The Cursed Tomb: A thrilling, ancient-Egyptian adventure

By Author / Illustrator
Iszi Lawrence
Genre
Adventure
Age range(s)
9+
Publisher
Bloomsbury Children's Books
ISBN
9781801996051
Format
Paperback / softback
Published
30-01-2025
Synopsis
A thrilling adventure of curses, myths and legends set in ancient Egypt, perfect for fans of Emma Carroll and Horrible Histories.
It's 1249 BCE in ancient Egypt and eleven-year-old Henut is sceptical of just about everything, even the gods. But a mysterious break-in, an unsettling dream and a strangely familiar shadowy figure lead her into a dangerous quest she could never have imagined. Will she really venture into a tomb in the Valley of Kings? She might not have a choice...
Packed with real historical details of the rule of Pharaoh Rameses II, mummification, hieroglyphs, historical figures and the pyramids of Giza, this page-turning thriller about the myths and magic of ancient Egypt will have readers gripped.
Reviews
Jacqueline
In The Cursed Tomb, 11-year-old Henut lives in ancient Egypt in 1249 BCE. Odd things start to happen that appear to be linked to the gods. Henut is not sure she believes in the gods controlling everything, but then she is thrust on a quest that will make her question everything she thought was true.
I do enjoy Iszi Lawrence's books - she is a master at finding a voice in historical fiction. She is also brilliant at finding an obscure bit of history and turning it into an exciting novel. As with several of her other books, the reader knows a bit about the era but learns a whole lot more as they read on.
Henut is a feisty heroine, with a mind of her own. She is instantly likeable. The book is packed with historical detail and culture, and I found it a fascinating read. The cover by Elisa Paganelli is eye catching and brings Henut to life. As many schools study the Ancient Egyptians and like to have a story to read alongside the topic, this would make an excellent addition to Ancient Egyptian resources, as well as a very exciting read aloud.
288 pages / Reviewed by Jacqueline Harris, teacher
Suggested Reading Age 9+