The fact that more godborns exist than just Zane drives him to seek a bigger kind of justice than he initially desired. I also appreciated the further development of the mythology which intrigued me and had me wanting more.
arayofreading's review
4.0
**4 stars**
I liked this better than the first one!
-The pacing of this one was a little slower but more consistent, and honestly I was mostly interested in the slower parts. It allowed us to start really understanding the world and the overarching problem. And just like in the first book, I just loved learning about all the mythology. There's a section where we're just exploring the underworld and I loved it.
-We have a new character in this one named Ren, and I really liked her! Her personality is very excited yet naive, and I thought she added a lovely dynamic to the group. Her ancestry also added a new layer to the world-building which I was so interested to learn more about.
-This book employs a trope I really love which is the antagonist turns ally trope! Actually I really like how this book deals with the antagonists, especially in that dynamic of not knowing who or what to trust
-The first book makes a really bold and unique decision at the end, and I love how this book explores the unintended consequences of that
I liked this better than the first one!
-The pacing of this one was a little slower but more consistent, and honestly I was mostly interested in the slower parts. It allowed us to start really understanding the world and the overarching problem. And just like in the first book, I just loved learning about all the mythology. There's a section where we're just exploring the underworld and I loved it.
-We have a new character in this one named Ren, and I really liked her! Her personality is very excited yet naive, and I thought she added a lovely dynamic to the group. Her ancestry also added a new layer to the world-building which I was so interested to learn more about.
-This book employs a trope I really love which is the antagonist turns ally trope! Actually I really like how this book deals with the antagonists, especially in that dynamic of not knowing who or what to trust
-The first book makes a really bold and unique decision at the end, and I love how this book explores the unintended consequences of that
booksandpops4000's review
4.0
* I got this book for publisher for my honest thoughts*
I really enjoyed this sequel to this series. I thought the the book had some pacing issues in the middle. I really loved how this book dived into more of the god elements of mayan culture. I really loved the lead character in this story and loved how the friendship group expanded in this read. It was enjoyable read. I just found this book to get fun read and i loved the ending of this read and am excited to see where book 3 goes. I also loved how this book expanded the world so much and really enjoyed that element.
I really enjoyed this sequel to this series. I thought the the book had some pacing issues in the middle. I really loved how this book dived into more of the god elements of mayan culture. I really loved the lead character in this story and loved how the friendship group expanded in this read. It was enjoyable read. I just found this book to get fun read and i loved the ending of this read and am excited to see where book 3 goes. I also loved how this book expanded the world so much and really enjoyed that element.