Chasing Pharaohs

by CMT Stibbe, CMT Stibbe

Commander Shenq must save Thebes. Or die trying.

In the aftermath of a battle between the great powers of Egypt and her old foe Kush, Pharaoh Kheper-Re rules Thebes, the city of the golden gates. But still the wars rage on and the kingdom is on the brink of chaos. Kheper-Re fears an invasion by his old nemesis in Alodia and with the help of his most favored Commander he musters a group of men as deadly as the enemy he fears. As the future of Egypt hangs in the balance Commander Shenq, leader of Pharaoh’s Most Honored Ones, must protect Thebes from a Shadow-Hunter and his army of ten thousand men. The Queen, too, is making plans―with a few followers of her own. And as a Hebrew prophet interprets dreams and a bodyguard hears rumors, the quest for peace has never been more challenging. Commander Shenq must drive out all threats to the throne and bring the assassin to heel.


Based on meticulous research, Chasing Pharaohs is a fascinating portrait of 18th Dynasty Egypt during the time of Thutmose II seen through the eyes of three warriors.

278 pages, Paperback

First published August 12, 2010

Reviews

[Ivan Amberlake · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the very beginning I knew Chasing Pharaohs by C.M.T.Stibbe would be a great journey. The author does a great job introducing the main characters to us. Chapters written in different points of view help us get the full picture of what is going on.
C.M.T.Stibbe brings her story to life through masterfully-written descriptions. I especially enjoyed the author’s manner of writing. The book opens with a very vivid and intense scene that is so visual you can see the action unfolding before your eyes.
Chasing Pharaohs is a must-read for all lovers of Egyptian history and also everyone who’d like to spend some quality time with a great book!

[Geoff Nelder · Rating 5 out of 5]

While ostensibly this novel is about the rather weird pharaoh Kheper-Re and his incestuous relationships (as royalty did in those days) and his desire to keep ahead, the real story for me is not pharaoh related. I am drawn to the really evil dog-man creature, Tau, his pro-good adversary, Shenq and the little feisty girl, Nebsemi. The latter is the only one in the region with no fear of the evil, Tau. She sneaks among the reeds and desert alike, deadly with her sling and maims Tau at will. I’d like to read more about her – the young Lara Croft of Egypt.
Tau is evil personified with a vile disregard for human beings no matter their age and gender. He delights in thwarting his nemesis hunter, Shenq, by doing the opposite of what is expected. Love this: “Shenq... was at Tau’s mercy and Tau was not merciful.”
The author has a gift of wordcraft as evidenced by these samples:
“He watched the sparrows as they chattered in the dawn, faintly at first as if groggy from sleep.””Sparks flew off the blades... metal singing against metal.”
Your senses are tingled too and I love it that the reader is immersed into the period. It reminds me of a visit to the Jorvik Viking Centre in York where smells waft in to assault or tickle your nose. In Chasing Pharaohs, you’d expect the fragrances of expensive essences in the palaces, and we get those, but we are also treated to realism in the dung! Tau as a youngster was thrown into a defecation pit as a punishment—no wonder he turned out so warped! We are also informed that crocodile dung makes one’s ‘member’ stiff. I can’t wait to get to the zoo.
As a writer I love reaching into the heads of characters in my historical fiction and Stibbe does this very well indeed.
Recommended for any aficionado of the Pharaoh era.

[Mark Fine · Rating 5 out of 5]

• Ancient Dynastic Egypt meets "Game of Thrones" was my delighted sense of Chasing Pharaohs as I ventured into a vivid world of scandal, incest, corruption, mayhem, power and sensual intrigue. Add to this seductive mixture ancient lore, otherworldly creatures--and brilliant research; and my senses were further tantalized by both the rich tale read and knowledge of ancient Egypt gained. Author C.M.T. Stibbe writes blissfully which gave further credence to both the story and the times she unveils in her lavish story. Similar to an elegant foreign film it took several pages for this reader to get used to "the period accents" but once in the groove it became immensely readable; and in the end the book’s distinctive "voice" contributed mightily to my complete immersion within it. In reflection I wish history would be taught in college and schools with historical fiction works such as "Chasing Pharaohs" as an adjunct to traditional fare. I have no doubt through books such as Ms.Stibbe's 18th Dynasty Egypt would come better alive—as it did in mine, in the students' imagination. As an historical fiction novel this book made an indelible impression on me, and I look forward to reading the sequel.

[Mark Fine · Rating 5 out of 5]

• Ancient Dynastic Egypt meets Game of Thrones was my delighted sense of Chasing Pharaohs as I ventured into a vivid world of scandal, incest, corruption, mayhem, power and sensual intrigue. Add to this seductive mixture ancient lore, otherworldly creatures--and brilliant research; and my senses were further tantalized by both the rich tale read and knowledge of ancient Egypt gained.

Author C.M.T. Stibbe writes blissfully which gave further credence to both the story and the times she unveils in her lavish story. Similar to an elegant foreign film it took several pages for this reader to get used to "the period accents" but once in the groove it became immensely readable; and in the end the book’s distinctive "voice" contributed mightily to my complete immersion within it.

In reflection I wish history would be taught in college and schools with historical fiction works such as "Chasing Pharaohs" as an adjunct to traditional fare. I have no doubt through books such as Ms.Stibbe's 18th Dynasty Egypt would come better alive—as it did in mine, in the students' imagination. As an historical fiction novel this book made an indelible impression on me, and I look forward to reading the sequel.

[Scott Toney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chasing Pharaohs is one of the rare books that I’ve picked up that I just could not put down. From page 1 I found myself intrigued and involved with Stibbe’s characters, so much so that I had to put down two other books I was reading so that I could fully immerse myself in the read. Never before have I read a work that has so fully reflected Egypt and the hierarchy there in the time. Tense action, romance and intrigue forge in Chasing Pharaohs, producing a novel that both reminded me of the movie 300 {a movie that I loved} and also surpassed that movie. Through the novel I was given a great insight into Egypt and the opportunity to be transported there.

Thank you, C.M.T. Stibbe, for the opportunity to purchase and enjoy your work. I greatly anticipate the sequel’s release. This book holds a cherished place in my library and I intend on rereading it in the coming year.

[Elizabeth Horton-Newton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Capturing the essence of any historical period is a challenge and Claire Stibbe meets the challenge head on in “Chasing Pharaohs”. Lush and historically accurate, Stibbe’s descriptions of ancient Egypt are spot on. Bringing her characters to life in vivid settings she uses contemporary dialogue to engage readers in the controversy surrounding the succession of Pharaohs in the dynasties. The ongoing subtle battle between Pharaoh Kheper-Re and his sister/wife Hatshupset provide an electric tension with devious assassination attempts. Just as the challenges for the throne take place inside the palace, outside a madman makes his own move toward destroying the Pharaoh and his heirs. In the midst of this drama is Shenq, Commander of Kheper-Re’s elite warriors, working to keep peace within the palace while defending the Pharaoh and his household against old enemies, external and internal. Tau, the chief antagonist, is so repulsive and reprehensible I could almost see him and the picture was revolting. There are several wonderful threads of mystery throughout the book, as well as a beautiful love story. Stibbe even gives a nod to the early Hebrews with the character Harran, a scribe and interpreter of dreams who the Pharaoh often relies on. Stibbe’s vibrant descriptions of the landscape of ancient Egypt, from the royal household to the surrounding countryside, are nothing short of breath taking. There is never a dull moment in this story and the dramatic conclusion had me on the edge of my seat. Maintaining the flavor of the period throughout, Stibbe has crafted a book that any lover of historical fiction, especially ancient Egypt, will delight in reading.

[Peter Thornton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chasing Pharaohs is a great book set in and around the court of Pharaoh Kheper-Re. The Egyptian landscape and wildlife is beautifully described and contrasts sharply with the dark, superstitious, paranoid and incestuous world of the Pharaoh lurking in his Palace, beset by demons and desperately trying to secure his dynasty while his closest family and courtiers plot against him. The Pharaoh is protected from his enemies, both real and imagined, by his loyal commander Shenq, a loyalty that is tested when they both desire the same women. Eventually Shenq escapes the confines of the Palace to hunt the menace that lurks outside, an evil he must destroy in order to save his Pharaoh and the women he loves. This is a griping tale of adventure, ambition, love and tragedy. It vividly portrays the colourful and brutal lives of an ancient people struggling to understand and control their world. Not for the squeamish.

[Scott Toney · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the very beginning I knew Chasing Pharaohs by C.M.T.Stibbe would be a great journey. The author does a great job introducing the main characters to us. Chapters written in different points of view help us get the full picture of what is going on.
C.M.T.Stibbe brings her story to life through masterfully-written descriptions. I especially enjoyed the author’s manner of writing. The book opens with a very vivid and intense scene that is so visual you can see the action unfolding before your eyes.
Chasing Pharaohs is a must-read for all lovers of Egyptian history and also everyone who’d like to spend some quality time with a great book!

[Kristin Gleeson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Set in ancient Egypt this multi faceted historica fantasy is centred around the forces threatening the Egyptian throne and the comannder, Shenq's, narrative. It reveals meticulous research woven into a vivid storyline and full of action and dark intrique. The characters are full of depth and create a wonderful tension that anchor the sweeping narrative. This is an area that has been written about in many ways, but this particular novel gives the reader a real sense of the struggles that beset any kind of throne.

[Reese Hogan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the unforeseeable twists and turns of this novel! The characters were unique; neither the pharaoh nor the queen were what I expected. I found it refreshing to see ancient Egypt through the eyes of such unusual personalities. The touch of romance balanced nicely with the vivid action scenes. Watch for actual historical figures reimagined as living flesh human beings. This must have been a fun novel to write, and even more enjoyable to read!

[Libby · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've rated this book 5 stars for the writing quality and research that went into it but please note this would be rated R for graphic sex and violence and its not my usual cup of tea for sure and for those reasons it took me 9 months to read it. I stuck it out because I wanted to be able to review it.

[Dee Harrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very good book for those people who like and enjoy books about ancient Egypt but also value historical 'authenticity' and characters that feel 'real'. I read this on a wet Sunday afternoon and it was an entertaining and 'comfortable' read.

[Diane Munier · Rating 5 out of 5]

Trust Claire Stibbe to know her stuff. She's a new and important voice. She has much to say and she's done her homework. You don't need another rendering of the story. You can find that in nearly every sterling review. Plug in your brain. You won't be disappointed.

[Lela Markham]

I felt like I had hitched a ride with a time-traveler. Rich imagery, believable characters, a fully realized historical setting -- this book really brought ancient Egypt to life.