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Tour Schedule:
Week One:
10/1/2019- A Backwards Story- Review
10/2/2019- A Gingerly Review- Review
10/3/2019- Lifestyle of Me- Review
10/4/2019- Caffeine and Composition- Review
Week Two:
10/7/2019- Polish & Paperbacks - Review
10/8/2019- fictitious.fox- Review
10/9/2019- Riddle’s Reviews- Review
10/10/2019- Read. Eat. Love.- Review
10/11/2019- A Bookish Dream- Review
Week Three:
10/14/2019- Novel Novice- Excerpt
10/15/2019- book briefs- Review
10/16/2019- Wonder Struck- Review
10/17/2019- PopTheButterfly Reads- Review
10/18/2019- Fyrekatz Blog- Review
Week Four:
10/21/2019- Feed Your Fiction Addiction- Review
10/22/2019- BookHounds YA- Review
10/23/2019- The Layaway Dragon- Review
10/24/2019- Savings in Seconds- Review
10/25/2019- Kait Plus Books- Review
Week Five:
10/28/2019- Do You Dog-ear?- Review
10/29/2019- dwantstoread- Review
10/30/2019- That Georgia Gypsy- Review
10/31/2019- Little Red Reads- Review
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O P E N I N G H O O K:
To Whom It May Concern,
Here it is. The story you forced me to write, with the details up to the bitter and unhappy end. All so I could serve as your poster boy for what happens when anyone defies the gods.
I never wanted any of this. But you didn't give me a choice.I ended up here because of some sacred oath I didn't even take, and becauase I made you so mad you wanted me dead.
I guess you got what you wanted.
Personally, I think you should be thanking me, but gods never show gratitude, do they?
I just want you to know I don't regret any of it. I'd do it all again, evne knowing where I ended up. Okay, maybe I do have one regret--that I won't get to see your shocked faces when you read this. Anyhow, delivery made. See you on the other side.
Zane Obispo
(Page 1, US ARC edition)
This review was first posted at A Backwards Story on September 26, 2019 and has been updated for this blog tour stop to celebrate the launch of THE FIRE KEEPER!
"Are you understanding what I'm telling you, Storm Runner? You are the storm. And the storm is you."
~THE STORM RUNNER
~THE STORM RUNNER
Last year when THE STORM RUNNER came out, it was one of my favorite middle-grade novels of the year. It was so, so good. I've been recommending it non-stop for the past year. Heck, I've been recommending the entire Rick Riordan Presents line because the books have all been exactly what I wanted -- and more. I'm so obsessed with this line and hope that all the upcoming series continue to be as good. I've been looking forward to the release of the second book in the series, THE FIRE KEEPER, which just came out a couple of weeks ago, and I can't wait to read it this fall!
I am obsessed with the fact that Disney and Riordan put together this imprint, hired diverse writers who grew up with the myths from their own cultures, and are now turning out these incredible novels. ARU SHAH AND THE END OF TIME by Roshani Chokshi was the first series to release in the line, and it had all of the questing and the way ordinary objects and places can transform into something entirely different that I loved so much in the Percy Jackson series. THE STORM RUNNER was the second series to launch in the line, and it has all the snark and mysterious people who are more than they appear. Oh, and Brooks reminds me a lot of Annabeth, so PJ fans will really embrace her! Also, something that's completely spoilery that happens toward the end that throws me back all the way to THE LIGHTNING THIEF in the most endearing way!
The new series centers around Mayan mythology and stars Zane Obispo. Zane is an ordinary kid...mostly. He doesn't have a lot of friends; they think he's a freak because one leg is shorter than the other and he has to use a cane. But he has his own volcano in his backyard, so that has to count for something, right? One night, he is the sole witness to a plane crashing into his volcano, causing a massive explosion. But who would believe him if he said he saw an alien-like creature pretending to be a pilot? Especially when they can't find the plane? Next, the most beautiful girl he's ever seen starts following him around--and pretty girls never talk to him. She knows way more about what's going on than she's letting on, and somehow, myths that were always just fiction seem to be true. War is on the horizon, and Zane is about to find out he's standing in the eye of the storm...
There are so many amazing talking points in THE STORM RUNNER. First off: Zane is disabled! We very rarely see disabled heroes having amazing adventures and being able to save the world. Zane is going to be a hero to so many kids and help them see that their disability doesn't definite them. Next up: the adults! So many books for kids and teens have kids going off to explore on their own, or questing on their own. While THE STORM RUNNER could have easily gone this way because Zane doesn't confide in his mother, he finds an unlikely ally in his Uncle Hondo. I LOVE that Hondo believes Zane despite being completely human and ordinary. I love that he instantly offers up his savings and takes Zane and the mysterious Brooks on a quest. He is one of my favorite characters in the book, a true stand-out. I also think the fact that part of Zane's quest involves saving his beloved dog, who perishes trying to save him, will appeal to kids who love books featuring animals. This isn't one of those "the dog dies at the end of the book" books. Instead, the dog dies toward the beginning, but its soul can still be reclaimed, so kids will be rooting for a reunion!
Mayan Mythology is introduced seamlessly, and I came out of the novel knowing so much more than I went into it with. For example, did you know there's a goddess of chocolate? Delicious! These gods and goddesses are more brutal than the Greek gods readers were introduced to in Percy Jackson. It's spoilery to talk to much about them and their goals, but will really heighten the suspense for readers! Going into THE STORM RUNNER, I wasn't sure if it was a series or a stand-alone. I thought it was a series, but it wasn't marked as such online. But one book just isn't enough to seep oneself into another culture and, thankfully, there will be at least one book in the series. I was so desolate as the book came to a close--this can't end here; I want more--and then the final segment alleviated all of my fears. I'm sad I haven't had time to dig into the sequel yet, even though I preordered it! The third book in the series out fall 2020, will be THE SHADOW CROSSER, and that title already makes me want to know more! I'm also excited to hear that this isn't a duology, because I wasn't sure how long the series would be!
~*~
C O N T E N T R A T I N G S
Content Ratings: highlight between ( ) for details
Romance: --
Language: G ( "Freaking; "sonofa...er, I mean this Stinking One...")
Violence: PG ( Normal middle grade level battle scenes. A pet dog dies. )
Other: --
~*~
C O V E R D E S I G N:
The eyes are searing and grab you right away. I really love the way we see the two main characters in the water if we look closely--and it's an important scene straight from the book! I also love the volcano in the background and the foreboding stamp....
~*~
O F F I C I A L I N F O:
Title: THE STORM RUNNER
SUMMARY:
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. that?
SUMMARY:
Zane Obispo's new life on a beautiful secluded tropical island, complete with his family and closest friends, should be perfect. But he can't control his newfound fire skills yet (inherited from his father, the Maya god Hurakan); there's a painful rift between him and his dog ever since she became a hell hound; and he doesn't know what to do with his feelings for Brooks. One day he discovers that by writing the book about his misadventures with the Maya gods, he unintentionally put other godborn children at risk. Unless Zane can find the godborns before the gods do, they will be killed. To make matters worse, Zane learns that Hurakan is scheduled to be executed. Zane knows he must rescue him, no matter the cost. Can he accomplish both tasks without the gods detecting him, or will he end up a permanent resident of the underworld?
In this cleverly plotted sequel to THE STORM RUNNER the gang is back together again with spirited new characters, sneaky gods, unlikely alliances, and secrets darker than Zane could ever have imagined. Secrets that will change him forever. that?
Author: J.C. Cervantes
Release Date: September 18, 2018
Publisher: Rick Riordan Presents / Disney Hyperion
Received: For Review / Purchased
Received: For Review / Purchased
SUMMARY:
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. that?
Title: THE FIRE KEEPER
Author: J.C. Cervantes
Release Date: September 3, 2019
Publisher: Rick Riordan Presents / Disney Hyperion
Received: Purchased
Buy It:
Received: Purchased
Buy It:
SUMMARY:
Zane Obispo's new life on a beautiful secluded tropical island, complete with his family and closest friends, should be perfect. But he can't control his newfound fire skills yet (inherited from his father, the Maya god Hurakan); there's a painful rift between him and his dog ever since she became a hell hound; and he doesn't know what to do with his feelings for Brooks. One day he discovers that by writing the book about his misadventures with the Maya gods, he unintentionally put other godborn children at risk. Unless Zane can find the godborns before the gods do, they will be killed. To make matters worse, Zane learns that Hurakan is scheduled to be executed. Zane knows he must rescue him, no matter the cost. Can he accomplish both tasks without the gods detecting him, or will he end up a permanent resident of the underworld?
In this cleverly plotted sequel to THE STORM RUNNER the gang is back together again with spirited new characters, sneaky gods, unlikely alliances, and secrets darker than Zane could ever have imagined. Secrets that will change him forever. that?
~*~
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
J.C. lives in New Mexico (otherwise known as the Land of Enchantment) can read, write, and talk backwards, always roots for the underdog, and believes in magic. Her work is represented by Holly Root at Root Literary.
FIND J.C. CERVANTES ONLINE!
****Giveaway*****
YOU COULD WIN....
3 winners will received a finished hardcover copy of THE FIRE KEEPER!
Enter now!
YOU COULD WIN....
3 winners will received a finished hardcover copy of THE FIRE KEEPER!
This giveaway is US Only!
You must be at least 13 years old to enter or have a parent's permission!
Enter now!
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