Narrator Ozzie Rodriguez perfectly manages a mix of Spanish and American accents in this Mayan mythology-inspired adventure. Zane, a contemporary 13-year-old, meets a beautiful female shape-shifter who tells him that he is actually supernatural and will play a role in releasing the Mayan god of death, disaster, and darkness from the volcano in his backyard. Reluctantly, Zane embarks on a dangerous quest to save the world from destruction, which introduces him to feisty heroes, tricky gods, murderous demons, and spirited giants. Zane is a likable, engaging hero, and Rodriguez portrays him with straightforward sincerity that rings true even in this wildly fantastical plot. Fans of Rick Riordan’s Percy Jackson series will love this. S.C. © AudioFile 2018, Portland, Maine

"The Storm Runner takes us on a wild thrill ride through the Southwest, Los Angeles, and the spirit realm amidst all-night diners, delicious cups of hot chocolate, and Maya deities. A terrific read leading to an explosive page-turner of a finale!"—Daniel Jose Older, New York Times best-selling author of Shadowshaper

"The Storm Runner is brilliant, exhilarating, and funny. Its pages will burn in your hands, and Zane Obispo and the Maya gods will keep you up at night terrified and delighted! But beware, this book might reveal your own hidden magic."—Francisco X. Stork, author of Marcelo in the Real World

"A perfect storm of inspiring heroes, surprising twists, and some seriously scary monsters. This hilarious, expertly-plotted adventure keeps you racing through the pages and leaves you desperate for the next book (and craving a steaming mug of hot chocolate)!"—Shannon Messenger, New York Times best-selling author of the Keeper of the Lost Cities series and th

"J. C. Cervantes is about to take you on a trip you will never forget, through the darkest, strangest, and funniest twists and turns of Maya myth. You will meet the scariest gods you can imagine, the creepiest denizens of the Underworld, and the most amazing and unlikely heroes who have to save our world from being ripped apart."—Rick Riordan

* "Fantastic and villainous creatures from [Maya] folklore combine with clever, realistic, and heartwarming characters. A page-turning and well-written trip into the world of [Maya] mythology, perfect for fans of David Bowles’s Garza “Twins” and Rick Riordan’s “Percy Jackson” series."—School Library Journal (starred review)

* "Zane is an instantly relatable character: he's frustrated by his circumstances and wants to do the right thing, though he often gets into trouble for fighting bullies or wandering off alone. Cervantes wastes no time getting right into the action, and her conversational tone and suspenseful pacing will keep the pages turning as the tension escalates and the characters face deepening stakes. Plentiful references to Mayan mythology and culture are bound to send readers searching for more background info, even with the glossary in the back matter. Don't miss this rip-roaring adventure."—Booklist (starred review)

Narrator Ozzie Rodriguez perfectly manages a mix of Spanish and American accents in this Mayan mythology-inspired adventure. Zane, a contemporary 13-year-old, meets a beautiful female shape-shifter who tells him that he is actually supernatural and will play a role in releasing the Mayan god of death, disaster, and darkness from the volcano in his backyard. Reluctantly, Zane embarks on a dangerous quest to save the world from destruction, which introduces him to feisty heroes, tricky gods, murderous demons, and spirited giants. Zane is a likable, engaging hero, and Rodriguez portrays him with straightforward sincerity that rings true even in this wildly fantastical plot. Fans of Rick Riordan’s Percy Jackson series will love this. S.C. © AudioFile 2018, Portland, Maine

2018-06-25
A chosen-one adventure through the Southwest.Zane's backyard in New Mexico is unique—it has its own volcano. He lives with his mom and their dog, Rosie, and his biggest problem is having to start a new school…until he makes a huge mistake and sets loose ancient Maya god Ah-Puch, also known as the Stinking One. A mysterious girl named Brooks appears at Zane's school and then at home, and she reveals to Zane that she is a nawal, or shape-shifter, and she's there to help him fulfill his destiny in a great prophecy. And so begins a race against time as Zane, Brooks, and a growing band of sidekicks race across the Southwest to find Ah-Puch, learn who Zane's estranged father is, and save the world. As readers accustomed to Rick Riordan's books will expect, additional Maya gods and magical creatures are revealed along the way. Unevenly paced and complicated by gods with two or three monikers, this second in Riordan's eponymous imprint may frustrate close readers, but the high stakes will grab kids who just want to turn pages as quickly as possible. Zane is Mexican-American; his limb disability turns out to have a magical origin (not unlike Percy Jackson's dyslexia), which may well feel like a cheat for readers with disabilities themselves. Nevertheless, Zane's incredibly appealing kid voice and wry internal interjections make him easy to root for.Busy—but exciting action and a likable character make up for it. (Fantasy. 10-14)