~ MARVELOUS MIDDLE-GRADE
MONDAY HISTORICAL FANTASY/
MONDAY HISTORICAL FANTASY/
ADVENTURE FEATURE & GIVEAWAY ~
-- 'JAGGER JONES & THE MUMMY'S ANKH' --
AUTHOR MALAYNA EVANS
~Post Includes: Book Spotlight, Author
Bio, Link to Excerpt, My Thoughts &
Giveaway {One signed copy of the
paperback to one US winner}
LEARN MORE ON GOODREADS
Excited both by the idea of sharing her passion for ancient history with today’s middle graders and pursuing her dream of becoming a published author, she jumped into the project with abandon. Her debut novel, Jagger Jones and the Mummy’s Ankh, was released in May, 2019.
A single mom with two kids, one rescue dog, and a hamster, Malayna lives in Oak Park, IL. She spends much of her time writing–and balancing her writing with kids and career–but she’s “mature” enough to have wandered through Havana with her kids, shopped the souks of Bangkok and Istanbul, eaten her way through Italy, enjoyed deep sea diving in Bermuda, and, of course, trekked the ruins of Egypt.
ankh
/äNGk/
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Malayna’s
debut novel, Jagger Jones and the Mummy’s Ankh, features a biracial
thirteen-year-old whiz kid from Chicago’s South Side traveling over 3,000 years
back in time to the court of Amarna, Egypt, with his eleven-year-old sister,
Aria, in tow.
Jagger, a
devoted history buff, is shocked when he discovers that books don’t teach you
everything there is to know. Sure he knew ancient Egyptians believed in magic,
but he didn’t expect amulets that alter time and space, giant crocodiles with
blood red eyes and teeth like daggers, and evil generals who want to murder the
royal family and, by extension, Jagger’s own. It’s enough to make even a
die-hard Egyptophile like Jagger anxious to get back to Chicago.
The series
was inspired both by Malayna’s son and by her favorite ancient Egyptian
blessing: ankh, wedja, seneb, which means (may you have) life, prosperity, and
health. In book one, Malayna explores both modern and ancient notions of
“life.” Books two and three will similarly contrast modern and ancient ideas
surrounding “prosperity” and “health,” respectively. The series juxtaposes
modern modes of thinking and objects with ancient artifacts, people and
beliefs. But mostly … mummies!
Release Date: May 28, 2019
Available at: Amazon, IndieBound, Barnes & Noble, Kobo & More
Trade Paperback ISBN: 978-1-948671-62-0
Price: $12.99
Approx. 200 pages
Available at: Amazon, IndieBound, Barnes & Noble, Kobo & More
Trade Paperback ISBN: 978-1-948671-62-0
Price: $12.99
Approx. 200 pages
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Malayna Evans spent ten years in the Chicago media market, another ten in academia, and the last decade as an entrepreneur. Years after earning her Ph.D. in Egyptology from the University of Chicago, her son, then nine, suggested she write a story about a kid, who looked like him, lost in ancient Egypt.
Excited both by the idea of sharing her passion for ancient history with today’s middle graders and pursuing her dream of becoming a published author, she jumped into the project with abandon. Her debut novel, Jagger Jones and the Mummy’s Ankh, was released in May, 2019.
A single mom with two kids, one rescue dog, and a hamster, Malayna lives in Oak Park, IL. She spends much of her time writing–and balancing her writing with kids and career–but she’s “mature” enough to have wandered through Havana with her kids, shopped the souks of Bangkok and Istanbul, eaten her way through Italy, enjoyed deep sea diving in Bermuda, and, of course, trekked the ruins of Egypt.
CONNECT WITH THE AUTHOR:
Malayna loves meeting new people, so reach out to her on Twitter, Instagram, or Goodreads or visit her at www.malaynaevans.com
MY THOUGHTS:
In keeping with my policy of being transparent on this blog, I will admit that the first thing I did before I began reading this book was to search for the definition of 'ankh' because I had absolutely no idea what it was or what it meant.
/äNGk/
noun
noun: ankh; plural noun: ankhs
an object or design resembling a cross but having a loop instead of the top arm, used in ancient Egypt as a symbol of life.
noun: ankh; plural noun: ankhs
an object or design resembling a cross but having a loop instead of the top arm, used in ancient Egypt as a symbol of life.
Once I understood what the title meant, I was ready to delve into reading the book.
Combine a multi-dimensional main character, time travel, adventure, Egyptology, and some snappy dialogue and you have this appealing, action-packed story.
Follow 13-year-old Jagger Jones and his 11-year old sister, Aria, on their adventures in ancient Egypt. With strong character development and unique settings, this fast-paced story will appeal to upper-middle-grade and tween readers who enjoy a mix of current lingo and historical surroundings.
The cover art and the illustrations complement the story well and will enrich the reader's understanding of the action occuring on the page.
Note from blogger: I was given access to a digital copy of this book by the publisher. I was not compensated in any way to read this book, write this review, or post this review on my blog or any other site.
Follow 13-year-old Jagger Jones and his 11-year old sister, Aria, on their adventures in ancient Egypt. With strong character development and unique settings, this fast-paced story will appeal to upper-middle-grade and tween readers who enjoy a mix of current lingo and historical surroundings.
The cover art and the illustrations complement the story well and will enrich the reader's understanding of the action occuring on the page.
Note from blogger: I was given access to a digital copy of this book by the publisher. I was not compensated in any way to read this book, write this review, or post this review on my blog or any other site.
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I'm not familiar with this book, but it looks really interesting. Thanks for sharing it with us.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome. Thank you for stopping by to learn about Malayna's book! :0}
DeleteAncient Egypt is so much fun to read about. Thanks for the chance!
ReplyDeleteI would love to win this book. My granddaughter's name is Aria. I think that she'd get a kick out of her name being one of the main character's.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a very appealing book!
ReplyDeleteJanice
pjrcmoore@windstream.net
I loved this book and gave it a great review on my website, rindabeach.com and on Amazon. I'd love to win a copy to share with older readers when I sub.
ReplyDeleteSounds like unique story and one that would keep young readers turning the pages. I love the time travel twist. Thanks for featuring on MMGM.
ReplyDeleteThis book sounds like a good read, especially if it has to do with kiddos who are my the same age as 2 of my grandchildren, my granddaughter is 13 and my grandson is 11, they both love to read, but my grandson always has a book in his hands, I think they would both love this book, they are both in Middle school also.I would love to read this book also. I Love, love the cover!! I will be adding this book to my TBR pile. Have a Great week. God Bless you.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like an exciting read, especially with the Egypt side thrown in.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a real page turner and I like the time travel. Thanks for sharing it.
ReplyDeleteThis would be a great addition to Egyptian studies for my 6th graders.
ReplyDelete