Sometimes you get a book that just propels itself to the top of your TBR! Hunt for the Golden Scarab was just that book this past weekend.
When MG Leonard first shared the news about this new series, Twitter basically imploded with excitement. She writes with such power and clear research into the subject area. The Beetle Boy series and her knowledge of mini beasts, then the Twitch series and her knowledge of birds and being a twitcher and of course her Adventures on trains series with Sam Sedgman, who is a self confessed train fan!
While she maybe hasn’t travelled back in time, she has imagined those times and created them perfectly in words. Sim and mum, Callidora live a quiet life in London. While they are both musical and have amazing abilities in judo, they live quietly. One morning, while sparring, two visitors arrive at the museum where they live. These are unwanted and unwelcome visitors so Callidora and Sim must escape. Callidora takes Sim to her brother’s home with a warning that he lies and cannot be trusted. Jeopardy, Emmet’s daughter is also there and the four get acquainted.
Callidora and Emmet have been keeping giant secrets from their children and it is time for the truth to emerge. However, the truth is hard to grasp.
Emmet and Callidora are time keys and can use music to open “doors” into other time periods. But they are considered renegade keys as they don’t follow the rules set by the Council of Keys, a society that governs movements. It’s new leader is desperate for the scarab beetle rumoured to have been buried with Nefertiti. It is said to provide eternal youth, something Kane Wolfe needs in order to be a key for ever.
A trip to Egypt to protect this scarab beetle quickly turns into a dangerous chase as Calli, Sim and Jeopardy must outrun and outwit council spies to save the beetle.
It was an entirely thrilling and exciting visit to Egypt and to Ancient times with Tutankhamen and Henry Carter playing roles within this tale. Callidora is an incredible character, one with strength, courage and power. Her son Sim is kind, loyal and better at fighting than he believes. Jeopardy is brave, musical and still trying to really understand her relationship with her Dad. The characters in this book make it easy to follow them on their journeys and in making the bold decisions they are faced with.
A phenomenal start to what sounds like an incredible series. I can’t wait to see where and when they go next!
My Shelves Are Full 