Review: A Remarkably Refreshing YA Paranormal Adventure in Egypt!
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 08 17, 2013
Being a teen has its moments, right? Being a teenaged girl living in Egypt, whose father has been called "Egypt's own Indiana Jones" can be a mixed blessing. Olivia isn't part of the popular, rich crowd at the school she attends (her father is a professor there), but she thrives on the history of Egypt, learning all she can from her father while on his digs. Not the kind of thing that makes you a hit with your classmates, but Olivia will soon find that all that knowledge will take her on an adventure into a world that was thought most likely to be more myth than fact when she and two classmates must run for their lives as civil unrest devastates the streets of Cairo and foreigners become targets for death! How has Olivia unlocked the secrets of the underground tunnels from long ago priests? Who else is after this knowledge? Will it be up to her to save the people she loves or will she die trying?Egypt Rising by Stan Schatt pulled into the land of Egypt, where the sun beats down, tension runs hot on the streets and the mysteries of what lies below the sand and pyramids have teased and taunted Egyptologists for eons. Skillfully, Mr. Schatt has created an enticing young adult story that subtly weaves the convoluted life of his heroine with detailed scenes of life in Cairo, its religious customs and political unrest of the region. His heroine, Olivia, is completely likable, understandable and her thoughts are true to those of any teenager, although she did display a remarkable sense of maturity through the many assaults on what she had believed her life to be! Quite bravely, Mr. Schatt has given the story's voice to Olivia, who tells this tale, complete with her often snarky inner thoughts, occasional sense of insecurity, and lack of fear in speaking her mind when needed!From the first page, and quite possibly the first sentence, I was hooked on this refreshingly different YA read that is suitable and enjoyable for all ages! My only warning: If you have MAJOR spider issues, you might scratch at your skin a little! A review copy was provided by Stan Schatt in exchange for my honest review.