This is the second book in the Kane Chronicles trilogy and I'm loving this series more and more with each book. By all means, The Throne of Fire was better than The Red Pyramid, not only because we know the characters better and we already feel a connection to them, and because we know a little more about the mythology by now, but because the plot gets more intense and darker than in the first book.

I still manage to be amazed at Rick Riordan's ability to mash mythology into the modern world with cleverness and humor. The whole trip through the Houses of Night in the Duat was just delightful to read! And St. Petersburg, though more tense, was also pretty good. I missed Bast a little in this novel, but she's still one of my favorite characters. I've come to like Anubis, Set (WE NEED MORE SET'S SASS IN THIS TRILOGY, PLEASE) and Walt as well. I think the new characters were a great addition and were well used in the plot. Vlad the Inhaler was pretty scary as a villain and it made me more afraid that things were going to go wrong for the Kanes than in book 1. AND RA AS AN OLD SILLY AND DEMENTED GUY, PEOPLE. He was running around, taking naps and saying silly stuff while the universe was going to hell, I WAS CRYING.

My favorite characters is BY FAR Sadie. MAN, this girls is sassy! And super clever! But at the same time so caring and loyal, it's impossible not to connect with her. Also, her character development is astounding from The Red Pyramid to this. Yes, she can still be a little selfish and reckless sometimes, but she knows what she's doing almost everytime, is the first one to get what's going on and find a way to take them out of the situation and her magic powers are growing super strong. I personally think she is the stronger sibling, she could easily whip Carter's ass. As for Carter... I mean, I like him, but he was annoying in this book. His obsession with Zia blinded him for most of the novel and he not only considered giving everything up (and leave not only his friends but THE WHOLE WORLD to fend for themselves and plunge into Chaos) to save her, but he often doubted Sadie and left her alone. HIS OWN SISTER FOR A GIRL HE NEVER EVEN MET (yep, because i'm not counting the clay lookalike). And he only stopped having doubts about his quest and what was right after Zia told him to do it. Just UGH.

Still, can't wait to read the final book AND to dig in to the Kanes x Percy Jackson crossovers! Percy & Annabeth and Sadie in the same room, YAY!