The Serpent's Shadow

The Kane Chronicles trilogy combines ancient Egyptian mythology and a modern-day setting to bring young readers a sweeping tale of magic and gods against a familiar backdrop. Punctuated by Riordan’s signature humor, the series explores such themes as the balance of power, coming-of-age under enormous responsibility, and navigating complex relationships, both familial and romantic. 

The series begins with The Red Pyramid. Estranged since the death of their mother years before, Carter and Sadie begin the book nearly strangers to one another. They are thrust together when their father’s archeological work brings him to London. In truth, Carter and Sadie’s father is a magician descended from the pharaohs of Egypt. When he casts a spell to free the god Osiris, he also frees Set, god of chaos, who imprisons Carter and Sadie’s father. 

On their own with new magician powers, Carter and Sadie ally with the gods Horus and Isis to stop Set from destroying the world and to save their father. However, by allying with the gods, Carter and Sadie break magician law—a conflict which follows them throughout the series and becomes the backbone for the rebel magician movement in The Serpent’s Shadow.