The Storm Runner by JC Cervantes is part of the Rick Riordan Presents Series, this time focusing on Mayan mythology. Zane Obispo is a ‘freak’, as he puts it. He was born with one leg shorter than the other. He walks with a cane, and pronounced limp. Zane has been homeschooled, but now he’s headed to the Holy Ghost Academy, which goes about as well as expected, and he finds himself in the Father’s office before the first day is out. He also meets Brooks, who tells him he’s in danger. And that he’s destined to release Ah-Puch, the Mayan god of the underworld. Despite his protestations that he would do no such thing, Zane is given motivation he can’t shrug off. Everyone has a price, and Ah-Puch found Zane’s. Joined by a crazy cast of characters, Zane must find a way to imprison Ah-Puch again, before the god destroys the world as Zane knows it. There’s Mrs Cab, a giant chicken, and Hondo, Zane’s wrestling obsessed uncle, not to mention Brooks, a nawal who can shift into a hawk, and the surfer cat-lady Pacific. To defeat Ah-Puch, these intrepid questors must seek out the aid of the hero twins of Mayan myth.

I loved this story!! It’s a quick, action packed read that left me wanting more Zane Obispo books in the future. The ending certainly left it open for further exploration. Yeah, the overall story bore similarities to Riordan’s in Percy Jackson, Kane, and Magnus Chase series, but hello! It is part of a series called Rick Riordan Presents. I expected no less. Riordan’s series are awesome. I adore that he explores so many cultures’ myths. I want to see his take on so many other mythologies, such as Celtic and Japanese, but he’s one person, with personal interests, and familiarity with certain mythology over others. This Presents series gives a chance to see what that kinda might be like. The humour is similar to Riordan’s as well, at least with Storm Runner. I’ve not read Aru Shah or Dragon Pearl yet, but I imagine it’s the same.

The chance to explore Mayan myth a bit was fun. Granted, there are variations to these stories and deities depending on geographic locale, which is mentioned. The concept of the hero twins is prevalent in Native American myths, through South, Meso-, and North America. I didn’t manage to guess Zane’s father, though I tried. The characters were all likable. Even Ah-Puch, to me anyway. I suppose I understand where he’s coming from in his thinking. I really related to Zane. I have to use a cane at times, thanks to a bum hip. Being slowed and hobbled is frustrating as heck. Characters with any physical challenge tend to draw my sympathy. I want to know more about Brooks. What is her other half, if she’s half nawal. I’d love to know more about the nawal in this world. I’ve never seen it spelt that way. Just nahual, and such mixed ideas about how ‘good’ or ‘evil’ they are. The epilogue wraps up Rosie’s thread very nicely. I actually really liked how things end up for her, and for Zane.

***Many thanks to Netgalley, and Disney Book Group/ Rick Riordan Presents for providing an egalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.