The Red Pyramid

     Following on from my introduction to Egyptian mythology in the last post , this week, I'd like to present an Egyptian-myth-based novel to you. This book is the first book of "The Kane Chronicles" series, and it is also written by the author of The Percy Jackson and The Olympians series. The Kane Chronicles had its name from the two main characters---Carter and Sadie Kane. And this book, The Red Pyramid, got its name from the magical red pyramid of  Egyptian god Set mentioned in the story.
     The author presented the story in the way of the Kane's digital recording's transcript in which Carter and Sadie told the story alternately. The siblings had been near-strangers after their mother's death. And the story started on one of their twice-in-a-year visitation day.
     Ever since their mother's death, Sadie lived with their grandparents in London. As to Sadie's older brother, Carter, he traveled the world with their father, Dr. Julius Kane. On that regular visitation day during Christmas holiday, Carter and his father Julius Kane went to London to pick up Sadie as usual. Being an Egyptologist, Dr. Julius Kane brought the kids to the British Museum to finish some "final tasks". However,  Dr. Julius Kane accidentally unleashes five Egyptian gods including the worst one Set duing the process. Set banished Julius to oblivion and made the siblings flee for their lives. With one of the most powerful gods chasing behind them, Carter and Sadie embarked on a dangerous journey to save their dad and find out the truth of their mother's death.....

The Secret Power of Names in Egyptian Myth

      It is said that each Egyptian god and goddess has a secret name. The secret name is the name aside from the name that is known by the others. In other words, each god and goddess has a "public" name, a name that is shown to the outside world and  used to communicate with others and also a "secret" name. The secret name is usually known only to the god himself or the goddess herself. This secret name has unlimited power for anyone else. Whoever has learned the secret name of a god or goddess can gain control over the god or goddess. (But note that the secret name must come from the owner's own lips to give the other power over the owner.)  Thus, one can well imagine, the secret name of the great god Ra is the most desirable gift to those ambitious for the throne of Ra.


Stories of Egyptian mythology

     Among the competitors for Ra's secret name, the final champion is the cunning granddaughter of Ra--Isis. According to Egyptian mythology, Isis took a very nasty approach to learn Ra's name. She took the chance when Ra was old and sick. By poisoning her grandfather with cure only known to herself, Isis asked Ra to tell her his secret name in exchange for the single remedy against the poison. Under such great agonies, Ra submitted to Isis's request. In the end, Isis did heal Ra but Ra's secret name business also gave her power over Ra.

     Isis's true aim isn't Ra's throne though. She simply used this secret name as a threat to force Ra to retreat into the heavens and opened the way for her beloved, Osiris, to become the new king of the gods.