About the Book
-
Author:
- M.C. (Murray) Morison
Cover Story: Walk Like An Egyptian
BFF Charm: Yay!
Talky Talk: Well Behaved British Teen
Bonus Factor: Time Traveling to Ancient Civilizations
Relationship Status: Second Date Material
Cover Story: Walk Like An Egyptian
Hats off to another cover I wouldn’t be embarrassed to take out in public. The golden Egyptian figures are classic but attractive. I suspect that in lesser hands (or if this book were written by a woman) it would have a beautiful priestess lying on her back looking moody. Thank goodness this is not that kind of book – or cover.
The Deal
Thirteen-year-old Rhory Bruce is a sweet but average kid living in present day England, until an Egyptian priestess appears to him while he’s touring the British Museum. Rhory finds himself suddenly plagued with terrifyingly real dreams, apparitions in his room at night, and a dream journal that channels the words of a girl who has been dead for five thousand years – all because the teenage priestess opened a time portal to the present day.
Meanwhile, a secret society with heavy emphasis on the metaphysical has taken note of this connection, and they are determined to control the time pathways themselves. All Rhory has to do is solve the mystery of the time sphere, figure out who is friend or foe…and still pay attention in Maths class.
The book is beautifully filled out with Egyptian, Druid, and Greek historical tidbits – according to his biography, author M.C. Morison lives in Crete and studied “how the Hermetic mysteries spread from Egypt through Greece and into Europe, being hidden in plain view up until the present day.” If you love history, science, metaphysics, and philosophy, you will thoroughly enjoy this book.
BFF Charm: Yay!
I loved Rhory, even though I have never met such a sweet thirteen-year-old boy in my life. I am not entirely sure that such a kid could exist. Rhory is smart (although he feels he’ll never measure up to his big sister), has a strong sense of morality, dry wit, and a dogged determination to see the mystery through to the end. Any time a friend or family member is in danger, he steps up to help them without hesitation or the slightest whiff of martyrdom.
Swoonworthy Scale: 3
There isn’t any romance in this book, but I loved it when Rhory would blush and stumble over his words whenever a pretty girl was around.
Talky Talk: Well Behaved British Teen
Morison’s words are well-chosen and full of dry wit – though Rhory is not the most eloquent of boys, he has an unassuming sense of humor and unusual (to my American ears) expressions that made me laugh out loud several times. (Where were you when I was a teenager, Rhory?) For example, he describes a purse belonging to a young woman on a train as “a space full of mystery and lipsticks.”
The book is written in a mature yet accessible style that never condescends, which would make me recommend it to adults and teens alike.
Bonus Factor: Time Traveling to Ancient Civilizations
Rhory gets to visit not only ancient Egypt, but ancient Greece and the Druids. The history nerd in me practically swooned – who wouldn’t want to go see what life was actually like in some of the greatest, most mysterious civilizations on Earth? (Before safely returning home to running water, soft mattresses, and the internet, of course. There should really be time-travel tourism.)
Relationship Status: Second Date Material
I think our first date went pretty well, book. You were interesting, eloquent, and exciting – we could really have a connection, and we’re even living in the same era! I can’t wait to see what happens on our next adventure.
FTC Full Disclosure: I received a free review copy from Lodestone Books. I received neither money nor a pet unicorn for writing this review, despite how hard I wished for one. Time Sphere will be available May 30.
