A contemporary adventure based on Maya mythology from Rick Riordan Presents! Zane Obispo spends every day exploring the sleeping volcano in his backyard. "The Beast" as he calls it, is the one place where he can escape other kids, who make fun of him because he has a limp and walks with a cane. After a twin-engine plane crashes into The Beast, a mysterious girl named Brooks shows up at Zane's doorstep, insisting that they meet at the volcano, where she will reveal a terrible secret. Zane agrees, mostly because beautiful girls like her don't usually talk to him. Brooks tells him that the volcano is actually a centuries-old prison for the Maya god of death, whose destiny is directly tied to Zane's. No way , Zane thinks. He's just a thirteen-year old nobody, and destiny or no destiny, he wants nothing to do with any of it, especially some god of death. But Brooks opens his eyes to the truth: magic, monsters, and gods are real, and Zane is at the center of an ancient prophecy that could mean the destruction of the world.Suddenly finding himself entangled in a web of dangerous secrets, Zane embarks on a quest that will take him far from home and test him to the very core. Feisty heroes, tricky gods, murderous demons, and spirited giants are just some of the pleasures that await in this fresh and funny take on Maya mythology, as rich and delicious as a mug of authentic hot chocolate. PRAISE FOR THE STORM RUNNER NEW YORK TIMES BEST-SELLING SERIES! "A perfect storm of inspiring heroes, surprising twists, and some seriously scary monsters. This hilarious, expertly-plotted adventure keeps you racing through the pages and leaves you desperate for the next book (and craving a steaming mug of hot chocolate)!" —Shannon Messenger, New York Times best-selling author of the Keeper of the Lost Cities series and the Sky Fall series "J. C. Cervantes is about to take you on a trip you will never forget, through the darkest, strangest, and funniest twists and turns of Maya myth. You will meet the scariest gods you can imagine, the creepiest denizens of the Underworld, and the most amazing and unlikely heroes who have to save our world from being ripped apart." —Rick Riordan, New York Times #1 best-selling author of the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series "The Storm Runner takes us on a wild thrill ride through the Southwest, Los Angeles, and the spirit realm amidst all-night diners, delicious cups of hot chocolate, and Maya deities. A terrific read leading to an explosive page-turner of a finale!" —Daniel Jose Older, New York Times best-selling author of Shadowshaper "The Storm Runner is brilliant, exhilarating, and funny. Its pages will burn in your hands, and Zane Obispo and the Maya gods will keep you up at night terrified and delighted! But beware, this book might reveal your own hidden magic." —Francisco X. Stork, author of Marcelo in the Real World ★ "Fantastic and villainous creatures from [Maya] folklore combine with clever, realistic, and heartwarming characters. A page-turning and well-written trip into the world of [Maya] mythology, perfect for fans of David Bowles’s Garza “Twins” and Rick Riordan’s “Percy Jackson” series." — School Library Journal (starred review) ★ "Zane is an instantly relatable character: he's frustrated by his circumstances and wants to do the right thing, though he often gets into trouble for fighting bullies or wandering off alone. Cervantes wastes no time getting right into the action, and her conversational tone and suspenseful pacing will keep the pages turning as the tension escalates and the characters face deepening stakes. Plentiful references to Mayan mythology and culture are bound to send readers searching for more background info, even with the glossary in the back matter. Don't miss this rip-roaring adventure." — Booklist (starred review) ". . .the high stakes will grab kids who just want to turn the pages as quickly as possible. . . .Zane's incredibly appealing kid voice and wry internal interjections make him easy to root for." —Kirkus Reviews PRAISE FOR THE FIRE KEEPER (Storm Runner, 2) “A fast-paced addition to a solid middle grade series whose mythological roots are sure to satisfy fans of the first book.” —School Library Journal PRAISE FOR THE LORDS OF NIGHT (Spin-off from the best-selling Storm Runner trilogy) "This volume sizzles with madcap fun, interweaving icons and figures from Mayan and Aztec mythology with dizzying results. The author excels at making these gods and goddesses cool and familiar. In the second half, many truths kept from Ren fall into fabulous place, spiraling into an exciting cliffhanger. This duology opener is accessible to readers who are new to this world. An engrossing, god-filled delight." ― Kirkus Reviews J. C. Cervantes (jennifercervantes.com) is the award winning author of Tortilla Sun , which was called "a beautiful and engaging debut" by Kirkus , an "imaginative, yet grou