One Sentence Summary
In The Serpent’s Shadow by Rick Riordan, the third installment of The Kane Chronicles series, Carter and Sadie Kane faces their most powerful enemy yet by seeking the shadow creature, Apophis.
Book Genre
The Serpent’s Shadow is a fantasy adventure novel set in modern-day Egypt and the United States.
Main Topic of the Book
The main topic of the book is the ancient Egyptian gods’ struggle against each other and the power of Apophis, the Chaos Serpent. As its young protagonists team up with gods, magicians and mythical creatures, they must put aside their differences and sacrifice their own desires in order to save the world.
Key Ideas
- The power of belief and teamwork – Carter and Sadie Kane use the teamwork and belief in each other to confront their enemies and accomplish their goals.
- Manifesting magic – The protagonists make use of a powerful form of magic even beyond their own comprehension.
- Sacrifice and selflessness – In order to achieve their goals, Carter and Sadie must make sacrifices in order to save the world.
Main Parts of the Book and a Short Summary
- Part One – The Battle for Brooklyn House – After a mysterious creature steals a powerful book from Brooklyn Museum, Carter and Sadie go in search of it, enlisting the help of their friends and even gods in the process. Along the way, they realize that they are up against an even bigger enemy – Apophis.
- Part Two – The Demon Days – With the arrival of Apophis, Carter and Sadie must face their darkest fears. With the help of gods, magicians, and mythical creatures, they uncover the secrets of Apophis and confront him in an epic battle.
- Part Three – The Final Battle – In the conclusion of the book, Carter and Sadie put their plan into action as they make one final stand against Apophis and try to save the world.
Key Takeaways
- Belief in yourself and strength of teamwork can help achieve the impossible.
- Sacrifice and selflessness is necessary when faced with a powerful enemy.
- A person can unlock powerful forces beyond their own understanding with the right intent.
Author’s Background and Qualifications
Rick Riordan is an internationally bestselling American author of fantasy and mystery novels. He is best known for his works such as the Percy Jackson & the Olympians and Heroes of Olympus series. He is also the author of the successful Tres Navarre Mystery series for adults. His books have sold more than 35 million copies in the United States alone.
Target Audience
The Serpent’s Shadow by Rick Riordan is aimed primarily at children aged 8-12, but has a broad appeal to older audiences as well.
Publisher and First Publication Date
The Serpent’s Shadow was published by Disney Hyperion Books on May 1, 2012.