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The Maze of Bones

Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 2008

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Book Brief

Rick Riordan

The Maze of Bones

Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 2008
Book Details
Pages

224

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Various Locations • 2000s

Publication Year

2008

Publisher

Scholastic

Audience

Middle grade

Recommended Reading Age

9-12 years

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Super Short Summary

Published by Scholastic in 2008, Rick Riordan's The Maze of Bones follows siblings Amy and Dan Cahill who, after their grandmother’s death, learn they belong to the influential Cahill family and must embark on a dangerous, globetrotting clue hunt for a powerful treasure, competing against other family branches in a race that leads them to uncover secret messages and historical connections. Some characters embody racial or disability stereotypes.

Adventurous

Suspenseful

Mysterious

Reviews & Readership

4.2

88,488 ratings

67%

Loved it

24%

Mixed feelings

10%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

Rick Riordan’s The Maze of Bones is commended for its fast-paced and engaging narrative suitable for young readers. Reviewers praise the clever integration of historical facts, enhancing the educational aspect. Criticisms highlight occasional predictability and a reliance on common adventure tropes. Overall, it’s a compelling start to a thrilling series.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Maze of Bones?

A reader who enjoys The Maze of Bones by Rick Riordan is likely a fan of adventurous, fast-paced novels with clever puzzles and historical intrigue. Similar to Harry Potter and The Mysterious Benedict Society, this book appeals to middle-grade readers who appreciate intelligent young protagonists and thrilling quests.

4.2

88,488 ratings

67%

Loved it

24%

Mixed feelings

10%

Not a fan

Character List

Dan Cahill

An adventurous, intelligent eleven-year-old with a flair for mathematics and collecting, who joins his sister Amy in a high-stakes family treasure hunt.

A quiet, book-loving fourteen-year-old who teams up with her brother Dan to follow mysterious clues left by their late grandmother, using her deep knowledge of history and culture.

The deceased matriarch of the Cahill family, who sparks the plot by bequeathing her descendants a challenge to discover 39 clues, without explaining the risks involved.

Grace Cahill's trusted lawyer and executor of her estate, tasked with conveying her final wishes and overseeing the family competition.

A young, unconventional au pair with a distinctive appearance and language skills who becomes a crucial companion for Amy and Dan on their journey.

A selfish and inattentive guardian who grudgingly oversees Amy and Dan's care, showing little interest in their well-being.

An aggressive, military-like family unit competing in the treasure hunt, known for their physical prowess and intimidating presence.

Rich and cunning siblings who pose a significant threat to Amy and Dan, leveraging their wealth and influence to gain an advantage in the quest.

Ivy-League educated triplets characterized by their elitist demeanor, who become rivals to Amy and Dan in the hunt for the clues.

Led by Jonah Wizard, a reality TV star who, despite his wealth and fame, enters the treasure hunt with self-serving intentions.

A colorful and clever Cahill family member who ventures alone in the treasure quest, displaying a flair for manipulation.

A former KGB spy with a history in espionage, armed with hidden poison darts, who brings her ruthless tactic to the family's competitive challenge.

Book Details
Pages

224

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Various Locations • 2000s

Publication Year

2008

Publisher

Scholastic

Audience

Middle grade

Recommended Reading Age

9-12 years

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