Tombquest #1: Book of the Dead by Michael Northrop

Alex is in the hospital with a life-threatening illness, but doctors don't know the cause. His mother is an expert on ancient Egyptian culture, and her museum just opened a new exhibit featuring the Book of the Dead, including the mythical Lost Spells. When Alex's heart stops beating, she uses a spell to save his life. However, her use of ancient magic has effects that ripple across the planet. Spirits start to stir, and the museum's mummy, Stung Man, comes to life looking for souls to eat. When Alex's mom is kidnapped by an evil cult, he joins his best friend and a German professor to save her. Alex learns to use the powers of his mom's scarab amulet, but will it be enough to battle the cult, an army of scorpions, and a mummy that has risen from the dead?

This book begins a new series, and it's full of adventure. Egyptian magic flying around, an unstoppable mummy, and a dangerous cultist wearing a hyena's head pose lethal obstacles for the kids. Alex's best friend provides the brains, although Alex is the expert on ancient Egyptian culture. The plot is pretty straightforward and easy to follow, but the action is what will capture you. I don't think more than two chapters passed without somebody getting chased, threatened, or killed by the cultist or mummy. Scorpions kept popping up all over the city. I highly recommend this book, and I'm looking forward to the next book in the series.