Northrop kicks off the first in a planned multiplatform series with an exciting adventure rich in Egyptian mythology and magic. Twelve-year-old Alex spends most of his time with his best friend Ren (short for Renata), haunting the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where his mother is an Egyptologist and Ren's father is head of security. Alex, who has been seriously ill for most of his life, dies, and his mother uses the Egyptian Book of the Dead to restore him. In doing so, she unwittingly opens a door to the afterlife and releases the Death Walkers, evil ancients trapped between life and death. Alex's mom vanishes, and he and Ren become embroiled in a quest to save her and stop the Death Walkers from destroying the world. Alex and Ren are a brave and engaging pair, wisecracking their way through some frightening situations. Alex and his mother's devotion to each other is authentic without being overwrought, and Ren's complicated relationship with her parents adds a refreshing touch of realism. Likely to be a blockbuster.

Gr 4-6 In this opening book of this new multiplatform series, sickly Alex Sennefer knows much about Ancient Egypt because his mom is an expert who works for New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art. She and her colleagues have discovered the Lost Spells from the Egyptian Book of the Dead, which are coveted by a dark society of evil, undead Egyptian souls. When Alex's mother uses one of the spells to save his life, she unknowingly sets in motion a global reaction that finds blood raining down in London, undead things rising all over the world, and a scorpion epidemic in New York City. When she and the Spells disappear, Alex, his best friend Ren, and a mysterious scientist must try to find them while working against black magic and ancient evil. The plot moves quickly and will appeal to reluctant readers looking for adventure, danger, and minimal character development. There is also an online game component. B. Allison Gray, Goleta Public Library, CA

This introduction to a new multiplatform series introduces twelve-year-old Alex Sennefer, whose mother is an Egyptologist at the Met in New York. Alex is fascinated by his mother's profession but is losing his battle against a debilitating disease. His best friend is Ren (short for Renata) whose father also works at the museum. That is where Alex and Ren are when the invasion of the soul stealers begins, linked to a new exhibit featuring the Egyptian Book of the Dead. Before it is all over, Alex dies and is brought back to life by his mother. Unfortunately, her use of the Lost Spells from the Book of the Dead awakens five Death Walkers who begin wreaking havoc around the world. In New York, it is the Stung Man mummy who comes to life and, accompanied by multitudes of scorpions, goes underground. Alex, with the magical amulet left behind by his missing mother, a colleague of hers from Germany with his own magical amulet, and Ren with her analytical mind are the three "heroes" who enter an abandoned subway station to battle this ancient evil, but this is just the beginning.Book two will take Alex and Ren to London, where it is raining blood and where they hope to find his missing mother. Nonstop action, great horror descriptions, and good teen camaraderie provide a perfect background for the adventures of this dynamic duo. Teens, especially reluctant readers, will enjoy the fast-paced story and the accompanying interactive computer game, and they will look forward to future installments.Bonnie Kunzel.