Kids Corner – Tut: The Story of My Immortal Life by P.J. Hoover

A Living, Breathing Egyptian Treasure

Tut: The Story of My Immortal Life
by P. J. Hoover

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Publication Date: September 16, 2014
Publisher: Starscape
Length: 320pp
ISBN-13: 978-0765334688

Related Links:
P. J. Hoover’s Website
Tut Extras (Games, Trailer, Guides, Art)
Publisher’s Website

 

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Publisher Synopsis

Tut: The Story of My Immortal Life is a funny, fast-paced novel for young readers by P.J. Hoover which chronicles the mischievous adventures of King Tut, now an immortal eighth-grader living in Washington, D.C..

You’d think it would be great being an Egyptian demigod, but if King Tut has to sit through eighth grade one more time, he’ll mummify himself.

Granted the gift of immortality by the gods—or is it a curse?—Tut has been stuck in middle school for ages. Even worse, evil General Horemheb, the man who killed Tut’s father and whom Tut imprisoned in a tomb for three thousand years, is out and after him. The general is in league with the Cult of Set, a bunch of guys who worship one of the scariest gods of the Egyptian pantheon—Set, the god of Chaos.

The General and the Cult of Set have plans for Tut… and if Tut doesn’t find a way to keep out of their clutches, he’ll never make it to the afterworld alive.

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My Review

Move over Harry Potter. Stand back Percy Jackson. There’s a new kid hero in town. Only he’s not the “boy who lived” or a half-god/half-boy — he’s immortal! Tut’s the name, as in Tutankhamon. You think you know the story of King Tut, but you have no idea. You see, the storied Egyptian Boy King wasn’t actually killed and buried in the tomb. Who was? Well, as P.J. Hoover says in her afterword, that’s another story! Tut will hate me for that “boy king” remark, so I’ll make it up to him by letting you in on an important fact: Tut is NOT short. The history books got that wrong, too!

You’ll have to read Tut: The Story of My Immortal Life to find out exactly how Tut avoids death and gains immortality. But he escapes an attempt on his life and discovers that his father, mother, and brother were all killed by his traitorous uncle Horemheb. And, over 3,000 years later, we meet up with Tut in Washington, D.C., to find he’s still bent on revenge.

I like Tut. He’ll tell you he’s not an egomaniac, and he’s really not. But he has a definite swagger that naturally comes with being a pharaoh. And let’s face it, when you have shabtis — little funerary minions who’ve been spelled to serve you with unswerving loyalty and devotion — it’s hard not to enjoy it. Especially when you’re an eighth-grader and these little guys do your homework! The shabtis, who affectionately call to mind the film Night at the Museum, supply added smiles and laughter to the novel’s already healthy dose of humor. Tut has names for all of them, of course. And in his own way, Colonel Cody, the shabti leader, will become as near and dear to readers as Harry Potter’s loveable buddy Dobby. Only Colonel Cody is much cooler. And I haven’t even told you about Tut’s other friends Horus and Gil! But don’t let me spoil all your fun. Read the book and meet them yourselves!

Tut: The Story of My Immortal Life includes a rousing mix of Egyptian gods, curses, scarab plagues, and other assorted dangers, as well as interesting and mysterious characters — friends and foes — both human and immortal. But the story remains tightly focused on Tut and his unshakeable need for revenge. Your book won’t gather dust since the plot is well-paced. Indeed, you’ll take great pleasure in following Tut’s footsteps to find out whether or not he exacts his coveted retribution on his duplicitous uncle.

— Dawn Teresa

Verdict

4.5 of 5 Hearts. A Living, Breathing Egyptian Treasure.

Riordan readers hungry for a switch from Greek myth, or those who’ve finished The Kane Chronicles, will unearth a trove of excitement in P.J. Hoover’s absorbing adventure inspired by ancient history and mythology.

*Disclosure of Material Connection: I would like to thank NetGalley and Macmillan-Tor/Forge for providing me access to this title. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”