SECRETS OF THE SANDS
THE LOST SCROLL OF THE PHYSICIAN (Vol. 1)
Sesha must race to find a priceless scroll before time runs out.
After a brutal fire takes their parents’ lives, Sesha and Ky, children of the pharaoh’s royal physician, are left charming snakes and stealing food to survive. Unsure of who to trust, the pair are found and brought back to the palace, where the pharaoh tasks Sesha with finding a rare medical document her father was transcribing. But are the royals hiding something?
Befriended by a fellow scribe and a young princess, Sesha navigates palace intrigue and temple treachery while urgently seeking the valuable papyrus. For the scroll doesn’t just have the power to keep the pharaoh’s army alive and reveal the secrets around her parents’ death — it may be the only thing that can save Ky’s life.
Will delight middle grade readers with its history, its setting and, most of all, its gripping adventure and mystery – CanLit for Little Canadians
A good story, strong characters, and plenty of action, as well as very interesting background. I can hardly do better for an assessment than to quote my granddaughter with whom I shared the book. She said, “Gran, it’s AMAZING!” and “I am serious here. It is one of the ONLY books about ancient Egypt or Rome or wherever that does not have A SINGLE mistake in it about the myths.” – CM Magazine
A satisfying adventure for Ancient Egypt’s many fans – Kirkus Reviews
The spirited characters are well-drawn and believable, the material appears thoroughly (and I mean admirably) researched, and the book is hard to put down. Glimpses into how mummies are made, how to charm a cobra, and what medical treatments were used in Ancient Egypt are the type of fascinating detail that inspire reflection and appreciation if a reader can pause long enough to contemplate them between the nonstop action scenes. The heroine is smart, brave, resourceful, and persistent, the stakes grow ever higher, while palace intrigue and wild romps through catacombs supply all that an adventure-loving reader could desire. ― Pam Withers, award-winning author of Stowaway and First Descent
THE DESERT PRINCE (Vol. 2)
Ancient Egyptian healer and scribe Sesha is ready for another role: spy.
Forced to flee Thebes or face death, Sesha and her friends, Paser and Reb, travel up the Nile and into the desert in search of a hidden oasis. Led by a freed spy, they plan to rescue Pharaoh’s daughter Princess Merat, given to a Hyksos chieftain against her will. Before they can get there, though, they have to battle lurking crocodiles, endless dunes, and blinding sandstorms.
When the group finally straggles into the Hyksos camp, they find the rebels preparing for combat. But as Sesha and her friends spend time with the rival tribe, the lines in the sand begin to blur. When she takes on a dangerous secret mission and learns about a prophecy that could change the course of history, Sesha has to decide where her future — and the real danger — lies.
A richly detailed, immersive read. – Kirkus Reviews
Complete with lush descriptions that firmly plant the reader in the exotic desert setting, and the array of multifaceted characters, THE DESERT PRINCE is a tightly woven action-adventure. The short chapters and perfectly placed cliffhangers make this a slick and enjoyable escape. Readers will be clamouring for the next book. – B.R. Myers, author of ROGUE PRINCESS
THE ORACLE OF AVARIS (Vol. 3)
A search for answers from a mysterious Oracle has Sesha and her friends navigating intrigue and danger in this thrilling series finale.
Leaving the oasis, Sesha and her friends set sail for Avaris, intent on stopping the Hyksos chieftain from claiming the throne and declaring war on Thebes. On the journey, Sesha learns that she and the scroll are at the centre of a pair of prophecies made by a famed oracle — ones with staggering implications for both her and the Hyksos people.
But when the crew arrives in the bustling port city, they are stunned to discover the oracle is missing. With the prophecies now in doubt and their lives in danger, Sesha, Paser, and Reb must race to find a mysterious priestess sect and witness the third, and final, prophecy before the upcoming lunar eclipse.
As the young scribes seek answers, Sesha must untangle her past and future while keeping war from erupting in the present. For there is one person she cannot bear to face across the Hyksos battlefield: her brother.
Sevigny excels at worldbuilding, layering the minutiae of daily life in convincing detail — in her hands, ancient Egypt, perennially fascinating, becomes a character in its own right. An immersive read for lovers of historical fiction. ― Kirkus Reviews
Immediately absorbing and brimming with intrigue. With plots that keep the reader breathless and richly detailed settings in ancient Egypt, these books truly captivate. Masterful character development reveals a worthy young heroine in Sesha who readers will loyally follow. A must-read series for upper middle-grade adventure lovers. ― Michelle Kadarusman, author of Music for Tigers and Girl of the Southern Sea
Once again, Sesha’s adventures will sweep readers across deserts and into the duplicitous world of Egyptian royalty. The Oracle of Avaris is a fast-paced novel that is impossible to put down. ― Colleen Nelson, author of Governor General’s Award-nominated Harvey Holds His Own
With scheming at every turn and the stakes higher than ever, Sevigny carefully blends intrigue and action, making The Oracle of Avaris a gripping read. Sure to be a favourite for middle graders who enjoy fast paced plots intertwined with ancient settings. A magical series of ancient mystery and heroism that will endear readers. ― B.R. Myers, author of Rogue Princess
A fantastic adventure series that appeals to both children and adults, Alisha Sevigny’s Secrets of the Sands transports the reader to ancient Egypt with impeccable research and a heroine in the young scribe Sesha, who goes on a incredible journey with twists and turns and cliff-hangers that will keep you racing through the pages. ― Lee Matthew Goldberg, author of The Mentor, The Ancestor, and The Runaway Train series
With action, adventure, and a hint of magic in the writing, Sevigny delivers the perfect culmination to her Secrets of the Sands series while shedding light on a little-known pocket of history in The Oracle of Avaris. Sesha is a heroine who is smart, determined, and embodies girl power while kicking butt in a middle grade novel reminiscent of Lara Croft meets The Mummy. Strong plot and character development brings ancient Egypt exciting and alive for readers, like me, who need a great story to go with their history. ― Paul Coccia, co-author of On The Line with Eric Walters
Alisha Sevigny does more than tell a great story. She takes us to ancient Egypt to witness the struggles of its peoples, the foods, transportation, clothing and ceremonies of its cultures and a landscape of desert, temples, palaces and humble huts. ― CanLit for Little Canadians