The Lost Scroll of the Physician

Secrets of the Sands #1

by Alisha Sevigny

In her search for answers, Sesha must find a priceless scroll for the pharaoh.

Sesha and Ky, children of the pharaoh’s royal physician, are left charming snakes and stealing food to survive after a brutal fire takes their parents and their home.

Unsure of whom to trust, the pair are found and brought back to the palace, despite misgivings that the royals are somehow involved in their parents’ deaths. Sesha is tasked with finding the rare and valuable medical document her father was transcribing for the pharaoh, who needs it urgently for his upcoming campaign.

Befriended by another scribe and a young princess, Sesha must navigate palace intrigue and temple treachery while desperately seeking the priceless scroll that not only has the power to reveal the circumstances around her parents’ death and mitigate any casualties of battle, but may also be the only thing that can save her brother’s life.

Genres: Middle Grade, Historical Fiction, Mystery, Canada, Historical, Childrens, Fiction

262 pages, Paperback

First published January 25, 2020

About the author

Alisha Sevigny holds a degree in Professional Writing and Sociology from the University of Victoria, is a film school graduate, former literary agent and hot yoga lover.

A shameless romantic, Alisha and her husband have travelled the world together. On a trip to Panama she fell in love with the country, culture, and their national emblem, the Golden Frog and was inspired to write her first Young Adult novel, KISSING FROGS.

Her second book, SUMMER CONSTELLATIONS is about a young woman fighting to save her family campground while trying not to fall in love, comes out May 1, 2018 with KCP Loft.

Born and raised in Kitimat, British Columbia, Alisha has always had a strong connection to the environment and conservationist spirit. She now lives in Toronto with her family.

Reviews

[Thibault Busschots · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sesha and her brother Ky are orphans who live on the street. She uses her snake charming skills to distract the crowd, while Ky steals anything he can lay his hands on. But they’re caught and brought back to the palace. Because before his death, their father was working on something important. And it seems to have vanished.


The ancient Egyptian setting is easily brought to life here and that’s probably this story’s biggest strength in my opinion. The way the animals play a part in this story also makes it clear how important and present they were in ancient Egypt. The mystery plot is rather light and straight forward but solid enough, with the mysterious deaths of the parents and the search for the lost scroll being the core of the mystery. The story’s got quite a slow start, but the writing style makes it easy to fly through the pages. And once it gets going it does manage to hook you. Though the ending makes it clear the overarching adventure is only just beginning.


Overall, it does have some flaws, but it’s a solid and entertaining middle grade mystery story that takes place in a very interesting ancient Egyptian setting.

[Maya · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC received in exchange for an honest review.

This story read itself. From the first page to the ending it was packed full of mystery, bravery and love. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and the characters' personalities. It was like going on an adventure that was about more than just a murder. It was about saving a nation. And to find out that the scroll is a real item, just the cherry on top of the cake. This is definitely a book that will intrigue it's reader and make him/her wonder about the possible future these characters will have. I admit I was expecting more from the ending, since it did feel a little like there is potential for a sequel and we do not get the full closure that at least I wanted to have. But nontheless, a fantastic story well worth my time.

[Evelina | AvalinahsBooks · Rating 3 out of 5]

How I read this: Free ebook copy received through NetGalley

This was an enjoyable, colorful story that goes into a lot of detail of how life was lived in the days of ancient Egypt. The detail was certainly very interesting to read about, and it seems the author has done extensive research. I was only surprised at the abrupt ending, but I suppose it makes sense, since it's a series (so I can't wait to read on!) About the only thing I felt lukewarm about was that although this was life in ancient Egypt, it essentially felt like life right now - even despite all the actually very informative details on tradition and various practices. Just the way people act and react was so modern. Although who knows - maybe people were always people just like us, you know?

I thank the publisher for giving me a free copy of the ebook in exchange to my honest review. This has not affected my opinion.

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[Michelle Kenneth - PerfectionistWannabe.com · Rating 5 out of 5]

[Thank you to Dundurn/Ingram/Edelweiss for the eARC.]

This book hit all of the right marks. I was so interested in this story, it peaked my archaeological curiosity, so I did some additional research of my own. Surprise! That's exactly what the author hopes you will do - peak your interest in wanting to learn more about Egyptian history.

There are so many things I loved about this story. One, you are learning about Egyptian history, especially about their beliefs and medicine. Two, a young girl is given the opportunity to become a scribe and a physician. Three, the adventure to find the scroll was worth every single step in this journey.

The only thing I did not like about this book were the snakes. The Indiana Jones in me is going, "Snakes. Why did it have to be snakes?" After the scene where they accidentally disturb a cobra in the temple, I swear to you, I spent the rest of the book scared to death another snake was going to pop out of nowhere to attack them.

So warning there for people scared of snakes...there are snakes in this book. Yet, no snakes or humans were harmed in their meetings.

This book was so good, I had a difficult time putting it down. I was still wanting to read more after I turned the lights out. I needed to know what was going to happen next.

Sevigny really nurtured that archaeologist/Indiana Jones in me. I cannot wait until the next book. Oh, and that scroll that Sesha is looking for actually exists. Funny thing is that it is located right here in New York City at the New York Academy of Medicine. It's known as the Edwin Smith Papyrus (named after the man who purchased it from grave robbers and then donated it to the Academy).

For parents/educators wanting to get children (middle grade) interested in history, this is one grand adventure to put them on. This will really capture their attention because they will want to know more about ancient Egypt.

For everyone else, if you love stories like The Mummy, Indiana Jones, etc., this is definitely a YA adventure you will enjoy. Such a great book!

[Estíbaliz Montero Iniesta · Rating 3 out of 5]

More like a 3'75. (ARC received in exchange for an honest review).

I've always been fascinated by Ancient Egypt and its gods and mythology. Therefore, I immediately felt drawn to this book. Even though it is a middle-grade, it does a very good job of depicting Ancient Egypt's day-to-day life. And what is more important, it does so without talking down to the reader, all the information is presented in a very natural and organic way.

I also really liked the characters: Sesha is a really smart and strong character, which I feel provides a good role model for any little girls reading this book. I also enjoyed the friendships that she ends up establishing with people her age but from quite different backgrounds.

So, the book has mystery, intrigue, mythology, great friendships and siblings relationships and it's a light and fun read with a well established setting that proves the author did her research. It's a very enjoyable read both for kids and for adults who enjoy middle.grade stories.

[B.R. Myers · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first in the Secrets of the Sands series, The Scroll of the Lost Physician by Alisha Sevigny will send readers on a voyage back to the ornately detailed world of Ancient Egypt where tombs, treasure, and traitors abound. Told in the voice of Sesha, a young scribe, this middle grade mystery strikes the perfect balance between rich historical detail, witty dialogue, and a fast-paced plot. With its full cast of compelling characters and cliff hangers, kids will be staying up late, reading under the covers with their flashlights to finish just one more chapter.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this title from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was such a fun read! Honestly once I started, I couldn't put it down. The plot moves very quickly, and the two main characters are so brave and smart, I was rooting for them from the start. The setting is very interesting (8 year old me who was obsessed with Ancient Egypt would have devoured this...okay 27 year old me did anyway), and the author does a great job of putting you there with all the sight, smells, and everyday life of the time.

There's mystery, intrigue, and a great sibling relationship. This is going to be a new series to keep following, and I can't wait for the next installment!

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book follows Sesha on the journey to find an old medical scroll that has the answers to save her brother Ky’s life. While targeted for middle grade readers, this book is enjoyable for readers of all ages. The writing immerses you straight into Ancient Egyptian culture right from the first page. It is evident that Alisha put in a lot of research for this book, which allows readers to have the educational advantage of learning more fascinating facts about Ancient Civilizations. The characters are witty, and the dialogue is captivating, which makes it so hard to put this book down! Excited to read the sequel to the “Secrets of the Sands” series when it comes out later this year!

[Online Eccentric Librarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

More reviews (and no fluff) on the blog http://surrealtalvi.wordpress.com/

This is a nice whodunit with your typical mustache-twirling-evil-guy-in-power and the plucky kids who foil his/her plans. There is just enough of the plot given throughout that kids can begin to decipher for themselves, though adults will likely find the answer pretty easily. The author sticks to the historical milieu nicely and also attempts to do a bit of educating about the Pharaohs and especially mummification.

Story: Sesha and her brother Ky are children of the grand physician to the Pharaoh. Their father had been working on deciphering a very important medical scroll for Pharaoh when their house burned down, killing both parents, and the kids wound up on the streets, afraid to return home. But desperation returns them to the court scene since Sesha's brother has fluid in his brain that could kill him if Sesha cannot find the lost scroll her father was transcribing. As they search the palace and temples, it becomes clear that someone was working against Pharaoh and that their parents' deaths was not accidental. And Sesha is running out of time to find the scroll and invaluable info given by Imhotep that could save her brother's life.

Most of the book takes place in the Pharaoh's palace. Sesha is friends with Pharaoh's daughter and Ky is best friends with the crown prince. Because Ky is younger, he plays more of a carefree part in the book - he's tired of being 'babied' by his sister, even with his ever-worsening condition. Sesha wants to be a scribe or physician and so is taking scribe training; but being female, she is instantly bullied for her efforts despite her father giving her advance training. But her medical knowledge will be key as she unravels the mystery.

Quite a bit is explored in Egyptian culture - from the gods to the Nile creatures, life in a palace and even life on the streets. Some is more believable than others; e.g., it is unlikely anyone would name their pet dog or pet snake after sacred gods. But those kind of nitpicks are minor and certainly this is a nice introduction to ancient history.

The reading is smooth, there is a lot of action, and our heroine Sesha is brave and bold and a likeable heroine. The book ends on a bit of an abrupt note but this is meant to be several in a series so the author wants to make sure you come back for the next book. Reviewed from an advance reader copy provided by the publisher.

[Colline Vinay Kook-Chun · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this middle grade book set in ancient Egypt! The language in the novel hasn’t been simplified and includes some beautiful imagery. The metaphors that have been used refer perfectly to the time frame of the story.

The Lost Scroll of the Physician is an adventure story and therefore the writing is paced in such a way to encourage the reader to continue reading. Even though the story is set in ancient Egypt, the characters’ experience is relatable to the modern child as they interact with others their age as well as with adults. Sesha finds herself in situations beyond her control and works at changing what she can. She is a strong character that makes the mistakes that children her age often do – but she is able to bounce back from them.

Sevigny has written the perfect adventure story that will get young readers engrossed and committed to the story. The added bonus is that those who are curious about the past will see a snapshot of life in Ancient Egypt. This novel is the first in a series and definitely encourages me to want to read more about Sesha and her sidekick Paser. I know I will be recommending this story to the 8 – 14 years in my life – especially those who enjoy adventure stories.

[Nathaniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm sick so please ignore this mess of a review.

So I read this book in under two hours. It was good. Very good. The author sent me a free electronic copy and I was able to lie in bed and read is straight without any breaks. I feel like that really heightened my liking of this book. I have always loved Egypt and books centered around Egyptian culture. This book was done exceptionally well. I loved the characters, the plot, and the historical accuracy for the most part. I recommend this book to everyone because it's such a fun adventure.

[Isa (Pages Full of Stars) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've always had some interest in Egyptian mythology and ancient Egypt, so I was very curious about this story. It turned out to be a fast-paced middle grade/ya book, full of intrigue and adventures. A quick, fun read that I can recommend! I'll definitely continue with the series when I have a chance. :)

[Sienna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nine-year-old me would have devoured this in one day. Twenty-five-year-old me read it in three, and thoroughly enjoyed every nibble. Fast-paced, marvelously descriptive, and full of the spirit of adventure.

[Skye ~ Court of Binge Reading · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

Thank you to the author for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

This book was a lot of fun! It’s evident the author put in a lot of research in regards to the culture, mythology, and time period of Ancient Egypt. Her descriptions set the scene very well! I could picture everything in my head. Sometimes when an author is very knowledgeable about a subject, it can lead them to dump a lot of information on their readers at once-- that was not the case with this book. The author provided just enough details to explain things without ever losing my attention or confusing me.

I think this book is great for all ages! I think this book is perfect for all ages! If you’re a fan of middle grade and YA books, then you should give this book a try! This book has witty characters, a fierce female lead, a sweet sibling relationship, and a fast-paced plot. I can’t wait to start the next book!

[Em (Makenna) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an arc of this book on netgalley.

Sesha, and her brother Ky are forced to steal food to survive after their parents are killed in a fire in ancient Egypt.

I liked how Sesha got to go work and train as a Physician, and it the setting was pretty realistic, in my opinion. Definitely one of the better ancient Egypt books I have read.

[Desirae Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC from the author

A bit of introduction to the story:

The story follows our young protagonist Sesha, a strong-willed, incredibly smart girl, whose parents perished in a fire not too long before the story began. She has a younger brother Ky, who suffers from a condition for which the cure had not yet been discovered. Before her father's death, Sesha was aware that he was translating a scroll which might have been the answer on how to help her sibling.
However, the night of the tragedy that took both her parents, the scroll went missing and nobody knew what it looked like. If Sesha wanted to help her brother, she'd have to find the scroll before it was too late.

Alisha Sevigny's writing is absolutely magnificent. Her choice of words, her storytelling, and world-building provide the story with magic that its characters amplify by a thousand.

The story as a whole has a rhythmic pace where the important events were not passed too fast and the slower scenes don't drag on.

Sesha's a brilliant girl with an incredible mind. She is very knowledgable in whatever she does and knows a lot about medicine, a profession passed onto her from her father, who was a physician himself. Sesha's loyalty is awe-inspiring and has no limits whatsoever. The things she'd do for her brother, including risk getting trampled by hippos, is what my own siblings couldn't even be bothered to think of.

She is smart and strong but also honest and isn't afraid to speak her mind.

The rest of the characters in this story have their own interesting personalities, but I found myself relating to Sesha and really becoming endeared to her for some reason.

I also mentioned before that the setting of this story and world-building is done incredibly well, which makes me wonder just how many hours of research the author had to do in order to write this entire book. She certainly displayed great knowledge in herbs as well as different methods they used at the time to heal people.

A marvelous read that gripped me until the very end. Great job.

[Michelle Kadarusman · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Lost Scroll of the Physician and The Desert Prince, book one and two in Alisha Sevigny's Secrets of the Sands series, are immediately absorbing and brimming with intrigue. With plots that keep the reader breathless and richly detailed settings in ancient Egypt, these books truly captivate. Masterful character development reveals a worthy young heroine in Sesha who readers will loyally follow. A must read series for upper middle-grade adventure lovers.

[Marisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alisha has done it again - she knows how to keep you turning pages!

I usually read YA but I'm a fan of Alisha's books so I bought a copy of her middle-grade novel THE LOST SCROLL OF THE PHYSICIAN. I finished the first chapter. And the second. I kept reading and reading, unintentionally staying up past my bedtime night after night.

THE LOST SCROLL OF THE PHYSICIAN is the story of Sesha, a young girl living in Egypt (way back when, so you learn some really neat details about Egypt in such a digestible way) and whose parents die in a fire. Sesha and her brother Ky are now fending for themselves on the streets outside of the palace where they used to live with their father, the Pharoah's physician, and their mother. Sesha is afraid to return to the palace for fear that her parents' death was not an accident.

The story begins shortly before Sesha is tasked with finding a now-lost scroll that her father was transcribing - but she also hopes to use the scroll for a very urgent and very personal reason.

I found myself turning pages all the way - it was so good! This book is full of intrigue and sweet characters and I like how it was written too. I highly recommend it!

[Daniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Disclaimer: I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley

Rating: 5 stars! (extra star because I want this series and author to do well)

Short review:
Pros:
1. Nice plot; nice setting - It is guessable at times but still entertaining nonetheless
2. Good prose - It will be familiar for Rick Riordan fans (like his more recent works)
3. Nice characters - Characters are quite well developed and I'd like to see them get more dimensions in future books
4. Right length - The book was a quick read and the pace fits the plot
5. Good editing - Found very few errors, but it needs another round of proofreading I think
6. Nice cover and act separating graphics (or whatever it is called)

Cons:
1. Sort of a cliffhanger ending - This is not a negative at all; in fact, it makes the book more appealing. But why I am I adding it here? Only because I have to wait for the next book.
2. Those tiny errors that keep nagging me
3. Needs some rephrasing - Whenever a god or a belief is explained, it seems to follow the same structure making it feel boring. Restructuring it would easily fix that.
4. Nobody in ancient Egypt would have dared to name their pet snake Apep. Not even as a joke.

Summary:
Sesha and Ky, Children of Ay, The Royal Physician, are living rough on the streets for the past month. A fire in their home has left them orphaned. But instead of seeking refuge in the palace, they flee. Sesha has seen Royal Guards at their home and she suspects someone within the palace has a hand in their parents' death. They run out of luck when their act of thievery to assuage their hunger lands them back in the palace. To their relief, they are offered asylum.

Sesha remembers her father working on transcribing an ancient scroll that is attributed to the Great Imhotep. She deduces that the scroll, which is of utmost importance to the kingdom, is invaluable to her as well. It could reveal whether her parents' demise was a tragic accident or murder, save her brother's life, and aid the kingdom that could soon be ravaged by war.

Sesha is now tasked by the pharaoh to find the scroll and she must race against time to do so, all while balancing her scribe training, teaching the princess to read and write and keeping the whole scroll affair a secret. Whether Sesha succeeds in finding the scroll and preserving it or fails is for the reader to find out.

Review:
This book truly came out of nowhere. I have come across the book before on NetGalley but quickly dismissed it because of the title ('The Lost Scroll of the Great Scribe', 'The Lost Scroll of Imhotep', 'Imhotep's Scroll'... any such thing would have been hard to ignore. I think it is the word 'physician' that threw me off). But after bumping into it multiple times, I read the blurb and decided to give this a try. Huge thanks to the publishers for granting me a copy to read and review.

From the get-go, I knew I might like the book as I felt the writing style felt familiar enough. It is told in simple language for young adults and is narrated in Sesha's perspective. Both the narration and dialogues feel concise and easy to follow allowing this book to be a quick read.

The plot feels familiar and different at the same time. I could also feel the characters well and I wish to see them develop further in the series. I loved the setting of the plot - a crime thriller set 3500 years ago in ancient Egypt with some political instability. The setting also feels like it was well researched (apart from Sesha and Ky naming their snake Apep).

Being a sucker for all things Egypt, I thoroughly enjoyed the snippets explaining the setting, culture, and mythology but it left me wanting for more. I wish to see the future books having a bit more of these (J. K. Rowling style; with a lot of details but still doesn't feel excessive).

Feedback to the publisher/author:
1. A couple of grammar errors and some rephrasing when explaining gods/myths.
2. The snake ideally should be named Apep and I would appreciate a change there.
3. The cover art is really good. Would have loved some illustrations of the glyphs and hieratic in the book (Like the Kane Chronicles).
4. A possibly more compelling title. A lot of books get judged by cover, title, and blurb.

Final words:
A fast-paced thriller for young adults that I am sure folks of all age would love. I highly recommend the series for anyone who likes Egypt and thrillers. Wishing Alisha Sevigny all the very best for her future books.

[eve.lyn._.reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

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3.5 Stars
The royal physician of the Pharaoh is killed in a brutal fire. Both of Sesha and Ky's parents were killed and the siblings are left to fend for themselves, charming snakes, stealing food, and surviving. Sesha decides to finally return, and when she proclaims that she survived, she is soon accepted back into the palace. But Ky suffers from an unknown affliction. There is too much fluid in his brain and it could be deadly. Sesha is determined to find a cure from Ky and find the scroll that her father desperately hid. But a female doctor is rare, and to train to become one is harder. The palace is filled with lies, secrets, hidden betrayals, and when she searches for answers she learns what once was the safest place in the world is now deadly. Struggling to become a doctor, and desperate to save her brother, Sesha explores for a hidden scroll. An adventurous, entertaining, and immersive story.

Perfect for fans who love the Kane Chroniclesor love ancient Egypt. The Lost Scroll of the Physician was a very entertaining and interesting read. I've read a couple of books that focus on Egyptian mythology but never one that takes place in ancient Egypt. The characters were forced into a harsh environment that molds them to be mature and rational.

This is absolutely fantastic. This book never strays from it's past, keeping a heavy and serious tone that I absolutely love. The stakes were palpable, the characters likable. I loved the setting; Ancient Egypt was written beautifully. We get to see the benefits and the dangers of society, the time period and how different it is from now. It explored Egyptian culture in an accessible way.

Alisha never info-dumps. I love how she gives us enough information to have a clear sense of the setting yet lets the rest up to the reader to build the world. I loved Sesha's character. She was strong, stubborn, brave, and extremely smart. This book has a clear and single direction that it doesn't feel all over the place. Sesha works hard to achieve her goal. Her relationship and care for her brother is a main drive to her desperation to become a doctor.

Paser is a likable character who was a perfect element to the plot. This was a very immersive read, instantly transporting me to ancient Egypt. Something about reading this book felt different than normal, the setting felt sent in stone. It didn't feel like just words on a page, but a story alive and thriving right before my eyes. Rarely do I find books like this, so I was delighted with the experience.

The twists and turns at every corner and the intricacies of the plot and stakes that push the plot forward come together in an amazing debut novel.
✅PLOT
✅PLOT TWIST
✅CHARACTERS

[Becky B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sesha's parents were killed in a fire that was rather suspicious. And it happened right as her father was finishing transcribing a scroll from Imhotep on radical medical procedures that rely on science more than the gods as well as war strategies Pharaoh is very interested in. Sesha and her brother lived on the streets for a month not sure who they could trust, but now they are back in the palace and Pharaoh has agreed to let Sesah train as a scribe in the medical program at the temple as long as she will also hunt for the scroll her father was working on. Sesha has her own reasons for wanting to find the scroll too. But whoever murdered her parents obviously doesn't want the scroll found.

I was impressed by how well researched this book is and how rich in historical details. The scroll at the center of the mystery is a real archaeological find and the author obviously did tons of research about the time period, the customs and culture of Egypt at that time period. This is marketed as middle grade, but a lot of it feels more young adult. Sesha is in the final step of education before starting a career and finding a husband is presented as a very real alternative option at this point in her life. Another girl in the women's rooms Sesha sleeps in is pregnant in a scheme to not have to marry a certain guy, and Sesah gives her medical advice. One of Pharaoh's daughters who befriends Sesha is trying to avoid marriage. And there's a graphic description of the mummification process as well as descriptions of some medical treatments. So it all feels a bit more mature than the average middle grade mystery. I'm leaning towards shelving this in YA. I was a bit surprised that this ended in a significant cliffhanger. The person behind Sesha's parents' murders is revealed but a bigger issue is most definitely not resolved and it looks like the murderer is going to get away with it. I wish I already had book 2. Hand this to serious mystery readers who really want to find out what ancient Egypt was like, especially medicine in ancient Egypt and social customs for young women.

Notes on content: No language issues. No sex scenes. As mentioned, there is a pregnant teen in the story (no details on how she got that way). There's a rather gory and graphic description of the mummification process and removal of the brains. Some other medial treatments are described. A murder in the past is mentioned but not described. Harm from animals and other humans is threatened, but nothing serious happens. There's a party described and drunk and high people are described (the medical students are treating them and their injuries).

[Kate Waggoner · Rating 4 out of 5]

After escaping the fire that killed their parents, Sesha and Ky must survive on their own. They live on the streets of Egypt and survive by stealing what they need. When Ky gets caught and the vendor goes to cut off his hand, Sesha intervenes and reveals their true identities. They are the children of Ay the Pharaoh's physician. They return to the palace and are welcomed by the royal family. Sesha is cautious of this warm welcome though. She knows that her parents died under mysterious circumstances and she fears that someone in the palace may be behind the fire. After arriving back at the palace, the Pharaoh agrees to let Sesha study to become a medical scribe, but she must also search for a lost scroll that her father had been working on. The scroll was believed to have been written by the great Imhotep and to hold several surgical secrets. Secrets that may come in handy considering war may be imminent.

The Lost Scroll of the Physician (Secrets of the Sand 1) by Alisha Sevigny is a fun middle grades historical fiction book set during the Second Intermediate Period in Egypt. This is a time period that little is known about. Like most historical fiction novels this book is based in research. The scroll that Sesha is looking for actually exists and is known as the Edwin Smith Medical Papyrus. I appreciated that women are given a central role in this book and are shown as powerful and capable. The protagonist, Sesha, breaks barriers by wanting to become a scribe. The position of scribe and especially physician was generally reserved for men. This book is full of both action and emotional conflict. The book includes themes related to friendship, power, trust, and believing in oneself. Sevigny does an excellent job of painting a picture of Egypt during this time period and the complicated political relationships and circumstances. I very much enjoyed the book, and I'm excited to read the next in the series.

[Ali Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gut Instinct Rating: 3.75
Characters: 5
Believability: 4
Uniqueness: 5
Writing Style: 5
Excitement Factor: 4
Story Line: 5
Title Relevance: 5
Artwork Relevance: 5
Overall: 4.64🏳️‍🌈
•
Review: This is the first book of the middle grade series, Secret of the Sands. Alisha came to me a short while back asking if I'd be willing to read the series for an honest review after she caught wind of my review of her YA book, Summer Constellations, which was my 2nd Choice YA Winner of 2021. I want to get the GIR out of the way really quick - ancient times are not a time I'm super interested in, so it took me a minute to get going with this story. But once I kind of set aside the fact that we were dealing with ancient Egypt, I was able to get on board with a strong female lead, gender stereotypes being broken left and right (I'm talking about you Princess), and all the good that came out of this story line in book 1. It was a *little* unbelievable, but then again... I wasn't alive during these times, so maybe it's not so far fetched?! I truly loved Sesha's character and as much as I wasn't so excited about the historical fiction on ancient Egypt initially, I'm very excited to binge read books 2 and 3. I will say that if you are picking this book for a middle grade student, there are some vocabulary words that may be better suited for an advanced reader and there is a little bit of medical gore that may be suited for an older reader (however, it is all very much scientific and historical in nature, and in no way representative of violence).

[Selena · Rating 5 out of 5]

The children of the Pharoh's royal physician are forced to fend for themselves after fleeing the palace when their parents are killed in a mysterious fire. They manage to steal food and Sesha acts as a snake charmer to earn money and distract others as Ky pick-pockets. One day their luck almost runs out when Ky is caught and they beg to be sent to an audience with the Pharoh.

Rather than being punished, the pharoh welcomes them back with a warm meal, bath, and place to stay. He charges Sesha with finding the lost scroll her father was working to scribe, in secret. Sesha is already determined to find the scroll because it may have a way to help her brother who is suffering with a brain issue that leads him to have seizures.

I liked the storyline, the history, and the characters. I think it would go along as an intro lesson in Egypt in 6th grade ELA and Social Studies lessons. It has the interesting parts; gods and goddesses, brains pulled out during mummification, and the mention of the few female physicians during a time when women were not allowed to have such positions in much of the known world. After reading we could discuss more "factual" aspects of Egyptian life and determine what was "real" and what is "literary license" in the story.

I was given the opportunity to read this book by NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.

[Vighnesh · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an ARC that was sent to me from Dundurn Press so thanks to them for sending this to me in exchange for an honest review.

This book started off really quickly and a lot of things were happening. I really liked how the plot was moving at the start and how it was super fast paced but, it started to slow down and I felt that it got a little bit boring halfway through the book.

It started off with 5 star vibes for me but the plot really slowed down and the challenges the main character was facing felt very mundane compared to what she had to go through at the start. Also, the whole plot is about the main character trying to find this scroll but, she slowly just veers off and does things which I don’t really understand.

I will say, that I really liked how the story ended and how everything lined up and that little reveal at the end which surprised me because I never saw that coming so I guess that was really good.

I am not sure if I’ll be continuing with this series depending on my mood when the sequel comes out.

Overall, I found this book to be very mediocre and nothing too special even though I think it had the potential to be a 5 stars from me if it kept up that fast, action-packed mood.

[Katelyn Fowler · Rating 3 out of 5]

Title: The Lost Scroll of the Physician
Author: Alisha Sevigny
Release Date: 2.18.2020
Review Date: 2.3.2020
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Sesha and Ky, children of the pharaoh’s royal physician, are left charming snakes and stealing food to survive after a brutal fire takes their parents and their home. Unsure of whom to trust, the pair are found and brought back to the palace, despite misgivings that the royals are somehow involved in their parents’ deaths. Sesha is tasked with finding the rare and valuable medical document her father was transcribing for the pharaoh, who needs it urgently for his upcoming campaign.

This one was interesting to say the least. I liked the setting but I would have liked to know the characters a little better. How to review this. There was a detailed scene of embalming. I was really grossed out. I don't really have any other feelings about this. I find it really hard to review Middle Grade. This one was okay.

[Alexandra Cutler · Rating 5 out of 5]

While targeted at a younger audience, I found The Lost Scroll of the Physician to be a fantastic read for people of all ages. Based in Ancient Egypt, it follows the story of a young girl in search of an old medical scroll that has the power to save both her brother's life and her country. But as she goes deeper into the temple to find this document, she also discovers information about her parents' recent death that challenge her beliefs and the people she thought she could trust. A thrilling, mysterious, and educational read, this story has something new and exciting on every page. Rooted in actual research, the book immerses you in Ancient Egyptian culture, making you feel as if you are by Sesha's side throughout her journey. Not only is the plot captivating, but I was also constantly eager to learn more about ancient civilizations. If you are looking for a page-turner, I highly recommend Alisha Sevigny's The Lost Scroll of the Physician. I myself am already counting down the days until the second book in the series comes out.

[Wunderdrugged · Rating 4 out of 5]

This title is nominated for the 2022 Hackmatack children's choice book award in the English fiction category. I always find it difficult to review books that are part of a series, but thankfully this was book one. This story takes place in ancient Egypt during the time of the pharaohs. The main character, Sesha was the daughter of the royal physician. Her parents were killed in a tragic fire of mysterious origins that she and her younger brother Ky were able to escape. Sesha thought she saw a royal guard the night of the fire and now she doesn't know who she can trust...but she does know that her father was working on transcribing a scroll that contained medical information that might save her brother's life. I really enjoyed this book, it is the best of mystery meets historical fiction. As a fourth grader I went through a major ancient Egypt phase and this series would have been ideal for me. I would definitely recommend this book for grades four and up, especially kids who are into mysteries.

[Shakera · Rating 4 out of 5]

I want to start by saying thank you to Edelweiss and Ingram Publisher Services for granting me the opportunity to read this remarkable book. This is the story of Sesha and Ky, who are the children of the Physician to the Pharoah. Their parents are killed under questionable circumstances, and doing what they can to survive on their own until they are caught by the palace guards. Once in the palace, the Pharoah allows Sesha to continue her studies and asks her to find the missing scroll her father was working on before he died. With danger at every turn and suspects around every corner, Sesha and Ky must figure out who they can trust. They must do so quickly, or they will meet the same questionable end their parents did.

What I enjoyed about this story is the scroll is based on an actual artifact. The amount of research done in this story is fantastic. While I love stories based on Egyptian history, I loved the attention to detail. There was a headstrong lead character in Sesha, who has her wits about her and is a great judge of character. I thought this was a fascinating start to a series, even though the ending was a bit abrupt.

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was.... unexpected.

I'm a newbie to the Middle Grade genre so I admit it's possible that I didn't have realistic expectations.

The story centers around Sesha and her younger brother Ky. They were the children of the Pharaoh's Great Physician, until they lose their parents one night in a tragic fire. A fire that Sesha is convinced wasn't an accident. We follow Sesha through the twists and turns of finding out exactly what happened, all while she tries to help her brother before she runs out of time to do so.

Going into it, I had no idea this wasn't a standalone, but the ending had me needing the next book in the series like... yesterday.

There are a few subjects sprinkled in this book that I likely wouldn't want my middle grade aged child reading but it's definitely still worth the time it'll take you to consume.

So go ahead, get yourself this tasty Egyptian morsel and enjoy!

P.S. this book has a little fiber. The lost scroll in question? It's legit! It's for real! Be sure to read the author's note and then prepare to be fascinated.

Thank you Edelweiss for the opportunity to read and review this book.