Connecting Texts

 

 

       Currently I am reading The Throne of Fire by Rick Riordan. This is the second book in the Kane Chronicles. As I have been reading this novel I have noticed it has many similarities to the book Children of The Lamp: The Akhenaten Adventure by P.B. Kerr. Both of these stories are centered around the element of magic. The Throne of Fire is all about magicians and the power of the gods of Ancient Egypt.  Children of The Lamp: The Akhenaten Adventure is about the powers of genies, or djinn as they are referred to as in the story. These two novels also have similar main characters. The main characters in each book are a brother and sister pair who are very different from each other, both in personality and appearance. In Rick Riordan's book the main characters are named Sadie and Carter Kane. Sadie has blonde hair, blue eyes, and light skin. She has a rebellious personality and a sharp tongue. Carter has dark hair and dark skin. He is well-mannered and a problem solver. In P.B. Kerr's book the main characters are named Phillipa and John Guant. Phillipa is short, has red hair, and wears glasses. She is much more intellectual than her brother. John is tall and dark haired. He is the more athletic of the two. 

 

      Oddly enough, both sets of siblings are assisted with their first magical journey by their uncle. For Sadie and Carter it's their classy Uncle Amos and for Phillipa and John it's their eccentric Uncle Nimrod. Amos and Nimrod help train their niece and nephew and teach them how to use their newly found powers. In both books the main characters put their powers to use and go on a quest to overcome evil. Sadie and Carter have to awaken Ra the sun god so he can assist them in preventing Apophis the Chaos snake from breaking free of his prison and taking over. Phillipa and John have to locate the supposedly dead pharaoh named Akhenaten, and his tomb, which holds seventy lost souls. Meanwhile, they also have to outwit Iblis (the most evil djinn) before he gains too much power.

 

         I wonder if it's just a coincidence that The Throne of Fire and Children of The Lamp: The Akhenaten Adventure have so much in common? Is it possible that one of the authors was inspired by the other? Both books are great and if you have read and enjoyed one of them I guarantee you will love the other!