Review: An Entertaining Page-Turner For Young and Old
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 12 11, 2010
A mystery, a secret, prophetic dreams, and a threat to the planet's existence. Sound like a good beginning? It is. But there's more, and it starts when young archeologists Alex (Alexandra) Logan and Mitch Carver stumble across an artifact while part of an excavation team working near the Great Sphinx. The pair don't know what they've discovered, but they suspect it's significant. They also know they can't trust the professor they report to. Meanwhile, 12,000 years earlier, a race of people called the Kierani are dealing with their own secrets, betrayals, and threat of destruction.This all makes for a dynamic page-turner as the pressure mounts for both ancient and modern characters. There's a lot going on in this multi-faceted story as intrigue and tension mounts in gripping climaxes. Plot aside, what's especially appealing about Secret of the Sands is the way authors Rai Aren and Tavius E entwine both stories using multiple viewpoints and short, engaging chapters. Their simple writing style is also suitable for younger readers.While I've certainly enjoyed my share of novels, few of them have left me wanting to rush out and by the sequel as much as this one does. The story leaves some big questions unanswered, and while that strategy might irritate some, it sure didn't hurt the Star Wars movies. Nor should it hurt this entertaining novel.