Disclosure: I received a copy of the book from the publisher. Opinions shared are mine.

How in the world did I miss the Storm Runner series? It has everything I love in a middle grades adventure novel. Mythology tops the list! This book is perfect for fans of the Charlie Hernandez series.

Since I did not read book 1, I was a little lost when starting this book. I actually stopped midway so that I can get caught up with book 1. It wouldn’t be completely necessary since background is provided in The Fire Keeper, but I really want to know how it all started.

From the first few chapters, it was evident that the action and humor would be addictive to strong readers! If sharing this book with a struggling reader, I would suggest making it a read-aloud or a buddy read. The text has some complex plot lines and vocabulary, which help to make the story interesting. The opening lines were striking, and the historical appeal captured my attention. I highly recommend this book for those shopping for a tween’s Christmas gift! Just make sure you get book 1, too.

About the Book

Title: THE FIRE KEEPER

Author: J.C. Cervantes, Irvin Rodriguez (Illustrations)

Pub. Date: September 3, 2019

Publisher: Disney-Hyperion, Rick Riordan Presents

Formats: Hardcover, eBook, audiobook

Pages: 432

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.

About J.C.:

J.C. Cervantes is the New York Times best-selling author of The Storm Runner, The Fire Keeper, and Tortilla Sun. Her books have appeared on national lists, including the American Booksellers Association New Voices, Barnes and Noble’s Best Young Reader Books, and Favorite MG Science Fiction/Fantasy Top Ten Books, as well as Amazon’s Best Books of the Month. She has earned multiple awards and recognitions, including the New Mexico Book Award, and the Zia Book Award.

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.