Complot sur le Nil

by Geraldine McCaughrean, Nicolas Debon (Illustrator), Philippe Morgaut (Translator)

Sauvé de la noyade par le pharaon Akhenaton, un marchand égyptien s'installe au palais avec ses fils. Les garçons sont ravis, mais leur père fait une terrible découverte : le pharaon ne croit plus qu'en Aton, le dieu-soleil, et refuse d'honorer les autres dieux. La malédiction divine risque de retomber sur le peuple !

Genres: Historical Fiction, Ancient History, Middle Grade, Childrens, Egypt

125 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1998

About the author

Geraldine McCaughrean is a British children's novelist. She has written more than 170 books, including Peter Pan in Scarlet (2004), the official sequel to Peter Pan commissioned by Great Ormond Street Hospital, the holder of Peter Pan's copyright. Her work has been translated into 44 languages worldwide. She has received the Carnegie Medal twice and the Michael L. Printz Award among others.

Reviews

[Deanna Sutter · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story his about a young boy who finds himself in the palace of the Pharaoh Akhenaten and Queen Nefertiti. He his a stone carver who carves beautiful things to be placed in the Pharaoh's tomb for the afterlife. There is a lot of discussion about the Pharaoh's worship of the Sun God, Aten, as the one true God and outlawing the worship of the other Gods.

At the end the little boy in the story is the one who makes the famous bust of the Queen Nefertiti to honor them because King Tut, who follows Akhenaten, outlaws any reference to the one-god worshipers. This is an interesting period in Egyptian History which I have studied. I felt that it was well done and interesting. My kids asked me to keep reading and we read it in on setting.

[R. G. Nairam · Rating 2 out of 5]

I picked this up because I'm quite fascinated by the "heretical" reign of Tutankamun's father, Akhenaten, especially after my Egypt class where I learned about all the weird changes to Egyptian art..

The most interesting part about this actual book was the end, when he was an adult, plus the afterward that explained the end. I would've liked a whole book about the adult protagonist and his motivations.

Everything in the story was given very little time to truly develop, while involving a number of major changes, making it feel like someone had hit the the fast-forward button on the story.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read as a preview for ancient history school supplement. Short but satisfying and a good intro to Egyptian life, culture, and religions. Not sure I will use for school because of the last, though, since it is such an integral part of the book.

[Seamus Fleming · Rating 2 out of 5]

Eh. Not really my style

[Aimee Guarnaccio · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF

[Laura Weston · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting story set during an intriguing point in Egypt's history. We couldn't put it down.

[Miss Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

gr 4-6 95 pgs


Egypt, 14th century BC. Tutmose is sure he will be in trouble when he accidentally sinks the boat carrying all the animals his father has trained for the new pharaoh. Instead, the pharaoh himself rescues them and offers positions for all of them in his household. Tutmose, who always wanted to be a sculptor and his brother Ibrim, who has a gift for music, are both thrilled to work in the royal workshops. Their father is not happy when he learns that the pharaoh is requiring everyone to only worship one god Aten. Although he is happy, Tutmose is worried who is right the pharaoh or his father?

Great story with general appeal

[Merryrobin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Ancient Egypt and I don't remember when this began. Maybe in sixth grade? I think this book would be good for fifth graders and up. Someone even younger may enjoy it too if they have an interest in Egypt. Geraldine McCaughrean not only describes how things were but what people might have thought. She used her imagination but also did her research.

[Krista the Krazy Kataloguer · Rating 5 out of 5]

A plot to kill the Egyptian Pharaoh Akenhaten is featured in this adventure story.

[Jack · Rating 4 out of 5]

horrible!!!

[DavidO · Rating 2 out of 5]

A lot of effort is put into making this story historically accurate. I suppose the writing was good enough, but it wasn't my cup of tea. Too dry and serious.

[Sarah Griffiths · Rating 1 out of 5]

Didn't finish. Was for homeschooling, reading it to the boys.

[Juice WRLD · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was decent.

[Vicky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good picture of ancient Egyptian life. The boys really enjoyed it!