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The She-King #2
The Crook and Flail
The son of the god must take her rightful place on Egypt's throne.
Hatshepsut longs for power, but she is constrained by her commitment to maat – the sacred order of righteousness, the way things must be. Her mother claims Hatshepsut is destined for Egypt's throne – not as the king's chief wife, but as the king herself, despite her female body. But a woman on the throne defies maat, and even Hatshepsut is not so bold as to risk the safety of the Two Lands for her own ends.
As God's Wife of Amun, she believes she has found the perfect balance of power and maat, and has reconciled herself to contentment with her station. But even that peace is threatened when the powerful men of Egypt plot to replace her. They see her as nothing but a young woman, easily used for their own ends and discarded. But she is the son of the god Amun, and neither her strength nor her will can be so easily discounted.
As the machinations of politics drive her into the hands of enemies and the arms of lovers, onto the battlefield and into the childbed, she comes face to face with maat itself – and must decide at last whether to surrender her birthright to a man, or to take up the crook and flail of the Pharaoh, and claim for herself the throne of the king.
L. M. Ironside's saga of the Thutmoside dynasty continues with The Crook and Flail, the anticipated sequel to The Sekhmet Bed.
Hatshepsut longs for power, but she is constrained by her commitment to maat – the sacred order of righteousness, the way things must be. Her mother claims Hatshepsut is destined for Egypt's throne – not as the king's chief wife, but as the king herself, despite her female body. But a woman on the throne defies maat, and even Hatshepsut is not so bold as to risk the safety of the Two Lands for her own ends.
As God's Wife of Amun, she believes she has found the perfect balance of power and maat, and has reconciled herself to contentment with her station. But even that peace is threatened when the powerful men of Egypt plot to replace her. They see her as nothing but a young woman, easily used for their own ends and discarded. But she is the son of the god Amun, and neither her strength nor her will can be so easily discounted.
As the machinations of politics drive her into the hands of enemies and the arms of lovers, onto the battlefield and into the childbed, she comes face to face with maat itself – and must decide at last whether to surrender her birthright to a man, or to take up the crook and flail of the Pharaoh, and claim for herself the throne of the king.
L. M. Ironside's saga of the Thutmoside dynasty continues with The Crook and Flail, the anticipated sequel to The Sekhmet Bed.
322 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 10, 2013
160 people are currently reading
814 people want to read
About the author
Libbie Hawker
38 books495 followersLibbie was born in Rexburg, Idaho and divided her childhood between Eastern Idaho's rural environs and the greater Seattle area. She presently lives in Seattle, but has also been a resident of Salt Lake City, Utah; Bellingham, Washington; and Tacoma, Washington. She loves to write about character and place, and is inspired by the bleak natural beauty of the Rocky Mountain region and by the fascinating history of the Puget Sound.
After three years of trying to break into the publishing industry with her various books under two different pen names, Libbie finally turned her back on the mainstream publishing industry and embraced independent publishing. She now writes her self-published fiction full-time, and enjoys the fact that the writing career she always dreamed of having is fully under her own control.
Libbie's writerly influences are varied, and include Vladimir Nabokov, Hilary Mantel, Annie Dillard, George R. R. Martin, songwriter Neko Case, and mixed-media storyteller Chris Onstad, to name but a few.
She previously wrote under the pen name L.M. Ironside (historical fiction).
After three years of trying to break into the publishing industry with her various books under two different pen names, Libbie finally turned her back on the mainstream publishing industry and embraced independent publishing. She now writes her self-published fiction full-time, and enjoys the fact that the writing career she always dreamed of having is fully under her own control.
Libbie's writerly influences are varied, and include Vladimir Nabokov, Hilary Mantel, Annie Dillard, George R. R. Martin, songwriter Neko Case, and mixed-media storyteller Chris Onstad, to name but a few.
She previously wrote under the pen name L.M. Ironside (historical fiction).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews
September 9, 2014
The Crook and Flail is the sequel to L.M. Ironside's The Sekhmet Bed. When Thutmose, the Pharaoh, dies, most presume his heir will be his only surviving living son with his secondary wife Mutnofret. His Great Royal Wife Ahmose has different ideas, insisting that Thutmose designated their daughter Hatshepsut to be the next King. It is no surprise that this is controversial, and Hatshepsut finally agrees to give up her claim in the interest of peace. Her half-brother Thutmose II becomes King, while Hatshepsut takes her place as his Great Royal Wife.
History tells us that Hatshepsut became the Pharaoh, not just his wife. As shown here, Hatshepsut and Thutmose have a sibling rivalry that makes their mothers' competition seem innocent in comparison. Their antagonism does not exactly create a tranquil marriage. Hatshepsut faces political, religious, and personal challenges in her transformation from wife to supreme ruler of Egypt. Ironside's well-researched novel offers a plausible depiction of Hatshepsut's transformation from wife to supreme ruler of Egypt.
The story meandered at times, less focused than The Sekhmet Bed, and . As with the first story, though, the writing was lovely and evocative while never excessive. The Crook and Flail is a solid contribution to this series about the Thutmose family, setting the scene for Hatshepsut's reign to come.
Hatshepsut, ruler of Egypt from 1479-1458 B.C.
History tells us that Hatshepsut became the Pharaoh, not just his wife. As shown here, Hatshepsut and Thutmose have a sibling rivalry that makes their mothers' competition seem innocent in comparison. Their antagonism does not exactly create a tranquil marriage. Hatshepsut faces political, religious, and personal challenges in her transformation from wife to supreme ruler of Egypt. Ironside's well-researched novel offers a plausible depiction of Hatshepsut's transformation from wife to supreme ruler of Egypt.
The story meandered at times, less focused than The Sekhmet Bed, and . As with the first story, though, the writing was lovely and evocative while never excessive. The Crook and Flail is a solid contribution to this series about the Thutmose family, setting the scene for Hatshepsut's reign to come.
Hatshepsut, ruler of Egypt from 1479-1458 B.C.
September 29, 2025
"My Pool is broken
By ripples unending
I will fly to you on wind far away.
I will fly to you on wind far away."
- Libbie Hawker,
The Crook and Flail (The She-King #2)
This is part two of The Sehkmet Bed which I read several years ago.
I enjoyed this book about how Queen Hatshepsut comes to obtain power. The Hatshepsut in this book is a fierce and intense warrior from the beginning.
The book is filled with lush, descriptions of Egypt and lush descriptions of everything.
There is the usual duplicity of course, that is always present in these type of books and there was a lot of love and tenderness as well.
There were a heck of a lot of characters in this one! But some of the characters from book one are present in book two.
It was wonderful to see Amose again! I absolutely adored her in the first book, and she plays a powerful role in this one.
I also loved a certain character, the sister of the Queen’s soul. She was absolutely delightful.
It was a surprisingly fast read. I think book two is shorter than book one.
The reason I gave it a three and not a four, as I did book one requires the use of spoilers.
SPOILERS
The first reason is because I skimmed a little. Usually when I skim, it’s because I’m not as caught up in the book as I should be. For some reason I wasn’t as intensely into this one, as I was in book one.
But also because of the ending quite frankly. It has a fairly happy ending, but it took way too long to get there. The attempted assassination really felt rushed and drew me out of the book entirely.
I mean it doesn’t even come until my E reader showed I was 90% done so instead of concentrating on the book I’m thinking how is this going to wind this up with 10% or less to go.
I know a lot of books have a tendency to do something like this. The book is hardly unique in that way. But that being said , the last 10% I really could have done without.
Still, I would recommend it. I found it by chance I didn’t even know there was a part two so it was really great to read yet another retelling.
By ripples unending
I will fly to you on wind far away.
I will fly to you on wind far away."
- Libbie Hawker,
The Crook and Flail (The She-King #2)
This is part two of The Sehkmet Bed which I read several years ago.
I enjoyed this book about how Queen Hatshepsut comes to obtain power. The Hatshepsut in this book is a fierce and intense warrior from the beginning.
The book is filled with lush, descriptions of Egypt and lush descriptions of everything.
There is the usual duplicity of course, that is always present in these type of books and there was a lot of love and tenderness as well.
There were a heck of a lot of characters in this one! But some of the characters from book one are present in book two.
It was wonderful to see Amose again! I absolutely adored her in the first book, and she plays a powerful role in this one.
I also loved a certain character, the sister of the Queen’s soul. She was absolutely delightful.
It was a surprisingly fast read. I think book two is shorter than book one.
The reason I gave it a three and not a four, as I did book one requires the use of spoilers.
SPOILERS
The first reason is because I skimmed a little. Usually when I skim, it’s because I’m not as caught up in the book as I should be. For some reason I wasn’t as intensely into this one, as I was in book one.
But also because of the ending quite frankly. It has a fairly happy ending, but it took way too long to get there. The attempted assassination really felt rushed and drew me out of the book entirely.
I mean it doesn’t even come until my E reader showed I was 90% done so instead of concentrating on the book I’m thinking how is this going to wind this up with 10% or less to go.
I know a lot of books have a tendency to do something like this. The book is hardly unique in that way. But that being said , the last 10% I really could have done without.
Still, I would recommend it. I found it by chance I didn’t even know there was a part two so it was really great to read yet another retelling.
October 17, 2018
Bullet Review:
I feel like I ran a freakin' marathon - geez, this book took FOREVER to finish, and it's only 277 pages!
There is so much I could deep dive into this, but I'll leave most of that for the full review. If you want the short of it: the book compromises the story by bringing up plot points just to drop them a page or two later or to have a character zip by to say he/she wrapped that up. Every time we have a hint of the much needed drama, it's wrapped up almost immediately afterwards. The priest is against her? The priestesses support her - oh, and she can just bully him into supporting her. She has an affair with a concubine? Oh, the concubine becomes her fanbearer and no one mentions it to her husband! She gets pregnant with another man's child? Conveniently, she can frisk away to her husband - and if you think she'll sex him up, she's able to avoid doing that AND doesn't make anyone else suspicious to boot! There's a threat of being poisoned? No worry, the threat will disappear within a page when a random guard mentions he sussed out the criminals.
For this reason, the book feels like it's written for a much younger audience. And it's a shame because I feel like this time, Hawker has put in quite a bit of research and some better writing than with "The Sekhmet Bed". Only, while I didn't love "The Sekhmet Bed", I felt much closer to any of the characters there than I do to anyone in this entry.
For that reason, I am going to end my journey with Hawker's Hatshepsut here. I appreciate her perspective, but I don't like to force myself to read books I'm not enjoying. I would be open to Hawker's other books, especially more recent ones.
Full Review:
Hatshepsut is 13 years old, the only living child of Pharaoh Thutmose and his consort the regent and God's Wife, Ahmose. Although she is young, it is time for her to assume her throne...but the rest of Egypt is resistant to a female child becoming Pharaoh despite what Ahmose insists about Hatshepsut having 9 kas, 8 male and 1 female. So to keep ma'at, Hatshepsut agrees to marry Thutmose II, the son of Thutmose and his concubine, Mutnofret (her half brother). But Hatshepsut is unhappy, and there's trouble a brewin' in Waset.
I know it's been awhile between the time I actually finished this and my writing this full review. On one hand, my bullet review did an effective job of detailing what I felt went wrong with this book. On the other, I did promise to write a full review of my thoughts and feelings, and I try to keep my promises.
A thing I've been harping on lately is what makes a story, be it in movie, TV show, comic or book, effective. To quote from my recent review for "Company of Liars":
"The Crook and Flail" is an example of what could have been a good story that is marred by wafer-thin characters, overly simplistic storylines, and a lack of atmosphere.
On one hand, "The Crook and Flail" improves on the setting and writing, spending several passages in the early portions of the novel creating the palace and setting the mood. However, the rest of the novel feels like a merry-go-round on steroids - flying round and round with little attention to anything outside the scant few characters who are absolutely necessary for the next plot element.
The whole thing feels incredibly manufactured. Characters don't behave in ways that feel genuine to their personality; on the whole, no one has personality because there's not enough time to gain personality beyond the couple of words and phrases. Who is Hatshepsut? Who is Senenmut? Who is Iset and Thutmose and Ankkhor and Ahmose? I don't really know - Hatshepsut is brash, Senenmut is nuts for Hatshepsut (even when he is 24 and she is 13 - here we go again with the romanticizing the grooming of an underage woman!), Thutmose II is spoiled, Iset likes to sing, Ankkhor is a bad man...but that's merely an adjective, that's not a descriptor of a person. What does Hatshepsut want in life? (Well beyond the lovers she takes or the general desire for ma'at.) What does Senenmut? I don't feel connected to any of those names; the characters could have been called Jane, Michael, Mary and Stanley for all the connection they had.
So instead of an author creating these vivid characters and setting them loose in this beautiful world, the story ends up being things just happen in the book and the various ways the author plugs the holes. The Head Priest doesn't like Hatshepsut? Oh don't worry, the priestesses like her, so she's safe. Ankkhor is planning something nasty? Oh don't worry, Hatshpesut and her guard can storm his home and keep him in line for a few years. Hatshepsut is pregnant with someone else's baby? Oh don't worry, Hatshepsut can skip to Thutmose II and convince him and his harem (a fact that STILL confounds me) that she slept with him, even though she didn't.
This sort of thing happens every time there's a plot thread dropped - as soon as we learn about it, it's neatly tied up. Hatshepsut likes Iset - no biggie, Iset will become Hatshepsut's fanbearer and no one will be the wiser that the two are doing the dirty on the side. What? Where are the stakes? If a plot thread will be wrapped up in green paper and cinched with a gold bow within a page of it appearing, why would a reader care what happens? We know Hatshepsut's position is safe because the priestesses told us. Hatshepsut freaking out seems pointless and over the top. There's no drama in Hatshepsut taking a lover because apparently, fanbearers regularly pleasure their mistresses and no one cares.
This is what made this book a disappointment to read and a chore. It didn't matter what new event happened next; the names (because calling these people characters is a stretch) would find whatever Plot Hole Tape they needed to patch the problem, and we are off to the next problem lickety-split. There's not enough time to build excitement or tension or intrigue; we have plots to drop in.
Which is another key point: the length. This book is about 277 pages, which feels both too long and too short. Given what the author tried to cover, this could have easily been doubled. And yet, when I was reading it, I was constantly thinking, "Are we there yet?"
Oddly enough, although this is the sequel, I think this book is not as good as "The Sekhmet Bed" for the key fact that we got to know Ahmose pretty thoroughly and understood her feelings. I felt more connection to Ahmose and her story than I ever did to Hatshepsut and her story. I was intrigued to know what would happen next to Ahmose; I never felt that way to Hatshepsut.
For that reason, I am going to part ways with this particular series, even though there is a third and fourth book detailing Hatshepsut's life. I sincerely hate to do this to an indie author; I have absolutely no ill will to Libby Hawker at all and hope she is successful and continues to write more books (people who keep buying Laurell K Hamilton: STOP IT AND GIVE THIS WOMAN YOUR MONEY! PLEASE!). Perhaps people will read my review and go, "Crystal, you are a mean harpy; stfu and just enjoy something". Fine; that's why I will leave this series alone. I tried two of the four books and didn't care for them; I'll find something else to enjoy, as life is too short to waste it on books you are not enjoying. I would be interested in checking out Hawker's later books, to see if some of the problems I had were remedied or not; my one regret is that I didn't like this more than I did as I sincerely wanted to.
I feel like I ran a freakin' marathon - geez, this book took FOREVER to finish, and it's only 277 pages!
There is so much I could deep dive into this, but I'll leave most of that for the full review. If you want the short of it: the book compromises the story by bringing up plot points just to drop them a page or two later or to have a character zip by to say he/she wrapped that up. Every time we have a hint of the much needed drama, it's wrapped up almost immediately afterwards. The priest is against her? The priestesses support her - oh, and she can just bully him into supporting her. She has an affair with a concubine? Oh, the concubine becomes her fanbearer and no one mentions it to her husband! She gets pregnant with another man's child? Conveniently, she can frisk away to her husband - and if you think she'll sex him up, she's able to avoid doing that AND doesn't make anyone else suspicious to boot! There's a threat of being poisoned? No worry, the threat will disappear within a page when a random guard mentions he sussed out the criminals.
For this reason, the book feels like it's written for a much younger audience. And it's a shame because I feel like this time, Hawker has put in quite a bit of research and some better writing than with "The Sekhmet Bed". Only, while I didn't love "The Sekhmet Bed", I felt much closer to any of the characters there than I do to anyone in this entry.
For that reason, I am going to end my journey with Hawker's Hatshepsut here. I appreciate her perspective, but I don't like to force myself to read books I'm not enjoying. I would be open to Hawker's other books, especially more recent ones.
Full Review:
Hatshepsut is 13 years old, the only living child of Pharaoh Thutmose and his consort the regent and God's Wife, Ahmose. Although she is young, it is time for her to assume her throne...but the rest of Egypt is resistant to a female child becoming Pharaoh despite what Ahmose insists about Hatshepsut having 9 kas, 8 male and 1 female. So to keep ma'at, Hatshepsut agrees to marry Thutmose II, the son of Thutmose and his concubine, Mutnofret (her half brother). But Hatshepsut is unhappy, and there's trouble a brewin' in Waset.
I know it's been awhile between the time I actually finished this and my writing this full review. On one hand, my bullet review did an effective job of detailing what I felt went wrong with this book. On the other, I did promise to write a full review of my thoughts and feelings, and I try to keep my promises.
A thing I've been harping on lately is what makes a story, be it in movie, TV show, comic or book, effective. To quote from my recent review for "Company of Liars":
Lately, I keep talking about what makes successful stories. Hint: it's not a particular character or storyline or setting. It's much, much simpler than that: it's an author who brings to life a character with hopes, dreams, strengths and weaknesses and sets him or her loose in a well realized world. Such simple words, but really when you break down some of the most successful, engaging stories at least I've come across, the reasons they are so good can be boiled in that one sentence. And stories that fail do so because they break that rule: the characters are half realized, the setting is weak, the plot dictates the story to the extent that characters have to break their own morality and rules in order to make the plot work.
"The Crook and Flail" is an example of what could have been a good story that is marred by wafer-thin characters, overly simplistic storylines, and a lack of atmosphere.
On one hand, "The Crook and Flail" improves on the setting and writing, spending several passages in the early portions of the novel creating the palace and setting the mood. However, the rest of the novel feels like a merry-go-round on steroids - flying round and round with little attention to anything outside the scant few characters who are absolutely necessary for the next plot element.
The whole thing feels incredibly manufactured. Characters don't behave in ways that feel genuine to their personality; on the whole, no one has personality because there's not enough time to gain personality beyond the couple of words and phrases. Who is Hatshepsut? Who is Senenmut? Who is Iset and Thutmose and Ankkhor and Ahmose? I don't really know - Hatshepsut is brash, Senenmut is nuts for Hatshepsut (even when he is 24 and she is 13 - here we go again with the romanticizing the grooming of an underage woman!), Thutmose II is spoiled, Iset likes to sing, Ankkhor is a bad man...but that's merely an adjective, that's not a descriptor of a person. What does Hatshepsut want in life? (Well beyond the lovers she takes or the general desire for ma'at.) What does Senenmut? I don't feel connected to any of those names; the characters could have been called Jane, Michael, Mary and Stanley for all the connection they had.
So instead of an author creating these vivid characters and setting them loose in this beautiful world, the story ends up being things just happen in the book and the various ways the author plugs the holes. The Head Priest doesn't like Hatshepsut? Oh don't worry, the priestesses like her, so she's safe. Ankkhor is planning something nasty? Oh don't worry, Hatshpesut and her guard can storm his home and keep him in line for a few years. Hatshepsut is pregnant with someone else's baby? Oh don't worry, Hatshepsut can skip to Thutmose II and convince him and his harem (a fact that STILL confounds me) that she slept with him, even though she didn't.
This sort of thing happens every time there's a plot thread dropped - as soon as we learn about it, it's neatly tied up. Hatshepsut likes Iset - no biggie, Iset will become Hatshepsut's fanbearer and no one will be the wiser that the two are doing the dirty on the side. What? Where are the stakes? If a plot thread will be wrapped up in green paper and cinched with a gold bow within a page of it appearing, why would a reader care what happens? We know Hatshepsut's position is safe because the priestesses told us. Hatshepsut freaking out seems pointless and over the top. There's no drama in Hatshepsut taking a lover because apparently, fanbearers regularly pleasure their mistresses and no one cares.
This is what made this book a disappointment to read and a chore. It didn't matter what new event happened next; the names (because calling these people characters is a stretch) would find whatever Plot Hole Tape they needed to patch the problem, and we are off to the next problem lickety-split. There's not enough time to build excitement or tension or intrigue; we have plots to drop in.
Which is another key point: the length. This book is about 277 pages, which feels both too long and too short. Given what the author tried to cover, this could have easily been doubled. And yet, when I was reading it, I was constantly thinking, "Are we there yet?"
Oddly enough, although this is the sequel, I think this book is not as good as "The Sekhmet Bed" for the key fact that we got to know Ahmose pretty thoroughly and understood her feelings. I felt more connection to Ahmose and her story than I ever did to Hatshepsut and her story. I was intrigued to know what would happen next to Ahmose; I never felt that way to Hatshepsut.
For that reason, I am going to part ways with this particular series, even though there is a third and fourth book detailing Hatshepsut's life. I sincerely hate to do this to an indie author; I have absolutely no ill will to Libby Hawker at all and hope she is successful and continues to write more books (people who keep buying Laurell K Hamilton: STOP IT AND GIVE THIS WOMAN YOUR MONEY! PLEASE!). Perhaps people will read my review and go, "Crystal, you are a mean harpy; stfu and just enjoy something". Fine; that's why I will leave this series alone. I tried two of the four books and didn't care for them; I'll find something else to enjoy, as life is too short to waste it on books you are not enjoying. I would be interested in checking out Hawker's later books, to see if some of the problems I had were remedied or not; my one regret is that I didn't like this more than I did as I sincerely wanted to.
August 1, 2014
Where do I start with this review? I just want to start by fangirling because seriously, The Crook and Flail is amazing. I'm writing this review and having this great internal debate about whether it's better than Pauline Gedge's Child of Morning, and you know what? I think it might just be.
If The Sekhmet Bed was the Origins of Hatshepsut story, The Crook and Flail is the Hatshepsut: Before She Was King story. Throwing light on a Hatshepsut rarely seen, it's absolutely fascinating to see how Hatshepsut grows and becomes the woman so famous in Egyptian history. I like getting to see Hatshepsut's doubts and insecurities, I like that Hatshepsut isn't perfectly formed – even if she is the son of Amun and her personality a little alien, she is still recognisably a human being, complete with doubts.
L. M. Ironside's Egypt continues to come alive on the page. It's hard to bring to life an ancient world so vividly, yet Ironside's writing skill is such that you can close your eyes and you're there, feeling the heat and atmosphere. Ironside also knows how to tell a bloody good story – I won't lie that it's taken me 7 days to read it, but it shouldn't have as each time I'd go to read a chapter, I'd get sucked in until I just had to sit down and finish it.
I do have to touch on the history: The Crook and Flail does follow certain popular, but not necessarily historically accurate trope/theories on Hatshepsut. On one hand, I did find it a little annoying: But on the other, it does make for good drama and good story-telling – and the relationship that Hatshepsut has with Iset (the mother of Thutmose III) more than makes up my brief irritation with Senenmut.
The relationship between Hatshepsut and Iset could so easily be a call back to Ahmose and Mutnofret's rivalry in The Sekhmet Bed, or (worse), yet another a catty story about rival queens fighting it out for power. But instead it's very much the opposite, very much about mutual love, and for me, the most important relationship in the book. I can't wait to see how that relationship continues in the next book and colours how Hatshepsut sees Thutmose III.
The Crook and Flail is an absolutely amazing book and I'm going to end this review here because I need to start drawing love hearts around this book.
If The Sekhmet Bed was the Origins of Hatshepsut story, The Crook and Flail is the Hatshepsut: Before She Was King story. Throwing light on a Hatshepsut rarely seen, it's absolutely fascinating to see how Hatshepsut grows and becomes the woman so famous in Egyptian history. I like getting to see Hatshepsut's doubts and insecurities, I like that Hatshepsut isn't perfectly formed – even if she is the son of Amun and her personality a little alien, she is still recognisably a human being, complete with doubts.
L. M. Ironside's Egypt continues to come alive on the page. It's hard to bring to life an ancient world so vividly, yet Ironside's writing skill is such that you can close your eyes and you're there, feeling the heat and atmosphere. Ironside also knows how to tell a bloody good story – I won't lie that it's taken me 7 days to read it, but it shouldn't have as each time I'd go to read a chapter, I'd get sucked in until I just had to sit down and finish it.
I do have to touch on the history: The Crook and Flail does follow certain popular, but not necessarily historically accurate trope/theories on Hatshepsut. On one hand, I did find it a little annoying: But on the other, it does make for good drama and good story-telling – and the relationship that Hatshepsut has with Iset (the mother of Thutmose III) more than makes up my brief irritation with Senenmut.
The relationship between Hatshepsut and Iset could so easily be a call back to Ahmose and Mutnofret's rivalry in The Sekhmet Bed, or (worse), yet another a catty story about rival queens fighting it out for power. But instead it's very much the opposite, very much about mutual love, and for me, the most important relationship in the book. I can't wait to see how that relationship continues in the next book and colours how Hatshepsut sees Thutmose III.
The Crook and Flail is an absolutely amazing book and I'm going to end this review here because I need to start drawing love hearts around this book.
November 1, 2015
Having read and thoroughly enjoyed the first book in this series (The Sekhmet Bed) I was eagerly awaiting the release of The Crook and Flail. Happily, I wasn't disappointed.
Let's not mince words here. This is a great book. I have rarely read a novel with such flawless characterisation. Having read Ironside's first book, this didn't come as a surprise to me (if you haven't read The Sekhmet Bed yet, you really should), but if anything the writing is even more accomplished here. You can tell that Ironside's skills are coming into their own. The scene between Hatshepsut and Thutmose in the tent before the Kushite battle is one that particularly stands out in the memory as something written by a novelist of genuine talent, but it is far from alone.
It's almost irrelevant that this book is set in ancient Egypt. Yes, it will undoubtedly be a treat for fans of the period, but behind the fascination of the political intrigue and plots and the manoeuvring for power, this is a book about people and the relationships between them. Because the characters are so beautifully drawn, you don't need to be particularly a fan of Egyptian fiction to enjoy this book, just a fan of fiction.
Let's not mince words here. This is a great book. I have rarely read a novel with such flawless characterisation. Having read Ironside's first book, this didn't come as a surprise to me (if you haven't read The Sekhmet Bed yet, you really should), but if anything the writing is even more accomplished here. You can tell that Ironside's skills are coming into their own. The scene between Hatshepsut and Thutmose in the tent before the Kushite battle is one that particularly stands out in the memory as something written by a novelist of genuine talent, but it is far from alone.
It's almost irrelevant that this book is set in ancient Egypt. Yes, it will undoubtedly be a treat for fans of the period, but behind the fascination of the political intrigue and plots and the manoeuvring for power, this is a book about people and the relationships between them. Because the characters are so beautifully drawn, you don't need to be particularly a fan of Egyptian fiction to enjoy this book, just a fan of fiction.
May 29, 2014
To be honest, I was not a great fan of book one largely due to baby drama, which is of absolutely no interest to me. I was also concerned because by the end of book one, Hatshepsut was a rather unlikable and annoying child to me, what type of young adult/adult would she prove to be?
Thankfully The Crook and Flail has no baby drama and I am happy to report that Hatshepsut was a fully rounded human being with flaws and overall believable characterization. In fact, I rather liked Hatshepsut. (I also enjoyed the characters of Neheshi (her guard) and Senenmut.) I thought it was quite interesting that Ironside made Hatshepsut , although perhaps this has been hinted in historical circles as possible? I honestly do not know, Hatshepsut is not an area I know a significant amount about. I did, however, like the twist and I applaud Ironside for including it. Also, the foundation for the relationship so long considered fret with negativity, Hatshepsut and Thutmose III, was drawn so positively that I was a bit relieved. Overall, whether the moments were historical in nature or required bravery or simply humanity, Hatshepsut proved to be a complete individual that I can believe lived and breathed.
I also felt the setting came more alive in this second installment. Much like Hatshepsut, it made a believer out of me.
As far s the negatives go, I will say that at times I felt it entered purple prose territory and therefore instilled a more dramatic tone than I felt necessary. These purple prose sections were also often, but not always, the culprit of areas where I felt an increase in verbosity from the author that was unnecessary. Also, the over-the-top god moments are still a bit crazy to me but I felt they were better placed in this installment than book one.
Overall I really enjoyed The Crook and Flail and look forward to the remaining books in the series.
Thankfully The Crook and Flail has no baby drama and I am happy to report that Hatshepsut was a fully rounded human being with flaws and overall believable characterization. In fact, I rather liked Hatshepsut. (I also enjoyed the characters of Neheshi (her guard) and Senenmut.) I thought it was quite interesting that Ironside made Hatshepsut , although perhaps this has been hinted in historical circles as possible? I honestly do not know, Hatshepsut is not an area I know a significant amount about. I did, however, like the twist and I applaud Ironside for including it. Also, the foundation for the relationship so long considered fret with negativity, Hatshepsut and Thutmose III, was drawn so positively that I was a bit relieved. Overall, whether the moments were historical in nature or required bravery or simply humanity, Hatshepsut proved to be a complete individual that I can believe lived and breathed.
I also felt the setting came more alive in this second installment. Much like Hatshepsut, it made a believer out of me.
As far s the negatives go, I will say that at times I felt it entered purple prose territory and therefore instilled a more dramatic tone than I felt necessary. These purple prose sections were also often, but not always, the culprit of areas where I felt an increase in verbosity from the author that was unnecessary. Also, the over-the-top god moments are still a bit crazy to me but I felt they were better placed in this installment than book one.
Overall I really enjoyed The Crook and Flail and look forward to the remaining books in the series.
September 7, 2018
Well there’s good news, and there’s bad news. The good news is that in this second book in the series there’s no more cat-fighting and no more baby drama. Hurrah. And, even better, instead of female-on-female hate which is a trope I am thoroughly sick of in historical fiction, Hatshepsut actually gets on with and makes considerable effort to befriend the other women in the harem, which is a much more realistic view. Hatshepsut as a protagonist, is much more active and has much less tolerance for bullshit than did Ahmose in the first book, increasing her likability. Considering that these elements really dragged down the first book, in my opinion, making a change here has really eliminated several (though not all) key complaints I previously had. The bad news? I didn’t like anything else.
Let’s talk about the Senenmut romance first. Yes, it is such a cliché in Hatshepsut fiction, and yes, just once I’d like to see anything else. Someone write a Hatshepsut novel where she’s in a romance with vizier Useramun instead (he too, like Senenmut was given unprecedented privileges usually only available to royals, but no one posits him as Hatshepsut’s lover!). Or where she takes no lovers. But, apart from the fact that it is overused, I can understand its dramatic potential. What did I dislike about it then? The whole lovers-since-first-blush thing. Urgh. I’ve read way too many novels where a historical couple is taken and then made to meet as teenagers and it’s love at first sight forever and ever, and then they go their separate ways and when the novel reunites them it’s all you-all-along, meant-to-be, etc. Bleh. Too saccharine. I hate it. It’s so awkward and contrived. Why can’t authors just let second (third, fourth…) romances stand on their own merits instead of bowing down to worship at the feet of First Love? If this is supposed to make readers root for the couple by establishing the pairing early on, then it backfires because it’s just so weird and forced. First loves almost never work out, and teenage feelings are almost never lifelong. I can’t buy into it.
As to the rest, I found myself skipping along the surface of this one, never getting fully invested. Why? I could point to several things. Sometimes there were considerable leaps ahead in time, to which I found myself thinking “but I haven’t really even got into the current time frame yet and now we’re skipping ahead?” Many events felt absolutely cursory, like The pace was such that I was reminded of a politician arriving somewhere to shake a couple hands, take a couple of heroic looking photos, and then off again after just ten minutes. It was that breakneck speed. I certainly didn’t feel that Hatshepsut had done anything particularly heroic, and I had no investment in the Nubia campaign anyway because up to this point it had been an aside, just something going on in the background that nobody is even remotely worried about, so there’s no sense of looming danger, no sense of build-up, characters don’t take a particular interest to see it through from planning all the way to victory so there’s no stake.
I mentioned in my review of the last book that I understood the temptation to work Hatshepsut’s propaganda backwards, about how she’d been chosen by her father for the throne, but I feared it would make things too easy for Hatshepsut and less of a dramatic struggle. I felt that came true here. There was struggle in the beginning of the book, but I thought the last two thirds were lacking. I’m starting to see a pattern here. The climax of the story, felt tacked on because it comes so late, and there has been no indication whatsoever that this has been building up. That plot is missing Chekhov’s gun. It just doesn’t feel well-crafted. Things just happen without the complex web being woven to lay the groundwork first.
In the end, it came down to implausibility. Hatshepsut never having serious obstacles to contend with felt implausible. The characters and the dialogue felt implausible too. So, this is something I’ve noticed in both this book and the previous book; the cast of characters with clearly defined personalities is extremely narrow. I would say here just Hatshepsut, Senenmut, and Thutmose fit the bill (and even then I have trouble including Thutmose in my definition because he’s basically just a petulant, arrogant child and essentially one-note). Everyone else is little more than a name and a stock role; prejudiced villain, silent guard, obedient servant. Even Hatshepsut and Senenmut, our two POV characters, don’t feel fully formed. I realised that neither had any quirks, any interests outside of the main plot. In dialogue their speech was purely functional, only serving to progress that main plot, but there was nothing idiosyncratic in it, no trivial little moments as in natural speech, no relaxed insights – nothing that showed any character. I had no interest in the story or the characters because I had very little idea who they really were, what their personalities were like. I felt the same way in The Sekhmet Bed.
Finally, I thought the decision to turn Hatshepsut's propaganda into reality rather than the fiction it was, was misjudged. By treating her claim that she had nine kas, eight of which were male, as real, the story actually ended up implying that Hatshepsut didn't rule Egypt as an ordinary woman - she must have had male features in order to do this thing successfully. It ends up twisting the narrative from one of a successful female ruler to one of a successful technically female ruler who was 'really' secretly male. And I'm pretty sure that was not what the author was trying to go for here.
4 out of 10
Let’s talk about the Senenmut romance first. Yes, it is such a cliché in Hatshepsut fiction, and yes, just once I’d like to see anything else. Someone write a Hatshepsut novel where she’s in a romance with vizier Useramun instead (he too, like Senenmut was given unprecedented privileges usually only available to royals, but no one posits him as Hatshepsut’s lover!). Or where she takes no lovers. But, apart from the fact that it is overused, I can understand its dramatic potential. What did I dislike about it then? The whole lovers-since-first-blush thing. Urgh. I’ve read way too many novels where a historical couple is taken and then made to meet as teenagers and it’s love at first sight forever and ever, and then they go their separate ways and when the novel reunites them it’s all you-all-along, meant-to-be, etc. Bleh. Too saccharine. I hate it. It’s so awkward and contrived. Why can’t authors just let second (third, fourth…) romances stand on their own merits instead of bowing down to worship at the feet of First Love? If this is supposed to make readers root for the couple by establishing the pairing early on, then it backfires because it’s just so weird and forced. First loves almost never work out, and teenage feelings are almost never lifelong. I can’t buy into it.
As to the rest, I found myself skipping along the surface of this one, never getting fully invested. Why? I could point to several things. Sometimes there were considerable leaps ahead in time, to which I found myself thinking “but I haven’t really even got into the current time frame yet and now we’re skipping ahead?” Many events felt absolutely cursory, like The pace was such that I was reminded of a politician arriving somewhere to shake a couple hands, take a couple of heroic looking photos, and then off again after just ten minutes. It was that breakneck speed. I certainly didn’t feel that Hatshepsut had done anything particularly heroic, and I had no investment in the Nubia campaign anyway because up to this point it had been an aside, just something going on in the background that nobody is even remotely worried about, so there’s no sense of looming danger, no sense of build-up, characters don’t take a particular interest to see it through from planning all the way to victory so there’s no stake.
I mentioned in my review of the last book that I understood the temptation to work Hatshepsut’s propaganda backwards, about how she’d been chosen by her father for the throne, but I feared it would make things too easy for Hatshepsut and less of a dramatic struggle. I felt that came true here. There was struggle in the beginning of the book, but I thought the last two thirds were lacking. I’m starting to see a pattern here. The climax of the story, felt tacked on because it comes so late, and there has been no indication whatsoever that this has been building up. That plot is missing Chekhov’s gun. It just doesn’t feel well-crafted. Things just happen without the complex web being woven to lay the groundwork first.
In the end, it came down to implausibility. Hatshepsut never having serious obstacles to contend with felt implausible. The characters and the dialogue felt implausible too. So, this is something I’ve noticed in both this book and the previous book; the cast of characters with clearly defined personalities is extremely narrow. I would say here just Hatshepsut, Senenmut, and Thutmose fit the bill (and even then I have trouble including Thutmose in my definition because he’s basically just a petulant, arrogant child and essentially one-note). Everyone else is little more than a name and a stock role; prejudiced villain, silent guard, obedient servant. Even Hatshepsut and Senenmut, our two POV characters, don’t feel fully formed. I realised that neither had any quirks, any interests outside of the main plot. In dialogue their speech was purely functional, only serving to progress that main plot, but there was nothing idiosyncratic in it, no trivial little moments as in natural speech, no relaxed insights – nothing that showed any character. I had no interest in the story or the characters because I had very little idea who they really were, what their personalities were like. I felt the same way in The Sekhmet Bed.
Finally, I thought the decision to turn Hatshepsut's propaganda into reality rather than the fiction it was, was misjudged. By treating her claim that she had nine kas, eight of which were male, as real, the story actually ended up implying that Hatshepsut didn't rule Egypt as an ordinary woman - she must have had male features in order to do this thing successfully. It ends up twisting the narrative from one of a successful female ruler to one of a successful technically female ruler who was 'really' secretly male. And I'm pretty sure that was not what the author was trying to go for here.
4 out of 10
July 2, 2013
4.5 Stars
I thoroughly enjoyed the second book in Ms. Ironside's She-King series, even more than the first book which was also really good. While reading, I was constantly wondering why the heck a bigger publishing company hasn't snapped this author up already! It really is that good.
The character of Hatshepsut was so well-written and characterized. I loved how strong and confident she was, yet in many ways humble and flawed. She felt like a real person to me- complex and possessing many different traits and personalities. She was a political strategist, and yet a passionate lover. She was a caring mother, and yet a powerful ruler capable of terrible violence. She made mistakes and yet I understood and empathized with every one of her decisions. I also loved that it was consistently emphasized that she was not beautiful, but that did not necessarily make her undesirable. Additionally, though the Senenmut-Hatshepsut love story appears to be the primary story, I LOVED the Iset-Hatshepsut love story even more. I also loved that the author didn't turn it into a love triangle, as is so popular these days, but showed that Hatshepsut was capable of being truly in love with both people and that they both enriched her life. The author steered away from the easy storyline, and I love that.
I CANNOT WAIT for the next book, in which Hatshepsut actually assumes the throne. Her path getting to the throne was already so good, I am very excited to see how she acts as a true Pharaoh.
Half a star was taken off for some minor editing errors and a few parts where my attention waned a bit. But, in all honesty, I am being pretty picky with my ratings recently. Read.this.book.
I thoroughly enjoyed the second book in Ms. Ironside's She-King series, even more than the first book which was also really good. While reading, I was constantly wondering why the heck a bigger publishing company hasn't snapped this author up already! It really is that good.
The character of Hatshepsut was so well-written and characterized. I loved how strong and confident she was, yet in many ways humble and flawed. She felt like a real person to me- complex and possessing many different traits and personalities. She was a political strategist, and yet a passionate lover. She was a caring mother, and yet a powerful ruler capable of terrible violence. She made mistakes and yet I understood and empathized with every one of her decisions. I also loved that it was consistently emphasized that she was not beautiful, but that did not necessarily make her undesirable. Additionally, though the Senenmut-Hatshepsut love story appears to be the primary story, I LOVED the Iset-Hatshepsut love story even more. I also loved that the author didn't turn it into a love triangle, as is so popular these days, but showed that Hatshepsut was capable of being truly in love with both people and that they both enriched her life. The author steered away from the easy storyline, and I love that.
I CANNOT WAIT for the next book, in which Hatshepsut actually assumes the throne. Her path getting to the throne was already so good, I am very excited to see how she acts as a true Pharaoh.
Half a star was taken off for some minor editing errors and a few parts where my attention waned a bit. But, in all honesty, I am being pretty picky with my ratings recently. Read.this.book.
September 5, 2013
Hurry up with the third novel in this series. Hatshepsut has just taken her rightful throne. Sad to say but half-brother Thothmose won't be missed--what a brat.
May 4, 2014
You might see "spoilers" below - if you can call historical facts and theories spoilers...
Continuing from my last review of The Sekhmet Bed, I went straight into this book from the first and was continually drawn to these characters. I missed Ahmose in much of the book, but was glad that she made appearances at all the right times. I had read that Thutmose II lived into his twenties, so was a bit surprised that he would die so soon, and that his character never really developed as I would have liked. But Hatshepsut was someone I could root for, wine/fire and all. That she made mistakes made her someone to relate to, and her self doubt made her believable as well. I am just beginning book #3, and I look forward to seeing what happens to these historical figures in the world Ironside recreates. Glad to read she plans to continue writing about Ancient Egypt even after this one is complete.
Continuing from my last review of The Sekhmet Bed, I went straight into this book from the first and was continually drawn to these characters. I missed Ahmose in much of the book, but was glad that she made appearances at all the right times. I had read that Thutmose II lived into his twenties, so was a bit surprised that he would die so soon, and that his character never really developed as I would have liked. But Hatshepsut was someone I could root for, wine/fire and all. That she made mistakes made her someone to relate to, and her self doubt made her believable as well. I am just beginning book #3, and I look forward to seeing what happens to these historical figures in the world Ironside recreates. Glad to read she plans to continue writing about Ancient Egypt even after this one is complete.
April 20, 2014
This is the second book in this series and I often find that the second book ends up being not quite as interesting as the first and third because the author is developing the plot for what will happen at the end of the story. I did NOT find this to be true with this book. The book kept me reading the entire time. I loved this book. This gives a slightly different twist to the story of Hatshepsut than I had read in a previous book and I do like reading a different perspective. Also from what I've read, this may be more accurate. I highly recommend this series.
March 27, 2013
This is the second book in the She-King series. I like this one better than the first. The writing is stronger and it draws you in better. I won't go into details cause I want you to read it for yourself. If you love fiction set in Ancient Egypt...you have to read this book. Wonderful settings, good characterizations.
March 28, 2014
I like this book even more than its predecessor, to which I gave five stars. Indie writing/publishing at its best. I won't say more than that, because I have since become a friend and colleague of the author. I will note only that if I dislike a friend's book, I say nothing. If I say that I like something, I mean it—whoever the author happens to be.
February 11, 2018
In the continuation of Hatsheput's tale we are now faced with the trial of a woman trying to gain the throne of pharaoh. Hawker once again focuses on the strength of women dealing with the struggles of a male dominated society.
The great Thutmose is long dead and as her brother comes of age, Hatshepsut must face her destiny, still a child herself. Ahmose fights for her daughter's throne but Hatshepsut, wanting to keep Egypt united, relents to becoming her brother's wife.
Most of the novel focuses on Hatshepsut's growing knowledge that she is the right ruler for Egypt over her incompetent brother. She begins thwarting plots against her, as others realize it as well. Hatshepsut falls in love with a Harem woman, Iset and her male tutor Senenmet. What a fantastic twist to a historical fiction, although it appears Hatshepsut is desperate for affection more than she is sexually attracted to women. When Senenmet returns, Hatshepsut's relationship with Iset cools. Iset focuses on raising the pharaoh's son which Hatshepsut views as her own as well.
Hatshepsut's power grows as she conducts secret business and we see the reappearance of Ineni, Ahmose's lover from the first novel. Alas, as quickly as he comes, he goes again. I am hoping he reappears in the following novels, as I have yet to feel his story is concluded. Hatshepsut falls with Senenmet's child, believing herself barren. She travels to meet her husband and convince him that he drunkenly conceived the child. While with her husband they are attacked by Kushites. The spoiled cowardly pharaoh flees and Hatshepsut saves the day. Her husband, embarrassed, becomes brazen and ends up dead from a kick to the throat. A fitting death for such an ugly character.
Hatshepsut falls prey to previous enemies with her husband's death; instead of killing Hatshepsut, Iset drinks the poison wine. Hatshepsut is devastated but now will name a pharaoh to rule alongside Iset's son. The novel ends with her presenting herself. Finally coming to the moment we all knew but "hoped" would happen. What greatness will Hatshepsut bring to the Two Lands?
The great Thutmose is long dead and as her brother comes of age, Hatshepsut must face her destiny, still a child herself. Ahmose fights for her daughter's throne but Hatshepsut, wanting to keep Egypt united, relents to becoming her brother's wife.
Most of the novel focuses on Hatshepsut's growing knowledge that she is the right ruler for Egypt over her incompetent brother. She begins thwarting plots against her, as others realize it as well. Hatshepsut falls in love with a Harem woman, Iset and her male tutor Senenmet. What a fantastic twist to a historical fiction, although it appears Hatshepsut is desperate for affection more than she is sexually attracted to women. When Senenmet returns, Hatshepsut's relationship with Iset cools. Iset focuses on raising the pharaoh's son which Hatshepsut views as her own as well.
Hatshepsut's power grows as she conducts secret business and we see the reappearance of Ineni, Ahmose's lover from the first novel. Alas, as quickly as he comes, he goes again. I am hoping he reappears in the following novels, as I have yet to feel his story is concluded. Hatshepsut falls with Senenmet's child, believing herself barren. She travels to meet her husband and convince him that he drunkenly conceived the child. While with her husband they are attacked by Kushites. The spoiled cowardly pharaoh flees and Hatshepsut saves the day. Her husband, embarrassed, becomes brazen and ends up dead from a kick to the throat. A fitting death for such an ugly character.
Hatshepsut falls prey to previous enemies with her husband's death; instead of killing Hatshepsut, Iset drinks the poison wine. Hatshepsut is devastated but now will name a pharaoh to rule alongside Iset's son. The novel ends with her presenting herself. Finally coming to the moment we all knew but "hoped" would happen. What greatness will Hatshepsut bring to the Two Lands?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 5, 2017
This is the second book of the She-King Series, the continuation to The Sekhmet Bed.
At the end of The Sekhmet Bed, the Pharaoh finally goes to the temple in secret with his daughter to claim her his heir. This secret is kept for over ten years. When the Pharaoh finally died, Ahmose the Great Royal Wife became Regent of Egypt and did everything she could to hold her daughter's place at the throne.
At the time, many did not want to accept a woman as Pharaoh and it stirred some controversy between Ahmose and the second wife, as the second wife already had a son and it was only natural her son would take place of the king.
Although Hetat, the daughter of Ahmose, the Great Royal Wife and the King, believed in her ability and her moms prophesy to sit on the throne, however it caused much tension in the palace and amongst her Egyptian people. She did not want Egypt to be divided. So instead of claiming her right as Pharoah, she marries her brother Thutmose the II and becomes his Great Royal Wife, while he became the new Pharaoh.
Many things transpire in this book which finally leads up to the point where Hetat finally becomes the Pharaoh! Now on to book 3!
At the end of The Sekhmet Bed, the Pharaoh finally goes to the temple in secret with his daughter to claim her his heir. This secret is kept for over ten years. When the Pharaoh finally died, Ahmose the Great Royal Wife became Regent of Egypt and did everything she could to hold her daughter's place at the throne.
At the time, many did not want to accept a woman as Pharaoh and it stirred some controversy between Ahmose and the second wife, as the second wife already had a son and it was only natural her son would take place of the king.
Although Hetat, the daughter of Ahmose, the Great Royal Wife and the King, believed in her ability and her moms prophesy to sit on the throne, however it caused much tension in the palace and amongst her Egyptian people. She did not want Egypt to be divided. So instead of claiming her right as Pharoah, she marries her brother Thutmose the II and becomes his Great Royal Wife, while he became the new Pharaoh.
Many things transpire in this book which finally leads up to the point where Hetat finally becomes the Pharaoh! Now on to book 3!
August 29, 2022
This novel is a follow up to Libbie Hawker's The Sekhmet Bed, which focused on Ahmose and Thutmose I, the parents of Hatshepsut, probably the most effective female pharaoh of ancient Egypt. As with the character of Ahmose, Hawker excels at giving an intense and powerful personality to Hatshepsut, the focus of this novel. The story is exciting and satisfying and I look forward to reading the third book in this series.
Some aspects of the plot are of doubtful historical accuracy, which I originally found annoying. Hawker explains her choices in an author's note. I can recommend this book for the personalities and drama, but if you are seeking strict historical accuracy, you my not be able to get past those inaccuracies.
Some aspects of the plot are of doubtful historical accuracy, which I originally found annoying. Hawker explains her choices in an author's note. I can recommend this book for the personalities and drama, but if you are seeking strict historical accuracy, you my not be able to get past those inaccuracies.
May 11, 2017
It is a hard thing, not to admire Hatshepsut, both as a pharaoh, and as a woman. She was everything that a good ruler should be, and she did everything right, despite the significant gender bias of her time.
And this book, this book is a perfect example of what Hatshepsut has always been to me: a powerful, wise, kind woman who ruled for the betterment of her people. A role model, even today.
Forget Cleopatra. I want more about Hatshepsut.
And this book, this book is a perfect example of what Hatshepsut has always been to me: a powerful, wise, kind woman who ruled for the betterment of her people. A role model, even today.
Forget Cleopatra. I want more about Hatshepsut.
April 17, 2018
Great character development! Hatshepsut leaves childhood behind and begins to grow into her power. One of the things I like best about this series is the authors did a good job of keeping the characters realistic. They are flawed, they make mistakes, and most importantly don't act like a modern-day person plunked down in ancient Egypt. The authors toe a fine line here - Hatshepsut has thoughts and motivations that are alien to the reader, yet she is still relatable.
January 3, 2019
The sisters of the first book are minor characters here, so we don't get anymore of that cringe worthy cliche cat fighting. Hatshepsut is an interesting character to watch as she makes her way upwards, but my one complaint is things often came just a little too easy for her as most of the people around her fall all over themselves to help. Still, its an exciting journey to watch her fight her way to the throne and an enjoyable read.
June 18, 2018
What a fun book. I love stories with strong female characters and this was no exception. It was very entertaining, lots of intrigue and unexpected developments. My only beef, and this could have just been my digital copy, is that there were a lot of grammatical/proofreading errors that were easy to see and should have been corrected. Nonetheless, a cool story.
September 7, 2018
Having been to Egypt and heard this story I was very anxious to read about Hapshepsut. I loved this book. It made me able to be in Egypt when the story was happening. I admit to liking most novels about ancient Egypt but this author is one of the best. Start with the first book and follow them all.
August 11, 2017
Mediocre writing and soft porn
I tried to read the entire book, but couldn't because the storyline has fits and starts, often stalling out. When it became apparent that the "male and female ka's" of Hatshepsut were being revealed by her actual sexual encounters, I gave up.
I tried to read the entire book, but couldn't because the storyline has fits and starts, often stalling out. When it became apparent that the "male and female ka's" of Hatshepsut were being revealed by her actual sexual encounters, I gave up.
March 17, 2017
Don't you hate when you're reading a perfectly good book and then all of a sudden a lesbian dies for no reason? Me too. Was definitely looking forward to some actual power-lesbian queen action but alas I forgot lesbianism is but a disposable plot device in every era.
The crushing disappointment of yet another dead lesbian in the canon aside, this book is stupid good. Hatshepsut is everything I could ask for in a leading lady, the prose is at turns hilarious and heartwrenching, the research is exhaustive as always, but blended in so perfectly. Up until the kind of goofy, rushed car-chasey ending, and the fact that Ahmose just kind of peaces out for half the novel without anyone even like, name dropping her, this book was damn near perfect. I'll definitely be reading the next two, but warily.
The crushing disappointment of yet another dead lesbian in the canon aside, this book is stupid good. Hatshepsut is everything I could ask for in a leading lady, the prose is at turns hilarious and heartwrenching, the research is exhaustive as always, but blended in so perfectly. Up until the kind of goofy, rushed car-chasey ending, and the fact that Ahmose just kind of peaces out for half the novel without anyone even like, name dropping her, this book was damn near perfect. I'll definitely be reading the next two, but warily.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 1, 2018
3.5 stars. I round up
April 12, 2020
Still a fun read
Started with the first, read the second and purchased the third, so I guess that means I like them😊 thanks!
Started with the first, read the second and purchased the third, so I guess that means I like them😊 thanks!
July 3, 2021
Not as good as the first.
August 5, 2021
A continuation of the story about the woman who became a Pharoah, with even more plot twists and power struggles.
October 31, 2021
The She King
I cannot wait to read the next book in the series. I didn't want this book to end! There was suspense and romance around every corner. Spellbinding.
I cannot wait to read the next book in the series. I didn't want this book to end! There was suspense and romance around every corner. Spellbinding.
September 11, 2023
Great book.
Great series of books. Worth the time and worth the read. Love this series of books. A fan of all things Ancient Egyptian.
Great series of books. Worth the time and worth the read. Love this series of books. A fan of all things Ancient Egyptian.
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