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Find out what Mumsnetters thought of children's book Jake Atlas and the Tomb of the Emerald Snake

61 replies

SorchaMumsnet · 09/01/2017 12:53

Jake Atlas and the Tomb of the Emerald Snake is an action-packed adventure for 8-year-olds and over. If you or your child have read it, post your feedback here.

Jake and twin sister Pan's lives take a dramatic turn the day they discover the truth about their seemingly boring Mum and Dad. On a family holiday to Cairo, Jake and Pan's parents mysteriously vanish and it's up to the twins to find them. Cue action and adventure amid the pyramids!

We ask all winners to share their thoughts about the book on this discussion thread. However, you don't have to win a free copy to take part in the discussion - if you've read Jake Atlas anyway, you can post a review it on this thread.

Everyone who posts detailed feedback on the book by the end of day Monday 27 February will be entered into a prize draw to win a £100 Love2shop voucher.

This giveaway is sponsored by Walker Books

Find out what Mumsnetters thought of children's book Jake Atlas and the Tomb of the Emerald Snake
OP posts:
queenoftheschoolrun · 15/02/2017 10:11

Thank you for our free copy. My DD was thrilled to have an adventure book (her favourite genre) set in ancient Egypt as she has been learning about it at school. She raced through it and thoroughly enjoyed it. I haven't read it so can't comment on its literary merits!

Her homework was a book review so this is what she had to say:
Jake Atlas and the Tomb of the Emerald Snake is exciting, interesting and heart-pounding. It is good enough to recommend to a friend (!) Once you start reading you can't put it down! I enjoyed it so much it only took me two days to read. This book is full of a bit of everything I enjoy: mystery, adventure and excitement!
The story is set in Cairo and is about two children trying to find the Tomb of Osiris by an evil cult. Secrets, enemies and emerald tablets make this a wonderful story.

MonsieurBing · 16/02/2017 18:06

Thanks for our copy of the book!

I read it really quickly before my eight year old. I enjoyed it a lot. It was easy to follow and exciting throughout with a good fast pace.

I have a perfectly capable but reluctant reader so I'm always looking for stories for him to read. We're reading it together and he's really enjoying it. It's not going to massively improve their knowledge of ancient Egypt, it's not going to increase their vocabulary or change their lives. But it will hold their attention from start to finish and just maybe enthuse them about reading. What's not to love?!

grecka · 16/02/2017 21:24

Jake Atlas
My 9 yr old son picked up the book and didn't want to put it down until he finished it! I've never seen him so enthralled in a book. He has taken it to school to show it to his teacher and his friends. Moreover, he has started writing his own adventure stories! He is on story number 3!!! I'm completely over the moon!

Celama · 17/02/2017 11:29

My son borrowed a copy of this and both he and I enjoyed it very much. It was a very fast moving adventure with lots of high tech gadgetry to appeal to kids but linked in with ancient Egyptian tales for some subliminal learning. Although the tale itself is a fantastic adventure, the family dynamics are realistic and reassuring to those that would read it and there is plenty of humour without it being forced. This would make a great film as it really is Raiders of the Lost Ark meets Mission Impossible as the author describes and we look forward to reading the further adventures to come from the family business (and even a prequel as the Jake and Pan's backstory could be a book in itself!)

jandoc · 22/02/2017 12:59

my child hasn't read this one just yet

janeyf1 · 22/02/2017 13:06

Sounds like it will be quite an adventure

TracyKNixon · 22/02/2017 13:15

My son read this book after the author visited his school in Newcastle. He found it exciting and funny, especially when they found out that the Snake Lady's real name was Marjorie! One of the best books he's ever read! he told me!

Gilla01 · 22/02/2017 13:21

Engrossing book. Better for slightly older children, I think.

11 year old loved it, and found Jake to be a very enthralling and enjoyable character.

He loved reading about the gadgets, and didn't even complain about the existence of the sister.

Good adventure book for both boys and girs.

mooota1514 · 22/02/2017 13:48

Received the book and my 8yr old dd is enjoying it so far. She keeps telling me little snippets of it but will give a full update when she has finished it.

ICanSeeYourPixelss · 22/02/2017 15:30

It's a fast moving adventure with lots of gadgets that appeal to kids mixed in with ancient Egyptian tales which my son really enjoyed. It's a great adventure book Smile

funkyfish586 · 22/02/2017 16:02

My Son read this and loved it. He fancies the idea of being a Egyptologist.. I may have to look in to a holiday to Egypt :)

It kept his interest for the whole story and he said he will read it again

Leiajulie · 22/02/2017 16:17

great for story time learning in pre schools club!

stewaris · 22/02/2017 19:12

My boys loved this so much I read it as well and it's a cracking read for kids. I guess I would describe it as a cross between Indiana Jones and Lara Croft with modern technology. Great fun and I thought it went at a good speed and held the boys attention - not easy to do!

sbruin1122 · 22/02/2017 22:12

This is a fantastic story and my lot loved it. The main character was great and the book wasn't too long which was great for my youngest!

cwalliss82 · 23/02/2017 06:27

My little ones are too young for this book but my niece has read it but wasn't either impressed for disappointed. She finished the book so it can't have been too bad but I don't think that it was her usual style as she is a girly-girl.

phillie1 · 23/02/2017 09:26

didnt interest my kids at all

iut044 · 23/02/2017 12:52

Read this with my son who enjoyed it and found the characters interesting .

xxgeexx · 24/02/2017 12:24

sometimes i struggle to get my son to read and we often take it in turns doing a few sentences and to be honest it took him a little while to really get into this book, but i found after maybe 20 or so pages and a few sessions he was actually really gripped by the storey and seeing it as quite the adventure, so yeah any book that can get him to want to read gets a thumbs up from me!

rocketriffs · 24/02/2017 13:19

What a fantastic book. My 7 year old boy and 11 year old girl loved it, imagining themselves as Jake and Pandora. Full of adventure, suspense and danger. Kind of like Indiana Jones meets The Mummy for kids. My son likes it so much, I have to read it again to him before bedtime.

user1472646069 · 24/02/2017 15:00

This book took awhile to get into for my 8 year old but he was fascinated by the Eqyptian background to the story.

sweir1 · 24/02/2017 19:38

Great story. Thoroughly enjoying it

cookie09 · 25/02/2017 11:53

If you were to take Indiana Jones, Tomb Raider and Spy Kids and mix them together then you will have some idea what this book is like. It certainly makes for an action packed adventure that is full of excitement and makes for some great escapism, as well as having lots of cool gadgets. Not my cup of tea but mt teen boys love it.

Marg2k8 · 25/02/2017 12:14

I haven't read it, but a friend's child did not really enjoy it.

nct73 · 25/02/2017 14:28

My daughter age 10 was lucky enough to receive a free copy of this. She is a fan of historical/myth based adventures. Once she started, she was gripped and read it quite quickly. Here is her review:

"I liked the book because it was about history and Egyptian culture. I also liked it that the story was all about children. I found the plot fun and surprising. It was great and I would like to hear more of Jake & Pan's adventures. I can't wait for the next book."

shenko39 · 25/02/2017 14:40

we enjoyed this book when received it as a birthday gift, the adventures were great fun and of course, we have a budding treasure hunter in the family now (EEK!)