Indiana Jones and the Pyramid of the Sorcerer

Indiana Jones: Untold Adventures #1

by Ryder Windham

The untold stories of the world's greatest adventurer!

Early August, 1941. Indiana Jones' luck has finally run out. He's stuck in jail in Puerto Bolivar, Ecuador, with one failed escape already under his belt, when Colonel Musgrove of the US Army comes knocking with an official release -- with strings attached.

Musgrove wants Indy to track down the fabled Hall of Records. But Indy soon discovers he's not the only one on the trail. He'll will have to outsmart and outmaneuver his enemies -- but first, he'll have to figure out exactly who his enemies are . . .

Genres: Adventure, Fiction, Childrens, Young Adult, Novels, Fantasy, Action

136 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published May 1, 2009

About the author

Ryder Windham is an American sci-fi author who has written over sixty Star Wars books, including novels, comics, reference books, and so on. He has also written junior novelizations for Indiana Jones movies. Since 1993, he has been working on Star Wars projects either by himself or with other authors. His reference book Star Wars: The Ultimate Visual Guide had been on the New York Times Best Seller list for three weeks in 2005. Although he has written lots of books, accepted interviews, and appeared at several fan-conventions, little is known about his personal life.

Reviews

[Rob · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have always enjoyed adventure/lost civilization stories, which probably stems from growing up with the Indiana Jones movies. So when I found this at a used bookstore I thought I’d give it a try. I’m glad I did!

This YA story takes place five years after Raiders and is a real page turner. Windham is a veteran of YA books on George Lucas intellectual property (mostly with Star Wars), and it shows here.

I won’t go into the story, but I will say it is an original tale and honestly is much better than the “it-must-not-be-said” Indy 4 movie. There is a second book in this series, which I ordered from a third party immediately after finishing this one. It’s a shame these books are out of print!

[Arlomisty · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a very fun Indiana Jones book... takes place in 1941 five years after Raiders of the Lost Ark... Jones is in search of the fabled Hall of Records capable of seeing the past as well as the future... of course the Nazi's want it as well...

[Noah · Rating 3 out of 5]

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Secades M. Noah
Ms. Porter
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26 February 2016
Indiana Jones and the Pyramid of the Sorcerer Review
For my last book love book of the year I decided to go through my files of books and I found this book Indiana Jones and the Pyramid of the Sorcerer. The story goes like this Indiana Jones is at a dig site in Peru where he is captured by the Peruvian Army which is under control of Colonel Musgrove (one of the government agents from Raiders of the Lost Ark that convinced Indy to go after the Ark) and his sidekick Major Nichols who want him to find a mystical dimension which contains the Hall of Records a fantastic place that tells the future. Indiana is attacked by a Nazi spy but is shot by Nichols and so Jones escapes the Americans and tries to find the Hall of Records on his own. On the way he meets a female biplane pilot named Bert who flies Indy to his destinations. Meanwhile at the US Army Base in Costa Rica Musgrove is mysteriously shot and Nichols takes over command. Nichols hunts Indy down and eventually finds him but is killed when he runs into two portals at the same time. So at the end of the book the US government takes over the Hall of Records doesn’t tell Indy anything about it and basically leaves him where he left off from the first movie
After reading this book I give it a 3 out of 5. It’s not a bad Indiana Jones story but it’s not too adventurous either due to the fact that every little description is detailed. After a while this story does get a little boring. “The man twisted his body and managed to drive an elbow into
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Indy’s sternum”.(Windham 54) You see everything is detailed and this happens two or three times in the book. The action is pretty good in the book though like with of the aircraft from me being a plane expert like describing the stearman and DC-2.
Honestly, if you are a hardcore Indiana Jones fan I would read it but if you are just an ordinary person that thinks Indiana Jones is kinda cool don’t read it. The story bland the detail is amazing. What more is there to say about it. For Barnes and Noble it got a 5/5 which I don’t know why that is and on Google Books it got a 2.5/5 which is where people actually review these books. I just read the Google Reviews for this book and people say it’s an ok book which is about the same opinion as I. So in conclusion, it’s an ok book with an ok story and sick planes.

[Jerry (Rebel With a Massive Media Library) · Rating 2 out of 5]

A Quickie Review

Indiana Jones has never been my favorite film franchise; as much as I love George Lucas' infamous intergalactic universe, Indy's adventures have been a bit too creepy and graphic for my tastes. Scenes from more than one of the films have made me wince inside. Still, as a reader, I often find that I enjoy tie-in books even when I don't enjoy the movie/show on which they're based. While this one was decent, it wasn't as good as the old-school expanded universe books, some of which I have read. Unless you're part of the target audience, you'd do better to seek out the classic novels; this is a bit too childish, which is surprising for a rather adult franchise.

Score: 2/5

[John · Rating 2 out of 5]

An easily forgettable Indy adventure that mostly relies on bland action sequences to try to generate excitement. The basic plot is kinda cool, but the climax is only about 4 pages long. True, it's written for young readers, but I think even they would agree it's rather poorly executed.

[Rob Irwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

What if I told you that one of the most thrilling, most Indiana Jones-style adventures doesn’t play out on the big screen, but in the pages of a novel? And not one of the ‘adult’ Indy novels I’ve reviewed so many times here on the site, but a young adult title, published back in 2009 through a joint effort by Scholastic in the US and HarperCollins in the UK? You might think I was exaggerating, and that’s OK. I would, too.

Honestly, if you don’t already own Indiana Jones and the Pyramid of the Sorcerer, I highly recommend tracking down a copy through eBay or your local used bookstore. Though it’s a YA title, it captures the spirit of Indiana Jones perfectly, embracing fast-paced, no-frills storytelling that echoes the pulpy roots of the franchise. The plot may be simpler than adult fiction, but that’s part of its charm: it keeps the momentum high and the thrills coming, breathlessly propelling you from one cliffhanger to the next.

I was skeptical at first, having seen similar praise in other reviews and wasn’t convinced. But the moment I started reading, I couldn’t stop smiling. This Indy sounded like Indy, acted like Indy, and pulled me straight into the adventure. That’s not always the case with the adult novels. While they’re not trying to be high literature, they often weigh themselves down with layered plots and a need to feel like serious, grown-up fiction. In doing so, they can lose the breezy, cinematic charm that makes an Indiana Jones story feel like, well, Indiana Jones. This novel doesn’t. And it’s a real shame that so many fans likely don’t even know it exists. This comes from The Untold Adventures, a short-lived YA series of only two books that flew under the radar for many, but it’s absolutely worth unearthing for book one alone.

Plot-wise, we find Indy in 1941, working an archaeological dig in Peru, when he’s suddenly accused of being a tomb robber. Something doesn’t add up, and soon he’s on the run from the Peruvian army, including a very cinematic escape involving a swing across a chasm. This is peak Indiana Jones. And even better, that’s just the beginning. Who set him up? Why? The story twists and turns from there, and along the way we meet Bert Brodowski, a tough, tomboyish biplane pilot with a busted nose who makes an excellent sparring partner for Indy. It’s pulp, and it works. It does what you want an Indy novel to do.

The MacGuffin for the novel is the Akashic Hall of Records, a fictionalised version of the real-world concept known as the Akashic Records. In spiritual and metaphysical traditions, particularly those rooted in Theosophy and various New Age beliefs, the Akashic Records are said to be a compendium of all human knowledge, thoughts, emotions, and events – past, present, and future. Often described as a cosmic library or universal database, the records are believed to exist on a non-physical plane and can be accessed through heightened states of consciousness or spiritual practice. In the novel, this abstract concept is transformed into a tangible location capable of predicting the future that can also move its physical location, making it hard to locate and thus a perfect fit for an Indiana Jones-style adventure.

If I had one criticism of the book, it’s that the ending feels a bit too abrupt. The breakneck pace never lets up, and before you know it, there are only a few pages left with a lot still to wrap up. But the story just keeps barrelling toward the finish line like it has a train to catch and ties everything up quickly; maybe a little too quickly. I think it could have benefited from an additional chapter to give the conclusion more weight and let the resolution breathe. As it stands, the ending is treated with the same pacing as the rest of the book, which works in terms of momentum but slightly undercuts the impact.

Circling back to my earlier point, this novel is a lot of fun. Don’t let the YA label fool you. The plot is as classic Indiana Jones as it gets: people get punched, shot, even killed. This isn’t some watered-down, sugar-coated version of Indy. It genuinely feels like watching one of the films. It’s a hidden gem, and well worth tracking down.

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Last year, an Indiana Jones book was the LONGEST book I read. It was called The Adventures of Indiana Jones, by Campbell Black, James Kahn and Rob MacGregor. It was 608 pages long. This year my SHORTEST book, at least so far, is also an Indiana Jones book. Indiana Jones and the Pyramid of the Sorcerer, by Ryder Windham is a paltry 136 pages long. I'm bringing all this up, because I think it's funny and worth mentioning.

Indiana Jones and the Pyramid of the Sorcerer was originally published in 2009, a year after the movie Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull was released. You might remember that last year, I read another Indy book that had also first come out around that time. It was called Indiana Jones and the Army of the Dead, by Steve Perry. Pyramid of the Sorcerer is geared towards middle-grade audience. But I really enjoyed it as an adult. It was followed by a sequel called Indiana Jones and the Mystery of Mount Sinai, by J.W. Rinzler. I also have that book, and it will be my next book to read.

[Cameron Thomas · Rating 2 out of 5]

Your average pulp adventure novel that does absolutely nothing to justify the use of the Indiana Jones names. I’m sure most people were grabbed by the gorgeous cover art, but the narrative just doesn’t have anything going for it.

The action is the only thing that’s actually well written. It incorporates a lot of the environment into the fights and paints a vivid picture, which is nice since the brawls in the movies are always so much fun. At least the author managed to translate that.

The Mcguffin Indy is pursuing is so ridiculous and weirdly this novel draws a strange amount of inspiration from Crystal Skull. There’s a former colleague of Indy who has gone missing in pursuit of the Hall of Records and that’s the main reason he pursues this vault of knowledge from the past, present, and future. I allow a bit of suspension of disbelief for Indy’s adventures, but a vault that has information about all time periods and can teleport across countries is a bit too much for my taste.

[Matt town · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the last series of Indiana Jones books I found out about, probably because they came out alongside the fourth instead of around the same time as the McGregor and McCoy novels. This particular story is a chapter book-sized tale and takes place in 1941, sometime after Raiders. Most of the story takes place in South and Central America, which is interesting to view in the context of the 1940s. In addition, there's a Fantasia reference which felt a little weird but helps to place this book in its proper temporal setting well.

While this particular story doesn't have as much character as the McGregor books I read, I love any Indiana Jones story, and the bones of this one stayed true to the franchise while introducing endearing new characters (along with one prominent returning character), fun action sequences and great locations to explore, and I will definitely be reading the next of this series very soon.

[Will Plunkett · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reading this book in 2023, I noticed the word "destiny" appear a couple times (but no "dial" that I saw). For a young adult book, it's consistent with his personality, but a little sanitized (separate rooms instead of one shared one at the inn, not sure if Indy's shots with the machine gun hit anyone). I found the chosen time period (middle of 1941) interesting, considering all that happened then.

[J.W. Surface · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reading this one, the title seems a bit off, but overall I very much enjoyed this book. You can tell the author has a true appreciation for the world and character. There is mention of each movie and even a video game, which, as a Indy fan myself, I loved.
Great, quick read for any Indy fan, or young Indy fan.

[Ahdom · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok, well since I am reading about the Maya and Indiana Jones was my inspiration for learning about the ancient world, I thought I would throw this breezy read in. I took this book on a cruise to Mexico and it was some great casual reading. This was super easy to read and actually kind of hard to put down. It hits all the beats for an Indiana Jones adventure. My biggest complaint is that if felt like the climax was too close to the end of the book and went by a bit too quickly, making it feel a bit rushed. That being said, who doesn't love and Indiana Jones story? I thought the references to Indiana Jones and the Fate of Atlantis was really cool as well as some other cool Indy references that were sprinkled in.

[Heath Doerr · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy reading action packed Indy adventure. My son and I liked it a lot, and will probably read the second book soon.

[Donavon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great short book, love the nods to other Indy expanded media. Only real complaint is the abrupt ending, things get wrapped up fast!

[Adam Watts · Rating 3 out of 5]

Its good for any Indy Fan, however it rushes the end way too quickly.

[Patrick Hayes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Published by Scholastic to be sold through their book clubs for school, this book came out to coincide with the release of Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. Intended for middle schoolers, this book is a pleasant diversion into an Indy adventure that takes place in early 1941. Indy is persuaded by Col Musgrove (one of the two men that contacted him about finding the Ark of the Covenant) to search for the fabled Hall of Records, which can show men the future. Hot on the trails are Nazi spies, though if you're over 15 it won't be too hard to figure out who that is. A fine character to add to the Indy chronicles is a female pilot named Bert, whom I would love to see appear in other Indy tales. At only 136 pages this a quickly told adventure with plenty of action and a fast (perhaps too much so for we fans who saw Raiders when it first came out) ending. Not bad, not great, but interesting.

[Daniel · Rating 3 out of 5]

For a middle school Indiana Jones book, it's surprisingly good. I was excepting to be disappointed by it. I was not. It's quite good. The plot and the characters are all appealing, especially the introduction of a character who appears in Raiders of the Lost Ark briefly. I really liked that part. There just a couple of things that I didn't really like. For example The Hall of Records sounds similar to another Indy novel (Indiana Jones and the Secret of the Sphinx). IT was something I struggled to swallow at first. Another thing I didn't like about it was that the story felt a little rushed. But I have to remember that this is a book for middle school kids. A great book for middle schoolers indeed, and a great introduction to the character that is Indiana Jones. This novel captures the spirit of Indy.

[Jared · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sad that this is a better book than Indiana Jones and the Army of the Dead. But it is… …if only marginally. There are too many random fist fights, too few bigger set pieces, too little plot development and a rushed ending. Some of the dialogue is ponderous, but this is a book written for young children and so, by and large, I'm impressed by how well they captured Indy's voice. At one point, Indy even chides Musgrove (who makes an unexpected re-entry into Indy canon) and dismisses his appeals to patriotism. A surprisingly bold move for a character that many like to paint as an All-American hero. But his world-weariness and cynicism is definitely more believable.
It can be completed in a single sitting. Worth doing if you're in the need for an Indy fix. It's better than most of the shitty Indy stories we've gotten in the last decade.

[Kieran Kirk · Rating 2 out of 5]

Hello, I read Indiana jones and the pyramid of the sorcerer. In 1941 his luck runs out, in about the first few pages of the book. Then he gets sent to jail in a Peru jail. Of force that's not the end of it... The U.S army want a relece for dr jones. The book was great you could understand it good. I think that Ryder made it a little bit short and quick at parts. Other than that it was a good book.

[Kevin Findley · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a decent story, but not in the top five I've read. My youngest child enjoyed it though and since he's the target audience, I suppose that's what counts.

One point though. The total page count is only 136 pages, not 160 as noted in the book's details.

[Maddie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like how even this children's book can hook me :p I was even surprised when Nichols shot Musgrave, and I like Bert. I was glad when Brooksbank was still alive, but then he died :/ Glad I finally read this, means I can sell it :p

[Banana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Awesome book, action packed, mystery. Never know who to trust anyone.

[Carter · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a second read. First read October 17, 2015.

[Ronald · Rating 3 out of 5]

finished SOMETIME in 2009

[Paolo Calabrò · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very short book; it took me an hour to finish it. Decent nonetheless.