Modern Old-School

This book was a pleasant and rewarding surprise. It's being promoted as similar to books by Jonathan Stroud, ("Bartimeus" and "Lockwood and Co."), and Jonathan Auxier, ("Peter Nimble" series and "The Night Gardener"), which I suppose is fair enough. But I think the really spot on comparison is to the old school mystical adventure books by John Bellairs.

Those books, published in the 60's through the 80's and still reasonably popular, featured heroes like Lewis Barnavelt and Johnny Dixon, and were generally described as "Gothic mysteries" or supernatural adventures. You often had a wise adult counselor who knew about the mysteries and secrets at issue, and you had a good mix of action/adventure on one hand and lore and myth on the other. Skimming through titles you get the idea -- they include witch, blue figurine, curse, dark secret, mummy, crypt, skull, tomb, and ghost mirror.

That's exactly the sort of thing you get in this book, but, with a number of needed improvements. Our hero Simon has a resourceful, plucky equal in the dependable partner Abbie. (Bellairs was light on the matter of girls and girrrl power.) Their easy friendship and the fashion in which they support and complement each other adds a welcome new dimension to such stories.

Further, the Bellairs books can be talky and slow, which reflects that 60's style. (I like Nancy Drew and her kin, but those books are seriously bulked up with unnecessary narrative.) In this book we get everything we need, (and we have great atmosphere, scene building, dramatic tension, character development, and action bits), but it all seems leaner and faster paced. It's more readable and engaging for a modern kid.

The bottom line is that if you want to lurk and skulk around in search of a cursed Egyptian Thingy, and confront mystic evil, and if you'd like to do that in the company of an engaging pair of young adventurers, this is just the book.

(Please note that I received a free ecopy of this book without a review requirement, or any influence regarding review content should I choose to post a review. Apart from that I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book.)

Simon's family has recently moved into his grandfather's old house and things have been weird. Simon has come down with a mysterious illness that comes and goes but leaves him exhausted and weak. One bright spot is the friendship he develops with an elderly neighbor who has a historic interest in mirrors. Simon starts to appreciate the mirrors, but one, an Egyptian mirror, seems particularly fascinating. This becomes even more so when the neighbor tells him of its history and starts to become paranoid about someone trying to steal it. When the neighbor dies and the mirror disappears things get even stranger with mysterious heirs showing up. What is this mirror and can they figure it out before it's too late.
In concept the book was pretty cool. But the "villain" was never developed enough, the ending and confrontation when it finally arrived was too little, too late, and too easy. Then his mysterious illness - which should have been tied more to the plot ending was just not.

Really enjoyed this story. I love Egyptian mythology, but I like how you wouldn't have to know anything about it going into the book to enjoy it. It felt like I was just reading a story about a boy who was just struggling with math and just happened to also be dealing with some magical Egyptian stuff. Just your average thirteen year old life.

The “Egyptian Mirror” is a magical adventure that opens up the portal between reality and what could be lurking on the other side of a mirror. If you have ever felt that you’re not alone in an empty room you’re going to totally love this book. Bedard masterfully shares a wealth of Egyptian history and mythology that creates a dynamic setting for the two young adult protagonists. Pick up “The Egyptian Mirror” and fall into the wonder of the story.

Simon's neighbor, Mr. Hawkins, has broken his leg. Since he is all alone in a large house, Simon and his mother are taking meals over and checking on the gentleman. Mr. Hawkins had been an archaeologist, and collected a vast number of historic mirrors, and turns out to be rather fascinating. Simon enjoys visiting with him, reading his books, and learning a bit of history. There is one mirror with quite a back story, and when Mr. Hawkin's passes away, it seems integral to the mystery that develops. Simon and his friend Abbey find the mirror and bring it into the house, and Lucy, a niece of Mr. Hawkin's wife's, appears as the heir to the estate. She is a bit creepy, and has an unhealthy hold over the neighborhood. Simon's health takes a serious downtown; he is fatigued and feverish, and has bouts of vertigo so severe that he misses most of the school year. He and Abbey try to solve the mystery of why Lucy wants the mirror, and find out some magical but evil things about her and her connection to the mirror.

Strengths: This was a shivery sort of mystery; not a lot happened, but it was all very intriguing and sucked me right in. Simon and Abbey were both great characters, and I especially love their interactions with their younger siblings. The mirror collection, and Mr. Hawkin's house, will appeal to readers who like classic fantasy mysteries with old English manor houses. I love anything with an Egyptian component; Curry's The Egyptian Box (2002), LaFever's Theodosia and the Serpents of Chaos (2007) and Hoover's Tut (2014), Northrop's Tombquest series (2015), and Egypt is still part of our 6th grade social studies curriculum.
Weaknesses: The cover could have been better, and Simon does spend a lot of time under the weather.
What I really think: I may buy this because I enjoyed it so much, but fear it will not circulate well. It's a bit reminiscent of The Alarming Career of Sir Richard Blackstone, which has not gone out very much.

This is a fun middle grade mystery with connections to Egyptian history. The two main characters, Simon and Abbey, are both strong and interesting. The story builds nicely with a good climax. The antagonist is scary without being terrifying. I think it will have a broad appeal.

Absolutely amazing tale that will draw you in from start to finish. Mr. Hawkins lives across the street from Simon. He is an archaeologist with a penchant for ancient mirrors. One mirror in particular holds a mystery that will change all of their lives. In the pages we watch friendships blossom between Mr. Hawkins, Simon and Abby as well as Babs and Max. Magic, mystery and antiquities abound in this tale as well as Egyptian lore.