Built and reviewed by David Richards

Do you ever reach the point in a build where you know it is time to put the kit back in its box? Perhaps the engineering is fighting you, perhaps the instructions are making you question your eyesight, or perhaps you are one more stubborn tab away from making a mistake you will regret. I have learned to stop at that point, take a breath and choose something else from my ever-growing stash.

That was my afternoon with Endless Manor. Back in its box it went, and out came Egyptian Pharaoh’s Tomb by Fifijoy. Within minutes, my dopamine levels had been restored. I had not so much discovered an ancient tomb as found the emergency exit from a frustrating build.

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What’s in the Box?

This was the first kit I have built in a long time with no stickers, no separate 3D objects, and no tiny books or scrolls. Normally I enjoy all those details, but on this occasion their absence felt like someone had offered to carry my luggage. A straightforward, satisfying assembly was exactly what I needed.

• Eight MDF boards
• Battery box
• Lighting with six LEDs
• Touch sensor
• Tweezers
• Sanding stick
• Dust cover

Building the Ground Floor

The first phase is the furniture for the lower level, including the pharaoh’s tomb itself. Once that is in place, I added the Egyptian artefacts to the base and to the furniture I had built. The scene starts to take shape quickly, which was particularly welcome after my earlier retreat to the stash.

Then came the rear arch, steps and four columns. Here I was reminded why I have enjoyed other Fifijoy builds: the engineering was excellent. Pieces fitted precisely and consistently, so I could concentrate on watching the tomb emerge rather than negotiating with each slot. There is a particular pleasure in pushing a piece home and hearing your brain say, “Yes, that is exactly where it belongs.”

Building the Upper Level and Lighting

The next phase starts with the first LEDs on the roof of the lower level, followed by the arched bridge. The bridge took me a few attempts. This was not a complaint about the instructions: the person holding the parts was responsible. I shall refrain from naming him, although he is also writing this review.

Furniture for the upper floor comes next, and the assembled level fits easily onto the pillars below. More arches follow without drama, then six columns. The roof carries the remaining LEDs and the touch sensor, before the final sides and roof panels slot into place. By this stage I had grown accustomed to everything fitting properly; Fifijoy did not spoil the ending.

When I finished, one upstairs room was not fully lit. I initially thought that was my one criticism of the kit. Then, while writing this review with the instructions beside me, I spotted a step I had missed. The room may yet have its grand opening after I correct my mistake tomorrow. I will update this point once I have checked it.

Final Verdict: A Very Welcome Change of Pace

Egyptian Pharaoh’s Tomb is a solid, enjoyable build with excellent fit. It gave me exactly the sense of progress I needed when I reached for it. The instructions were clear to follow, the structural pieces came together neatly, and the relative lack of fiddly extras made the whole experience refreshingly calm.

I would happily recommend it to a beginner. Seasoned builders who live for intricate furnishings, miniature books and elaborate challenges may find it a little too straightforward. For me, that simplicity was the point. Sometimes a kit does not have to test your patience to earn its place on the shelf.

If you are preparing for your first build, our 10-minute pre-build checklist is a useful place to start. And if a kit ever does test your patience, there is no shame in putting it away for a while. The stash, as mine proved today, can be a form of first aid.

Fancy another Fifijoy build? Explore the kits we have built and reviewed on our Fifijoy shop and discount page. The Fifijoy links there include our 15% discount, so check the final basket price against any other promotion. Links to Fifijoy are affiliate links, which may earn Book Nook Workshop a small commission at no extra cost to you.