Jake Ransom and the Skull King's shadow

My 7-year-old is really enjoying this book. Me, not so much, but I'll rate based on the target audience.

I'm a James Rollins fan for the most part. I enjoy his stories which always move at a fast pace, are very well written, have a solid amount of viable science and history to make things

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believable, and have characters deep enough to sustain interest. Jake Ransom is no different, but adds more of a fantasy angle.

The book is definitely written towards young adults...maybe 6th grade and up. My son's in 2nd and certainly wouldn't be able to read it on his own, but he loves the adventure and mystery that Rollins strongly builds in each chapter. Think of Jake Ransom as a young Indiana Jones - that's pretty much the pull of the story and characters.

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This is at the very least a 5 star book. It has all the fun of an adventure of two smart teens that have no magical powers but with dimension travel in the story.
The mystery starts in a jungle as a single man is being chased by a group, moves to Connecticut where we meet our teens with a strange

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gift from their lost archaeologist parents, on to London for a first class invitation to a museum opening, and then back to the jungle. There is suspense at each turn and a wild turn at a few corners.
The brother and sister are very normal. He is a nerd and she is the teen princess which made a few giggles for me. I do not want to give away anymore of the story as it is that intricate to the whole tale.

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If Rollins and Clemens had a child...

I've gotten a little clever with the title of my review. It refers to the fact that thriller writer James Rollins also writes fantasy novels under the name James Clemens. I think Jake Ransom and the Skull King's Shadow really is like the perfect offspring of

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the Rollins and Clemens styles--some science, thrills and adventure, mixed with a generous amount of fantasy. And this IS his first novel for young adults.

Now, the book is written for kids aged ten and up. I'm a 40-year-old woman, so I'd be, you know, up. There isn't a doubt in my mind that this book will find an audience with its intended readership, but that it will also be read by many of Rollins adult fans who are, like me, young at heart. The great thing is that there's something for everyone. It's a terrific book for parents and kids to read together.

The novel is told from the point of view of 13-year-old Jake Ransom. He and his older sister Kady come from a long line of archeologists and adventurers. Their parents were lost under mysterious circumstances on an expedition three years earlier, but despite this tragedy, Jake is ready to follow in their footsteps. He's fascinated by history and science, and spends all his time engaged in some form of learning. Kady's a little different. She's... popular. (And great job writing some strong female characters, Mr. Rollins!)

Near the beginning of the novel, Jake and Kady receive a surprise invitation to a museum exhibit opening in London. The exhibit features Mayan artifacts recovered from the senior Ransoms' last fateful expedition. Jake and Kady attend the opening amidst much fanfare. It's an eventful day; the opening is timed to match exactly a full eclipse of the sun, plus there's an electrical storm raging. Alone with an artifact, during some extraordinary atmospheric conditions, all the puzzle pieces come together and Jake and Kady are transported--inexplicably--to another world. And they're about to be eaten by a t-rex!

Jake and Kady have come to Calypsos, and while they explore this village and its unique inhabitants, they are searching for a way home. Unfortunately, they get embroiled with a VVV--a vaguely Voldemortian villain--and are intimately caught up in an epic battle of good and evil. The book actually reminded me more of Lloyd Alexander's beloved Chronicles of Prydain with its own epic battle than anything else (but others with a better vocabulary of YA fiction may have more apt comparisons).

Here's the thing... This novel is the first of a promised series. It does a great job of setting up the principles, the situations, the conflicts, and so forth. And this arc of the story is complete. The one thing you should know is that none of the bigger picture questions are answered. As you finish this novel, it will leave you wanting much, much more.

I read a galley of this novel, but I can't wait to see all the illustrations in a finished copy. It's coming out right in time for my nephew's birthday, and I'm very much looking forward to reading this and future Jake Ransom adventures with him.

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I’ve read all of Rollins’ adult books and have really enjoyed them. I was curious how good a story targeted more at young adults would be and was surprised to find I probably enjoyed this more than any of his adult books. Although, that may change as I am excitedly waiting for his next Sigma

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series book, The Doomsday Key, to come out next month. The concept behind this story was quite original and pulls together the mystery of time travel, the pyramids, Atlantis and more. The world Rollins created is amazing as we how people from the Neanderthals to Romans to Native Americans are brought together and live in relative harmony. I can’t wait to find out why this diverse group of people were brought together and what does the Skull King have in store for it. There is also the mysterious Bledsworth corporation who we have yet to find out what role they will play. An exciting adverture along the lines of Indiana Jones that both young and old will enjoy.

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Jake Ransom and his older sister Kady are the children of archaeologists who disappeared while on an expedition in the Yucatan Peninsula. The children are invited to a museum opening displaying the treasures their parents found on that ill-fated trip. While investigating the artifacts, Jake and his

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sister end up transported to a strange city called Calypsos which turns out to contain representation of all the lost civilizations; the Mayans, the Vikings, the Egyptians, the Romans etc. They have all been knocked out of the time continuum and have settled here. However, an evil presence threatens to destroy their existence. The Skull King has found a way to destroy the shield that protects the city, and this will allow him and his bizarre army of creatures to take over.
Jake Ransom and the Skull King's Shadow is the first in a series by an author who usually writes for adults. I believe this is Rollins first book for children. I think it will find a following. I was disappointed by the cover, which was too babyish in my opinion to grab the interests of grade six students. I'll definitely be looking to read the next book.

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Three years ago, Jake and Kady’s parents disappeared on a mysterious expedition. Now, Jake is 13 and an aspiring archaeologist, while his older sister Kady cares about popularity. Then, a strange envelope signed to Jake and Kady shows up on their doorstep. The envelope contains an invitation to a

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museum exhibit that features artifacts discovered on the last expedition of the Ransoms. The next thing they know, Jake and Kady are transported to another world that includes t-rexes, cavemen, Mayans, and Romans!

I did not really know what to expect when I received this noel. Most children adventure novels for me are average or miss. This one was average, but the novel included some great parts. I liked how Jake and Kady’s parents mysteriously disappeared. It hooked me to the novel before I even started reading. I also liked the world (Calypsos) that Jake and Kady find themselves in. Rollins created a world with so many secrets and oddities. I mean where else can you find Mayans and Romans together? ;) Another thing that I really liked was the history in the novel. Rollins included facts from many ancient civilizations. Instead of just giving readers another adventure novel, Rollins also gives a history lesson–one that’s far more entertaining than my World History class. I also liked how Rollins left questions unanswered but did not end in a major cliffhanger. It was a great way to end the first novel of a series.

Now for the negatives. I thought that most of the characters were boring and cliche. There was nothing unique about Kady, and Jake was not much better. The lack of uniqueness made the main characters uninteresting, which is never good. The only minor characters I particularly liked were Pindor (Jake’s friend) and Pindor’s brother. Considering this book focuses on adventure, I can overlook some of the issues I had with characters.

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This is the first James Rollins book I've read--and I loved it! It's got everything I love: culture & mythology, excitement, mystery, and emotional depth. Fact & fiction are cleverly woven together to present a fantasy world that feels as real as ours. Jake & his sister Kady have lost their parents

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who were renown archaeologists. While at a museum exhibit showcasing their parents' work, Jake & Kady somehow get sucked into an ancient world! We watch as Jake merges the science of our world with the alchemy of the other world -- together, you & Jake unfold a great mystery. This was definitely a page-turner! At the end, people from two different cultures had to work together to defeat a great evil which sends a great message of crossing social boundaries to work for the good of all.

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James Rollins wastes no time in getting our hero and his sister into a life or death adventure. The Ransom children's parents disappear
during an expedition in the Yucatan Peninsula. Jake shares his parents' affinity for exploring the past, which is a good thing since those kind of thought processes

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and his archeological knowledge will come in handy during times of crisis.

Jake and Kady become involved with a corporation that is sponsoring an exhibit of Mayan treasures in London. Since this is what their parents were looking for, they are convinced to be a part of the ceremonies on the opening of the exhibit. It is during some private time before the public is allowed into the exhibit that some very strange things happen. The strangest is that Jake and Kady find themselves in a world that is absolutely unbelievable.

Trying to survive in this new world and finding themselves in the uncomfortable positon of having to save it complicate their desire to get back home. The Ransoms make new friends and come up with some creative ways of helping their new friends. However, their primary mission is to find a way to get back home.

Lots of action will keep the reader turning the pages. The readers will appreciate how much influence and power the young characters have in the book. Jake, Kady and their new friends are all likable and I think that they are characters with whom readers can relate. There is lots of intrigue and mystery. I was left wanting more and wanting to find out if Jake and Kady find out what happened to their parents. So I suppose I will have to wait to read the next installment.
Sometimes I really hate series, especially when I have wait for the next book to become available.

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Eighth-grader Jake and his older sister Kady are invited to the British Museum to view the Mayan treasures their archaeologist parents discovered shortly before their disappearance three years earlier. Jake takes along what is left of their parents' possessions: a field log, a sketch book, and two

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halves of a gold Mayan coin (worn by the siblings around their necks). At the exhibit, Jake examines a two-foot-tall solid gold pyramid with a round hole in its side. He places the Mayan coin in the slot, which creates an explosion, transporting the siblings to another place and time. Calypsos is a land inhabited by dinosaurs, mythical and fantastical creatures, and people from long-lost civilizations. Upon their arrival, Jake and Kady befriend two teens, Pindor and Marika. Together they must save Calypsos from the banished Skull King who threatens to return and take over the land. The pace of the story is occasionally a little slow, but readers who stick with it will be caught up in the adventure, particularly those who are interested in Mayan culture.

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Very readable. Reminded me somewhat of Cryptid Hunters. Easier to read for a younger audience. lots of action.

Young Reader Reaction: Jake Ransom and the Skull King's Shadow was a great adventure book. All in all, though, this was a mediocre book. There was nothing separating it from any other book. Even though it was very adventurous, it still lacked excitement. Even though it was normal I would still

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recommend it to kids middle schools.

Adult Reader Reaction: I did like this book, especially because it’s the first in a series. I like following a story, and getting to know the characters in depth. This book is very fast-paced, with lots of action, so it would be great for kids who get bored with books quickly. It is history with a mystery. This is for older children because of the complexity of the plot. It is too long to read in one sitting, but would be good for reading aloud in chapters with younger audiences.

Pros: This Jake Ransom book is fast-paced and very educational. Everyone can enjoy the lessons and themes of science, history, and archeology woven into the story.

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I absolutely love this book! I recommend it to any and all ages. I read it in one day! It is quite the adventure and I cannot wait to read the next. I'm getting it right now!