Mr Ripley's Enchanted Books - Iszi Lawrence - The Cursed Tomb - Book Review

If you’re ready to dive into a whirlwind of curses, myths, and the magnificent mysteries of ancient Egypt, then buckle up! Iszi Lawrence’s -The Cursed Tomb, takes readers on an exhilarating ride through 1249 BCE, where the only thing more curious than the pharaohs is the eleven-year-old heroine, Henut. 

Skeptical of everything, even the gods—talk about a mood! Henut's world is shattered when a mysterious break-in at her home ignites a series of events that feels like something straight out of a treasure-hunting adventure film. Cue unsettling dreams and a shadowy figure that seems to be on a mission of its own. Will she really venture into the legendary tombs of the Valley of Kings? Well, she might not have a choice, and that’s where the fun begins!

Lawrence crafts a narrative that's not just a thrilling dangerous quest but also rich with authentic historical details. From the rule of the mighty Pharaoh Rameses II to the enchanting practices of mummification, readers will find themselves immersed in the sights and sounds of ancient Egypt. It’s like stepping into a time machine, but with less risk of getting mummified!

Fans of Emma Carroll and *Horrible Histories* will absolutely adore this gem. The humour, the heroism, and the highs and lows of Henut’s adventure combine to create a story that's both educational and  entertaining. So, whether you’re a young reader or just a young-at-heart history buff, grab your copies of *The Cursed Tomb*. It’s a page-turner that will have you racing through the sands of time, dodging curses, and cheering for Henut all the way to the final page. 

Overall, *The Cursed Tomb* is a delightful thriller that embraces the spirit of adventure and the power of belief, reminding us that sometimes, facing the unknown can lead to the most magical experiences. Don’t miss it! 

Published by Bloomsbury Education (30 Jan. 2025)

Book News: NEIL GAIMAN INTRODUCES FORTUNATELY, THE MILK...

Fortunately, the Milk will be a time-travelling adventure for young readers featuring aliens, dinosaurs, volcano gods and a pint of milk that saves the universe! The book will be illustrated throughout by Chris Riddell, and will be the third Neil Gaiman project that Chris Riddell has worked on. Chris has previously illustrated the tenth anniversary edition of Coraline and The Graveyard Book, for which he was Kate Greenaway Medal shortlisted.

2013 is set to be the year of Neil Gaiman. In addition to publication of Fortunately, the Milk Bloomsbury Children’s Books will also publish a new picture book Chu’s Day and Unnatural Creatures, a collection of beastly stories chosen, introduced and featuring a short story by Neil. Headline Publishing Group will publish The Ocean at the End of the Lane for adult readers, and Neil is also scripting a new episode of Doctor Who to be screened this year.

Fortunately, the Milk will be published in hardback in September 2013

Gill Harvey - Egyptian Chronicles:The Horned Viper Book Review

Book synopsis:
The Horned Viper is the second in a new series of four books set in Ancient Egypt. The Spitting Cobra, the first in the series, was published in August 2009. Two further instalments will be released in 2010. Each book is a well researched and atmospheric evocation of Egyptian life encased in an exciting adventure story. The boy and girl characters, Hopi and Isis, feature in each book and readers will be intrigued to follow their struggles for existence and adventure in Egypt circa 1150 BC. In this story, The Horned Viper, Isis and Hopi find themselves on the banks of the River Nile, pitting their wits against dangerous servants. 


Mr Ripley's Book Review
The authors love for Egypt is evident and allows the reader to feel and sense the events clearly, even without any prior knowledge of ancient Egypt. The book is written in the same vein as the debut book "Orphan of the Sun" which sets the characters headlong in to the world of Egypt, circa 1150 BC. The book develops around an adventure, following the characters of Hopi and Isis, overcoming dangerous enemies and their fears. The story flows like the River Nile; the historic culture of this book makes it an enjoyable read, with much more to be developed within the next few books. 
The other great feature of this book involves the factual and detailed notes which are included, these will help younger readers to enhance their understanding and interest of ancient Egypt. 
I give this book three out of five - only due to the short nature of the story, I wonder if some of the stories could have been compiled into two books rather than four?


Another recommended read is Marissa Moss - The Pharaoh's Secret - See book review. 


Egyptian Chronicle Series:
Book One     The Spitting Cobra  Published by Bloomsbury 3 August 2009
Book Two     The Horned Viper    Published by Bloomsbury 5 October 2009
Book Three   The Sacred Scarab  Published by Bloomsbury 1 February 2010
Book Four     The Deathstalker    Published by Bloomsbury 5 April 2010


About the Author
Gill Harvey studied French and Philosophy at Oxford. After experimenting with a number of careers, she eventually got a job as a writer/editor at Usborne Publishing in 1994. Five years later, and having reached the position of Senior Editor and completed an MA in Modern Literature, Gill decided to go freelance. Since then, writing has become a way of life. Her love of horses has resulted in eight of the Heartland titles for Scholastic Inc under the name of Lauren Brooke; she has also written a couple of Hodder Children's Books Animal Ark series as Lucy Daniels. A year spent commuting to Egypt led to the writing of Orphan of the Sun, Gill's first book for Bloomsbury.