[Review] Seven Wonders: The Colossus Rises, by Peter Lerangis

"One Boy. Jack McKinley is an ordinary kid with an extraordinary problem. In a few months, he's going to die.One Mission. Jack needs to find seven magic loculi that, when combined, have the power to cure him. One Problem. The loculi are the relics of a lost civilization and haven't been seen in thousands of years. Seven Wonders. Because they're hidden in the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.The thrills begin in The Colossus Rises, the first installment in the epic seven-book adventure series Seven Wonders, from master storyteller and bestselling 39 Clues series author Peter Lerangis. The highly anticipated series has received early praise from Rick Riordan, author of the Percy Jackson series, who says, "A high-octane mix of modern adventure and ancient secrets, The Colossus Rises is Lerangis's most gripping work yet. Young readers will love this story. I can't wait to see what's next in the Seven Wonders series!"-Amazon

My Thoughts

After finishing Colossus rises,  I am sad to say it was a victim of over hype-page. Dear me, it was prophesied  as "the next Percy Jackson" for heaven's sakes! Now this is not to say it wasn't a good book, but it's nowhere near Riordan's work.
 I guess you could say my problems with the novel started early. The whole plot- the atlanteans, the select, the treatments, the dreams, the disorder and the Karai- were just so much to wrap my head around! I found myself pausing  at times to absorb the story so far.
My second problem with Colossus  is that I couldn't really figure out the morality of certain characters; or the organization they belonged to. I didn't know whether they were good guys, bad guys, or something in-between. For example, the professor! He kidnapped innocent children from their homes, lied to them, manipulated them, and is ultimately using them as tools for an ancient power.... Yet oddly, it seemed like he cared for them. His character was full of contradictions
So as I sit here, typing on my laptop, I wonder; "was the book really that bad?" The answer to that question would be no. If you don't mind the few things I stated above, I think this would be a great library worthy book for a middle grader. 
Rating: B-
What to expect?

• Atlantis! 
• Mythology
• Never before seen creatures!
• Magic