- Hardcover: 384 pages
- Publisher: Scholastic Press; 1st edition (15 Oct 2004)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0439963656
- ISBN-13: 978-0439963657
- Product Dimensions: 19.8 x 13.8 x 3.8 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 293,100 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
You can tell from the very first page that P. B. Kerr had great fun writing his novel, The Akhenaten Adventure. The way the author introduces his wittily-named characters and atmospheric setting, the fun tone of his narration--all signposts that a hugely entertaining story is in store. The first instalment of his Children of the Lamp sequence may be set firmly in the present day, but it soon breaks away from its apparent normality and encompasses several wonderfully colourful parts of the globe, England and Egypt included.
John and Philippa Gaunt, two twelve year old not-very-identical twins, live a privileged life on the Upper East of Manhattan with their wealthy parents and two curiously-mannered Rottweiler dogs called Alan and Neil. Both children realise there’s something amiss with their world when a string of strange things begin to happen after their wisdom teeth are extracted. They dream the same dreams, become stronger, zits clear up. Wishes wished in their presence inexplicably come true. And when their estranged Uncle Nimrod asks them to come to England for the summer during one such shared dream, the discovery of their destiny is set in motion.
For they are descended from a long line of Djinn, have great inherent powers and must suddenly call upon them a lot sooner than they anticipated. The ancient Egyptian pharaoh Akhenaten is not as dead as history has so far declared and his legion of seventy magical djinn could tip the balance of power in the magical realm and affect the whole world order.
P.B. Kerr, under his regular name Philip Kerr, is the author of several bestselling thrillers for adult readers. His debut novel for children is a slick, zeitgeisty fantasy adventure that is sure to win him a new raft of fans. The Blue Djinn of Babylon is next up for those who get hooked. (Age 10 and over) --John McLay
Product Description
Three wishes. Two children. One incredible journey...Twins Jonathan and Philippa Gaunt live in New York. The early arrival of their wisdom teeth aged 12 coincides with an ominous earthquake in Egypt, and heralds strange dreams and a trip to London. There they meet eccentric uncle Nimrod. He tells them the truth about their background - they are born of a Djinn mother and as a result they themselves have Djinn powers. Nimrod himself turns out to be an important figure in the Djinn world and soon the children find themselves in the midst of a titanic battle of good and evil set across three continents.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Just reading the first chapters of this book persuaded me to go online to see if there were any more in the series. (Sadly - not yet)
Like The Arabian Nights, this book takes you on an enchanting adventure to foreign places, in this case Egypt, and is filled with magical things, mystical things, incredibly clever things and some very funny things.
John and Phillipa are twelve year old twins, with a remarkably beautiful and talented mother, and a very rich but not very handsome father, who live a life of luxury in Manhattan. One day, their wisdom teeth appear simultaneously, and they begin the adventure of a lifetime, thanks to some djinnii genes, a wise old uncle named Nimrod, his one-armed butler, and an agoraphopic ancient djinn who really loves keeping himself bottled up.
From New York to London to Egypt and back, the twins' adventures are filled with excitement as they undergo training in the use of their newly discovered magical powers, but are also fraught (I always wanted to use that word) with danger, as they battle the evil tribes of djinn, to preserve the balance between good and evil in the world.
This story gives young adult adventure a push into another direction, and should be fun reading for people who liked Artemis Fowl and The Edge Chronicles.
Put me on the wait list for the next episodes.
Amanda Richards
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Although initially attracted to this book, the few slightly negative Amazon reviews meant that I didn't get around to reading it for several months. Now, having read and thoroughly enjoyed it, I can only assume that the negative remarks were made by rather jaded adult readers who have perhaps forgotten that this is written for children. Most children I know cannot tell the difference, stylistically speaking, between Enid Blyton and Eoin Colfer; what matters to them is whether a book has a good story or not - and this book certainly has.
This is an ideal book for 9/10 year-olds. The writing style is easy to read, the chapters are short, and there's always plenty of action not to mention bucket-loads of humour. I have to admit that there's a slight tendency to overuse the word 'very' - but I find I can overlook the odd little stylistic flaw as long as the plot keeps me hooked. Mr Kerr's past experience in adult thrillers means that he provides his younger readers with both a briskly paced adventure and an intriguing mystery story. Lots of excitement - but nothing too scary for those who want to read it before going to bed.
It probably won't have the same crossover adult appeal of a Harry Potter book, but is certain to entertain most young readers aged 8 - 12, and younger ones too if read out loud to them.
6 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
This book has been hyped for quite some time now, with a seven figure film deal and the usual "next Harry Potter" tags. Sadly, it doesn't even come close. The writing is dull and listless, with the author trying too hard to be hip and funny, and the story is rather ordinary. The characters are one-dimensional and you never really care about them. It all feels dreadfully forced - P B Kerr is an adult writer and here is straining outside his natural audience I supect. The idea of half djiin children is interesting but hardly desperately original either. Publidhers should stop "elephant hunting" (i.e. lookng for a Potter series) and concentrate on individual books and authors, then we might be spared these rather poor clones.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Best book i have ever read!
I got this book for Christmas along with the second of the series, the Blue djinn of Babylon. Now, I am 13 and I have thoroughly enjoyed reading this book, I recommend it for 12-15... Read more
Published 2 days ago by anonymous
Fantastic
I (long past childhood!) really like all the children of the lamp books.
My daughter is now 8 and I introduced her to the first book in the series. Read more
My daughter is now 8 and I introduced her to the first book in the series. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Kate
Fantastic
I loved this book. I am not a child. I am 60 year old. I have read all the other Children of the Lamp books and am looking forward to the next being written.
Published 19 months ago by Chrissie
The Akhenaten Adventure
Children of the Lamp is the first book of The Akhenaton Adventure series. This book introduces John and Philippa Gaunt, twelve year old twins, who live pretty ordinary lives with... Read more
Published on 8 Oct 2007 by Tami Brady
The Children of the Lamp
John and Phillipa Gaunt are twa children, but also, as they find out in a dream where their uncle Nimrod tells them that they are djinn and that they must come to Londen to visit... Read more
Published on 3 Feb 2006 by "bookworm2301"
Children of the Lamp: the Akhenaton Adventure by Philip Kerr
The Akhenaton Adventure is an amazing book about two twins, John and Philippe. The two children have normal lives, but when they have their wisdom teeth out at an incredible age it... Read more
Published on 27 Jun 2005 by Alexander Eckl
Children of the Lamp(The Atekan Adventure)
Despite my first conceptions of this book i was extremly amazed at how good this book is to read. The story is exqusite and the style amzing. Read more
Published on 3 Jun 2005 by "beanieboy1"
The Best Ever Written For Us Kids
Wow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!I loved this book!!!!! It was funny, scarey,exciting. I felt like I was traveling with John and Phillippa! Read more
Published on 5 Feb 2005 by Keirsten
Sounds like every failed writer's off-day
Having seen the negative comments written by the previous reviewer the only area I want to comment on is the writing style. Read more
Published on 22 Nov 2004 by Roland Davis
An unexpected disappointment
I was quite looking forward to reading this as I love children's fantasy books. All the right ingredients are there - fun characters, a well-structured plot, even some interesting... Read more
Published on 21 Nov 2004
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