Book Review – Fiona Ingram: The Chronicles of the Stone

Saturday’s Pick: Fiona Ingram and The Chronicles of the Stone Series

By now, you know that I love stories for middle-grade students which not only tell a captivating tale, but that also provide some excellent life lessons. Fiona Ingram achieved both with her Chronicles of the Stone Series.

You'll love this series by Fiona Ingram.
I read Fiona Ingram’s “The Temple of the Crystal Timekeeper” in one day!

The Secret of the Sacred Scarab (The Chronicles of the Stone Book 1) by Fiona Ingram

Fiona Ingram achieved 4.8 Stars with 54 Reviews of this book.

A Quest filled with Danger… Seven ancient Stones of Power – Two Young Heroes

This action-packed Middle Grade/tween adventure tests the courage of cousins Adam and Justin Sinclair from the moment they arrive in Egypt. Can they survive a harrowing journey to discover the secret of the sacred scarab while being pursued across the desert by a deadly foe?

The Secret of the Sacred Scarab is the kind of adventure readers love! The fast-paced action, the evil villain, the secrets of the past, and the mysterious ancient setting make this a sure-hit favorite for both young and young at heart explorers.

“Ingram has crafted a fascinating story of adventure…”—Whitney Hallberg, for Foreword Literary Review Magazine (USA)

Recipient of Bronze Medal Pre-Teen Fiction 2010 Moonbeam Book Awards; Silver Medal Teen Fiction 2010 Nautilus Book Awards; Gold Award Mystery Pre-Teen 2011 Children’s Literary Classics Awards; Gold Medal 2013 Wise Bear Book Awards amongst others.

Special Gift from Fiona Ingram for coloring enthusiasts: Nine original black and white illustrations including a map make for more enjoyment!

What Reviewers are Saying:

  • This middle-grade fiction book reminded me why I fell in love with reading in the first place. The author has a great writing style and a great sense of humor that shines through her writing.It’s books like this that spark a love of reading. — Trish Collins, TLC BookTours
  • The Secret of the Sacred Scarab is one of the most thrilling children’s books that I have read in a long time. Fiona Ingram has combined an exciting story filled with adventure and suspenseful mystery to keep the reader turning the pages with a lot of interesting factual information about the history and geography of Egypt.–Wayne Walker, Stories for Children Magazine

The Search for the Stone of Excalibur: Book Two – The Chronicles of the Stone

The Search for the Stone of Excalibur is a modern-day adventure as our protagonists search for Excalibur and the treasures it holds! The book is a must-read for Middle Graders keen on action, adventure, and Arthurian stories!  Continuing the quest that began in Egypt a few months prior in The Secret of the Sacred Scarab, cousins Adam and Justin Sinclair are hot on the trail of the second Stone of Power, one of seven ancient stones lost centuries ago.

Is the stone embedded in the hilt of a newly discovered sword that archeologists believe belonged to King Arthur: Excalibur? However, their long-standing enemy, Dr. Khalid, is following them as they travel to Scotland to investigate an old castle. Little do they know there is another deadly force, the Eaters of Poison, who have their own mission to complete. Time is running out as the confluence of the planets draws closer. Can Justin and Adam find the second Stone of Power and survive? And why did Aunt Isabel send a girl with them?

The Cousins Search

Join Justin and Adam as they search not only for the second Stone of Power but also for the Scroll of the Ancients, a mysterious document that holds important clues to the Seven Stones of Power. As their adventure unfolds, they learn many things and face dangers that make even their perils in Egypt look tame. And how annoying for them that their tag-along companion, Kim, seems to have such good ideas when they are stumped.

Book extras include some historical background on King Arthur, the Dark Ages, warfare and weaponry during Arthur’s time, and details on Excalibur. A fascinating peek into the life and times of the real King Arthur, perfect for young time travelers and budding archaeologists. For coloring-in enthusiasts, ten original black and white illustrations including two maps make for more enjoyment!

This second book in the series has also achieved 4.8 Stars

What Reviewers Are Saying:

Jack Magnus for Readers’ Favorite

Fiona Ingram’s storytelling is masterful; she adroitly weaves historical fact and fantasy in a smooth and fluid style that makes reading this book both an exciting and intellectually satisfying treat.

The Search for the Stone of Excalibur is filled with action and adventure, puzzles and ghostly presences, and stalwart companions ready to face any and all perils that come their way. What more could a reader ask for in a book? The Search for the Stone of Excalibur is a marvelous historical adventure tale, and it’s most highly recommended. Five stars

Heather Osborne for Readers’ Favorite:

I was hooked from the first book and very excited to devour the second. I was eager to learn more about the Scroll of the Ancients and found this book to reveal more about the true nature of the stones.

Again, Ingram describes her characters and locals in such a vivid way that the reader cannot help but picture themselves right there alongside the cousins. I loved the historical information at the end as well as the preview of the next book! The Search for the Stone of Excalibur is certain to be the next great young adult series of our time!. Five stars!

The Temple of the Crystal Timekeeper (The Chronicles of the Stone Book 3)

This third book in the series by Fiona Ingram also has a review score of 4.8 Stars.

Four souls are aboard a small plane that crashes in the Mexican jungle. Cousins  Adam and Justin have taken a quick tour of the rainforest, accompanied by Kim (the foster daughter of their Aunt Isabel Sinclair) and anthropologist James, who pilots the small craft. Is it merely bad luck their plane went down or something more sinister like Dr. Faisal Khalid, who is intent on capturing the seven stones for his purposes?

The children are terrified when the plane settles in the lower branches of the trees. James is unconscious, and everyone knows the jungle is inhabited by snakes, bugs, crocodiles, and from the uncontacted tribes who very possibly are cannibals.

Mexican History

The story relies heavily on the ancient Mayan civilization dating back 5,000 years and the Aztecs who ruled this area so many years ago. When they meet the tribal leader, they discover his son and his family have disappeared in the jungle and are perhaps captives of the terrifying Smoking Mirror who the people believe is the ancient god Tezcatlipoca.

With only seven days for Mexican authorities to discover the plane crash, will they have enough time to find the stone? Can the young warrior, Tukum, lead them to the ancient ruins regardless of the burden on his heart placed there by a father he believes has failed them?

Fiona Ingram has not only written a perfectly wonderful adventure. She has also interspersed the story with a brightly colored history of Mexico and the ancient people who built the temples and pyramids there.

Middle-grade students & up will quickly see how the three main characters grow in both wisdom and compassion as the story unfolds. They will learn how the kids solve some sticky problems and discover a new passion for learning about another culture and country.

What kid or grownup wouldn’t delight in a ball game with potentially catastrophic consequences? I highly recommend this book for any student who doesn’t particularly like history but loves to read.

About Fiona Ingram

Fiona Ingram’s earliest story-telling talents came to the fore when, from the age of ten, she entertained her three younger brothers and their friends with serialized tales. These were stories of children undertaking dangerous and exciting exploits, which they survived through courage and ingenuity. Haunted houses, vampires, and skeletons leaping out of coffins were hot favorites in the cast of characters.

Her Love of Books

Fiona Ingram has been involved in the theatre and journalism. Writing a children’s book–The Secret of the Sacred Scarab–was an unexpected step.

The book was inspired by a family trip to Egypt. The tale of the sacred scarab began life as a little anecdotal tale for her two nephews (then 10 and 12). The boys had accompanied her on the Egyptian trip. This short story grew into a children’s book, the first in the adventure series Chronicles of the Stone.

The second book in the series–The Search for the Stone of Excalibur– is a massive treat for young King Arthur fans. Book 3, The Temple of the Crystal Timekeeper, recently released. Fiona Ingram does not have children of her own. But, she has an adopted daughter from an underprivileged background. It is no surprise her daughter has discovered the joys of reading for pleasure.

Naturally, Fiona is a voracious reader and has been from early childhood. Her interests include literature, art, theatre, collecting antiques, animals, music, and films. Also, she loves to travel and has been fortunate to have lived in Europe (while studying) and America (for work). She has traveled widely and fulfilled many of her travel goals.

Awards

* Book Award Nominations & Wins:
* Finalist Children’s Fiction USA Next Generation 2009 Indie Book Awards
* Finalist Juvenile Fiction USA National Best Books 2009 Awards
* Winner Pre-Teen USA 2009 Readers’ Favorites Awards
* Number 2 in the USA Children’s & Teens Book Connection Top Ten Favourite Books of 2009 for         Kids, Tweens & Teens
* Winner Silver Medal Teen Fiction 2010 Nautilus Book Awards
* Finalist Children’s Fiction 2010 International Book Awards
* Winner Bronze Medal Pre-Teen Fiction 2010 Moonbeam Book Awards
* Finalist 2011 Rubery Book Awards
* Winner Gold Award Mystery Pre-Teen 2011 Children’s Literary Classics Awards
* 2nd Place in the 2011 YA Sharpwrit Book Awards
* Gold Medal 2013 Wise Bear Book Awards

Do you love dogs? Fiona Ingram has two other books you'll love.
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