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The Kane Chronicles: The Graphic Novels #3

The Serpent's Shadow: The Graphic Novel

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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. This non-stop thrill ride is adapted and brought to life by Orpheus Collar, who previously adapted and illustrated the rest of the Kane Chronicles series: Red Pyramid, The Graphic Novel; and Throne of Fire, The Graphic Novel.

160 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 3, 2017

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Orpheus Collar

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5 stars
1,813 (61%)
4 stars
743 (25%)
3 stars
339 (11%)
2 stars
52 (1%)
1 star
18 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 117 reviews
Profile Image for Jeff.
143 reviews490 followers
December 13, 2017
Loved the chapter books, so obviously, I had to get this one ;)

A great story, but the graphics need work.....
And god, the words are way too tiny to be able to read!!!

Plz, let’s publish one with bigger letters :D
Profile Image for Sophia.
2,740 reviews384 followers
January 13, 2022
This was the story I remembered the least.
Again, it’s a shame so many scenes were shortened. But I do understand.

I was never a fan of the... I think it was the colouring? The fuzzy way the characters looked!
However, there are times I laughed at the little added illustrations. Plus for certain scenes, the illustrations were helpful.

I took a bit of a break from this world but glad to be diving back in. I’m excited to read the stories I haven’t before!
Profile Image for May.
185 reviews10 followers
February 19, 2021
This graphic novel was a quick and entertaining read! Naturally, this would feel rushed compared to the original novel. I did appreciate the scenes included and the artwork was amazing! My only complaint is the font. Not sure if it's only because I was reading an ebook version of this, but the font of the text felt smaller than usual.

Reading these graphic novels makes me want to reread the original trilogy!
Profile Image for Liz Weasleyhead.
880 reviews88 followers
August 23, 2020
The art style was so good in this volume. The action scene are so well done and overall I really liked the Visualization of the story, although this volume was so much darker and kinda creepier than the first two graphic novels.
Profile Image for catherine ♡.
1,704 reviews172 followers
March 19, 2024
I'd forgotten pretty much the entire thing so this was basically a new read — I enjoyed it and appreciate that the humor is still here. It obviously still feels a little rushed compared to the originals (something I've noticed with all of Riordan's graphic novel adaptations), but it was still a nice read.
Profile Image for Tisha (On partial hiatus).
45 reviews40 followers
January 19, 2021
The book was much better than I expected. After a couple of pages, I was ready to throw this book out of the window, but it improvised. It probably didn't want me to rip it apart. Probably.
The book was exactly like what Rick would write for a rough summary of the book. I'll just give a couple of pros and cons.

Cons:
1. Anubis looked evil. Walt looked 50. Professor Thoth DID NOT look like what I imagined( a guy in his 20's with sand and pepper hair and a smile)
2. Sometimes, the descriptions were a little too elaborate(read:disgusting)for me to contemplate)
3. That scene where Walt swoops in and catches the knife from hitting Sadie(The scene I was eager for) Was a huge disappointment(Hey,what's new?)
4. I DID NOT imagine Amos as some big beefy guy with weird goggles. Amos to me seemed more slick, thin and fashionable with his suits and all.

Pros:
1. Sadie looked fine
2.(This is not a pro just a reference) That guy, face of horror, looked like Red Skull from Captain America XD
3. The drawing became better at the end of the book.
4. I am out of pros.

Well, I do NOT want to read the graphic novel for the second book(gee, I don't know why) But I will move on to Demigod and Magicians, then the Kane survival guide and then Magnus Chase and then KOTLC then, well this will go on forever but bye for now!
Profile Image for Joyce.
711 reviews
May 4, 2018
3.5 stars
Really well adapted from the book. It was very action pack and interesting. The portrayal of the story plot were okay. I'm so glad in a way I got to finish this series. The Egyptian mythology is very on point. Rick Riordan is the king in adapting mythology to the understanding of children. I enjoyed the final battle and the happy ending. Overall, a good read and would definitely recommend reading the novels.
Profile Image for Belén Coronel Blanes.
486 reviews46 followers
November 9, 2025
Me súper encantaron los personajes, las dinámicas entre ellos y también la trama.
Además, me dejó con ganas de saber más sobre la mitología egipcia.
¡Recomendadísimo!
Profile Image for Julia.
625 reviews104 followers
February 5, 2021
"Ese obelisco es el símbolo del orden. Todo lo demás... ¡Es el poder de Apofis! Siempre minando la creación, siempre devorando y destruyendo. Decidme, ¿Cuál de las dos fuerzas es más poderosa?"

Ya finalizado el último volumen que adapta la trilogía de "Las Crónicas de Kane" y me quedo un poco triste de ver nuevamente partir a estos personajes. Las ilustraciones siguen siendo magníficas, en todo sentido, ya que a parte de reflejar perfectamente la historia creada por Rick Riordan también desarrollan los momentos de comedia existentes en los libros de una manera original.
Mi única crítica es que se sintió muy corta, es claro que eliminaron bastantes escenas, y porque es adaptación se entiende, pero igual creo que falto un desarrollo en ciertas narrativas.
A pesar de esto, el artista logra darle un buen cierre a la trama y a la trilogía. Indudablemente, es una muy buena opción para aproximarse a esta saga.
Profile Image for Laura.
1,765 reviews26 followers
January 19, 2021
Creo que es la novela gráfica que más me ha gustado de las tres, pero sigo pensando igual. Han tenido que quitar mucho material para poder adaptarla a este formato y la historia se queda pobre y cuesta entenderla bien, ya que al leerla sientes que te falta información para poder entender bien la narración y que todo cuaje, o al menos esa ha sido mi impresión.
En un futuro (espero que cercano) me leeré los libros para conocer bien la mitología egipcia, porque si algo tiene Rick Riordan es que hace que aprender mitología sea fácil y divertido.
Profile Image for kerrycat.
1,918 reviews
December 13, 2017
I love these kids . . . I was laughing hysterically by page four (Khufu!). Spectacular artwork from Orpheus Collar, as expected, and I am just stunned by how gorgeous Sadie, Zia, Bast, Anubis (damn, boy), and Isis - well, everyone - is. Absolutely gorgeous. I love this series just as much as the PJO titles (disagree if you must) and seeing it as a graphic novel so brilliantly crafted is an absolute joy. Appearances by my favorite crocs, Philip and Sobek, didn't hurt.
Profile Image for Anna.
343 reviews35 followers
June 14, 2018
Just as good as the rest!
I don't want to repeat myself but: This is too good!!! <3
I have loved this third one since I first read it but I can't name the best out of three. One thing I was very very upset about when I read the book was the Walt/Anubis merge. I was honestly yelling like: come on! But now, well it wasn't as annoying as I remembered. I couldn't be happier about the end.

One more thing: Walnubis xD
I couldn't stop laughing!!
Profile Image for Alicia.
1,004 reviews17 followers
December 22, 2022
3.5

I felt like this one was very rushed. If I had never read the novels, I think I would have been confused over the motivations behind Carter and Sadie’s actions. It also felt like their problems were handled too easily and the answers were given to them without any work. I know that the graphic novel can’t be as long as the regular novel, but I think it would have benefitted from being a little bit longer.
Profile Image for Jaden C..
17 reviews
September 10, 2019
This was pretty full of pandemonium! I really liked this codex. I recommend this manuscript to you, make sure to get it at your public athenaeum. Thank you Orpheus very much I liked this one much better!!!
Profile Image for Vivianne Junco.
215 reviews4 followers
July 26, 2021
Por fin Apophis fue vencida, aunque la ida de los dioses me parece triste. Por otro lado, hubo momentos en que sentí que las ilustraciones no eran lo suficientemente claras, pero eso no le restó disfrute a la lectura.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Elizabeth Ann.
383 reviews7 followers
December 13, 2022
This plot line fell a lot heavier than the Percy Jackson series which I kind of enjoyed. I understand that they are for the younger lot but it is still really fun to read and get a little bit out of it. I’m glad I read these before I decided to read the actual books because it gets me a little bit of an outline of what I’m going into.
Profile Image for Makenzie Muñoz.
370 reviews1 follower
June 22, 2025
more enjoyable than the others!! but still not as good as the demigod series.
Profile Image for Yaiza.
670 reviews9 followers
February 18, 2022
Un final de trilogía bastante movidito y emocionante como nos tiene acostumbrados el tío Rick, ha estado guay pero nada que ver con mis Semidioses griegos 🥰
Profile Image for Evie.
13 reviews
February 18, 2021
Almost as good as the book, because there is less detail.
Profile Image for Abel.
86 reviews3 followers
October 16, 2019
Story Plot- A
Illustration- A+
Color- A+
Layout- A
Lettering- A
Grade- A

Orpheus Collar adapting the 3rd Chapter And The Satisfying Conclusion of the Kane Chronicles Graphic Novel!

Collar did Chapter #, Layout, And Lettering re-experienced Story Based on Egyptian Mythology is Very Well Done And Bring Fun And Danger to Challenge. The difference between the Novel and GN Adaptation is some part of Plot can’t be Absolute 100% on This And sometime, if moment uncut, can be disappointing, and little different.

The Artwork is breaktaking And Much Better Than the 2nd, And Color is Visually Spectacular On Highlight. It is so Magnificently Great Shine of Illistration about Everything: Gods, Monsters, And Others of Egypt Myth, Settings And Landscape, Characters And More. Collar really know how to see the Vision of Riordan’s Mythological Worlds! That’s the Promise One. I got to be Honest, the Illustration with Colors are Very Beautiful as the Far Better.

Much Like the Previous, Adventure Bring The Journey To the End, Characters were Great, Humor Are Still Goof, and Romance were a little touch and heartwarming.

The Action Are Explosive Awesome And Non-Stop Fireworks Around Every Moments with a Bunch of Spellbounding. Moments such as Battle is incredibly Outstanding on Action Sequences. Minor Battles on 1st and 2nd Act can be quite Thrill And Terrifying, Then the Final Battle of The Three Pyramids In Giza was astonishing Breathtaking beautiful that I never imagine like this after I read the Original Novel that really Hard to follow what in my mind that felt Rush What Protagonist’s 1st POV to describe.

The Epilogue were Very Well Deserve To End But Some Scene Were Cut Including Mother Speak To Sadie about the Escape of Setne and ‘Another Gods And Rival Magic’. I just Hope that either Collar or Robert Venditti or Both To GN Adapt The Epic Crossover Short Stories of Demigods & Magicians. I would love if they would do That. Don’t You Think?

This been Wrap Up To Complete the GN Trilogy To become the Far the Best Adaptation Ever of Riordan’s Novels. 190 pages in every Super Highlight Color, Characters’s Facial Expression And Emotion, And Bring The World of Egypt Back to Life was extremely Knowledge, Well just a Fiction.
It is sad that only 3, but if been better like 4 (Semi-Final) And 5 (Final) would exist by the Storyteller of the Gods. But it is Best Way To End.

P.S.- Collar deserves the Awards of the Best Writer And Artist of the Graphic Novel And Comic Book.
Profile Image for Samsnerdylife.
290 reviews10 followers
May 2, 2018
This was the best one of the series by far! It kicked off quickly and just kept going! Awesome illustrations and it was just perfect! I kind of want more! I will have to start the Magnus Chase or Trials of Apollo books soon 😆
Profile Image for Tal's.
103 reviews5 followers
August 23, 2021
Definitely five stars for the illustration. Amazing and accurate depiction of battles, my imagination is super spoiled.

I like this one. The enemy, Setne, is intriguing and smart, other than ofc the almighty Apophis that's just basic huge evil serpent. I really like Setne, his addition add more spice to the whole game, instead of the usual saving the world against evil powerhouse kinda thing. Starting it with the deaths of some Nome also nice, though I don't really feel the sadness since the book didn't give me space to actually recognize and bond with the other Nome. Only the first one, in Egypt.

There are more important choices, hard choices vs. harder choices, and it's interesting to read how Carter and Sadie navigate through those choices. Again, I love Zia and her bond with Ra is just a superb plot I'm all for it. I weirdly wanted for Walt to just be dead and Sadie and Anubis left to their own devices (back to 6 months-is communication because hello Sadie, Anubis is a God, ofc he can't contact you once a week duh🙄) but well the Walnubis do save the show during the end fight inside House of Life aaand their dance with Sadie in epilogue is also pretty cute so I forgive the not-so plot-twist.

Now, my favourite moments.
CARTER AS PHARAOH AND THREATENING TO SMITE THE GODS!
BAS COMEBACK IN SEA OF CHAOS!
HOUSE OF RETIREMENT ARMY KICKING DEMONS ASSES!!!
Mr. Kane being fatherly and doting yet stern as Osiris
Cute interaction with the devourer of souls
Carter being Carter and stupidly trusting to Setne
Sadie give a fuck-you to Walnubis and only forgive them a bit once the battle has won

The ending is very well thought off, and gives peaceful vibes, without feeling like it's actually the end. I kinda believe that the Houses are still up and running somewhere even now, even without Gods and Goddesses roaming around the world. A wonderful close.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Katka Olajcová.
550 reviews9 followers
June 27, 2018
Z tohto dielu som si pamätala asi najmenej.
Svet ohrozuje Apop a Carter a Sadie sú (očividne) jediní, kto ho dokáže zastaviť. Od Thovta sa dozvedia, že Apopa porazia tak, ak chytia jeho tieň a ten zničia. Miesto umiestnenia tieňa napísal Thovt do svojej knihy, ktorú šmajzol istý Setne aka Chuamweset, takže sa s ním musia dohodnúť (ale ako to že Thovt nevie, čo si zapísal do knihy? HMMM???). Setne je ale malý hajzel (pamätám si, že keď som toto čítala prvýkrát vedela som presne, kto Setne bol a bola som na seba hrdá (lebo som pred tým čítala nejakú egyptskú knihu, v ktorej bol), ale teraz nemám najmenšiu šajnu). Popritom ale nájdu aj tieň Besa, aby jeho zas oživili.
Napätie a nebezpečie sa dá prakticky krájať z každej jednej strany a každého jedného obrázku. Okrem hlavnej zápletky (zabi Apopa, zachrániš svet), sa nám rozvíjajú naše zamilované páriky. Carter a Zia sa konečne pobozkajú a ja opätovne necítim medzi nimi nijakú chémiu.
Sadie sa konečne dozvie, že Anup vhupol do Walta a tak mu dovolil žiť, čo považujem za lacný spôsob vyriešenia jej problému: Anup alebo Walt? Boh alebo človek? (správna odpoveď je Anup).
Znova ale musím vyzdvihnúť grafickú stránku, ktorá je prenádherná (vyzdvihujem najmä môj najobľúbenejší panel všetkých čias, keď si Carter predstavuje, ako Anup vo svojej šakalej forme olizuje Sadie, Carter sa smeje a Sadie má nadvihnuté obočie, paráda).
Parádne zakončenie trilógie, aj keď možno trošku zrýchlené, ale možno to robilo to grafické spracovanie.
Profile Image for Scout Langley.
356 reviews1 follower
June 5, 2021
"I looked for a falcon, but they are a little scarce in New York. I wanted something with wings. Pigeons have adapted well to cities and aren't scared of people. Noble creatures, don't you think?"

I read the series awhile ago and used the graphic novel for a quick reread. Can I just say you never get tired of the gods and human banter? I have missed this type of humor for too long... Something that I really appreciated that I do not remember in my first read is the slight touch of world issues. Which made me love the story even more!! (the god of air comes to separate Sadie and Anabus and has the most hilarious speech)

"I'd prefer to be invisible. Thank you very much, but you mortals have polluted up the air so badly that its getting harder and harder. (takes out his little inhaler) Have you guys heard of spare the air-days? Carpooling? Hybrid engines? And don't get me started on COWS? Did you know that every cow belches and farts over a hundred gallons of methane every day? There are one and half billion cows in the world. Do you have any idea what that does to my respiratory system?"

OMG.. I just love it so much. That said to me the artwork was just so-so. Additionally, my favorite part of this series is the banter but their is so little of it in this that it just don't feel like the same thing. I know the Rick Riordan is popular but I don't know if this was the best book to make into a graphic novel because of all the Egyptian mythology to explain. It just felt like a run down of information rather a graphic novel sometimes.
Profile Image for cauldronofevil.
1,162 reviews4 followers
February 25, 2023
The Serpent’s Shadow

Having read ‘The Lightning Thief’ and being alive in America I knew who Rick Riordan was and it’s no surprise that he’s got graphic novels about his work.

I’m pretty sure this is the middle or end of a story and I don’t know if it is based on existing books, but I thought I’d check it out.

The artwork is done in a semi-painted style that I really dislike. Painted comic books seem like lipstick on a pig to me. If the art is good, you don’t need the paint and if the art is bad, the paint ain’t gonna help.

Here it doesn’t help.

So this story is about a gang of kids with “Egypt Myth” powers. It’s like the X-Men but with even weirder powers.

They are defending a museum against an evil Egyptian snake god. Why they carry boomerangs I have no idea.

Somewhere in the middle of Chapter 2 I’m going to abandon this book.

The artwork is mediocre and while the premise is interesting - an Egyptian god powers a gang of kids to fight an evil snake god - I’m just not that into it.

I’d give this 2 stars, but probably because I’m starting at book 2 rather than book 1. If you have any interest in this - or if it is in fact a graphic novel based on a book, don’t let that discourage you from checking it out.
Profile Image for Chalinviri .
455 reviews
August 7, 2021
Ok creo que ya capte cómo va la dinámica con estás novelas graficas....

Realmente me gusta muchísimo está historia de los hermanos Kane...y plasmar los 3libros en una novela gráfica es sin duda todo un reto.

Aprecié muchísimo el arte, y hay muchos personajes que me gustaron cómo quedaron...sin embargo Walt, Zia y Sadie los sentí muy diferentes...

No me maten, no fui fan del arte para esos 3...es que se supone que tienen 13 y 15 años...y en la novela se ven mucho más grandes...en especial Sadie, y fue una sensación horrible, porque yo quería que me gustará porque amo la historia...Carter al inicio de la pirámide Roja tampoco me gustaba, pero ya en esta novela, ya lo vi más acordé a su edad.

He de decir que de toda la trilogía, esta fue la mejor novela de todas.

Por la historia, la sentí super resumida, pero creo que es normal, teniendo en cuenta que hay mucho mas pensamientos que diálogos, y aunque si lo sentí como muy seco entre sus interacciones, lo pase un poco por algo.

Vale la pena está saga de Novelas Gráficas para conocer este gran mundo (y puedes visualizar muy bien a algunas deidades) pero en mi muy humilde opinión, prefiero los libros.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 117 reviews

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