BookPath
The Red Pyramid
Rick Riordan

The Red Pyramid

Quick Answer

Start with "The Red Pyramid" to begin the The Kane Chronicles. It is the essential series starter and provides the necessary foundation for the rest of the books.

Quick Verdict

🟡 Optional side story — not required for main plot

âť“ Can I skip this book?
✅ Yes — Optional

This is a companion work that enriches the lore but is not strictly necessary to follow the main plot.

Verdict Insight: This is the essential series starter that introduces the Rick Riordan's core world and character arcs. It is required reading for all new fans.

Is this helpful?
2013192 ppNovellaOptional Side StorySeries StarterWikidataSource
Since their mother’s death, Carter and Sadie have become near strangers. While Sadie has lived with her grandparents in London, her brother has traveled the world with their father, the brilliant Egyptologist, Dr. Julius Kane. One night, Dr. Kane brings the siblings together for a “research experiment” at the British Museum, where he hopes to set things right for his family. Instead, he unleashes the Egyptian god Set, who banishes him to oblivion and forces the children to flee for their lives. Soon, Sadie and Carter discover that the gods of Egypt are waking, and the worst of them—Set—has his sights on the Kanes. To stop him, the siblings embark on a dangerous journey across the globe—a quest that brings them ever closer to the truth about their family, and their links to a secret order that has existed since the time of the pharaohs.
Next Recommended Book

The Throne Of Fire

Book #2 of 3 in Series

Complete Series Reading Order

Publication Order

Preserves character reveals and plot twists exactly as the author intended.

Chronological Order

May spoil surprises but improves timeline clarity for deep lore fans.

Order Confidence

high Confidence

Why this order?

This book establishes the premise of the series, detailing the rise of the Egyptian gods in the modern world and the Kanes' discovery of their powers and roles as hosts for the gods Horus and Isis.

Why This Order Is Confusing

Many reading lists for The Kane Chronicles conflict because early publishers often labeled short story collections as standalone novels, or rearranged internal chronologies for marketing. This guide follows original author intent and narrative continuity to settle the debate for good.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I skip reading The Red Pyramid?

This is a companion work that enriches the lore but is not strictly necessary to follow the main plot.

Can I read The Red Pyramid before other books in the series?

Yes. The Red Pyramid is an optional side story and can be read at any time without spoiling the main series plot.

Is The Red Pyramid required reading for the The Kane Chronicles?

No, it is a companion work that enriches the lore but is not essential to the central storyline.

What comes after The Red Pyramid in the reading order?

The next recommended book after The Red Pyramid is The Throne Of Fire (Book #2).