The Reluctant God

Service's latest book is a curious but not altogether successful blend of the occult with the more traditional mystery-adventure. It is a funny, enthusiastic and entertaining novel, but readers may wish the mystery had been discarded in favor of a historical work, since Service creates an impressive picture of daily life in Egypt at the time of the pharoahs, comparable to that of Mika Waltari's The Egyptian. The plot alternates between the discovery of an unopened and mysterious tomb by Egyptology student Lorna Padgett, and the life of Prince Ameni, the younger twin to the heir to the throne of Pharaoh Senusert II, up to his entombment. Ameni returns to life in Lorna's time to protect sacred urns that Lorna's father has shipped off to London. When the urns are stolen along with other artifacts, Lorna and Ameni are determined to find the thieves. Their chase across England requires a strong suspension of disbelief and is sure to amuse younger readers. But those entranced by the novel's early settings may be let down by the prosaic ending. Ages 10-13. (April)