Les cavaliers de la pyramide

Junia et Shagan #1

by Brussolo Serge

Antonus Crassus Samsala, organisateur des jeux du cirque à Rome, apprend de la bouche d’un gladiateur mourant l’existence d’une pyramide demeurée inviolée au cœur du désert. Cette pyramide remplie d’or aurait été engloutie par une gigantesque poche de sables mouvants. Si l’on veut s’y introduire, il faut donc plonger dans son sillage… puis trouver le moyen d’en revenir vivant ! Dès lors, Antonus n’a plus qu’une idée : découvrir ce monument fantôme et s’en approprier les trésors.

380 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published October 1, 2004

Reviews

[Liviu · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first book in the "new series" featuring the "giantess" Junia and the youngster without legs Shagan who rides on her back, the pair of escaped slaves turned mercenaries and assassins for hire. The original appearance was in the Roi Squelette series which is adventure fantasy, while now the author placed them in the Ancient World - in the Roman Empire, though this one takes place in Egypt under the Romans , the first sequel(and only published to date but there are plans for more - Masque d'Argile - The Clay Mask - taking place in Rome proper)

There is the back story taken word for word from the earlier books though now the sorcerer there becomes just a blacksmith with a reputation for magic, while the book starts with a Roman businessman who found out a bout a secret pyramid rumored to be full of hold but whose whereabouts need risky travel to a mountain pass scoured by killer sand winds; his guide, a Bedouin tries to convince the Roman that it is way too risky, but the businessman doesn't relent and he finds out about the pyramide at great cost; however there is a hitch, the information is not legible being scoured by the sand, but a blind person with great touch sensivity can do it; and of course the Beduoin guide knows just the right, young Tanita-Taitm prisoner/pupil (??) of the cult of the goddess who is rumored to be buried (with the tons of gold) in the hidden pyramid and he knows the right persons to free/kidnap the girl from her prison/sanctuary, well who else but Junia and Shagan

And so it goes and later the quest for the gold and diving under the sand leads to an awesome novel, Brussolo at his best - sense of wonder, suspense, take no prisoners attitude. Tanita steals the novel and her scenes are excellent while Junia and Shagan make for a good adventure pair, though Junia is more developed here and has the prominent role

Here is the blurb:

Antonus Samsala Crassus, organizer of circuses in Rome, learns from the mouth of a dying gladiator the existence of a pyramid who is hidden untouched in the heart of the desert. This pyramid is filled with gold and was engulfed by a huge pocket of quicksand.

If one wants to get to it, one must delve into the sand ... then find a way to come back alive!

Since then Antonus has a fixed idea: discover this ghost monument and steal the treasure!

[Mazel · Rating 2 out of 5]

Antonus Crassus Samsala, organisateur des jeux du cirque à Rome, apprend de la bouche d’un gladiateur mourant l’existence d’une pyramide demeurée inviolée au cœur du désert.

Cette pyramide remplie d’or aurait été engloutie par une gigantesque poche de sables mouvants. Si l’on veut s’y introduire, il faut donc plonger dans son sillage... puis trouver le moyen d’en revenir vivant ! Dès lors, Antonus n’a plus qu’une idée : découvrir ce monument fantôme et s’en approprier les trésors.

Dans la lignée du Labyrinthe de Pharaon et des Prisonnières de Pharaon, ce « thriller antique » met en scène barbares et gladiateurs qui portent le glaive et le feu au cœur même des enfers.

[Lucie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great story. I like the style of the author, the characters and how he is not scared of being true and realistic.