Summary:
Jack is in an accident and wakes up into a hospital, but it's not a normal hospital. This hospital comes equipped with Professor Bhegad who tells Jack that he has a genetic disease that will kill him in one year unless he finds a cure. He also is told that he is a descendent of Atlantis. With three other teenagers, Jack attempts to escape, but realizes that he (they) need to know more about their diseases and special powers. Eventually, the teens find out that they need to find the loculi hidden in the Seven Wonders of the World in order to survive.
My thoughts:
This took me a little while to get into. I found it very repetitive through the first half of the book. I really wanted to move into the teens being out on their own and into their adventure. That may have made me impatient with the building stage. I also had some problems with figuring out when/if Colossus was going to be involved or if this book was going to focus on Atlantis.
On the other hand, the adventure is a lot of fun. Each time the teens escape or attempt to escape, it is interesting. The puzzles that are put into place are enjoyable and probably would challenge young readers. Each character has their own quirks and talents, which makes working together a must. Their friendship relies on a lot of trust and they recognize the best in one another. I think that is a great message within the story. The book is a little long, but it is separated into very short chapters. This makes the book move very quickly. It took me about a week to finish it in 30 minute spurts.
Jack is in an accident and wakes up into a hospital, but it's not a normal hospital. This hospital comes equipped with Professor Bhegad who tells Jack that he has a genetic disease that will kill him in one year unless he finds a cure. He also is told that he is a descendent of Atlantis. With three other teenagers, Jack attempts to escape, but realizes that he (they) need to know more about their diseases and special powers. Eventually, the teens find out that they need to find the loculi hidden in the Seven Wonders of the World in order to survive.
My thoughts:
This took me a little while to get into. I found it very repetitive through the first half of the book. I really wanted to move into the teens being out on their own and into their adventure. That may have made me impatient with the building stage. I also had some problems with figuring out when/if Colossus was going to be involved or if this book was going to focus on Atlantis.
On the other hand, the adventure is a lot of fun. Each time the teens escape or attempt to escape, it is interesting. The puzzles that are put into place are enjoyable and probably would challenge young readers. Each character has their own quirks and talents, which makes working together a must. Their friendship relies on a lot of trust and they recognize the best in one another. I think that is a great message within the story. The book is a little long, but it is separated into very short chapters. This makes the book move very quickly. It took me about a week to finish it in 30 minute spurts.
Karissa E. (ophelia99) reviewed The Colossus Rises (Seven Wonders, Bk 1) on + 2527 more book reviews
This was the first book in the Seven Wonders series and I have had it to read for awhile. My son (8 years old) and I ended up reading it together. It was a very fun and well done middle grade adventure fantasy. My 8 year old son and I enjoyed it a ton. There are, ironically, five books in the Seven Wonders series. The final book in the series, The Legend of the Rift, will release in March of 2016.
Jack McKinley is an ordinary kid with a desperate problem....he's going to die any day now. Then he wakes up at the Karai Institute where he finds out he possesses a special gene that gives him superhuman powers...if he doesn't die from it first. Jack, along with the other kids with this strange gene, need to find the seven loculi if they are going to cure their condition once and for all. The loculi just happen to be hidden in the Seven Wonders of the ancient world. Thus starts a crazy adventure full of danger and magic.
My whole family really enjoyed this book. It's written in a snappy and witty style that moves fast, has some humor in it, and is exciting. The book features four main characters: Jack, Marco, Aly, and Cass. All of them have different abilities and strengths.
I really enjoyed that the kids have to search out the Seven Wonders and deal with some interesting magical characters. We get to learn some of the history behind the Seven Wonders as well. Parts of the book have a tomb raider type of feel to them as well which I enjoyed.
The book ends at a good spot and wraps up nicely.
Overall this was an entertaining and fun adventure fantasy read. Fans of Rick Riordan and Brandon Mull will enjoy this series as well. I enjoyed the snappy dialogue and history and that the book moved at a fast pace The characters are easy to relate to and the story is engaging and interesting. My son and I will definitely continue with the series. This is a series that both middle grade readers and adults can enjoy together!
Jack McKinley is an ordinary kid with a desperate problem....he's going to die any day now. Then he wakes up at the Karai Institute where he finds out he possesses a special gene that gives him superhuman powers...if he doesn't die from it first. Jack, along with the other kids with this strange gene, need to find the seven loculi if they are going to cure their condition once and for all. The loculi just happen to be hidden in the Seven Wonders of the ancient world. Thus starts a crazy adventure full of danger and magic.
My whole family really enjoyed this book. It's written in a snappy and witty style that moves fast, has some humor in it, and is exciting. The book features four main characters: Jack, Marco, Aly, and Cass. All of them have different abilities and strengths.
I really enjoyed that the kids have to search out the Seven Wonders and deal with some interesting magical characters. We get to learn some of the history behind the Seven Wonders as well. Parts of the book have a tomb raider type of feel to them as well which I enjoyed.
The book ends at a good spot and wraps up nicely.
Overall this was an entertaining and fun adventure fantasy read. Fans of Rick Riordan and Brandon Mull will enjoy this series as well. I enjoyed the snappy dialogue and history and that the book moved at a fast pace The characters are easy to relate to and the story is engaging and interesting. My son and I will definitely continue with the series. This is a series that both middle grade readers and adults can enjoy together!
