Publication Date: 30 January 2025

The Blurb

Sim and his mum never live anywhere long. When dangerous strangers appear one night, Sim discovers why. His mum has been keeping secrets: she has the power to open doors in time.

Running for their lives, Sim and his friends are determined to outwit the sinister Council of Keys and be the first to find Nefertiti’s lost tomb and a powerful door to Ancient Egypt. They must piece together long-hidden clues if they are to solve the mystery of her golden heart scarab. Can they find it before the Council finds them?

The Review

The Hunt For The Golden Scarab is a captivating read that combines history, adventure, and problem-solving in a thrilling story. Packed with clues, puzzles, and historical intrigue, Sim and his friends race to uncover the secrets of Nefertiti’s lost tomb while evading the sinister Council of Keys.

Twists and turns accompany every switch in time, with Sim desperately playing catch up as to who his mother really is, what she can do, and what it means for him. Despite the fast paced story, we see both Sim and Callidora grow as they learn more about each other and themselves. The vividly portrayed Ancient Egyptian setting adds layers of historical context that could spark further exploration into this fascinating era. It was fascinating to meet Tutankhamun and Howard Carter in children’s fiction again.

The comparisons to Indiana Jones and Doctor Who are well-deserved, as Maya’s storytelling masterfully combines high-stakes action with the wonders of time travel. Fans of Beetle Boy, the Twitch series, and the Adventures on Trains series, will recognize her signature attention to detail and flair for adventure, while the stunning black-and-white illustrations throughout the book by Manuel Šumberac further enhance the story, providing visual elements that bring its historical and fantastical settings to life.

With its rich blend of time travel, treasure hunts, and themes of courage and friendship, The Golden Scarab is an excellent choice for the next generation of would be time-travelling archaeologists, and as the first in the Time Keys series, will be a fantastic addition to any school library. I wish I could time travel to the future so I didn’t have to wait for the next book…

Huge thanks to Macmillan for sending me a copy.