Wednesday 5 October 2016

Review by Michelle Wilcox of “Imhotep” by Jerry Dubs

This is the first of four books in an exciting series written about the ancient Egyptian architect Imhotep, most famous for building the Step Pyramid.

The story starts, not in ancient Egypt as you would imagine, but in the present day where we join an American tourist, Tim Hope, exploring the ruins at Saqqara. Whilst exploring, he unknowingly passes through a time portal to ancient Egypt, at a time before the Sphinx and the Pyramids. He soon learns that he has been preceded by two other tourists and so sets off on a quest to find them.


On his quest he soon discovers more about the world that surrounds him; that King Djoser is Pharoah and has proclaimed himself divine, there has just been a seven year famine and that there is now a plot to overthrow the Pharaoh. Tim soon realises that his fate and that of Egypt rest in the hands of the legendary Imhotep – but where is he?


Whilst it took a few chapters for the story to become interesting, once it did, it was thrilling, with lots of twists and turns. The author brings alive the daily life of the ancient Egyptians and creates complex characters who develop throughout the story, and as we begin to learn their back stories, we find out what drives them. As with any good adventure story, there are heroes and villians, and a race against time to save loved ones. We also learn where the mysterious Imhotep is – you will have to read it to find out!


Ultimately it is a story filled with mystery, love, death and adventure, all set against the backdrop of 3rd Dynasty Egypt (although, if you are one for historical accuracy in a novel, just don’t look too closely!)


About the reviewer
Michelle Wilcox works as an Information Assistant at De Montfort University Library. In her spare time she likes to bake and enjoys arts and crafts - and also reading.


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