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Eye of Ra
Julian Cranwell, obsessed by his search for a legendary lost city, has disappeared in Cairo.
His colleague, Omar Ross, a maverick archaeologist, sets out to find out what could have happened to him when he discovers a panicked voice-mail from Julian.
Someone is coming for him, he says, someone after the ‘Akhnaton ushabtis’…
He immediately flies to Cairo and finds the body of his friend. He starts talking to Julian’s friends and family, including his friend Kolpos and his gorgeous Greek assistant, Elena.
It turns out Julian was referring to the ancient tomb of Akhnaton, almost a myth to the world.
But Julian had found some long lost artefacts and taken it to expert Robert Rabjohn who confirms that they are the real thing.
When Ross finds strange connections between the deaths of Julian, Tutankhamen, Howard Carter and Orde Wingate, all years apart, he becomes concerned for his own safety.
Julian’s body goes missing and then a strange message is found which says ‘Let the Eye of Ra descend’, referring to the ancient God Ra who sent his Eye to slay all the human beings…
Every contact and every informant he speaks to disappears.
How long will it be before the culprits catch up with him too?
Threatened, almost friendless, Ross turns for help to his mother’s people, the Bedouin Hawazim tribe.
It is only with their help, that he can solve the mystery of The Eye of Ra…
His colleague, Omar Ross, a maverick archaeologist, sets out to find out what could have happened to him when he discovers a panicked voice-mail from Julian.
Someone is coming for him, he says, someone after the ‘Akhnaton ushabtis’…
He immediately flies to Cairo and finds the body of his friend. He starts talking to Julian’s friends and family, including his friend Kolpos and his gorgeous Greek assistant, Elena.
It turns out Julian was referring to the ancient tomb of Akhnaton, almost a myth to the world.
But Julian had found some long lost artefacts and taken it to expert Robert Rabjohn who confirms that they are the real thing.
When Ross finds strange connections between the deaths of Julian, Tutankhamen, Howard Carter and Orde Wingate, all years apart, he becomes concerned for his own safety.
Julian’s body goes missing and then a strange message is found which says ‘Let the Eye of Ra descend’, referring to the ancient God Ra who sent his Eye to slay all the human beings…
Every contact and every informant he speaks to disappears.
How long will it be before the culprits catch up with him too?
Threatened, almost friendless, Ross turns for help to his mother’s people, the Bedouin Hawazim tribe.
It is only with their help, that he can solve the mystery of The Eye of Ra…
451 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1999
118 people are currently reading
187 people want to read
About the author
Michael Asher
56 books63 followersMichael Asher is an author, historian, deep ecologist, and notable desert explorer who has covered more than 30,000 miles on foot and camel. He spent three years living with a traditional nomadic tribe in Sudan.
Michael Asher was born in Stamford, Lincolnshire, in 1953, and attended Stamford School. At 18 he enlisted in the 2nd Battalion the Parachute Regiment, and saw active service in Northern Ireland during The Troubles there in the 1970s.
He studied English Language & Linguistics at the University of Leeds. at the same time serving in B Squadron, 23rd SAS Regiment. He also studied at Carnegie College, Leeds, where he qualified as a teacher of physical education and English.
In 1978-9, he worked for the RUC Special Patrol Group anti-terrorist patrols, but left after less than a year. He took a job as a volunteer English teacher in the Sudan in 1979.
The author of twenty-one published books, and presenter/director of six TV documentaries, Asher has lived in Africa for much of his life, and speaks Arabic and Swahili. He is married to Arabist and photographer Mariantonietta Peru, with whom he has a son and a daughter, Burton and Jade. He currently lives in Nairobi, Kenya.
Michael Asher was born in Stamford, Lincolnshire, in 1953, and attended Stamford School. At 18 he enlisted in the 2nd Battalion the Parachute Regiment, and saw active service in Northern Ireland during The Troubles there in the 1970s.
He studied English Language & Linguistics at the University of Leeds. at the same time serving in B Squadron, 23rd SAS Regiment. He also studied at Carnegie College, Leeds, where he qualified as a teacher of physical education and English.
In 1978-9, he worked for the RUC Special Patrol Group anti-terrorist patrols, but left after less than a year. He took a job as a volunteer English teacher in the Sudan in 1979.
The author of twenty-one published books, and presenter/director of six TV documentaries, Asher has lived in Africa for much of his life, and speaks Arabic and Swahili. He is married to Arabist and photographer Mariantonietta Peru, with whom he has a son and a daughter, Burton and Jade. He currently lives in Nairobi, Kenya.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
February 23, 2013
Brilliant book worthy of 5 stars (even though in some places I thought it was fairly obvious what was going to happen). Mystery and adventure based in the 1990's but incorporating Tutankhamen, the curse of the tomb and other ancient Egyptian myths and legends. Just my kind of book! The author has a great way of describing places and his own experience of crossing the Sahara has been used effectively in the novel. The detail given of the desert and Bedouin way of life really enhances the story.
August 26, 2013
Excellent book. It's been on my 'to read' shelf for several years and I really wish I had read it sooner. A lucky pick from a charity shop.
January 11, 2013
I remeber this being in the bargin bin at Matalan for about a fiver some years ago - really can't understand why as this is a superb thriller, mixing egyptology with scifi.
July 11, 2018
I love the TV show ancient Aliens, so I was hoping to tread similar grounds with this novel and I was not disapointed. The author seem to know is ancient egyptian history pretty well and it gave the story an air of realism that was very welcome. I'm not that familiar with the action/adventure genre but I think that this book would be appreciated even by veterant of the genre. The realism (an what I can only imagine is extensive research) really makes for a vivid experience and the author his a very talented storyteller that weave an intense, well paced adventure. The history of ancient Egypt is fascinating and the expected sci-fi twist is very well done and as fascinating as the ancient history parts and open things up for far more adventures. Highly recommended.
July 29, 2019
If it’s more than intuition it must be something else
Having lived through the disappearance of my mother and my distraught father dragging me back to England living with hostility being of mixed race I always knew Egypt was my real home my destiny. This book is wickedly full of twists turns mysterious deaths near misses and wild wild stories, it has everything an adventure book needs I really enjoyed it and highly recommend it, I know I haven told too much of the plot but anything I might say may spoil it for another reader
Having lived through the disappearance of my mother and my distraught father dragging me back to England living with hostility being of mixed race I always knew Egypt was my real home my destiny. This book is wickedly full of twists turns mysterious deaths near misses and wild wild stories, it has everything an adventure book needs I really enjoyed it and highly recommend it, I know I haven told too much of the plot but anything I might say may spoil it for another reader
August 16, 2017
It was a time killer
This book had a great start but, towards the end the whole book was sorta rushed. So much information is thrown at you its hard to follow. Over all a good read and if you love ancient aliens this book is for you.
This book had a great start but, towards the end the whole book was sorta rushed. So much information is thrown at you its hard to follow. Over all a good read and if you love ancient aliens this book is for you.
June 15, 2020
A good thriller based around well researched Egyptology fact that is combined with folklore, myth, legend and pure fiction. Slightly ruined by the science fiction/supernatural element but he just about gets away with it in the context of the local Nomadic beliefs.
November 21, 2021
I thought this book was ok and it was fairly fast paced but then about half way through it started to get really weird and delved into some conspiracy theories. It offers an alternate theory (one that I have seen elsewhere) about the origin of the Egyptian gods.
May 22, 2022
Great
I throughly enjoyed this book. Wonderful characters, tons of well-researched and detailed historical, social, and geographic settings, and a fun plot full of action. I highly recommend it!
I throughly enjoyed this book. Wonderful characters, tons of well-researched and detailed historical, social, and geographic settings, and a fun plot full of action. I highly recommend it!
June 7, 2017
I only made it halfway. Unreadable.
May 14, 2019
A good book, entertaining and keeps you involved.
February 9, 2021
Fantastic!
For lovers of Egyptian culture, sci-fi addicts, students of Akenaton, this is the adventure story for you! Mesmerizing!
Great writing!
For lovers of Egyptian culture, sci-fi addicts, students of Akenaton, this is the adventure story for you! Mesmerizing!
Great writing!
June 15, 2024
The first 3/4 of the book was fantastic then it became conspiracy and and another conspiracy and confusing
November 15, 2024
Things picked up once they got to the desert, and then it was all go.
March 22, 2025
Modern day Egyptian mystery
August 7, 2017
This started off as a very promising story revolving around Egyptology. The main characters were decent and the story itself was developing nicely and then...the science fiction aspect came into it and totally spoiled it for me.
Too far fetched in the end. Gets 2 stars for the decent 1st half of the book.
Too far fetched in the end. Gets 2 stars for the decent 1st half of the book.
October 13, 2013
There is a great deal of learning and study behind the facade of this thriller - which is written in blunt prose, and sometimes fails to convince when it touches on supernatural themes. The story touches on legends about the Zerzura Club, and might be of interest to those familiar with "The English Patient" - although this is a very different type of novel.
Eye of Ra is well-paced and has a realistic, nuanced view of its characters, their relationship to each other, and to Egypt itself.
Eye of Ra is well-paced and has a realistic, nuanced view of its characters, their relationship to each other, and to Egypt itself.
June 3, 2016
Interesting and informative
I have been to Cairo and elsewhere in Egypt, the descriptions of people and places were quite accurate. I enjoyed reading some of the history, that I was not aware previously. Having seen a number things and places, that causes question as to their origin found this thought provoking.
I have been to Cairo and elsewhere in Egypt, the descriptions of people and places were quite accurate. I enjoyed reading some of the history, that I was not aware previously. Having seen a number things and places, that causes question as to their origin found this thought provoking.
October 15, 2023
A re-re-re-read for me. Picked this up in Waterstones in Leicester with my sister when visiting her at Uni when it first came out, not knowing what it was about. read it that weekend and really enjoyed it. Compared to loads of other books it’s not the best story or writing style but it feels familiar and exciting to me each time I read it.
February 18, 2008
well its great action book, but the let down is the stupid alien theory thats associated with Zeruza the lost city, but other than that a classic egyptian book with very cool references to hawazim culture...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 14, 2016
Meh. I don't understand how anyone could give this more than 2 stars. It had a few moments that kept me interested. I finished it. That's the only recommendation I can give this book. It wasn't SO bad that I refused to finish. And... it counts toward my yearly reading goal.;
November 1, 2016
Very good. Book
There was so much detail to this book. Some of the words I didn't understand, but all in all it was a great read. There is a lot of twist and turns which I loved. There are a good many surprises too. If you like Egyptian history you will enjoy this book.
There was so much detail to this book. Some of the words I didn't understand, but all in all it was a great read. There is a lot of twist and turns which I loved. There are a good many surprises too. If you like Egyptian history you will enjoy this book.
November 7, 2016
Loved the beginning of this book and liked the accuracy of the settings. The end of the book was a bit of an acquired taste but as a stargate fan I fell into the whole reasoning of tt with the he story line and went with the flow.
I will def read more from this author
I will def read more from this author
November 8, 2016
Quite a ride. An excellent book with thriller aspects, terrific historical aspects and a main character you can believe in. The last star was lost because of the similarities to other books in the sub genre.
April 24, 2015
I thought this was brilliantly put together and the theories about akhenaten through out were brilliant, such a good find
June 16, 2015
Starts off as a thrilling mystery, a tale of ancient curses and secret societies. Grips from the 1st page, but slightly silly ending is a bit of a let down.
December 16, 2015
I found this an ok book, but it just got too far fetched for me in the end.
March 17, 2016
Being a fan of egyptology i found this rather good. It is not as well written as i would normaly wish for but a great story that carries you along. Great thriller. recomended.
July 10, 2016
If you are a fan of Egyptology this is one for you. It combines information about ancient Egyptian mythology , contemporary Egypt and science fiction. A fun read.
December 11, 2016
Good
I really enjoyed the book. The story seemed to drag a bit, but otherwise I liked the book. Waiting for next book
I really enjoyed the book. The story seemed to drag a bit, but otherwise I liked the book. Waiting for next book
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews