Oracle of the Sun

by L.A. Robinson

After seventy three years of peaceful servitude to the Sun God Ra, Miu is stolen from her temple by the Pharaoh of Ku’mat to cure a deadly curse. A curse that is killing his wives and children. While imprisoned in the Great House, Miu encounters a dark magic with roots that trace back to Osiris, only to find herself stumbling into an age old war between her patron god Ra and the god of death.

With their Oracle stolen, a rebellion sparks in the city, spreading like wildfire to press upon Pharaoh’s gates. Tensions rise and the stakes rise even higher when a prince is born. The balance between life and death shifts, and Miu is all that stands between order and chaos.

What exactly does the god of death and decay want with their Pharaoh and his son? Can she cure it in time before civil war breaks out? Who is the assassin who lurks in the shadows following her every move?

Miu has caught the attention of the gods, Osiris is watching, gathering forces to reclaim His rite. Balance of the pantheon be damned. The era of Osiris is coming.

Inspired by the ancient world of Egypt, Oracle of the Sun is an emotional journey rich in mythology and dark fantasy. Expect deadly curses, forbidden magic, mad pharaohs, angry gods, assassins, betrayal, love and loss.

Genres: Egypt, Mythology, Fantasy

408 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 22, 2023

Reviews

[thecrystalw1tch · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I can honestly say I have never read a fantasy book like this. It's not fairies, dragons or magic based. While the story holds a lot of sadness throughout it, it was still truly refreshing to read.

It's set in ancient Egypt and follows the life of Miu the oracle of Ra and Akil the oracle of Osiris. A story of how they become intertwined and how certain God's are interfering with mortal affairs.

I found the story and the different viewpoints of the characters captivating and emotionally draining. Without giving too much away because I believe you need to read this to fully understand, I sat crying over babies cursed and mothers abused due to to no fault of their own (strongly advise to read trigger warnings just in case). Everytime I thought I understood what was going on the story went in a completely different direction and left me confused (in a good way) again. This book in my opinion is extremely well written and hope many many readers enjoy this as I have done. It will be released on the 22nd September 2023.

[belle 🫶🏻🧚 · Rating 5 out of 5]

i received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!

this book was absolutely fantastic. it took me back to the days of being absolutely obsessed with all things ancient egyptian as a child, and i truly felt transported to the world it was written in while reading it. the writing was beautiful and several times while reading i had my heart ripped out and crushed (thank you, author.) the characters had so much depth that i cared for all of them, even the ones i was supposed to dislike lol. i highly recommend buying this book when it comes out. i don’t give out 5 star reviews lightly, but this book just ticked all the boxes for me, so there was no other option!

[Rebecca Fitzgibbon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. I’ve been following the authors journey on social media and knew I had to get my hands on this Ancient Egyptian fantasy.

I should start to say that I’ve been waiting for an ancient Egyptian fantasy for so long and wow did this tick all the boxes. This remarkable novel includes everything you could possibly want from a fantasy: dark magic, oracles, a crazy pharaoh, assassins, and ancient Egyptian mythology and gods.

The beautiful imagery used in the book really made me feel like I was stepping foot in Ancient Egypt myself.

I’m not exaggerating when I say I struggled to put this book down.

[Jade · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm glad L. A. Robinson put a pronunciation & explanation of names, places & items as when I first started this book I got a tad confused between the nation & the place in which the characters resided haha x

I think a lot of my confusion & why I can't explain how i really feel is due to not having a understanding of Egypt & their gods but this didn't take away from the story written on the page x

Miu intrigues me, she is the Oracle of the Sun, who I don't believe understands her true significance - not only to Ra but also to herself & the people around her (the mothers, Pharaoh, the wives, etc) and I would like to believe that, that was L. A. Robinson's true intention throughout this book - it's almost like a journey of self discovery for Miu after being "Kidnapped" to become Pharaoh"s Oracle to becoming friends with the wives (however limited they may seem) to becoming Kota's guardian & finding out what being his saviour truely cost her & the nation x also known that the God's state she has committed a catastrophe she can't bring herself to "right her wrong" x While reading about Kota's future & what Miu's vision shows what he becomes & the horrendous acts he commits Miu's actions show how mothers have an undying bond with their children & how some can be so blind to their actions that they believe their children can do no wrong (I know Naeemah is his mother but this is just how i see Miu & Kota's bond) x

I don't like Pharaoh, he is hiding something & i want to know what this dark Haka is that's always around him - causing his curse x I feel so sorry for his wives & children x the way he has treated them & is so quick to dismiss their thoughts - especially after everything he puts them through x his temper tantrums which results in their death & afterlife punishment because they want to stand up for themselves & the heinous crimes he has committed x I also want to know more about Mahu & his past - something just seems a little off how much he trusts & is committed to his Pharaoh even known all his crimes - I think there is also more of a connection grown between Mahu & Miu x I hope that Naeemah gets a better ending - she has already suffered so much & had to deal with Pharaoh the longest L. A. Robinson please give her a happy ending 🙏

Then there is the Shadow Master - Whats his deal? - he his originally introduced trying to assassinate Miu but then Osiris decides "No we need her so protect her, but only when i say to protect her" x Ecuse me what? But then the Shadow Master takes action into his own hands & intervenes without being commanded to where Miu is concerned anyway 🤔 x I have my suspicious that there is more to his character than just being Osiris' Oracle & getting controlled by him basically x

There is a couple theories/questions I have:
1. Is Miu a Demi-God (is Ra her father) is this why he can never let any harm come to her & always forgives her acts of rebellion & betrayal?
2. When Miu saved Kota did this create an unbreakable bond between them - other than just a guardianship - & that is the true reason why she can't "right her wrong"?
3. Why does Ra refuse to tell Miu things & watches over her like a over protective, over bearing father type?
4. Is Kota a reincarnation of Osiris & that's why he shouldn't have been allowed to live?

Overall I actually enjoyed the story as much as there was times I felt a little lost I think through perseverance & commitment to the story helps bring more understanding throughout this book and its ending x Would recommend to any mythological reader who likes to learn more about different cultures & backgrounds xxxxx

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book... my Gods, this book!

Now, has it taken me over a month to read this? Yes, but that's because I'm a slow reader. Especially a book of this size!

But it's amazing, I genuinely don't have a single negative thing to write! I've been looking for a book like this for years and never got it, but this is it.

Egyptian gods? Yes
Amazingly detailed characters? Yes
Amazing plot line? Yes
Detailed? There are so many details. It sucks you in, and you're transported into it.

Even though it did take me so long to read, and sometimes it would be days before I could pick it up again, I never struggled getting back into it.

Read it, just read it!

I really need the next one! Now!

[Carly · Rating 4 out of 5]

“You are worth more than every life in your world.”
~~~
Rating:☀️☀️☀️☀️🌤️
So this was the first time in a long time I read a book with no spice/smut. LIKE ABSOLUTELY ZERO. And it was amazing, it was a little confusing with names and places. But that was probably me with my brain.
But loved the realistic theme of Ancient Egyptian times, gods, practices, and all of it. Storyline really kept me in and if there is going to be a continuation of this story I would love to see where it goes!

[Sami · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really jumped between three or a four star rating.
Now don’t get me wrong I enjoyed the idea of the book.
I love the authors writing style, it’s what kept me going, but honestly…. After a bit you kinda lose what the plot or point of the book is, the direction changes every chapter. I feel like the book could have been cut in half because most of those chapters didn’t make sense to me. Now I know this is her first book, so I have to say it’s really good for a first. I can’t wait for a possible second and to see what kind of improvements the author will make.
I would give this a read if you’re on the fence, because again I liked the idea of the book and she definitely has a really good writing style. Just have to been patient with all the …. Unnecessary chapters.

[Lizzy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was really good! It was VERY well written and I love that it didn’t revolve around a love plot, instead gave you the mystery of a curse and the gods it had a lot of twists and things that seemed to mold together really well and kept me on my toes the entire time. Lots of action as well. I am patiently waiting for book two so that I can finish the series!

[Sean Eblin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such an amazing book!!! Very well written and you know the author loves Ancient Egypt and gives it credence in their writing! Love, love, love!

[Paige Randall · Rating 5 out of 5]

I actually gave this book a rating and just been sat trying to figure out how or where to begin with this book because it is just amazing.

It's well researched with a level of detail that screams love for the history but without info dumping or more fact than fiction and the balance is perfect and gives such a richly detailed setting for the book it is so incredibly easy to lose yourself in it and picture it all. It feels like you are right there yourself in the thick of it.

I loved the characters, the portrayal of the Gods and their interactions which is amazing in itself because the Gods are DIRECT its not like other books that talk about them existing and just say events were influenced by gods no these are very much real and present and powerful which for me is amazing because I love that kind of dynamic and seeing the gods attitude and behaviour. I love how the Oracle was strong willed and passionate and truly loved her god but still could think for herself and question Ra when she felt it right to do so. Even though at times she felt herself as helpless she was incredible and seeing her character arc was so satisfying to see!

There were other incredible women in this as well it was so easy to feel their bonds and the Author did an amazing job of having such diverse characters that could be really easy to love (or loathe, in some cases), no character felt stale or small or flat at any point. Not only that but every character felt so entwined with the story in such a way that they all felt needed, vital to the story even and added to the story without making anyone feel like they was just thrown in for the sake of it and it really helped with the complexity of everything that happened no matter how brief or how long they was present in the story for. One of my peeves with historical fiction is that sometimes characters drop in and drop out and can be forgetful or not needed- this was definitely not the case here. This book had me invested in characters from the first MEETING of said character!

The scenery descriptions are beautiful, the actual plots are varied, nuanced and amazing to see unfurl and then gain momentum I honestly lost track of time reading this because I was so absorbed in seeing what was happening and going to happen like who is the assassin and why does he want the Oracle? What's going to happen in the temple since the Oracle was kidnapped? Why does the Pharaoh have a curse and why does he think the Oracle can stop it? I had to know! and seeing how quickly the situations spiralled from seemingly tiny actions really added to the tension in the situation in the best of ways. The story also does not hold back from really hitting some dark subjects and a trigger warning list is provided but none of the dark subjects felt forced or disjointed and it really drove home this power of the Gods and how it can be incredible or awful all at once.

I have just loved this book from the get go honestly I could talk your ear off about this book if you let me, I can't wait to see others love it too and hope it gets ALL the hype it deserves and in fact my biggest complaint is that I don't have this in some gorgeous hardback sprayed edge edition to show off and love but fingers crossed it gets that treatment soon. I want to thank the Author L.A.Robinson for giving me the chance to read this via Bookfunnel it has been a genuine Joy to be able to be an ARC reader for this story and I can't wait to see more.

[Charli Murray · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to become an ARC (advanced reader copy) reader through Tiktok for this book and just finished.

As someone who has always had a deep set fascination with both Ancient Egyptian history and also fantasy novels it is safe to say that Oracle of the Sun completely blew me away!

The story is incredibly well written and you can tell that the author spent a great deal of time researching not only Ancient Egyptian history but also the culture of the time it is set.

The writing flowed very nicely which made it very easy and pleasant to read, the characters felt very real and human but at the same time magical without going overboard, the pronounciation guide in the back of the book is extremely useful and something I wish a lot more authors would think about and to top it off it was really nice to read a fantasy book where a romantic relationship DIDN'T end up becoming the main focus of the story! (Which I know is a refreshing change for a lot of us fantasy readers.)

All in all I highly recommend this book even for those who don't have much previous knowledge or interest in Ancient Egypt but who love a good fantasy!

I am very much looking forward to the next installment and continuation of the story!

@lord.starscream.cosplay (Tiktok)

[Paige Cox · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!

I happened upon this book a few weeks back on TikTok and I am so happy to have found such a naturally talented writer.

The sheer detail in this book allows you to be transported to Ancient Egypt as if you are truly there. It is a book that makes it feel as though you are not even reading but watching things unfold before your eyes.

The characters were written with such depth that you truly felt for them (or against them).

This book is an easy read just because of how beautifully written it is - it is emotional, heart-wrenching and meaningful.

If you love Ancient Egypt and have felt as though there's been a lack of representation of this in writing at the moment - pick up this book because I can promise you, you will not be able to put it down.

[Jessica Wootten · Rating 4 out of 5]

If, like me, you grew up with a fascination of ancient Egypt and you loved the historical aspects of The Mummy, then this is a must for your fantasy TBR. From the start it was incredible and wonderfully transportive!

I’ve always found the Egyptian belief in the afterlife to be intriguing and thought provoking - and this had me contemplating concepts of faith and how integral the ancient religious practices were to every aspect of Egyptian culture. It is clear that a lot of time and effort went into this research and it totally comes across in the superb writing. A simply phenomenal debut novel!

Perfect if you want something a little different but still within the fantasy genre

[Tayler Cochran · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great book! Definitely not my normal read and I ain’t mad about it. I love the idea of devotion to Devine beings . To be worked into what destiny needs these characters for in this game of wills between light and dark. I’ll definitely be reading book 2