Review by Belle Cole
Dundurn Press, 2022
352 pages, paperback, $13.99 CAD, 9781459744356
Middle-grade, ages 8-12
Historical Fiction
“When the healer’s papyrus is held firmly in hand, one from the line of the physician will rule the land. For forty years, light and learning will reign and peace and prosperity will thus be maintained.
From scribe to spy to surgeon, at the ripe age of thirteen, Sesha has already acquired more occupations than most have in a lifetime. Upon a summons from King Khyan and an urgency to heal a friend in dire need, Sesha and her crew set sail for Avaris, the ancient Egyptian capitol of Hyksos. They carry with them a covetous scroll which has been wrapped up in prophecies about the Hyksos throne and is said to hold the power of life over death. While Sesha holds no ambitions to rule a nation, she is the bearer of the scroll, and prophecy therefore suggests her fate may burden her with responsibilities greater than those of a scribe, prompting her to seek out the famed Oracle of Avaris for answers.
As the third and final book in the Secrets of the Sands trilogy, The Oracle of Avaris is full of adventure, humour, romance, mythology, history, and fascinating characters! Sesha’s best friends, Paser and Reb, are always supportive, offering advice and encouragement, while also providing cheeky banter as they bump heads due to Paser’s foolhardiness and Reb’s tendency towards caution and pessimism. Strong character building is certainly a highlight of the novel, teeming with a robust cast of dynamic, lively characters who display a heart-warming sense of comradery, bravery, and care for one another.
One of the great strengths of the story is its utilization of imagery and setting to bring the world and cultures of ancient Egyptian nations to life. Sevigny has a beautiful way with words that captures the novel’s vibrant settings, using advanced vocabulary that caters toward the older end of the intended age group. As Sesha and her friends travel across Egypt, the different nations they visit are characterized by historical, cultural, and social customs such as the burial of Hyksos warriors with their horses, and the encouragement of Theban sons to take up the occupations of their fathers. The nations are distinctly set apart from each other while simultaneously building a well-developed, cohesive world for the story. That being said, there are moments throughout the book where the writing feels heavy with dialogue that doesn’t seem to enrich the story. However, the plot still progresses quickly with many exciting twists and turns. From accounts of arrivals on foreign shores to dynamic priestess ceremonies during eclipses, the extensive attention to detail creates a captivating tale that pulled me into the world.
Sesha and her comrades encounter angry princes, venomous snakes, political conflicts, illnesses, sword fights with dangerous mercenaries, and much more! The novel is full of empowering themes for young readers such as selflessness, bravery, humility, wisdom, and self-confidence. I would recommend this book to fans of Percy Jackson & The Olympians for its similar themes and elements of myth and history. Overall, The Oracle of Avaris is a well-written book full of fun and adventure in a fascinating world!
Belle Cole is an English Literature and Creative Writing student at UBC from San Antonio, Texas. She is passionate about learning new things and proclaims herself a chronic “hobby-hopper,” regularly jumping from one hobby to the next. No matter her current obsession, her spirited love for reading, writing, and traveling remain ever-constant.
YOUNG ADULTING 