Falcon of Abydos: Oracle of the Nile (MacGregor Family Adventure Series) [Hardcover]

Richard Trout (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 30, 2005 | Age Level: 9 and up | Grade Level: 4 and up | Series: MacGregor Family Adventure Series (Book 3)

The shifting sands of the Sahara reveal a secret that could forever change the history of Egypt. Dr. Jack MacGregor and his family, fresh from adventures in the Caribbean and East Africa, arrive in Cairo and soon find themselves embroiled in a battle against evil men who possess an insane desire for power. From the insufferable heat of the Sahara Desert to the exotic underwater world of the Red Sea, parents Jack and Mavis and their teenage children, Chris, Heather, and Ryan, experience another series of dangerous adventures in this techno-thriller novel for middle readers.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

The shifting sands of the Sahara reveal a secret that could forever change the history of Egypt.

From the Inside Flap

Will the MacGregor family solve the mystery of the Falcon of Abydos before the terrorists access the Oracle of the Nile and use it to unleash deadly disasters? The MacGregor kids have once again unwittingly stumbled upon evil men with sinister plans: a group of Egyptian mobsters with terrorist ties, and two former Russian secret police agents trying to steal high-tech spy gear. Exploring Egypt while their father, Jack, participates in a Nile River environmental conference, Chris, Ryan, Heather, and their friend Natalie Crosswhite experience hot desert storms, scorpion stings, hijacked helicopters, hang-gliding chases, and scuba-diving calamities as they try to evade and outsmart their pursuers. When R.O. purchases electronic gear in Old Cairo, little does he know that he is now the owner of the most valuable piece of electronic hardware available in the world--an instrument that in the wrong hands could make the free nations of the world vulnerable to the maniacal schemes of power-hungry men. This third novel in the MacGregor Family Adventure Series is another action-packed, techno-thriller adventure filled with amazing facts about Egyptian mythology, environmental issues, romance, and exotic landscapes stretching from the heat of the Sahara to the luminous Red Sea. Whether they're decoding ancient artifacts or discovering high-tech gadgets, wandering in dimly lit tombs, or scouring the streets of Old Cairo, the MacGregor teens use their skills, humor, and savvy to try to stop a calamity that could change the world forever. Richard Trout has degrees in biology and natural science and is a professor of biological sciences at a college in Oklahoma. He has been an accomplished scuba diver for over thirty years. His other books in the MacGregor Family Adventure Series include Cayman Gold: Lost Treasure of Devils Grotto and Elephant Tears: Mask of the Elephant, both available from Pelican. The father of two grown daughters, he and his wife reside in Oklahoma City.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9 and up
  
• Hardcover: 288 pages
• Publisher: Pelican Publishing (April 30, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1589803272
• ISBN-13: 978-1589803275
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.8 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,151,132 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars An interesting story crippled by extremely poor writing, June 26, 2002

By 

S. A. Cain "writer" (Indiana USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Falcon Of Abydos: ORACLE OF THE NILE (Harbor Lights Series) (Paperback)

This book was abysmal. I had very high hopes for it, as the idea--two scientist parents traveling the world with their three children--seemed quite interesting, especially as this one was set in Egypt. What I found was poor characterization, blatant attempts at suspense, and far too much attention to details that were not germane to the story.

All along the story was plagued by highly improbably incidents. The earthquake in the prologue seems too convenient. The scientist (and therefore presumeably somewhat intelligent) mother takes her children two hours into the desert, in a BMW sedan, with only one bottle of water, for a picnic. And then is surprised when they are caught in a sandstorm. A perfect rescue by a helicopter-flying Egyptologist. The list goes on and on.

Far too much time was spent detailing every single outfit that every single character, however minor, was wearing or purchasing. In every scene I was informed exactly where each person was sitting in relation to the others. The dialogue was stilted and unnatural, using for example "I will" or "you are" instead of "I'll" and "you're."

The author referred to every person of Middle Eastern/Northern African descent, as Arabs. The terrorism theme was handled rather insensitively, especially considering the author's introduction that stated he decided to publish it after September 11. My favourite bit was when a character suggested that a 500-megaton bomb hitting the High Aswan Dam would cause massive flooding downriver. You might think so, but actually that 500-megaton bomb would probably vaporize Lake Nassar and tick people off as far as Greece and India.

One of the cover blurbs said this book defines a new level of action/adventure eco-terrorism books. Yes, I can define it in two words: wretchedly awful.

5.0 out of 5 stars When Good and Evil Meet, October 26, 2008

By 

Sally J. Shank - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Falcon of Abydos: Oracle of the Nile (MacGregor Family Adventure Series) (Hardcover)

This is Trouts third novel and I feel I know the MacGregor family. The family upholds good and wholesome values in a world where wrong and evil abound. Yet Chris, Heather, and Ryan are teens full of adventure and get in predicaments that kept me reading until I learned the outcome.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars This was a Great Book, April 30, 2003

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Falcon Of Abydos: ORACLE OF THE NILE (Harbor Lights Series) (Paperback)

The Falcon of Abydos was exciting. After I started this book, it was hard to put down. I have read all the books in this series, but The Falcon of Abydos is my favorite. I would recommend this exciting adventure book to anyone who enjoys a good book.