"TOMBQUEST, Book 3: Valley of Kings," by Michael Northrop, Scholastic, $12.99, 192 pages (f) (ages 10 and up)
Alex Sennefer has to find his mother before the Death Walkers destroy her and take the Egyptian spell book she has uncovered, but evading the evil Walkers is a major hurdle and requires him to go to Cairo on his mother’s trail.
With his friends Ren and Luke and the mysterious scholar Dr. Todtman, they embark on a journey that may well cost them their lives. And if they aren’t successful, it may cost the world even more.
New York City author Michael Northrop takes readers on a hair-raising adventure bound to make a few young people quiver in the dark. The third book of his series, “Tombquest: Valley of Kings” follows Alex and his friends as they try to stop the Death Walkers from destroying the world in a fiendish plot of revenge and domination.
Having already suffered a plague of scorpions in New York and blood rain in London, Alex and his friends know they have to hurry to save the people of Cairo from the evil voices that call out in the night. But at every step, they meet opposition from The Order, a criminal cult that dates back to ancient Egypt. Could there be a spy in their midst, or is The Order really all-powerful and all-knowing?
The amulets Alex and his friends each carry give them hope. The special and unique powers of each jewel may be enough to help these brave young people overcome the wickedness and depravity of the Death Walkers and recover Alex’s mom.
Tombquest is a multiplatform fantasy, and the online adventures are at tombquest.scholastic.com.
"Valley of the Kings" is written for middle grade readers and has plenty of action to keep young readers engaged. The violence in the story is age-appropriate, and there is no sexual content or foul language. Book four of the series is due out in December.
If you go ...
What: Michael Northrop book signing
When: Monday, Oct. 5, 7 p.m.
Where: Provo City Library, 550 N. University Ave., Provo
Web: provolibrary.com
Mike Whitmer lives in West Valley City and blogs at mtwhitmer.blogspot.com. You can reach him at grundelwalken@gmail.com.