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Pyramid Hunters #1
The Iron Tomb
Join Sam Force on a fast-paced adventure through Egypt that’s part National Treasure and part Indiana Jones with the start to a brand-new series packed with puzzles and clues for readers to figure out along the way!
When Sam Force goes to Egypt to spend the summer with his uncle Jasper, he’s ready for the usual vacation filled with museums and lessons about the pharaohs and ancient gods. Instead, Sam arrives at the airport and learns that his uncle is missing and wanted by the police.
After narrowly escaping his own arrest, Sam sets off to find his uncle using the series of clues that Jasper left behind. But a group of mysterious men are hot on his trail, and Sam knows they’re willing to do whatever it takes to track down Jasper and whatever Jasper was looking for.
Now all Sam has to do is find it first.
With the help of his new friends Hadi and Mary, and by using the knowledge of ancient Egyptian history and culture that he once hated, Sam makes his way across Egypt determined to find his uncle. And if he does, if he finds Jasper before it’s too late, he may also uncover the secret of the Iron Tomb…a secret that could change Sam’s life forever.
When Sam Force goes to Egypt to spend the summer with his uncle Jasper, he’s ready for the usual vacation filled with museums and lessons about the pharaohs and ancient gods. Instead, Sam arrives at the airport and learns that his uncle is missing and wanted by the police.
After narrowly escaping his own arrest, Sam sets off to find his uncle using the series of clues that Jasper left behind. But a group of mysterious men are hot on his trail, and Sam knows they’re willing to do whatever it takes to track down Jasper and whatever Jasper was looking for.
Now all Sam has to do is find it first.
With the help of his new friends Hadi and Mary, and by using the knowledge of ancient Egyptian history and culture that he once hated, Sam makes his way across Egypt determined to find his uncle. And if he does, if he finds Jasper before it’s too late, he may also uncover the secret of the Iron Tomb…a secret that could change Sam’s life forever.
304 pages, Hardcover
First published August 2, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
September 13, 2016
The story: What starts out as a school-break visit to his uncle in Egypt turns crazy and dangerous as Sam Force finds out that his mild-mannered archaeologist uncle Jasper is on the trail of Akhenaton (who might just be MOSES in disguise!) and the lost Ark of the Covenant. And of course, there are plenty of evil-doers following him to try to steal the treasure. Can Sam find Jasper, and the Ark, before the bad guys do?
June Cleaver's ratings: Language PG; Violence PG-13; Sexual content G; Nudity G; Substance abuse PG; Magic & the occult G; GLBT content G; adult themes (being orphaned, scary situations) PG; overall rating PG.
Liz's comments: If you think the summary sounds strangely akin to "Raiders of the Lost Ark", you're right! This story is just as much fun as the movie, without the "wink-wink" moments. Recommended!
June Cleaver's ratings: Language PG; Violence PG-13; Sexual content G; Nudity G; Substance abuse PG; Magic & the occult G; GLBT content G; adult themes (being orphaned, scary situations) PG; overall rating PG.
Liz's comments: If you think the summary sounds strangely akin to "Raiders of the Lost Ark", you're right! This story is just as much fun as the movie, without the "wink-wink" moments. Recommended!
November 9, 2016
Story and some action scenes hard to follow. Story had great potential, but ended up flat for me. And some language and ideas didn't seem all that kid-friendly.
Did Not Finish
October 15, 2026DNF at page 212.
Not interested in finishing this, and I have to return my library books, which this is one of them.
The characters are dumb, I don't like any of them, and I don't like the language used in this. Yes, the book advertises itself as 10-14, which is slightly older than most middle grade books, but I still don't think that makes using the words "piss/pissed" okay. We don't need another media to encourage kids to use bad words. Even if it isn't outright telling kids to, if they see it in stuff meant for their age, they'll think it's okay going around saying these words.
Not interested in finishing this, and I have to return my library books, which this is one of them.
The characters are dumb, I don't like any of them, and I don't like the language used in this. Yes, the book advertises itself as 10-14, which is slightly older than most middle grade books, but I still don't think that makes using the words "piss/pissed" okay. We don't need another media to encourage kids to use bad words. Even if it isn't outright telling kids to, if they see it in stuff meant for their age, they'll think it's okay going around saying these words.
October 3, 2017
Rally amazing adventure book, with a hint of Ancient Egyptian history ;)
June 21, 2018
I was really liking this until they had to go with the whole Then it felt like a rip-off of a bad Indiana Jones. *sigh*
Yes, it is filled with highly improbable escapes and near misses and adrenaline-filled chases and explosions and terror-filled moments and people doing things that they probably don't have the skill sets to actually do unless they are in a movie. Hmm, but it makes for highly entertaining reading!
All of this is set in Egypt (oooo!), and many of the characters are not who they say they are (ahhh!), and a hidden treasure is up for grabs (whoa!), and a long-lost secret may be revealed (wow!). Can you see why I was hooked and didn't want to put this down?
Heads up for lots of violence (blood!) and some language.
Yes, it is filled with highly improbable escapes and near misses and adrenaline-filled chases and explosions and terror-filled moments and people doing things that they probably don't have the skill sets to actually do unless they are in a movie. Hmm, but it makes for highly entertaining reading!
All of this is set in Egypt (oooo!), and many of the characters are not who they say they are (ahhh!), and a hidden treasure is up for grabs (whoa!), and a long-lost secret may be revealed (wow!). Can you see why I was hooked and didn't want to put this down?
Heads up for lots of violence (blood!) and some language.
Read
August 13, 2022This is an ok book. Definitely would not suggest this for younger readers, since one guy drinks someone else's blood. At least it's for survival, but still. I love all the suspense and mystery, although I was very confused about Mary. I didn't know if she was good or bad. I'm still not quite sure. But I would say that it's good for high school and middle school.
DNF second read 10/2023
DNF second read 10/2023
December 9, 2020
This book was pretty good except for that really disturbing part about the guy drinking human blood. At least he felt super guilty and considered what he had done an absolutely horrible crime. Otherwise it's adventurous and kinda boring near the end.
November 28, 2021
Pyramid hunters by peter Vegas is about a kid named Sam who is being forced to go to Egypt to spend time with his uncle Jasper, thinking that it would be a normal boring educational trip. But that is not true at all not even close as soon as Sam gets to Egypt his uncle is not there to pick him up and he learns his uncle is missing being charged for a horrid crime and Sam goes of the try to find and save his uncle from clues that Jasper left for him. This book is a great action packed, fast pace thrilling book I would rate it 4.5/5 stars it is remarkably like the Kane Chronicles series, if you like fiction stories set in Egypt you should check this book out.
June 30, 2017
This was a well written, and exciting book. This book is meant for 10-14 year old kids, and some of the situations were a little to violent, so I wouldn't recommend it for kids younger then that. I read somewhere that this book was a mixture of Indiana Jones, the Da Vinci Code and National Treasure, and that describes this book pretty well.
September 19, 2017
I read this book to fulfil a goal read a book about anchient history. it has all the elements of history that i enjoy- gods, pyrmids, escape from danger, mystery. a fun, light read making a nice change of pace from some of the heavier non fiction that's been on my reading list lately.
February 15, 2018
I actually enjoyed this book because it was a fun read and the main character was likeable. It is definitely at a lower-level for reading but it was still a fast read that was pleasant. It tells the story of an orphan who is looking for his missing uncle in Egypt.
October 2, 2017
It was okay, I don't want to read the next.
November 19, 2017
Intriguing with plot twists here and there. Recommended for anyone that loves a good action/adventure novel.
July 24, 2018
Very good and exciting
March 31, 2019
1st book of a great middle school adventure series. Great addition to the library.
June 9, 2020
Really good book. The chase is exciting and keeps you entertained to the last page.
October 13, 2024
A little out there as far as realistic, but pretty typical for a middle grade adventure story.
S-N, L-L, V-M
S-N, L-L, V-M
Read
January 29, 2025I thought this book was a great way to learn about Egypt. My favorite character was Sam who I thought was the bravest.
May 22, 2025
I got half way and then I just skimmed the rest. It was a little slow for me, but I loved the setting!
August 23, 2025
Anthony
January 3, 2017
Sam Force is dreading his yearly Cairo vacation with his Egyptologist uncle, Jasper. Upon his arrival, Sam learns Jasper is wanted by the police. Escaping the authorities himself, Sam uses his wits and three new mysterious friends to search for Jasper. Following coded clues left by Jasper, Sam learns about the Panehesy: a buried merchant ship that carried an ancient-Egyptian treasure. All along his way, Sam is threatened by a “Short-Haired Man” who also wants Jasper.
Vegas’s series is a modern “Indiana Jones” tale for middle-schoolers. Sam is an orphan who has lived most of his life at a boarding school. His only break are his trips to see Jasper. Unfortunately, these vacations are full of boring museums visits and long lectures about ancient Egypt. But when Jasper vanishes, Sam must recall the ancient Egyptian knowledge Jasper had been teaching him so he can decode Jasper’s messages. Of course, Sam can’t recall everything, but his new friend Mary becomes a valuable resource in more ways than one. The mythical basis of Vegas’s story is a little discombobulated and too hastily explained near end. However, Sam’s adventure of finding Jasper is very well crafted and incredibly suspenseful. The next book called Pyramid Hunters: Bones of the Sun God comes out in August.
(Review found on Children's Compass Chronicle: childrenscompasschronicle.blogspot.com)
Vegas’s series is a modern “Indiana Jones” tale for middle-schoolers. Sam is an orphan who has lived most of his life at a boarding school. His only break are his trips to see Jasper. Unfortunately, these vacations are full of boring museums visits and long lectures about ancient Egypt. But when Jasper vanishes, Sam must recall the ancient Egyptian knowledge Jasper had been teaching him so he can decode Jasper’s messages. Of course, Sam can’t recall everything, but his new friend Mary becomes a valuable resource in more ways than one. The mythical basis of Vegas’s story is a little discombobulated and too hastily explained near end. However, Sam’s adventure of finding Jasper is very well crafted and incredibly suspenseful. The next book called Pyramid Hunters: Bones of the Sun God comes out in August.
(Review found on Children's Compass Chronicle: childrenscompasschronicle.blogspot.com)
September 25, 2022
Peter Vegas does a pretty good job. My 3rd and 5th grader are enjoying this book and its Belize sequel at bedtime.
Peter V, please write a 3rd! We need it. Thanks.
Peter V, please write a 3rd! We need it. Thanks.
October 16, 2016
Thirteen-year-old Sam Force is headed to Egypt to spend the summer with his archaeologist uncle—just like every year—when his uncle goes missing. So begins 250 pages of nonstop action, adventure, and historical mysteries. Alone and running from both the police and some dangerous criminals, will Sam be able to track down his uncle and uncover the truth behind the quest that led to his disappearance? The first book in the Pyramid Hunters series, THE IRON TOMB will leave readers eagerly awaiting the next installment. The cast of characters is strong, and the developing friendship between Sam and Mary is fun and feisty. While the book doesn't break any new ground, it will certainly be a quick and fun read for fans of Rick Riordan and Indiana Jones.
September 28, 2016
Middle grade reader adventure
Sam Force is on his way to spend the summer with his uncle, Jasper Force. Jasper doesn't come to pick Sam up at the airport and the race is on from there. The police are looking for Sam and so are some other shady men. Sam has no idea who he can really trust, but he knows he must find his uncle. As with adult adventure stories, the needed resources appear. The hero makes it through trials with minimal damage. And the story is just the beginning, when you come to the end of the book.
This is a well paced adventure, and Sam is likable enough. I think kids and their parents will enjoy reading this book.
Sam Force is on his way to spend the summer with his uncle, Jasper Force. Jasper doesn't come to pick Sam up at the airport and the race is on from there. The police are looking for Sam and so are some other shady men. Sam has no idea who he can really trust, but he knows he must find his uncle. As with adult adventure stories, the needed resources appear. The hero makes it through trials with minimal damage. And the story is just the beginning, when you come to the end of the book.
This is a well paced adventure, and Sam is likable enough. I think kids and their parents will enjoy reading this book.
August 19, 2016
This has the makings of a great series...it reminded me of the Savage Fortress series, or any Rick Riordon series. The Iron Tomb has historical fiction, suspense, terror, mystery and just the right amount of humor. Kids that love fast-paced adventure stories will love this book.
February 2, 2017
2.5 stars
October 8, 2016
It's just not working for me! Rather than being an exciting read, I'm left bored with zero desire to continue reading. Which is sad because it looked so promising!
October 25, 2016
This was a fun mystery/adventure book. It had a few too many unbelievable saves for the hero, but no more than a typical Hollywood thriller.
October 30, 2016
This is a fun middle school adventure/mystery. It's like a young Indiana Jones. A good start to a series.
December 1, 2016
A missing uncle, desperate chases, mysterious clues, pyramids, dangerous villains and WWII boats buried in the sand, this is a thrilling page-turner for middle-graders
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews