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Secrets of the Tombs #1
The Phoenix Code
When Ryan Flint accompanies his journalist mother to an archaeological expedition in Egypt's Valley of the Kings, he isn't expecting life-threatening danger and a 3,000-year-old murder mystery - but that's exactly what he finds! Before he knows it, he has joined forces with Cleo McNeil, an archaeologist's daughter, to solve secret codes, discover an ancient treasure and outwit a strange cult intent on gaining possession of the relic. Can Ryan and Cleo unravel the mystery and solve the phoenix code before it's too late?
- GenresAdventure
336 pages, Paperback
First published July 3, 2014
7 people are currently reading
250 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
January 2, 2018
Trigger warnings: death, fatphobia, snakes, scorpions.
3.5 stars.
This was a pretty solid middle grade story. It's full of adventure and puzzles to be solved. I *do* feel like the characters felt a liiiiiittle younger than the 14 and 15 they're supposed to be, but given how much adventuring they do on their own, and how much their parents are like "Okay! Go have fun in Egypt on your own!", it really wouldn't work to have them be the 12 and 13 they feel like. So I'm willing to let that one slide.
The ending was a little predictable, and there were definitely a few moments of "how is this 14 year old so good at translating ancient languages?", but on the whole, it was fast paced and action packed, and that's what middle graders want. So.
3.5 stars.
This was a pretty solid middle grade story. It's full of adventure and puzzles to be solved. I *do* feel like the characters felt a liiiiiittle younger than the 14 and 15 they're supposed to be, but given how much adventuring they do on their own, and how much their parents are like "Okay! Go have fun in Egypt on your own!", it really wouldn't work to have them be the 12 and 13 they feel like. So I'm willing to let that one slide.
The ending was a little predictable, and there were definitely a few moments of "how is this 14 year old so good at translating ancient languages?", but on the whole, it was fast paced and action packed, and that's what middle graders want. So.
December 9, 2020
Absolutely loved it! Ryan and Cleo's relationship came off really well and how their strengths and weaknesses played together to solve the mystery.
April 17, 2025
one of the best books in archeology and mystery.
i love the details the author had added about the Egyptian history a
one thing i recommend is having an encyclopedia or a dictionary if your not very familiar with some words used in the book mainly the Egyptian words used but i did find it fun to have multiple books around me while i was reading this it made the experience more fun
i love the details the author had added about the Egyptian history a
one thing i recommend is having an encyclopedia or a dictionary if your not very familiar with some words used in the book mainly the Egyptian words used but i did find it fun to have multiple books around me while i was reading this it made the experience more fun
September 4, 2017
Written for young adults, but as I'm young at heart, I really enjoyed it. About two teenagers who go on an archeological dig with their respective parents & end up on an adventure. This time they're in Eygpt. Also the further two books in the series are goid too.
May 30, 2017
Great! Ideal for intelligent children who love adventure stories. Learn about ancient Egypt whilst enjoying Helen Moss's trademark cliffhanger excitement.
February 11, 2018
A very adventurous book!
My kids enjoyed reading it from start to finish!
My kids enjoyed reading it from start to finish!
November 19, 2019
The Phoenix code
This mystery book has a really nail biting story. It is really good for people who like mystery suspense books
This mystery book has a really nail biting story. It is really good for people who like mystery suspense books
February 21, 2021
Great book!!!
It’s amazing how Helen Moss can come up with such good ideas like this and like the Adventure Island book series!!
It’s amazing how Helen Moss can come up with such good ideas like this and like the Adventure Island book series!!
April 13, 2022
I liked this book it was full of mystery and adventure and would read it again.
August 9, 2024
Three and a half - great book for Yrs 6-9 - Indiana Jones style. Some great action scenes with vivid imagery.
October 23, 2014
(I received this book for free as part of Goodreads First Reads giveaways).
(This review may contain spoilers).
I felt this book was quite an entertaining read, even though I might have enjoyed it a little more when I was younger. It was a fairly simple mystery story, but I liked the fact that the danger the characters were in seemed real. And even though it was aimed at a younger audience, I felt it was good that the author didn't shy away from describing the bad things.
I liked the contrasts between the two main characters, Ryan and Cleo, but I felt that there wasn't enough foreshadowing at times. Some of the things that were revealed were more of the, 'Why did that happen?' rather than, 'Oh, that makes sense!'
It was really interesting to see the different parts of Egypt and I found myself really able to relate to how Ryan and Cleo felt about the priest in Ancient Egypt, who was probably about the same age as them. I've often felt a kind of connection... mostly with characters, but there have been some historical figures I've felt able to relate to.
There were some really sad moments in this book. It was really easy to emphasise with the characters and although there weren't really that many twists, I still found it a really enjoyable read. I think this is probably a book series I definitely would have been drawn into as a child.
As it stands, I think my younger brother might get some enjoyment out of reading this. There was clearly a lot of research that went into this book and the characters were interesting and engaging. I don't know if I'd read this book again, but I would probably read the next book in the series at some point in the future.
(This review may contain spoilers).
I felt this book was quite an entertaining read, even though I might have enjoyed it a little more when I was younger. It was a fairly simple mystery story, but I liked the fact that the danger the characters were in seemed real. And even though it was aimed at a younger audience, I felt it was good that the author didn't shy away from describing the bad things.
I liked the contrasts between the two main characters, Ryan and Cleo, but I felt that there wasn't enough foreshadowing at times. Some of the things that were revealed were more of the, 'Why did that happen?' rather than, 'Oh, that makes sense!'
It was really interesting to see the different parts of Egypt and I found myself really able to relate to how Ryan and Cleo felt about the priest in Ancient Egypt, who was probably about the same age as them. I've often felt a kind of connection... mostly with characters, but there have been some historical figures I've felt able to relate to.
There were some really sad moments in this book. It was really easy to emphasise with the characters and although there weren't really that many twists, I still found it a really enjoyable read. I think this is probably a book series I definitely would have been drawn into as a child.
As it stands, I think my younger brother might get some enjoyment out of reading this. There was clearly a lot of research that went into this book and the characters were interesting and engaging. I don't know if I'd read this book again, but I would probably read the next book in the series at some point in the future.
January 27, 2024
'I bet the sleazeball buttered you up with loads of compliments too?'
Cleo gave a grim nod. 'Yes, he did. He said my trowel was awesome.'
History and archaeology have always fascinated me, so I just had to buy this book.
The biggest thing with The Phoenix Code is that you may never ever let your mind wander. So much is explained about Ancient Egypt and about what Cleo and Ryan are trying to do, with all those Ancient Egyptian names and relationships thrown to your head… If you're just 'gone' for the shortest moment, you won't be able to follow the story anymore. Or you can just roll with it, of course.
That said, it all wraps up fantastically. At times it's a bit difficult to follow, but you'll grasp the big lines. There aren't exactly any major plottwists, apart from the discoveries Ryan and Cleo make.
And Ryan and Cleo's interaction is so funny. The way Cleo is presented - as some kind of otherworldly creature who hasn't got a clue what's happening on a more personal level most of the time with most people - is fantastic, and it doesn't feel over the top.
The book is only a bit over 300 pages long, but there is so much information on life in Ancient Egypt, it's incredible how much of it Helen Moss has crammed into her book. And it's all interesting and about all different aspects of life, not just limited to one element.
I had a minor problem with the writing style, because some dialogues sounded a bit off to me, but overall it's a good story.
7/10
Cleo gave a grim nod. 'Yes, he did. He said my trowel was awesome.'
History and archaeology have always fascinated me, so I just had to buy this book.
The biggest thing with The Phoenix Code is that you may never ever let your mind wander. So much is explained about Ancient Egypt and about what Cleo and Ryan are trying to do, with all those Ancient Egyptian names and relationships thrown to your head… If you're just 'gone' for the shortest moment, you won't be able to follow the story anymore. Or you can just roll with it, of course.
That said, it all wraps up fantastically. At times it's a bit difficult to follow, but you'll grasp the big lines. There aren't exactly any major plottwists, apart from the discoveries Ryan and Cleo make.
And Ryan and Cleo's interaction is so funny. The way Cleo is presented - as some kind of otherworldly creature who hasn't got a clue what's happening on a more personal level most of the time with most people - is fantastic, and it doesn't feel over the top.
The book is only a bit over 300 pages long, but there is so much information on life in Ancient Egypt, it's incredible how much of it Helen Moss has crammed into her book. And it's all interesting and about all different aspects of life, not just limited to one element.
I had a minor problem with the writing style, because some dialogues sounded a bit off to me, but overall it's a good story.
7/10
August 11, 2016
I've said it before, and I'll say it again....I LOVE HISTORY AND I LOVE EGYPT AND I LOVE EGYPTIAN HISTORY. So it will surprise no-one that I saw this and immediately hit "request". Seriously...how could I resist? Archaeologists, Egypt, thousands of years old murder mystery, secret codes, a partner in crime, treasure, relics and a dodgy cult.....my excitement was off the charts! Even though ya know...I'm probably waaaaaaaay out of the age range for the book.
This book is going to go down perfectly with the younger set, aka the under 12's, and I think it's going to be pretty enjoyable for both boys and girls! Regardless of whether they like history or are interested in it, I think the action and mystery part will draw them in just fine!
I'm frantically trying to think of something to compare it to, but I can't, which is a good thing!
The Phoenix Code is the perfect blend of history, action and adventure. It's fast paced, easy to read, with a fantastic flow and narrative. I was unable to put it down and read it pretty damn fast, but it's a real page turner, I can assure you of that!
While the book is fun to read, there's a lot of history woven in to the story, which makes it interesting to read, and I'm sure will teach younger readers a bit about the place the story is set!
The characters where fun and well written, they're both very likeable, they're the perfect partners in crime and kind of opposite to each other!
This book is going to go down perfectly with the younger set, aka the under 12's, and I think it's going to be pretty enjoyable for both boys and girls! Regardless of whether they like history or are interested in it, I think the action and mystery part will draw them in just fine!
I'm frantically trying to think of something to compare it to, but I can't, which is a good thing!
The Phoenix Code is the perfect blend of history, action and adventure. It's fast paced, easy to read, with a fantastic flow and narrative. I was unable to put it down and read it pretty damn fast, but it's a real page turner, I can assure you of that!
While the book is fun to read, there's a lot of history woven in to the story, which makes it interesting to read, and I'm sure will teach younger readers a bit about the place the story is set!
The characters where fun and well written, they're both very likeable, they're the perfect partners in crime and kind of opposite to each other!
May 26, 2016
When Cleopatra McNeil, the archaeologists' daughter, stumbles upon an ancient tomb in Egypt, Valley of the Kings, she doesn't wait a moment before telling her mother and father about her discovery. You see, for a good few months now, the amazing Benben Stone has been searched for, but never found. And now that Smenkhare's tomb has been discovered, and an ancient, crumbled confession lies upon the mummy about where the stone is situated in this very tomb, everyone climbs to find out.
But the Ancient Order of the Eternal Sun group are also wanting it. They are planning to steal the stone and take it to their hidden temple. Cleo, accompanied by her best friend Ryan, have to stop them before the Bennu Bird does his ritual to the Benben, for both groups want to see it happen. But none of them know who is a member - it could be anyone.
Join Cleo and Ryan on their adventure to try to take the Benben and put it in a public museum for all to see before the Eternal Sun members take it to their private temple that no one but they know about..
This book was very modern-day - too modern-day. There are so many relation-ship-thingy-ma-bobs about Cleo and Ryan, and all this, 'Ryan was so impressed he could have kissed her' sort of thing. But the book itself, with its protective laminated cover of modern-child stuff taken off, is funny and has a good storyline.
But the Ancient Order of the Eternal Sun group are also wanting it. They are planning to steal the stone and take it to their hidden temple. Cleo, accompanied by her best friend Ryan, have to stop them before the Bennu Bird does his ritual to the Benben, for both groups want to see it happen. But none of them know who is a member - it could be anyone.
Join Cleo and Ryan on their adventure to try to take the Benben and put it in a public museum for all to see before the Eternal Sun members take it to their private temple that no one but they know about..
This book was very modern-day - too modern-day. There are so many relation-ship-thingy-ma-bobs about Cleo and Ryan, and all this, 'Ryan was so impressed he could have kissed her' sort of thing. But the book itself, with its protective laminated cover of modern-child stuff taken off, is funny and has a good storyline.
November 19, 2024
Φαίνεται πως η συγγραφέας έχει κάνει καλή έρευνα για το βιβλίο της και πως δεν γράφει μπούρδες. Ειδικά από την στιγμή που και η ίδια το τονίζει, είναι άξιο λόγου το ότι δεν το ισχυρίζεται απλά για να κάνει εντύπωση, αλλά μέσα από το γραπτό της αποδεικνύεται. Την ίδια στιγμή, έχει αξιοποιήσει πολύ καλά το Ιστορικό και το μυθολογι��ό κομμάτι, συνδυασμένο με τη δική της μυθοπλασία που σε ένα κείμενο που στην σύλληψή της ιδέας του δεν είναι πρωτότυπο, προσθέτει ένα κύρος.
Αρκετά καλά δουλεμένοι χαρακτήρες, όπως επίσης και η δράση, στα σημεία που αυτή υπάρχει, με μετρημένες περιγραφές ανατριχιαστικών στιγμών που εντείνουν την αγωνία χωρίς να φαντάζουν γελοία, ούτε επιτηδευμένα τρομακτικά. Βέβαια, η συνολική προσέγγιση είναι αρκετά παιδική ενώ οι εξελίξεις σε κάποαι σημεία κυλάνε αρκετά αργά.
(Αναλυτικό review αν τελικά κυκλοφορήσει...)
Αρκετά καλά δουλεμένοι χαρακτήρες, όπως επίσης και η δράση, στα σημεία που αυτή υπάρχει, με μετρημένες περιγραφές ανατριχιαστικών στιγμών που εντείνουν την αγωνία χωρίς να φαντάζουν γελοία, ούτε επιτηδευμένα τρομακτικά. Βέβαια, η συνολική προσέγγιση είναι αρκετά παιδική ενώ οι εξελίξεις σε κάποαι σημεία κυλάνε αρκετά αργά.
(Αναλυτικό review αν τελικά κυκλοφορήσει...)
October 6, 2015
It took me until about half way through before I started to enjoy this book. It has a promising premise - two teenagers in Egypt attempting to recover the mysterious Benben stone whilst discovering hidden secrets from ancient Egyptian rulers. It is an action packed book and the protagonists are likeable characters.
The author is very keen on exclamation marks and I found the overuse of them irritating - a minor point but it did have a slight negative impact on my reading of the story. There are moments when the story is quite abrupt, it moves from one scene to the next quickly and not always successfully; however it is generally well written and ultimately an enjoyable read. I look forward to finding out about Ryan and Cleo's future adventures in the rest of the series.
The author is very keen on exclamation marks and I found the overuse of them irritating - a minor point but it did have a slight negative impact on my reading of the story. There are moments when the story is quite abrupt, it moves from one scene to the next quickly and not always successfully; however it is generally well written and ultimately an enjoyable read. I look forward to finding out about Ryan and Cleo's future adventures in the rest of the series.
April 15, 2016
Ryan Flint goes on holiday to Egypt with his mother, a journalist. He makes friends with a clever girl called Cleopatra who can read hieroglyphs. Together they solve a 3000 year old mystery and find the treasured Benben stone. An entirely fictional story, it describes their death-threatening journey to the Valley of the Kings.
I think the author used a few too many exclamation marks when they weren't needed, which annoyed me a bit. It's a very modern book, so it has the word 'totally' in it way too much. I think the bit about Ryan pretending to kiss Cleo and wondering if should actually have was going a bit far. Although it wasn't mainly focused on their relationship, the word 'love' was brought up a lot and there was even a chapter called 'romance'!
I think the author used a few too many exclamation marks when they weren't needed, which annoyed me a bit. It's a very modern book, so it has the word 'totally' in it way too much. I think the bit about Ryan pretending to kiss Cleo and wondering if should actually have was going a bit far. Although it wasn't mainly focused on their relationship, the word 'love' was brought up a lot and there was even a chapter called 'romance'!
September 3, 2014
So glad I won this book in giveaways! As I like history and mystery, that was just a perfect quick read for me. Very entertaining, informative without being boring and overloaded with facts, intriguing enough to provoke me to do my own research to confirm some of the facts. What I loved the most about the book (although I am not sure that was H.Moss intention) was great sense of humor - I really enjoyed observing the relationship between the two completely different characters! Am I too old for this book? I suppose it is a perfect read for young readers, but I had a great pleasure reading it, which means you are never too old for a good, fast-paced and gripping story!
March 19, 2016
When Ryan Flint accompanies his journalist mother on an expedition to Egypt's Valley of the Kings, he isn't expecting to get caught up in an ancient murder mystery and have his life threatened. Archaeologist's daughter, Cleo McNeil, has stumbled onto an incredible secret but, with others also on the trail, can Ryan and Cleo outwit their enemies and solve the Phoenix code?
This book was brilliant as well as all the other Helen Moss books! Other books of hers include the adventure island series. From that series I recommend The Mystery of The Black Salamander.
This book was brilliant as well as all the other Helen Moss books! Other books of hers include the adventure island series. From that series I recommend The Mystery of The Black Salamander.
July 9, 2015
I didn't feel this was the strongest of junior fiction books I've ever read. I thought the beginning was quite abrupt and I didn't feel anything other than ambivalent until almost page 70. The theme of Egyptian archaeology/code breaking has been done a million times before, and I didn't think the title or plot was particularly original.
This was a struggle to finish.
This was a struggle to finish.
April 8, 2016
- pair of teens search for the Benben Stone in Egypt
- they encounter a secret cult who also want the stone
- mystery, Egyptology, some action
- not too deep a novel but a good who-dunnit
- students said book was kind of slow in the middle but ending was good and I agree
- reading level: gr. 5
- interest level: gr. 5-8
- they encounter a secret cult who also want the stone
- mystery, Egyptology, some action
- not too deep a novel but a good who-dunnit
- students said book was kind of slow in the middle but ending was good and I agree
- reading level: gr. 5
- interest level: gr. 5-8
January 24, 2015
Another book with a plot surrounding the wonders of ancient Egypt. Fast paced and full of adventure this is a good addition to the sub-genre.
December 4, 2015
Helen Moss is one of my favourite authors, possibly THE best one. I have read all her Adventure Island series and recommend it to all 12-year-olds. Great!
February 2, 2016
This book was great. i couldn't put it down.
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