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The Eyes of Pharaoh

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The Eyes of Pharaoh, 1177 BC: During the reign of Pharaoh Ramses the Third, Seshta, a 13-year-old dancer in the Temple of Hathor, dreams of becoming a famous entertainer. Horus, the brother of her heart, is content as a toymaker's apprentice. Reya, at 16, has joined Egypt's army with hopes of becoming a hero. Despite their different paths, nothing can break the bonds of their friendship. Yet when Reya hints that Egypt is in danger from foreign nomads, Seshta and Horus don't take him seriously. How could anyone challenge Egypt?

Then Reya disappears. Seshta and Horus set out to find him--and discover a darker plot than they ever imagined. To save their friend, Seshta and Horus spy on merchants, soldiers, and royalty, and start to suspect even The Eyes of Pharaoh, the powerful head of the secret police. Will Seshta and Horus escape the traps set for them, rescue Reya, and stop the plot against Egypt in time?

Set in ancient Egypt, this story of drama and intrigue brings an ancient world to life. The ideas in this book echo in the international politics of today, while the power of friendship will touch hearts both young and old.

Readers agree:

"Mid School students and their teachers will love this fast paced mystery that has so much history and culture hidden in plain sight.... You won't be able to put the book down until you learn what happens to the three friends."

"THE EYES OF PHARAOH delivers what I expect from author Chris Eboch - exciting action with interesting characters, a brisk plot line and historically-accurate details of the book's setting. The concepts of loyalty and friendship are as relevant today as they would have been to the main characters in this book despite the thousands+ years difference in time. Another good read from a solid author."

133 pages, Paperback

First published June 3, 2011

11 people are currently reading
60 people want to read

About the author

Chris Eboch

33 books53 followers
Chris Eboch writes a variety of genres for all ages. Advanced Plotting helps writers identify and fix plot weaknesses.

The Genie’s Gift is a lighthearted action novel. Shy Anise seeks the Genie Shakayak to claim the Gift of Sweet Speech. How will she get past a vicious she-ghoul, a sorceress who turns people to stone, and mysterious sea monsters, when she can’t even speak in front of strangers?

The Eyes of Pharaoh is a mystery set in ancient Egypt. This story of drama and intrigue brings an ancient world to life as three friends investigate a plot against the Pharaoh.

In The Well of Sacrifice, a Mayan girl in ninth-century Guatemala rebels against the High Priest who sacrifices anyone challenging his power.

Read excerpts at www.chriseboch.com.

Other books by Chris Eboch include the Haunted series for ages 8-12, which follows a brother and sister who travel with their parents’ ghost hunter TV show. They try to help the ghosts, while keeping their activities secret from meddling grownups. In The Ghost on the Stairs, an 1880s ghost bride haunts a Colorado hotel, waiting for her missing husband to return. The Riverboat Phantom features a steamboat pilot still trying to prevent a long-ago disaster. In The Knight in the Shadows, a Renaissance French squire protects a sword on display at a New York City museum. During The Ghost Miner’s Treasure (2012), Jon and Tania help a dead man find his lost gold mine—but they’re not the only ones looking for it.

Jesse Owens: Young Record Breaker and Milton Hershey: Young Chocolatier are inspirational biographies in Simon & Schuster’s Childhood of Famous Americans series, written under the name M.M. Eboch.

Ms. Eboch also writes for adults as Kris Bock. Kris Bock novels are suspense and romance involving outdoor adventures and Southwestern landscapes. . Counterfeits starts a new series about stolen Rembrandt paintings that may be hidden in a small New Mexico art camp. Whispers in the Dark features archaeology and intrigue among ancient Southwest ruins. What We Found is a suspense with romantic elements about a young woman who finds a murder victim in the woods. Rattled follows the hunt for a long-lost treasure in the New Mexico desert. Read excerpts at www.krisbock.com

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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
Profile Image for Lelia Taylor.
872 reviews19 followers
December 27, 2017
I've had a love affair with ancient Egypt for so long I can't remember how or when it started. When I had a chance to spend a week there in 1989, I found the modern country just as fascinating and wonderful and I'm sorry I'll probably never get back there, also sorry for the political troubles that plague those wonderful people. Anyway, I'm always delighted to read any fiction or nonfiction about Egypt, especially set in ancient times and The Eyes of Pharaoh hit just the right spot with me.

Most of the mysteries I've seen set in this civilization are adult, which is great, but it usually means the characters are officials or slaves or high society, not so much the general population. These teens are a good cross-section, if you will, with a temple dancer, a soldier and a servant's son, and I think that really added to my enjoyment because they're not yet mature enough to be leery of risk and adventure and they're comfortable with day-to-day life among the common people. One of the trio has gone missing and the other two are determined to find him. 'Nuff said.

Because I love Egypt and its history so much, I wholeheartedly approve of anything that might entice young readers to fall under its spell and this book would be an excellent introduction. And, for those of you who aren't so young anymore, you should give this a shot for rousing exploits and a darned good mystery ;-)
Profile Image for Megan Franks.
501 reviews10 followers
January 23, 2022
Not my favorite middle grade book set in ancient Egypt, but certainly worth recommending.
Profile Image for Stacy Mozer.
Author 2 books26 followers
February 28, 2017
Take a step back into Egyptian time and right into a mystery. 1177 BCE - Seshta, a temple dancer, wants to win a dance contest so she can be recognized by the kingdom, but when her friend Reya goes missing, she and her other friend Horus must search the kingdom to find him. But what they find is bigger than a missing friend and could mean the end of ancient Egypt as they know it.
Profile Image for Elizabeth Varadan.
Author 16 books25 followers
January 15, 2012

Awhile back I had the pleasure of reading a historical mystery by Chris Eboch, The Eyes of Pharaoh, set in ancient Egypt during the reign of Ramses the Third. This is a fast-paced adventure, with historical details that plunge you into the era, engaging characters that feel realistic, and tension that never lets up.

Thirteen-year-old Seshta is one of the young temple dancers in the Temple of Hathor. Her dream is to eventually leave the temple and become a renowned performer. Her two best friends are thirteen-year-old Horus, son of her family's former maid and apprentice to a toymaker, and sixteen-year-old Reya, a conscript in Egypt's army.

When the story opens, Seshta is focused on the coming dancing contest for the temple dancers. The Pharoah himself will see the contest, and winning could ensure Seshta's future as a performer. Then Reya meets up with her and Horus, saying that he has information about a threat from the Libu (a tribe from what is present day Libya). Reya is on his way to inform the general, but wants Seshta and Horus to know something first, in case something goes wrong. Then Reya disappears.

Since Reya is a soldier, his family assumes he is on a mission. But Horus's blind sister dreams of Reya being trapped in a small place, alone and scared. Seshta, too, has ominous dreams of danger, and she decides it is up to her and Horus to find and rescue their friend. The two become spies, asking questions in the marketplace that lead them to the army garrison, a merchant's wealthy grounds, and a prince's estate, as they uncover clues about a plot to overthrow Pharaoh Ramses the Third. Even the head of the Eyes of Horus, the secret police, seems to be involved.

This book sparkles with drama, historical accuracy, and lively characters today's young people can relate to. I wish I'd had Eboch's book when I was teaching sixth grade. The unit on ancient Egypt is always a favorite with students, and her book brings the era to life.
Profile Image for Annie Johnson.
10 reviews13 followers
June 27, 2012
The story moves quickly and is packed with adventure, action, culture, and history. It’s fun to read and to get to know the main characters. This book will be very appealing to young readers who have a particular interest in ancient Egypt and especially those readers who need a book that is more of a challenge to read. I imagine that this will be the perfect book for a tween or advanced younger reader once they’ve finished some lessons on the ancient Egyptians. This will be a great reinforcement of those lessons and will really put things into perspective for them. The history lessons will be more relatable after reading this book, which is something parents will absolutely love.
Profile Image for Marcus Johnson.
Author 3 books6 followers
March 20, 2013
This was a most enjoyeble story. It was short enough to read through in one evening, it had a good plot, and believeble characters. It was also honest and open about aspects of the Ancient Egyptian culture that many modern readers may not like, but it did not dwell on those. To me, this was the best Ancient Egyptian story I have come accross for a while, even if it is a children's book (and I'm no child, at 68).
Profile Image for Lisa Honeycutt.
9 reviews
November 2, 2017
An exciting adventure with great characters. It’s a great story, and the fact that it’s set in ancient Egypt adds to the mystery and excitement. Great page-turning read for adults and kids.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews

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