The Colossus Rises

If you’re a librarian like me, there is a constant stream of kids asking, “What do I read now?”  Even if you’re not a librarian, you may have asked yourself this as well.  It’s always difficult after you find a great author or series to jump into something else you might not love as much.  This is not one of those type of posts, this is about a book that was so much fun to read and will be, in my opinion, a big hit with kids!  The Colossus Rises, the first in what I can imagine will be a 7-book series, reads similarly to the Percy Jackson Series, Heroes of Olympus, and The 39 Clues.  With an author like, Peter Lerangis, who wrote three books of The 39 Clues series, you know it’ll be action-packed and full of fun.

Jack McKinley collapses outside of school the day of an important math test and when he awakens he has been whisked off to a strange hospital on an island that no one can find.  When Jack learns of who and what he is, he can’t believe his ears, but as things begin to happen around the island, there is without a doubt Jack and his new friends must find the seven magic Loculi which were stolen and hidden around the world before they fall into the wrong hands.

I really enjoyed this story and can hardly wait for the next installment.  This is a perfect option for kids who have sped through Rick Riordan’s series and are looking for something full of action with a historical twist.  For more information about the book series or the author, check out Peter Lerangis’s website.  And if  you like The Colossus Rises and want to learn more, you can download the prequel from the author’s website as well.

Title: The Colossus Rises
Author: Peter Lerangis
Publisher: Harper
Publication Date: 2013
Page Number: 348 pgs.