The Secret of the Sacred Scarab
Author
Fiona Ingram
Publisher
iUniverse, Inc
No Review Copies Left
Cousins Justin and Adam are ecstatic about accompanying their aunt to Egypt. Both love adventure and know the work of James Kinnaird, an archaeologist searching for the tomb of an ancient Egyptian ruler, the Scarab King. Some dismiss the tomb as legend, but Justin and Adam believe differently. From the moment their plane lands, Justin and Adam bounce from one mysterious event to another, starting from the moment a street peddler gives Adam an ancient scarab. Dr. Khalid, head of the department of antiquities and research at the Egyptian Museum, shows excessive interest in the cousins and their relic. Then, when the boys learn that James Kinnaird is missing, they realize something sinister is afoot. Kidnapped and taken across the desert, the boys are plunged into serious danger and chased by ruthless enemies. Dr. Khalid will stop at nothing to discover the Scarab King's tomb and claim its treasures. But he has underestimated the boys' ingenuity. Join Justin and Adam as they evade their captors and unravel the secrets of the Scarab King. Relying on their wits, courage, and each other, the boys must solve the mystery of the sacred scarab and rescue James Kinnaird before time runs out.
Reviews
My Take: What a great summer read for tween boys especially. This book has all of the elements that boys would find interesting, boys for the main character, the adventure of Egypt the mystery behind the Sacred Scarab and the action of the chase and kidnapping. Girls will enjoy this book as well.
A by- product of this books may spark an interest in Egytian culture and history and what a better way for kids to spend time than learning. Great book!!
Reviewed on 07/01/2010 by ReviewTheBook.com Member Mindy Detweiler
We find upon opening this book that young Adam and his cousin Justin Sinclair have been invited to go on a tour of Egypt by their Aunt Isabel, an investigative journalist, and will be accompanied by their grandmother as well. Their excitement is palpable as they begin a journey of adventure, danger and even deception before finally making the discovery of which dreams are made.
Joining their tour group in Cairo, Adam is given three small scarabs by a peddler who disappears when the police arrive. Suddenly their average run of the mill tour is replaced by mystery and intrigue, some which place the boys in danger and some which give them insight into not only the three scarabs but another unique scarab they discover has been slipped unknown into a pocket of Adams’ pants.
Reviewed on 03/12/2010 by ReviewTheBook.com Member Susan Pettrone
If you have ever been curious about Ancient Egypt or you fantasized about visiting Egypt to see pyramids, the Nile River and the beautiful art and antiquities then I suggest getting a plane ticket today, but don't leave yet before reading this book. The Secret of the Sacred Scarab by Fiona Ingram is an absolutely delightful fiction book to be read by all ages. It is full of adventure, excitment and the amazing abilities of two cousins (Justin and Adam) who use their wits and good upbringing to tackle an adult world full of mystery and suspense in a foreign land.
This book is so well written and it captures your attention within the first paragraph of the book. It provides scenery that puts you into the middle of all the action. I especially love how I felt thinking back on my childhood or in the case of Justin and Adam, "tweens" who are so excited about embarking on a fascinating place, Egypt. I was excited about just going on a road trip to Colorado from Illinois at their age, let along a tweve hour flight to an unknown place that they only read about in books.
I was further excited to know that the author has a series called, "Chronicles of the Stone Series" (chroniclesofthestone.com). I cannot wait to read the next book written by Ms. Ingram. Ms. Ingram has the natural ability to provide young people and adults that any of us can thrust upon adventure at any place and at any time.We just need to be lucky like Justin and Adam who ran into a mysterious man who gave them a piece of history that has been lost for thousands of years and know that they are blessed with a smart and loving aunt who believes in them and their abilities.
Truly, this book captured me in the way the Harry Potter crazed does. I would love to see this book go into film. It is just that good.
Reviewed on 12/04/2009 by ReviewTheBook.com Member Felicia M. Hazzard
The Secret of the Sacred Scarab BY: Fiona Ingram PUBLISHED BY: iUniverse PUBLISHED IN: 2008 ISBN: 978-0-595-457168 Pages: 258 Ages: Teen & Up Reviewed by Billy Burgess In this first chapter of the Chronicles of the Stone, Adam and his cousin Justin are invited to go on a trip to Egypt by their Aunt Isabel and their Grandmother. The boys are excited about visiting another country. Their Aunt tells them that the archaeologist, James Kinnaird, has disappeared while looking for the tomb of the Scarab King. The tomb of the Scarab King is just a legend and has never been proven to exist by any archaeologist. When they arrived in Cairo, they joined a tour group. A stranger gives three tiny scarabs to Adam. More odd things happen. Their aunt’s camera is switched with Dr. Khalid’s camera. Adam then discovers a fourth scarab in his back pocket. What are theses mysterious scarabs? Is someone one following them? Is the legend of the Scarab King real? Adam and Justin must try to solve the mystery. Author Fiona Ingram mixes history and legends in this fast action adventure that keeps you reading till the very end. The characters are cleverly written. Young readers can easily step into the shoes of these two cousins and experienced this exciting adventure that takes you into the heart of Egypt. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good mystery.
Reviewed on 10/14/2009 by ReviewTheBook.com Member Billy Burgess
Justin and Adam, two cousins who are always looking for a grand adventure, and in the first book in the Chronicle of the Stone “The Secret of the Scared Scarab” by author Fiona Ingram, an adventure is exactly what they get. Accepting an invitation from their aunt Isabel to join her and their Grandmother on a trip to Egypt the boys are sure that an adventure awaits. Their idea is further established at their aunt’s house when they discover that the world renown Scottish archaeologist, James Kinnaird has disappeared trying to find the secret tomb of the Scarab King. The boys are determined to find the missing archaeologist and prove that the Scarab King is more than just a legend. When they land in Cairo they are unaware just how close they are to a real adventure. Joining up with the collective group that comprised Ramesside Tours, the boys are shocked when the tour guide, Laila informs them that the little scarab they brought with them was more than just a trinket but in fact was a cippi that supposedly harbored the power to save someone. Arriving at their first destination Memphis, the group is sent off to explore the ancient capital of Lower Egypt. Soon Justin and Adam encounter an odd peddler who is acting odd and asking if the boys happened to be English. Saying yes the peddler places three tiny scarabs into the Adams hand and run off soon to be arrested. From there things only become worse when aunt Isabel’s camera is stolen and instantly replaced by Dr. Khalid. After that Adam is connived that someone is following him. When they return to their hotel Adam discovers that the peddler also slipped a larger scarab into the pocket of his pants. Aunt Isabel tries to convince Adam and Justin that the scarab is just a souvenir but the boys are sure that the scarab is the key to finding James Kinnaird. Their suspensions are conformed when Dr. Khalid spots the drawing of the scarab in Adams notebook and then pays to have it stolen. Then Adam and Justin decides to follow Khalid they find that Khalid is behind the smuggling ring that has been plundering Egypt of it’s artifacts. Soon the boys are in more trouble than they know how to handle but they are still determined to solve the mystery on their own. When Adam is nearly killed at the Sphinx and has to be rescued by Ebrahim, he gives Adam his card and tells him call if he happens to need help. Adam then decides to give to the card to his Gran for safe keeping. Once again Adam finds himself in serious trouble after he and Justin figure out that the peddler also slipped a piece of paper into his pocket along with the scarab. Aunt Isabel demands that the boys explain to her what is going on. After telling their Aunt everything she sends a telegram from the ship to James’ father telling him the location that James is being held. From their it escalates out of control when Justin and Adam goes missing, and Isabel is also kidnapped. It’s now up to their Gran to solve the problem. Calling the number on the card once she arrives at the Embassy, Gran is determined to rescue her family. Figuring out that Dr. Khalid is the master mind behind the plot, they soon figure out that the scarab is not only an artifact but also one of the keys needed to open the tomb of the Scarab King. Finally the Justin, Adam, Aunt Isabel, and James are rescued and reunited with their families. Although this adventure comes to an end I’m sure it’s just the beginning of many more adventures to come. Fiona Ingram is the master of writing historical fiction for young adults. Her way with wording has you feeling as though you are part of the adventure. Each turn of the page delivers more action, adventure, and history. “The Secret of the Sacred Scarab”, is a must read for all young adults especially young Egyptologists. Fiona Ingram has not only added a brilliant cast of character but has also included Egypt as one of the characters instead of using it as just a backdrop for the story. Truly a book I would recommend reading, An amazing start to what I’m sure is going to be a wonderful series full of action and adventure.
Reviewed on 10/10/2009 by ReviewTheBook.com Member Angela Simmons
