Hieroglyph by WJ Scott
5* Reader Favorite Seal #YA #Supernaturalmystery
My British dad loved ancient Egypt. So infused with his
enthusiasm, I have visited extensive exhibits at the British Museum and
Highclere Castle. I also remember waiting in a long, long line to see the King
Tut exhibition in Chicago. I'm hooked on Egypt so Ms. Scott's novel, Hieroglyph
reeled me in. I loved it.
She is indeed as star-touched as her protagonist, T.C. I love
Scott's writing style. She is so skillful at describing her characters or her
settings with just the right image. For instance, listen to how she describes a
simple protein shake as "green gloop that smelled like radio-active
spinach with the consistency of pulped slugs." I believe that YA writers
should not write down to kids so I really appreciate her craft and high-level
imagery.
We are on a two-fold parallel journey with 13-year-old T.C. and her archaeologist Uncle Max. T.C. with her touch takes us back to an ancient Egyptian voyage to foreign Australian shores. In a frightful, beautifully related storm, the Egyptians go ashore, seeking riches. It is an amusing trip upriver as we see familiar plants, trees and animals through their eyes for the first time. Koalas, kangaroos, and snakes. Oh my!
But mysteries abound. Who was T.C's orphan mother? Are her parents, also archaeologists really dead? And, of course, what does T.C. stand for? (My aunt had a cat named T.C. which stood for Troublesome Cat. Does that work?) Peppered with music on teen earbuds, engaging illustrations by John Helle-Nielsen, and royal cartouches and scarab beetles, Hieroglyph, I hope, is the first of many stories to be told by W. J. Scott. I want to know more about Aunt Letty, the environmentalist and Jett, the rebel. Lots to excavate!
Book Description:
Gold Medal Winner in The Wishing Shelf Book Awards 2015 9-12 years.
“Did Ancient Egyptians visit Australia?”
13 year old TC has a secret. No one knows she possesses a supernatural power.
Can TC help her Uncle Max, an archaeologist; unearth enough evidence that Ancient Egyptians visited Australia, before he’s discredited in the media by those that want the past to stay buried?
“Some would say that I have a gift, but to me it’s always been a curse. Before I changed my mind, I tugged off my gloves and whipped my head left and right, checking to see that no one was watching. I sucked in breath and steadied my nerves then thrust my hands against the stones and touched one of the cartouches. Time and place ripped away.”
An enthralling archaeological mystery, mixing the supernatural with humour and suspense.
The first of TC’s adventures - an archaeological mystery for junior readers and above.
Family friendly.
13 year old TC has a secret. No one knows she possesses a supernatural power.
Can TC help her Uncle Max, an archaeologist; unearth enough evidence that Ancient Egyptians visited Australia, before he’s discredited in the media by those that want the past to stay buried?
“Some would say that I have a gift, but to me it’s always been a curse. Before I changed my mind, I tugged off my gloves and whipped my head left and right, checking to see that no one was watching. I sucked in breath and steadied my nerves then thrust my hands against the stones and touched one of the cartouches. Time and place ripped away.”
An enthralling archaeological mystery, mixing the supernatural with humour and suspense.
The first of TC’s adventures - an archaeological mystery for junior readers and above.
Family friendly.
EXCERPT:
Light shone in
Setka’s eyes as he stared out to sea. He swept his hand toward the horizon.
“First Adviser, when I accepted this mission I knew there would be perils, but
also wonders beyond imagining. Look. We are witnessing something magical.”
Hundreds of grey forms frothed the water,
tails and fins gliding through the troughs. Plumes of water were expelled high
into the air from blowholes. Then, as graceful as temple dancers, the creatures
dived beneath the waves. Their second boat, Windsong,
bobbed like a cork behind them and, though many passed nearby, none of the
creatures collided with either hull.
One specimen surfaced between the two
boats, close enough that if Setka had stretched out his sceptre, he could have
touched it with the golden falcon head. A huge eye appraised him for several
heartbeats and Setka held his breath before, with hardly a ripple, the creature
descended into the depths.
A haunting sound filtered over the slap of
the waves. Lord Weserkaf cocked his ear and whispered, “What spell do they
weave?”
Prince Setka smiled. “I believe they’re
singing to each other under the waves.”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Wendy Scott has a New Zealand
Certificate in Science (Chemistry), which allows her to dabble with fuming
potions and strange substances, satisfying her inner witch.
Wendy writes fantasy and children’s
novels.
One of the creeds she lives by is to always – Live a life less ordinary!
Please visit www.wendyjscott.com to learn more, read
Wendy’s blog or to leave her a message. She loves hearing from readers.
WJ Scott~ Children’s
Wendy Scott ~ YA / Fantasy
Wendy
Jayne ~ Romance
