Customer Reviews

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

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

I thought this book was great. It is full of excitment and action. My favorite part is when they find the room made of gold.
I also like the part when they went on the hang`gliders.I realy liked The Falcon of Abydos.

Carson Parker

I greatly enjoyed this book. I have read all of the books in the series, but this one was my favorite. I think it was very well written, and I liked the subject of Eygpt too! I would greatly recomend this book to anyone who likes adventures!

Falcon of Abydos is a mystical trip up the Nile with hazards and adventures for the MacGregor Family. Many books have technical aspects and the author must be trusted or abandoned. All Trout novels have science that is "meticulously accurate in detail" according to the reputable Midwest Book Review because Trout is a scientist and uses many engineers and scientists. It is not fantasy. Trout has received nearly twenty national reviews, all with good acclaim and Falcon of Abydos sells extremely well in schools for grades five through eight. Dozens of school systems nationwide use Falcon of Abydos as part of their curriculum on Egypt. A nationally acclaimed newspaper, The Daily Oklahoma, stated that "Trout writes with authority on Egypt." So to see something other than this is to miss the point of the novel entirely. Reviews written by children ages 9-15 should be the measure of this novel. Other MacGregor novels by Trout have been finalists for Book of the Year in Oklahoma and adopted by National Geographic for their international science curriculum called the JASON Project. I know this for a fact because I am Richard Trout and welcome all readers to enjoy this series and offer their fair appraisals.

Falcon Of Abydos: Oracle Of The Nile by Richard Trout is the third book in the MacGregor Family Adventures. Written for all ages, Falcon of Abydos is a thrilling adventure story in which the MacGregor family becomes entangled in an ancient Egyptian mystery stretching from the heat of the Sahara to beneath the surface of the Red Sea. Falcon Of Abydos: Oracle Of The Nile is an engaging, action-packed, and memorable techno/thriller for young readers.