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| Customer Reviews: | | Average Customer Review: ( 69 customer reviews )
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46 of 49 found the following review helpful:
 This is a WOW of a book!! May 28, 2008
By ellen
"ellen in atlanta"
There are a few books I picked up and could not let go - Secret of the Sands is one of them!
Rai Aren and Tavius E. have written a book that takes place in ancient ancient Egypt and present day Egypt near the Sphinx. A pair of young archaeology students, a young man and woman - Mitch and Alex are on a dig and suddenly discover a mysterious box, and with the help of two friends they open the box that is so old, it predates anything else known - the glyphs are in a different form, the metal not known in the current world.
The ancient era story details how this box and the information came to be and the backstory of the characters that will play through this amazing trilogy.
As I was reading Sands, I kept thinking of the pace is much like Raiders of the Lost Ark, because it is that good and that well paced.
The co-writing team of Rai Aren and Tavius E. have come up with movie material and what a movie it will make!
For those of us who are lovers of the ancient worlds, Egypt, present and past, archaeology, the metaphysical, and mystical happenings, this is a great choice for you.
27 of 30 found the following review helpful:
You will not want it to end Feb 22, 2008
By Mary Menzel
"Reviewer - www.AllTheseBooks.com"
This novel is innovative, concise and enthralling. Fluctuating between present day and ancient Egypt, the pace never decelerates. The reader is treated to plausible theories regarding many riddles of this mysterious civilization. This time-honored culture is so clearly portrayed with characters which are so skillfully brought to life that one can easily imagine they are actually present as events are unfolding. The story comes to a clear conclusion yet leaves the reader desperately hoping there will be a sequel.... or a trilogy.... or even better yet, a whole series of these phenomenal books!
www.AllTheseBooks.com
22 of 24 found the following review helpful:
A Mesmerizing Story Sep 01, 2008
By Susan J. McLeod
"Author"
Have you ever wondered how old the Sphinx really is? Have you been intrigued by the mysteries swirling like the desert sands around this awesome ancient monument? Rai Aren and Tavius E. have written a mesmerizing story in which two young archaeologists discover an artifact that could provide all of the answers. But they are not the only ones who are interested in this relic, for it holds a power unlike anything seen on Earth before...
Secret of the Sands takes us back 12,000 years to the origins of the artifact and the people who created it. Their story is interwoven with the lives of the archaeologists studying it in the present. Both sets of characters are so well-drawn that I could swear I heard them breathing!
This novel is packed with adventure and suspense, and the style is fast-paced and filled with vivid description.When I got to the end I thought "oh no!" I wanted more, more, more! But I'll have to wait for Destiny of the Sands to get it. Rai and Tavius, please hurry up with that sequel!
16 of 17 found the following review helpful:
 Good ideas, needs more work and development Apr 21, 2008
By Mary B. Deats
I would givet this a 2. 5 stars, but can't do halves, so three it is. "Secrets of the Sands" is a book that has many good aspects contained within it. The idea as to whether or not the Sphinx, etc. were connected to a possible alien visit/settlement from Orion is a concept that has been discussed over the years by many different groups. The shifting between the two time eras was a good idea as well. I found the main characters, of the present times,however, to be almost cartoonish, or better suited for video games. Maybe I am expecting more delineation of character through description and less through the 'Gee wizz' high school level dialogue that thoroughly littered the scenes set in the present. Surely the two main characters are a BIT more mature than how they were presented? Their side kicks in the lab were nothing more than mere cartoons in development, trying to 'out-silly' each other. The lead archeologist, as the 'bad guy' was really just too far fetched and simplified. Far more difficult to create a 'bad guy' person who has good points as well, which we all know make the character much more believable. The whole set up in the current times was just too unbelievable and simplified as to characters, I was turned off by them.
The concept of the Pharom, which when I read it brought immediately to mind the ancient wonder of the world set in Alexandria was a clever idea and a great lead in to a continuation of the series, which one hopes the following volumne will carry forward.
The setting and action of the ancient era was much better written, almost like two different people wrote the two sections, so did the two of you divide up the story and each do your 'part'? I found the Royal family characters more believable and better delineated in their strengths and weaknesses and relationships to those around them.
So overall: A lot of ideas,action and dialogue but not much development. You have some very good premises for creating some exciting stories, they just need more work. Hopefully,you will be able to get some needed guidance and help in these areas to take your action adventures to a wider reading audience.
8 of 8 found the following review helpful:
Excellent first book!!! Sep 18, 2008
By Stacy Parr
I love this book. I can't wait to read the sequel. It may be difficult for some people to read. It is like reading two books at the same time. But both stories are really good. Excellent book.
The one thing that I did notice alot was there is alot of typing errors (?). Alot of spots in the book there were words either missing or in the wrong order. More the proofreader or editors fault than than the author.
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