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ilana_chka's review against another edition
5.0
The Red Sun is a magical story by Alane Adams. It is about a boy who finds out that the Norse gods still exist and that it is his destiny to save a magical place called Orkney from the cursed sun. Who will he save first: his friends who have been captured by the witches or the kingdom of Orkney?
I rate this book 4.5/5 stars. It is a thrilling to join Sam's adventure! The Red Sun is also a pretty fast paced book and I think you can get through it fairly quickly. It was also really interesting finding more about Norse Mythology in this book. I think that this book is perfect for people who enjoy adventures.
leerconlayca's review against another edition
4.0
Sam is just a regular kid going to middle school. Nothing interesting ever happens until a fight with a bully and a new teacher arrives. Sam finds out that he is a descendent of Odin and a witch. He is catapulted into a world that has a cursed sun and a war ready to erupt between both his heritages. He must pick where he stands and what path he wants to live.
Pro:
- The book had a really face paced. There was no instance where I was bored or had to drag myself through it. I liked that there was a constant stream of action and drama going on. It made the book seem to go by fast.
- I dont know much about Norse mythology so this book held my attention. I like books in which i learn new things such as mythology. I have a shallow understanding of Norse gods and the history behind them. I mean I do live in the US and have seen the Thor and Avenger movies. What the book brought was a richer understanding of this rich history. There was a steady flow of how the mythology was given to the reader. As in any book that has to do with Mythology there where plenty of characters to keep straight but Adams did a good job of introducing them and keeping them fresh in the readers mind by reminding who they where.
- This book was advertised for readers that enjoyed the Percy Jackson series which I am a fan of. At first it was hard to see a difference in the two books. I mean a boy left by his father, his mother has to raise him. He has trouble in school. But Adams makes The Red Sun a completely different story line. Breathing life into a different mythology characters.
Con:
- Sam is really young for the storyline in this book. I feel if Sam and his friends where at least 15 than the story could have been a little more believable. I know that he is a son of Odin and part witch but there is still a great deal of growing up to do. I would yell at him and then have to reign myself in because he's young. He really does not know any better. But instead of his age helping the plot I feel that it brought it down at time. How characters treated him warranted a more mature protagonist.
- As much as I enjoy a fast paced novel, I need character development. I wanted to get to know Sam and Keely more than Adams gave me. There are instances about his anger and loyalty are brought up but not anything that is solid and say to my self yeah thats Sam. Keely we only briefly meet and a romance seems to maybe there... maybe not. Its hinted at but as i stated the age gets in the way. The lack of development for Keely often had me wonder why she was involved in and not saved for later.
Im hoping that this series continues and some of the cons with be worked out. Because I really did enjoy the pace and writing. I gave this book 3.5 / 5 stars
Quotes:
- To understand the present, you have to start in the past
-A fire does not burn without fuel
Pro:
- The book had a really face paced. There was no instance where I was bored or had to drag myself through it. I liked that there was a constant stream of action and drama going on. It made the book seem to go by fast.
- I dont know much about Norse mythology so this book held my attention. I like books in which i learn new things such as mythology. I have a shallow understanding of Norse gods and the history behind them. I mean I do live in the US and have seen the Thor and Avenger movies. What the book brought was a richer understanding of this rich history. There was a steady flow of how the mythology was given to the reader. As in any book that has to do with Mythology there where plenty of characters to keep straight but Adams did a good job of introducing them and keeping them fresh in the readers mind by reminding who they where.
- This book was advertised for readers that enjoyed the Percy Jackson series which I am a fan of. At first it was hard to see a difference in the two books. I mean a boy left by his father, his mother has to raise him. He has trouble in school. But Adams makes The Red Sun a completely different story line. Breathing life into a different mythology characters.
Con:
- Sam is really young for the storyline in this book. I feel if Sam and his friends where at least 15 than the story could have been a little more believable. I know that he is a son of Odin and part witch but there is still a great deal of growing up to do. I would yell at him and then have to reign myself in because he's young. He really does not know any better. But instead of his age helping the plot I feel that it brought it down at time. How characters treated him warranted a more mature protagonist.
- As much as I enjoy a fast paced novel, I need character development. I wanted to get to know Sam and Keely more than Adams gave me. There are instances about his anger and loyalty are brought up but not anything that is solid and say to my self yeah thats Sam. Keely we only briefly meet and a romance seems to maybe there... maybe not. Its hinted at but as i stated the age gets in the way. The lack of development for Keely often had me wonder why she was involved in and not saved for later.
Im hoping that this series continues and some of the cons with be worked out. Because I really did enjoy the pace and writing. I gave this book 3.5 / 5 stars
Quotes:
- To understand the present, you have to start in the past
-A fire does not burn without fuel
autumn_faerie's review against another edition
4.0
I’m pretty sure this book will appeal to all the Percy Jackson fans out there.When I first started the book,it reminded me a lot of the Percy Jackson series,but believe me,if you think that that fact will stop you from getting further into the book,it will not.The deeper you go into the book,you’ll start seeing the difference,the uniqueness of it,and it’s really worth it.
I’m afraid I’ll miss things,so I better so in order.The title,and the cover,they sync perfectly with each other ,as well as the story,like yeah,the title seems pretty simple,but just so you know,the entire story in based on that,so you get it right,how important that title is?I even love the smaller details around the corners,which I’m guessing are parts from the Yggdrasil tree,and that archway sort of thing.it gives you the feel of entering another world,literally.
Getting to the writing,it’s a really simple style of writing,easy to grasp,understandable and uncomplicated.And given the fact that it’s a Middle Grade book,I think the language is just perfect!And added to that,the lines are pretty hilarious at times.That’s a bonus,isn’t it?
Plot.Plot…I found it interesting,the way it started.Like seriously,it’s fun when a plot or story begins with your English teacher being turned into a lizard and it goes on to being a lot more action packed.The times the characters go through,the adventures they have,new friends they make throughout the book,all these elements combined,they make the book a great read.And there are these descriptions of each place which manage to create these vivid images in your mind.
The best part of most of the books,the characters.Basically,3 of the main characters are 12 years old.Sam Baron,the protagonist around whom the book revolves,he’s 12,with really strong powers which he has no idea of initially.Like it amazed me every time he used his powers or was being strong,like he was a TWELVE YEAR OLD and he had to save the world all by himself!And then there was Keely and Howie,two characters who remained Sam’s friend though rain and sunshine.They weren’t exactly strong or brave characters initially,but I loved how they developed throughout the book into stronger people.And then there’s Leo too,another amazing character who would probably do anything to save Sam’s life,and the little witch Mavery,she was fun to read about too.The best thing here,the bond between them,how Sam chose to betray others to keep his friends safe,how his friends stood by him at his darkest time.
I certainly didn't realise it was this long.For full review https://liveinthepagesofbooks.wordpress.com/2017/01/23/reviewthe-red-sun-by-alane-adams/
I’m afraid I’ll miss things,so I better so in order.The title,and the cover,they sync perfectly with each other ,as well as the story,like yeah,the title seems pretty simple,but just so you know,the entire story in based on that,so you get it right,how important that title is?I even love the smaller details around the corners,which I’m guessing are parts from the Yggdrasil tree,and that archway sort of thing.it gives you the feel of entering another world,literally.
Getting to the writing,it’s a really simple style of writing,easy to grasp,understandable and uncomplicated.And given the fact that it’s a Middle Grade book,I think the language is just perfect!And added to that,the lines are pretty hilarious at times.That’s a bonus,isn’t it?
Plot.Plot…I found it interesting,the way it started.Like seriously,it’s fun when a plot or story begins with your English teacher being turned into a lizard and it goes on to being a lot more action packed.The times the characters go through,the adventures they have,new friends they make throughout the book,all these elements combined,they make the book a great read.And there are these descriptions of each place which manage to create these vivid images in your mind.
The best part of most of the books,the characters.Basically,3 of the main characters are 12 years old.Sam Baron,the protagonist around whom the book revolves,he’s 12,with really strong powers which he has no idea of initially.Like it amazed me every time he used his powers or was being strong,like he was a TWELVE YEAR OLD and he had to save the world all by himself!And then there was Keely and Howie,two characters who remained Sam’s friend though rain and sunshine.They weren’t exactly strong or brave characters initially,but I loved how they developed throughout the book into stronger people.And then there’s Leo too,another amazing character who would probably do anything to save Sam’s life,and the little witch Mavery,she was fun to read about too.The best thing here,the bond between them,how Sam chose to betray others to keep his friends safe,how his friends stood by him at his darkest time.
I certainly didn't realise it was this long.For full review https://liveinthepagesofbooks.wordpress.com/2017/01/23/reviewthe-red-sun-by-alane-adams/
beladozer's review against another edition
So fast-paced it was like reading a movie. I love Norse mythology and started the book with high hopes, but predictable and convenient plot points wore thin fast - I would have liked to see more character/world building. Abandoned about 1/3 the way through. Will appeal to readers that like dialogue-driven books.
wandersbetweenpages's review against another edition
4.0
Before anything else, I’d like to thank Alane Adams for sending this book my way for an honest review. Thank you so much!
I love how the world building is not boring. World building tend to be boring because there are just too much information. You need to process everything first before you can proceed. The way Alane wrote it was on point. I didn’t have trouble understanding the world of Orkney. I also didn’t have to struggle too much with imagining who the place or location looks like.
full review on my blog: https://rosebooksblog.wordpress.com/2017/09/18/book-review-the-red-sun-by-alane-adams/
I love how the world building is not boring. World building tend to be boring because there are just too much information. You need to process everything first before you can proceed. The way Alane wrote it was on point. I didn’t have trouble understanding the world of Orkney. I also didn’t have to struggle too much with imagining who the place or location looks like.
full review on my blog: https://rosebooksblog.wordpress.com/2017/09/18/book-review-the-red-sun-by-alane-adams/
library_brandy's review against another edition
4.0
When a dwarf appears in 12-year-old Sam's garage, Sam hardly knows what to make of his story. Witches are after him? His own mother is a witch, who left Orkney once to protect him? His father is a descendant of Odin? And now that this dwarf has found Sam, they have to travel back to this strange otherworld to break the curse of the Red Sun that's choking out all life in Orkney villages? None of this makes much sense to Sam, but it's clear that he's in the middle of something big, and doubly so when one of the witches kidnaps Sam's two best friends. Sam has no choice but to rescue his friends, and in doing so he might just save all of Orkney. Sam will need to choose his allies carefully, and avoid the traitors in nearly every race in the Ninth Realm.
What starts out looking like a retread of Riordan's Percy Jackson series quickly becomes its own story, with a darker tone and Norse flair. Sam struggles to understand himself and the sources--and purposes--of his anger, and must learn to channel his rage and energy into breaking an ancient curse and stopping a looming war. This fast-moving adventure--the beginning of a trilogy--is sure to appease mythology fans who are outgrowing Percy Jackson's antics and looking for a darker, weightier tale. Great choice for middle-school collections.
What starts out looking like a retread of Riordan's Percy Jackson series quickly becomes its own story, with a darker tone and Norse flair. Sam struggles to understand himself and the sources--and purposes--of his anger, and must learn to channel his rage and energy into breaking an ancient curse and stopping a looming war. This fast-moving adventure--the beginning of a trilogy--is sure to appease mythology fans who are outgrowing Percy Jackson's antics and looking for a darker, weightier tale. Great choice for middle-school collections.
hollyslittlebookreviews's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this middle-grade novel! Fans of books like Percy Jackson will love the action and adventures that Sam is thrown into when his friends get kidnapped and brought to a world Sam didn't realize he had connections to.
The Red Sun draws on Norse Mythology for a lot of its characters and their powers while still sticking to a modern relatable world. Sam's quest to save his friends while unraveling his own story relays the message that no matter your background or what people might think you are/should be, what's important is following your own path and sticking with what you feel is right. Such an important story for readers of this age (and really any age!).
I highly recommend this series. Book 2, Kalifus Rising, is just as strong and exciting as Sam's first journey!
The Red Sun draws on Norse Mythology for a lot of its characters and their powers while still sticking to a modern relatable world. Sam's quest to save his friends while unraveling his own story relays the message that no matter your background or what people might think you are/should be, what's important is following your own path and sticking with what you feel is right. Such an important story for readers of this age (and really any age!).
I highly recommend this series. Book 2, Kalifus Rising, is just as strong and exciting as Sam's first journey!