The Serpent's Shadow
#3 of 3 in The Kane Chronicles Series
on Goodreads (173,885)
What’s inside...
Carter and Sadie Kane, descendants of the magical House of Life, must unravel an ancient prophecy to prevent Apophis, the Serpent of Chaos, from destroying the world. They must use all their magical knowledge and skills to stop the chaos snake and his shadowy minions. He's b-a-a-ack! Despite their best efforts, Carter and Sadie Kane can't seem to keep Apophis, the chaos snake, down. Now Apophis is threatening to plunge the world into eternal darkness, and the Kanes are faced with the impossible task of having to destroy him once and for all. Unfortunately, the magicians of the House of Life are on the brink of civil war, the gods are divided, and the young initiates of Brooklyn House stand almost alone against the forces of chaos. The Kanes' only hope is an ancient spell that might turn the serpent's own shadow into a weapon, but the magic has been lost for a millennia. To find the answer they need, the Kanes must rely on the murderous ghost of a powerful magician who might be able to lead them to the serpent's shadow . . . or might lead them to their deaths in the depths of the underworld. Nothing less than the mortal world is at stake when the Kane family fulfills its destiny in this thrilling conclusion to the Kane Chronicles.
Character compass
Carter Kane
Sadie Kane
Bast
Bes
Anubis
Zia Rashid
Walt Stone
Amos Kane
Apophis
Osiris
Discussion points
How do you think Carter and Sadie felt when they had to balance their regular lives with their magical responsibilities? Have you ever faced a situation where you had to balance multiple important tasks?
What do you think the story teaches us about the importance of understanding and accepting different cultures and histories?
In the book, the characters learn from their past mistakes. Can you think of a time when a mistake taught you something valuable? What did you learn?
Carter and Sadie had to work together despite their differences. How do you think teamwork helps solve problems? Can you share an example from your own experience?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their thoughts and feelings about the characters’ dilemmas, and relate them to their own experiences.
Discuss the historical and cultural elements in the book. This can be an excellent opportunity to explore more about Egyptian mythology and history together.
Highlight the moral lessons in the story, such as the value of courage, family, and responsibility. Ask your child how these themes can be applied in their life.
Use examples from the book to talk about the importance of learning from mistakes and how personal growth is a continuous process.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Bravery in Adversity
Explanation: In 'The Serpent's Shadow,' the main characters, Carter and Sadie, face various challenges and threats from mythical forces. Despite their fears, they continue to fight against the forces of chaos.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to be courageous and face their own challenges, whether it’s trying something new or standing up against wrongdoings.
Example Lesson: Importance of Knowledge
Explanation: The protagonists utilize their knowledge of Egyptian mythology and magic to solve problems and defeat their enemies. Their learning is crucial to their success.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to appreciate and pursue knowledge, understanding that education can empower them to solve problems.
Example Lesson: Value of Teamwork
Explanation: Carter and Sadie, despite their differences, work together with their friends to battle common enemies. Their teamwork is essential for their victories.
Real-World Application: Kids can learn the importance of collaborating with others to achieve common goals, and the strength found in unity.
Example Lesson: Resilience in the Face of Loss
Explanation: The characters experience personal losses but continue to fight for their cause. Their resilience drives them forward.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the importance of resilience and moving forward constructively after experiencing loss.
Example Lesson: Embracing Diversity
Explanation: Characters in the book come from various cultural backgrounds, contributing different skills and perspectives to the team.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to embrace and value diverse cultures and viewpoints, understanding that diversity can lead to greater creativity and better solutions.