The Red Sun by Alane Adams combines Norse mythology with a tale reminiscent of Percy Jackson’s discovery of his true self.

Sam Baron is just a 12-year-old kid with regular 12-year-old kid problems — bullies, girls, and his anger management issues caused by the fact that he’s the son of Odin and the son of a witch.

You know, normal stuff.

But when Sam discovers his substitute teacher is a witch who has captured his friends, he must follow her into another world called Orkney.

While the only thing on Sam’s mind is saving his friends, Orkney has bigger issues. The sun is tainted with veins of red, caused by Sam’s dark side. He must learn to control the dark power growing inside of him, as only then can he save his friends and all of Orkney, too.

‘The Red Sun’ book review

The Red Sun by Alane Adams is certainly a book for Percy Jackson fans. If you love the humor of Percy Jackson’s world and are looking forward to October to read The Sword of Summer by Rick Riordan, we definitely recommend picking up this book.

Norse mythology doesn’t get as much attention as Greek or Roman mythology, which is a shame, as it is a rich source of material that hasn’t made it too far into the mainstream. While Greek and Roman myths can sometimes feel overused, Norse mythology still feels new and exciting.

Adams’ knowledge of the Norse myths lends itself to an intricate story full of legend and mysticism. This story is about Odin, yes, but Thor does not make an appearance. Instead, it discusses some of the lesser known myths and heroes, and as such, it teaches us much more about a mythos we may not be as familiar with.

One of the highlights of the book is the secondary characters. Full of personality, Sam’s friends jump off the page and actually become instrumental in the plot by the end. They are there to support Sam and keep him level-headed, but they also have their own stories and objectives that help to lead the story forward.

The Red Sun by Alane Adams is on sale now. Add it to your Goodreads list, or purchase it on Amazon or IndieBound.