The Red Pyramid

by Rick Riordan

What a romp! Riordan kept all his success formula from the Percy Jackson series: likable and realistic teens who support each other even if they bicker, a lot of cool magic and magical battle scenes (a bit MORE than a single Percy Jackson book and a bit more than I care to read in such details but I imagine many young readers lap them up like pots of chocolate,) quite a few powerful and caring adult figures, and a sprinkle of romantic interests. And he sets up the sequel wonderfully without short changing the current readers. The resolution for the quest is thoroughly satisfying. Now I can’t wait to read the next volume — it sounds so promising… and yet must remain patient for another year… *sigh*