The Storm Runner (Storm Runner Series #1)

by J. C. Cervantes

Overview

Best-selling author Rick Riordan presents J.C. Cervantes' take on Maya mythology featuring a boy who has to stop the god of death.

"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 the Sky Fall series

Zane has always enjoyed exploring the dormant volcano near his home in New Mexico, even though hiking it is challenging. He'd much rather hang out there with his dog, Rosie, than go to middle school, where kids call him Sir Limps a Lot, McGimpster, or Uno—for his one good leg. What Zane doesn't know is that the volcano is a gateway to another world and he is at the center of a powerful prophecy.

A new girl at school, Brooks, informs him that he's destined to release an evil god from the ancient Maya relic he is imprisoned in—unless she can find and remove it first. Together they return to the volcano, where all kinds of crazy happens. Brooks turns into a hawk, a demon attacks them in a cave, and Rosie gives her all while trying to protect Zane.

When Zane decides to save his dog no matter the cost, he is thrust into an adventure full of surprising discoveries, dangerous secrets, and an all-out war between the gods, one of whom happens to be his father. To survive, Zane will have to become the Storm Runner. But how can he run when he can't even walk well without a cane?

Endorsed by Rick Riordan, author of Percy Jackson and the Olympians, soon to be a series on Disney+.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781368023603
Publisher:	Disney Publishing Group
Publication date:	08/20/2019
Series:	Storm Runner Series , #1
Edition description:	Reprint
Pages:	464
Sales rank:	20,250
Product dimensions:	5.20(w) x 7.60(h) x 1.10(d)
Age Range:	9 - 12 Years

About the Author

New York Timesbestselling author J. C. Cervantes (www.jennifercervantes.com) also wrote Tortilla Sun, which was called "a beautiful and engaging debut" by Kirkus, an "imaginative, yet grounded novel" by Publishers Weekly, and "lean and lightly spiced with evocative metaphor" by School Library Journal. Tortilla Sun was a 2010 New Voices pick by the American Booksellers Association and it was named to Bank Street's 2011 Best Book List. Jen is an avid reader, a champion for the underdog, and a believer in magic. She is currently working on a sequel to this book, The Fire Keeper. Follow her on Facebook, Twitter: @jencerv, and Instagram: #authorjcervantes.

Editorial Reviews

"The Storm Runner is brilliant, exhilarating, 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 Sky Fall series

"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

From the Publisher

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

NOVEMBER 2018 - AudioFile

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

NOVEMBER 2018 - AudioFile

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)

Kirkus Reviews