Title: The Jackal’s Graveyard

Written by: Saviour Pirotta

Illustrated by: Jo Lindley

Published by: Maverick Arts Publishing

The Jackal’s Graveyard is the third book in the Nile Adventure series we follow Renni, his brother Mahu and Balaal the undercover princess, daughter of a Fenkhu king, on another thrilling adventure across thirteenth century Egypt. The Visor has supposedly been defeated but we are introduced to an even more cunning and devious adversary, with impressive skills in disguise. We join the three friends very soon after The Crocodile Curse ended. Prince Khaem, the forth son of Ramesses the Great, has asked them to the Royal Palace to meet Master Khonsu, his long-term tutor.

As with the other books, The Jackal’s Graveyard, is written from the two very distinct points of view of the two brothers. This allows us to see what is happening in different places giving us a wider picture of events. The book has been divided into three acts and at the beginning of each act the reader learns more about the antagonist and how their schemes. I enjoyed being able to see events in this way from the antagonists point of view.

Master Khonsu invites them all to the magnificent City of Per Ramesses as he would like Renni to decorate his new home. He also give Balaal a scroll of spells to study and the Prince makes Mahu an apprentice sailor on his royal barge, taking orders directly from Captain Tefiki. On the way to Per Ramesses the friends discover a ring of spies who are plotting to kill the Prince. The three friends must solve the cryptic clues to save him.

This exciting adventure is full of twists and turns. The three children can never be sure who they can trust as anyone could be a spy. I was hooked to the end and eager for the next book, The Serpent’s Eclipse, as the identity of the Jackal is still unknown and another formidable villain joins the circle of spies at their new hideout.

I recommend this book for all lower KS2 children and it would be the ideal book to read to the class whilst studying the Ancient Egyptians. It provides a brilliant overview of the history and everyday life during this era. Jo Lindley’s illustrations adds to the atmosphere and captures the Ancient Egyptian era well. At the back of the book there is a glossary and really fascinating author notes about Per Ramessu.

A real page turner that grips the reader from the useful map at the start to the author notes at the end.

You can read my review of The Crocodile Curse by Saviour Pirotta and Jo Lindley here: Book Review: The Crocodile Curse.

You can buy copies of The Jackal’s Graveyard and the other books in the series, The Heart Scarab and the The Crocodile Curse by Saviour Pirotta and Jo Lindley direct from the publisher Maverick Publishing, from your local bookshop, or you can also purchase a copy online at uk.bookshop.org, an organisation with a mission to financially support local, independent bookshops.

I would like to thank Abi Reeves at Maverick for sending me a review copy of The Jackal’s Graveyard. Thank you.