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The House of Two Sisters: A Novel
A young Victorian Egyptologist traverses the Nile River on a mission to undo a curse that may have befallen her family in this spellbinding debut novel.
Essex, 1887. Clementine’s ability to read hieroglyphs makes her invaluable at her father's Egyptian relic parties, which have become the talk of the town. But at one such party, the words she interprets from an unusual amulet strike fear into her heart. As her childhood games about Isis and Nephthys—sister goddesses who protect the dead—take on a devastating resonance in her life, and tragedy slowly consumes her loved ones, she wonders what she and her father may have unleashed . . .
Five years later, Clemmie arrives in Cairo desperate to save what remains of her family back home. There, she meets a motley crew of unwitting English travelers about to set sail down the Nile—including an adventurer with secrets of his own—and joins them on a mission to reach Denderah, a revered religious site, where she hopes to return the amulet and atone for her sins.
With each passing day, she is further engulfed in a life she’s yearned for all along. But as long-buried secrets and betrayals rise to the surface, Clemmie must reconcile the impossibility of living in the light while her past keeps her anchored to the darkness.
Essex, 1887. Clementine’s ability to read hieroglyphs makes her invaluable at her father's Egyptian relic parties, which have become the talk of the town. But at one such party, the words she interprets from an unusual amulet strike fear into her heart. As her childhood games about Isis and Nephthys—sister goddesses who protect the dead—take on a devastating resonance in her life, and tragedy slowly consumes her loved ones, she wonders what she and her father may have unleashed . . .
Five years later, Clemmie arrives in Cairo desperate to save what remains of her family back home. There, she meets a motley crew of unwitting English travelers about to set sail down the Nile—including an adventurer with secrets of his own—and joins them on a mission to reach Denderah, a revered religious site, where she hopes to return the amulet and atone for her sins.
With each passing day, she is further engulfed in a life she’s yearned for all along. But as long-buried secrets and betrayals rise to the surface, Clemmie must reconcile the impossibility of living in the light while her past keeps her anchored to the darkness.
336 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 6, 2025
148 people are currently reading
11244 people want to read
About the author
Rachel Louise Driscoll
3 books70 followersRachel Louise Driscoll won the Curtis Brown Creative scholarship in 2020. Originally from the South West of England, she lives in the North East with her husband and cat, Cleopatra. Nephthys is her debut novel. She was inspired to write Clemmie's story by an experience she had at a local museum as a child where she was allowed to hold a mummified ancient Egyptian cat. Enjoying the hours of avid research required, Rachel even wrote some of the book wearing a corset in order to capture Clemmie’s experience more accurately!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 233 reviews
February 3, 2025
2.5★s
Clementine (Clemmie) helped her father with the mummies, reading hieroglyphs, until a strange mummy with two heads was unearthed, and against Clemmie's wishes, her father dissected the mummy. In the 1800s amid the Egyptian relic parties, Clemmie's father was the toast of society. But five years later, after the deaths of her parents, Clemmie travelled to Egypt to right a wrong and try to save her sister, Rosetta, from being put into an asylum.
Clemmie met some fellow travellers, and together they journeyed the Nile, with danger threatening them all, but especially Clemmie. It was the arrival of Horatio that caused things to spiral out of control. With secrets and betrayals, and not knowing who to trust, Clemmie had to take her courage in her hands.
Nephthys by Rachel Louise Driscoll wasn't for me unfortunately. The writing style was such that it was hard for me to follow. It jumped around, back to when Clemmie helped her father, into dreams and myths, then into the current days with the friends she'd made - it felt disjointed and fragmented, and I was unable to feel connection with the characters.
With thanks to NetGalley & Penguin Random House AU for my digital ARC to read and review.
Clementine (Clemmie) helped her father with the mummies, reading hieroglyphs, until a strange mummy with two heads was unearthed, and against Clemmie's wishes, her father dissected the mummy. In the 1800s amid the Egyptian relic parties, Clemmie's father was the toast of society. But five years later, after the deaths of her parents, Clemmie travelled to Egypt to right a wrong and try to save her sister, Rosetta, from being put into an asylum.
Clemmie met some fellow travellers, and together they journeyed the Nile, with danger threatening them all, but especially Clemmie. It was the arrival of Horatio that caused things to spiral out of control. With secrets and betrayals, and not knowing who to trust, Clemmie had to take her courage in her hands.
Nephthys by Rachel Louise Driscoll wasn't for me unfortunately. The writing style was such that it was hard for me to follow. It jumped around, back to when Clemmie helped her father, into dreams and myths, then into the current days with the friends she'd made - it felt disjointed and fragmented, and I was unable to feel connection with the characters.
With thanks to NetGalley & Penguin Random House AU for my digital ARC to read and review.
February 18, 2025
3.5 stars
⚱️ Historical fiction
⚖️ Gothic atmosphere
⚱️ Egypt & Victorian England
⚖️ Myths, curses & mystery
⚱️ Egyptology and Egyptomania
⚖️ Sisters
⚱️ Historical and cultural theft
Nephthys has a good, gothic atmosphere that fans of Pandora will enjoy. It delicately dances along the line of tension as to whether curses are superstition or reality, keeping the mystery alive.
I really enjoyed Egypt and the Egyptian myths and would have liked to have seen more myths included. For me, the story unravelled too slowly. The pacing early on was slow but improved in the latter half, and I became much more involved in the plot then.
The most important parts of the novel, for me, were the discussions surrounding the theft of Egypt's history and cultural artefacts by colonial powers, Egyptomania, and the sheer awfulness of disinterring and selling mummies - human remains - with so little respect, and disregarding that these are people's ancestors.
⚱️ Historical fiction
⚖️ Gothic atmosphere
⚱️ Egypt & Victorian England
⚖️ Myths, curses & mystery
⚱️ Egyptology and Egyptomania
⚖️ Sisters
⚱️ Historical and cultural theft
Nephthys has a good, gothic atmosphere that fans of Pandora will enjoy. It delicately dances along the line of tension as to whether curses are superstition or reality, keeping the mystery alive.
I really enjoyed Egypt and the Egyptian myths and would have liked to have seen more myths included. For me, the story unravelled too slowly. The pacing early on was slow but improved in the latter half, and I became much more involved in the plot then.
The most important parts of the novel, for me, were the discussions surrounding the theft of Egypt's history and cultural artefacts by colonial powers, Egyptomania, and the sheer awfulness of disinterring and selling mummies - human remains - with so little respect, and disregarding that these are people's ancestors.
October 20, 2024
4.5 🌟 rounded up
This book feels like it was tailor-made for me, blending so many of my interests seamlessly. With a background in Archaeology and Egyptology, I’ve always been fascinated by the allure of ancient Egypt, particularly during the Victorian era. I specialised in Egyptomania from that period, and since then, my focus has shifted toward the ethical implications of our obsession with Ancient Egypt—especially the lengths people have gone to exploit these ancient civilizations for personal or political gain.
This book truly has it all. It's incredibly well-researched and brilliantly written, and I found myself completely immersed in the story. What I loved most was the depiction of a Victorian-era woman who defies societal norms, unapologetically forging her own path. She’s not perfect, and there were definitely moments where I wanted to shake her for her decisions, but that’s precisely what makes her so compelling and human. Her flaws made her real. And the relationship with her sister? That was the emotional heart of the story for me. Forget romance—the love between these two sisters was the real love story, and it was beautifully portrayed.
The ending left me completely satisfied, though without giving too much away, I’ll just say that the ambiguity surrounding the “bad luck” was handled perfectly. We never quite know what caused it, and that unresolved mystery made for the best conclusion. Sometimes, not knowing is more powerful than getting all the answers.
If I had one criticism, it would be that Clemmie comes across as almost too innocent. I understand the context of the time period and her prioritisation of her studies, but given that she didn’t care much for societal expectations, I wish that attitude extended a little more to her relationships with men. That said, I get why her innocence worked for the storyline, and it didn’t take away from my overall enjoyment.
In the end, I absolutely loved the rich storytelling, the weaving of myths and legends, the ominous curse, and the dynamic relationships our main character developed along the way. I genuinely hope this becomes a series—perhaps with a shift in point of view to Rosetta for their next adventure!
This book feels like it was tailor-made for me, blending so many of my interests seamlessly. With a background in Archaeology and Egyptology, I’ve always been fascinated by the allure of ancient Egypt, particularly during the Victorian era. I specialised in Egyptomania from that period, and since then, my focus has shifted toward the ethical implications of our obsession with Ancient Egypt—especially the lengths people have gone to exploit these ancient civilizations for personal or political gain.
This book truly has it all. It's incredibly well-researched and brilliantly written, and I found myself completely immersed in the story. What I loved most was the depiction of a Victorian-era woman who defies societal norms, unapologetically forging her own path. She’s not perfect, and there were definitely moments where I wanted to shake her for her decisions, but that’s precisely what makes her so compelling and human. Her flaws made her real. And the relationship with her sister? That was the emotional heart of the story for me. Forget romance—the love between these two sisters was the real love story, and it was beautifully portrayed.
The ending left me completely satisfied, though without giving too much away, I’ll just say that the ambiguity surrounding the “bad luck” was handled perfectly. We never quite know what caused it, and that unresolved mystery made for the best conclusion. Sometimes, not knowing is more powerful than getting all the answers.
If I had one criticism, it would be that Clemmie comes across as almost too innocent. I understand the context of the time period and her prioritisation of her studies, but given that she didn’t care much for societal expectations, I wish that attitude extended a little more to her relationships with men. That said, I get why her innocence worked for the storyline, and it didn’t take away from my overall enjoyment.
In the end, I absolutely loved the rich storytelling, the weaving of myths and legends, the ominous curse, and the dynamic relationships our main character developed along the way. I genuinely hope this becomes a series—perhaps with a shift in point of view to Rosetta for their next adventure!
February 10, 2025
i can’t resist a good book about egypt, especially when ancient egypt lore and mythology comes into play, and while this book has absolutely beautiful prose, a twisty plot, and completely haunting imagery, it fell short for me in regards to the characters and the pacing.
the story here focuses on the protagonist — a woman, clemmie, who believes her and her family to be cursed after a string of tragedies befell their house. the origin of that curse? her father’s theft and subsequent ‘unwrapping’ of a particularly unique mummy from egypt. seeking to shift her family’s circumstances, clemmie travels to egypt to return part of what was stolen, and atone for her family’s sins.
while this was a gorgeous story, the characters were a bit bland, lacking the meat and depth to their personalities which made the emotional crux of the story fall a little flatter than it should have. and while the story was intentionally and thoughtfully designed to slowly unfold over flashbacks, i struggled with staying focused through the first half of the story.
a beautiful, interesting story about curses, colonization, and circumstance amidst the backdrop of a complicated family history and egypt, but one that isn’t particularly memorable.
pick this up if you’re in the mood for some egyptian and british history, complicated family dynamics, mysterious side characters with traumatic backstories of their own, and a twisty boat ride down the nile.
thank you to random house for the opportunity to read an early copy of this!
the story here focuses on the protagonist — a woman, clemmie, who believes her and her family to be cursed after a string of tragedies befell their house. the origin of that curse? her father’s theft and subsequent ‘unwrapping’ of a particularly unique mummy from egypt. seeking to shift her family’s circumstances, clemmie travels to egypt to return part of what was stolen, and atone for her family’s sins.
while this was a gorgeous story, the characters were a bit bland, lacking the meat and depth to their personalities which made the emotional crux of the story fall a little flatter than it should have. and while the story was intentionally and thoughtfully designed to slowly unfold over flashbacks, i struggled with staying focused through the first half of the story.
a beautiful, interesting story about curses, colonization, and circumstance amidst the backdrop of a complicated family history and egypt, but one that isn’t particularly memorable.
pick this up if you’re in the mood for some egyptian and british history, complicated family dynamics, mysterious side characters with traumatic backstories of their own, and a twisty boat ride down the nile.
thank you to random house for the opportunity to read an early copy of this!
February 14, 2025
I chose to read this book because it’s not often you get to read a book about Egyptian mythology. This book’s central story is around the myth of Isis and Nephtysis, Egyptian gods, sisters, and sisters in law, who find that after multiple rounds of betrayal, grief, and violence, have nothing but their bonds of sisterhood left to embrace them. This novel touches on the British Invasion of Egypt, Egyptomania and its subsequent grave robbery, plundering of stolen goods, and illegal trade/black market sales. Along the way, questions about how we respect the dead, our responsibility to preserve cultures and prevent cultural robbery, and the impacts of imperialism are all addressed in this novel. Those are the parts of this novel that resonated the most for me.
What I struggled with though, was the characterization and pacing. The author makes a note in her author’s note that she is influenced by the Victorian era and a love for Dickens - so no surprise that there is a touch of the Victorian melodrama in this work. It works for some, but it’s not my cup of tea. As a result, I feel like the four central characters are a bit one dimensional and flat. Clemmie is your stereotypical female protagonist who is just “different” because she likes to study and doesn’t care for romance. Rowland is the brooding but handsome soldier with a tortuous past. Celia is the epitome of superficial girlhood and a vacuous mind. Oswald is the typical brash British man, happy to kill, loot, plunder. And along the way we have the stereotypical evil villain, the evil native countrymen who undermine their nation’s history, and the wise indigent character who is somehow the trust sidekick and yet the impetus for any of the character’s growth. For some people that sounds like a good plot, but for me, it falls flat.
My other big qualm was the pacing of this book. It took 50-60% of the novel for the plot to actually move forward, so I definitely struggled in the first half of this book. I think the overall quality of the book suffers a little because of that - especially when each chapter is oscillating in time between the present day to up to five years prior to the current timeline. In all, this was an interesting read and a promising debut read, but there were some elements that just weren’t for me.
My thanks to NetGalley, Random house publishing group - Ballantine books, and the author for allowing me to read this advance reader copy in exchange for a fair and honest review!
What I struggled with though, was the characterization and pacing. The author makes a note in her author’s note that she is influenced by the Victorian era and a love for Dickens - so no surprise that there is a touch of the Victorian melodrama in this work. It works for some, but it’s not my cup of tea. As a result, I feel like the four central characters are a bit one dimensional and flat. Clemmie is your stereotypical female protagonist who is just “different” because she likes to study and doesn’t care for romance. Rowland is the brooding but handsome soldier with a tortuous past. Celia is the epitome of superficial girlhood and a vacuous mind. Oswald is the typical brash British man, happy to kill, loot, plunder. And along the way we have the stereotypical evil villain, the evil native countrymen who undermine their nation’s history, and the wise indigent character who is somehow the trust sidekick and yet the impetus for any of the character’s growth. For some people that sounds like a good plot, but for me, it falls flat.
My other big qualm was the pacing of this book. It took 50-60% of the novel for the plot to actually move forward, so I definitely struggled in the first half of this book. I think the overall quality of the book suffers a little because of that - especially when each chapter is oscillating in time between the present day to up to five years prior to the current timeline. In all, this was an interesting read and a promising debut read, but there were some elements that just weren’t for me.
My thanks to NetGalley, Random house publishing group - Ballantine books, and the author for allowing me to read this advance reader copy in exchange for a fair and honest review!
June 24, 2025
The copy I read was titled The House of Two Sisters, but apparently they're the same book, just two different editions with two different titles. Personally, I like this cover more, so that's what I'm shelving it as, even if it doesn't match the version I read. 😂
February 10, 2025
⭐️5 Stars⭐️
Nephthys by Rachel Louise Driscoll
I was absolutely fascinated by this dark tale set in ancient Egypt and the myths, curses and Egyptian Gods woven into the storyline. The story has mystery, adventure, Egyptology and a villain or two.
Our protagonist Clemmie is a hieroglyphist and Egyptology virtuoso who since a child has always been fascinated with Egyptology and the mythical story of Isis and Nephthys.
During the last fateful Egyptian relic party her father (a collector) holds Clemmie fears the worse when there is an unwrapping and the accompanying amulet tells of a curse.
Five years later a determined Clemmie travels to Egypt and up the Nile to undo a curse and save what remains of her family.
I was intrigued by the lengths people have gone to exploit the ancient Egyptian relics for personal gain and the obsession people held for them.
There’s strong themes of sisterhood in the story and I thought the relationship between Clemmie and her sister was very well portrayed.
Reading Nephthys was enchanting, the research gone into writing this story is impeccable. I was totally immersed in this brilliant debut, it’s an absolute page turner! I’d love to see another book and I’ve become somewhat obsessed myself and have made a date to visit the Museum in Adelaide to check out all things Egyptian.
Publication Date 04 February 2025
Publisher Imprint Harvill Secker
A huge thank you to Penguin Books Australia for a copy of the book.
Nephthys by Rachel Louise Driscoll
I was absolutely fascinated by this dark tale set in ancient Egypt and the myths, curses and Egyptian Gods woven into the storyline. The story has mystery, adventure, Egyptology and a villain or two.
Our protagonist Clemmie is a hieroglyphist and Egyptology virtuoso who since a child has always been fascinated with Egyptology and the mythical story of Isis and Nephthys.
During the last fateful Egyptian relic party her father (a collector) holds Clemmie fears the worse when there is an unwrapping and the accompanying amulet tells of a curse.
Five years later a determined Clemmie travels to Egypt and up the Nile to undo a curse and save what remains of her family.
I was intrigued by the lengths people have gone to exploit the ancient Egyptian relics for personal gain and the obsession people held for them.
There’s strong themes of sisterhood in the story and I thought the relationship between Clemmie and her sister was very well portrayed.
Reading Nephthys was enchanting, the research gone into writing this story is impeccable. I was totally immersed in this brilliant debut, it’s an absolute page turner! I’d love to see another book and I’ve become somewhat obsessed myself and have made a date to visit the Museum in Adelaide to check out all things Egyptian.
Publication Date 04 February 2025
Publisher Imprint Harvill Secker
A huge thank you to Penguin Books Australia for a copy of the book.
January 31, 2025
I was expecting something that gave The Mummy vibes or something similar to What the River Knows with the story being packed with adventure and betrayal. But actually, we spent most of the book travelling up the river and the main character being obsessed with reaching one destination or another.
The curse felt very underwhelming and the plot twists at the end didn’t shock me as much as I’d hope.
However, I did enjoy seeing the main character’s internal struggle with artefacts are treated, especially mummies, and her family’s role in that. I wish we got to explore this in more depth.
Overall, interesting concept but lacked excitement.
Thanks to Netgalley and Vintage Books for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The curse felt very underwhelming and the plot twists at the end didn’t shock me as much as I’d hope.
However, I did enjoy seeing the main character’s internal struggle with artefacts are treated, especially mummies, and her family’s role in that. I wish we got to explore this in more depth.
Overall, interesting concept but lacked excitement.
Thanks to Netgalley and Vintage Books for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
January 21, 2025
Quiet, reserved, wallflower Clemmie is happy to go unnoticed, forever being overlooked.
Although her parents may not be aware of her talents, her ability to read hieroglyphs make her invaluable at the many Egyptian relic parties which have elevated her father to be the talk and toast of Victorian society…
Yet one fateful event, Clemmie deciphers something from an unusual and mysterious amulet which strikes fear deep into her heart, and as she soon finds out, the beautiful and dangerous glyphs she cradles in her hands will change her life in ways she could never have imagined or expected. Or wanted.
Five years have passed since that fateful night, and Clemmie arrives in Egypt on a mission to save what remains of her waning family. The childhood game she used to love playing about the immortal sisters Isis and Nephthys has become all too real with a devastating resonance and she firmly believes it is only by following Nephthys’s story that she can hope to break a curse that now seemingly weighs over her, to undo the mistakes and tragedies of the past.
However, on her journey up the Nile, Clemmie will face unexpected enemies, forge new friendships, and through it all battle with long-buried secrets that should they come into the light of day, could highlight many betrayals and sacrifices she has had to make to ensure whatever veil has surrounded her can finally be banished but Clemmie must be prepared to accept that not everything can go back to the way it used to be, for the past cannot be altered, it is her future that is something she can shape if only she is willing to.
A truly spellbinding debut that glitters and shimmers with a riveting plot and a story that will have you glued to the pages until you uncover what secrets lie deep within…
Although her parents may not be aware of her talents, her ability to read hieroglyphs make her invaluable at the many Egyptian relic parties which have elevated her father to be the talk and toast of Victorian society…
Yet one fateful event, Clemmie deciphers something from an unusual and mysterious amulet which strikes fear deep into her heart, and as she soon finds out, the beautiful and dangerous glyphs she cradles in her hands will change her life in ways she could never have imagined or expected. Or wanted.
Five years have passed since that fateful night, and Clemmie arrives in Egypt on a mission to save what remains of her waning family. The childhood game she used to love playing about the immortal sisters Isis and Nephthys has become all too real with a devastating resonance and she firmly believes it is only by following Nephthys’s story that she can hope to break a curse that now seemingly weighs over her, to undo the mistakes and tragedies of the past.
However, on her journey up the Nile, Clemmie will face unexpected enemies, forge new friendships, and through it all battle with long-buried secrets that should they come into the light of day, could highlight many betrayals and sacrifices she has had to make to ensure whatever veil has surrounded her can finally be banished but Clemmie must be prepared to accept that not everything can go back to the way it used to be, for the past cannot be altered, it is her future that is something she can shape if only she is willing to.
A truly spellbinding debut that glitters and shimmers with a riveting plot and a story that will have you glued to the pages until you uncover what secrets lie deep within…
February 3, 2025
I really enjoyed this book! I will say that it took me until almost halfway through to really feel like there was movement in it. The first half felt slow and lacked an emotional connection to the characters. It felt very matter of fact in its delivery of the plot. Even still, I was intrigued and wanted to continue on, especially with the inclusion of the flashbacks. Once I hit about halfway through, the plot picked up, I felt more invested in the characters, and the romance felt more tangible (this isn’t my typical genre, I usually read something that’s more overtly romance, so I’m not going to knock it for it lacking more gratification in that department). The end really sold this for me (I loved the epilogue) so I ended up giving it a solid 4 star rating.
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for the advance copy to review!
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for the advance copy to review!
December 10, 2024
This book wasn’t really for me. I love mythology, and was intrigued by the synopsis but I just couldn’t connect with the writing style. The author uses the familiar ‘jumping about in time’ style but also extended to dreams, and telling parts of myths, though never in the first person, and it got a bit muddled.
When Horatio comes on the scene, it gets a bit ‘Victorian melodrama’ for me, and a lot of Clemmie’s actions and decisions were completely illogical.
When Horatio comes on the scene, it gets a bit ‘Victorian melodrama’ for me, and a lot of Clemmie’s actions and decisions were completely illogical.
June 25, 2025
A really good debut novel! The pacing isn’t perfect (the back half moves more quickly, and for the better) and some of the FMC’s internal monologue becomes repetitive (I get it, she thinks she’s cursed). But I loved being submerged in the Nile and mired in the sandy banks of Egypt, studying hieroglyphics and antique structures, and I would 100% read another novel from this author.
ARC received-read-reviewed, available to purchase now!
ARC received-read-reviewed, available to purchase now!
July 23, 2025
I felt like this one missed its potential. I liked the premise of the story, felt like it was pretty descriptive overall… but then the writing itself became very hard to follow.
I wish the curse was more than what it was, it seemed like the underlying storyline could have been strung together better.
Thank you Net Galley & Random House for an advanced copy of this book!
I wish the curse was more than what it was, it seemed like the underlying storyline could have been strung together better.
Thank you Net Galley & Random House for an advanced copy of this book!
January 30, 2025
This is an original idea, and a good one, if largely predictable in places. However it takes toooo long to get going. It didn't really liven up till over half way through, which I found frustrating.
July 25, 2025
Review to come! ⛵️
(FINAL REVIEW:)
This was a fascinating mix of Victorian England, Ancient Egyptian mythology, and the dilemma of ancient antiquities being stolen from their homelands. I won’t lie, I was initially worried that the story might gloss over the Victorians’ obsession with Egypt (or really, any ancient Mediterranean culture) and its colonial history in the country, but I’m so happy Driscoll shed light on the lackadaisical view average Victorians had when it came to respecting ancient artifacts and the countries they came from and how Britain used Egypt as a colony for their own benefit. For me, it made the story more enjoyable to read (. . . Then again, I do love bashing the Victorians for everything they’ve done and influenced to the world). 🤣
The story follows Clemmie, a young woman passionate about Egyptology and a long time sufferer of a potential curse. The book jumps back and forth between the current plot and flashbacks to where the trouble all began for Clemmie’s family. Despite being a phenomenal learned scholar, she did come off rather naive and standoffish here and there, but I guess that’s higher class society women for you, especially ones that were sheltered. 🤷🏻♀️
I loved the motley crew she ended up with on the Nile and how they all made her come out of her shell one way or another. I do wish we could’ve gotten more time to see the connection between Rowland and Clemmie so that their ending didn’t feel so rushed. I also felt like the sisterhood between Rosetta and Clemmie should’ve been shown to the reader instead of recounted through memories. 💭
While the plot did drag a bit here and there for me, I still had a rather good time in the setting and with the characters. The last 30% especially made it up for me in the end. Huge thank you goes out to Ballantine Books and NetGalley for accepting my request to read this in exchange for an honest (and late 😅) review. And to the author, Driscoll, thank you for writing a Victorian era book that really showcased the darker side of Egyptomania without sugarcoating it for the reader. ❤️
Publication date: June 10 (published in the UK under the title of Nephthys)!
Overall: 4/5 ⭐️
(FINAL REVIEW:)
This was a fascinating mix of Victorian England, Ancient Egyptian mythology, and the dilemma of ancient antiquities being stolen from their homelands. I won’t lie, I was initially worried that the story might gloss over the Victorians’ obsession with Egypt (or really, any ancient Mediterranean culture) and its colonial history in the country, but I’m so happy Driscoll shed light on the lackadaisical view average Victorians had when it came to respecting ancient artifacts and the countries they came from and how Britain used Egypt as a colony for their own benefit. For me, it made the story more enjoyable to read (. . . Then again, I do love bashing the Victorians for everything they’ve done and influenced to the world). 🤣
The story follows Clemmie, a young woman passionate about Egyptology and a long time sufferer of a potential curse. The book jumps back and forth between the current plot and flashbacks to where the trouble all began for Clemmie’s family. Despite being a phenomenal learned scholar, she did come off rather naive and standoffish here and there, but I guess that’s higher class society women for you, especially ones that were sheltered. 🤷🏻♀️
I loved the motley crew she ended up with on the Nile and how they all made her come out of her shell one way or another. I do wish we could’ve gotten more time to see the connection between Rowland and Clemmie so that their ending didn’t feel so rushed. I also felt like the sisterhood between Rosetta and Clemmie should’ve been shown to the reader instead of recounted through memories. 💭
While the plot did drag a bit here and there for me, I still had a rather good time in the setting and with the characters. The last 30% especially made it up for me in the end. Huge thank you goes out to Ballantine Books and NetGalley for accepting my request to read this in exchange for an honest (and late 😅) review. And to the author, Driscoll, thank you for writing a Victorian era book that really showcased the darker side of Egyptomania without sugarcoating it for the reader. ❤️
Publication date: June 10 (published in the UK under the title of Nephthys)!
Overall: 4/5 ⭐️
November 9, 2025
If a book had a basis in Ancient Egypt, I will read it. Having had a fascination with Ancient Egypt since childhood, this was right in my wheelhouse.
I enjoyed the myth of Isis and Nephthys that ran through the narrative. Both Goddesses were well established by the author, as were their mirror in the 'current' timeline. I liked how Clemmie connected near everything that happened to her to the myths of Egypt. It rounded out her character as an Egyptologist on one hand, and a naïve woman on the other.
I also liked Clemmie as a character, though she came across as a little to innocent at times? On the one hand she is a sheltered Victorian lady, who has always been under control of a man. On the other hand she is also a scholar who does not seem to think much of the constructs society has for women? Still, she never truly annoyed me, and all her choices made sense (and none were truly stupid stupid).
My favorite character was Mariam, who was there to face is with a mirror. As Westeners we are obsessed with cultures and heritage's not our own, but do we have a right to them? What right do we have to hoard their ancient artifacts and tell their stories? A trend that has happened for a long time, but is still very current.
One thing that fell a little flat for me was the romance. It was a side-plot, which means it can kind of be forgiven, but the trusting of Rowland and the feelings that came after felt very sudden.
Read this if:
- You need to get your hands on anything Ancient Egypt
- You like wondering if the 'magic' is real
- You want a fun romp though Egypt
I enjoyed the myth of Isis and Nephthys that ran through the narrative. Both Goddesses were well established by the author, as were their mirror in the 'current' timeline. I liked how Clemmie connected near everything that happened to her to the myths of Egypt. It rounded out her character as an Egyptologist on one hand, and a naïve woman on the other.
I also liked Clemmie as a character, though she came across as a little to innocent at times? On the one hand she is a sheltered Victorian lady, who has always been under control of a man. On the other hand she is also a scholar who does not seem to think much of the constructs society has for women? Still, she never truly annoyed me, and all her choices made sense (and none were truly stupid stupid).
My favorite character was Mariam, who was there to face is with a mirror. As Westeners we are obsessed with cultures and heritage's not our own, but do we have a right to them? What right do we have to hoard their ancient artifacts and tell their stories? A trend that has happened for a long time, but is still very current.
One thing that fell a little flat for me was the romance. It was a side-plot, which means it can kind of be forgiven, but the trusting of Rowland and the feelings that came after felt very sudden.
Read this if:
- You need to get your hands on anything Ancient Egypt
- You like wondering if the 'magic' is real
- You want a fun romp though Egypt
November 16, 2024
The story of two sets of sisters centuries apart, a tale of betrayal and loss and a journey of self discovery and the beginning of forgiveness and togetherness.
Clemmie has always been fascinated by Egyptology and the story of Isis and Nephthys, she reads the hieroglyphics of amulets her father has procured during his exhibition evenings. But, one evening, he unravels a double headed mummy and the amulet with it tells of a curse. Tragedy strikes the family so Clemmie decides to travel to Egypt to return the amulet to its rightful place in order to break the curse.
This novel is an epic read, I found it fascinating to read of Victorian Egypt, like Clemmie I'm intruiged by the Egyptians past and their temples and funerary rituals. Hearing Mariams opinions of antiquity hunters puts a different perspective for the artifacts that have been found in the past and the nefarious actions of some to obtain these wonderful items. It's certainly not a quick easy read but definitely one to savour
Clemmie has always been fascinated by Egyptology and the story of Isis and Nephthys, she reads the hieroglyphics of amulets her father has procured during his exhibition evenings. But, one evening, he unravels a double headed mummy and the amulet with it tells of a curse. Tragedy strikes the family so Clemmie decides to travel to Egypt to return the amulet to its rightful place in order to break the curse.
This novel is an epic read, I found it fascinating to read of Victorian Egypt, like Clemmie I'm intruiged by the Egyptians past and their temples and funerary rituals. Hearing Mariams opinions of antiquity hunters puts a different perspective for the artifacts that have been found in the past and the nefarious actions of some to obtain these wonderful items. It's certainly not a quick easy read but definitely one to savour
February 15, 2025
Whilst this didn’t go back into ancient Egyptian times timeline wise, it did explore the story of Isis and Nephthys through Clemmie’s eyes, as she tries to break the curse she thinks has fallen on her family. It actually felt more gothic to me, perhaps because of the Victorian time period, and how creepy the mummy unwrapping all sounded! But there is also a descriptive journey through Egypt, which I adored, as well as all the colourful characters we meet along the way.
It’s definitely a slow burn novel, as we go back and forth in time exploring what’s happened to Clemmie’s family, and then join her as she tries to somehow solve the situation. But as we get close to the end it’s full of danger and unexpected plot twists that kept me absolutely hooked wanting to see what would happen! There’s also a little love story for all the romantics out there 🫶
It’s definitely a slow burn novel, as we go back and forth in time exploring what’s happened to Clemmie’s family, and then join her as she tries to somehow solve the situation. But as we get close to the end it’s full of danger and unexpected plot twists that kept me absolutely hooked wanting to see what would happen! There’s also a little love story for all the romantics out there 🫶
June 13, 2025
**My thanks to Random House – Ballantyne for providing me with an advanced reader copy via NetGalley**
3 stars
This is honestly a fun and engaging late Victorian-era Egyptology adventure book, about a hieroglyphist Englishwoman struggling to undo the curse she believes has plagued herself and her sister ever since her father desecrated the mummy of ancient Egyptian conjoined twins. Think Indiana Jones for people who believe in repatriating the artefacts in the British museum. I think for anyone who fondly remembers 1999’s The Mummy movie, this will be a fun time. Unfortunately I’m just too picky; I spent the whole book longing to re-read the Amelia Peabody series by Elizabeth Peters, which I think did this concept somewhat better; Clementine would fit right into that series as one of the charming but foolish young people that Amelia and the Emerson clan find themselves assisting.
Newcomers to Egyptian mythology will appreciate that Clementine, our narrator and protagonist, is an expert in Egyptian myth and tells her favorites to her travelling companions, which is both edifying and interesting. As a reader already somewhat familiar with the stories, however, I found myself annoyed that Clemmie’s version was never qualified; it draws heavily and almost exclusively from Plutarch rather than from actual Egyptian sources, which ran counter to the Egyptian-culture-belongs-to-Egyptians message the story was ostensibly trying to get across. To that end, there was also a scene with a blind fortune teller beggar woman that seemed entirely uncritical of that trope and left a bad taste in my mouth.
Ultimately, this story seems to struggle with whether it wants to be about sisterhood (biological and/or cross-national) or about Clemmie as neo-Gothic heroine. I think the UK title, Nepthys, serves the story better by putting the focus on the overlooked Egyptian goddess around which the story thematically centers. There’s a lot of good material in this book, but it never quite satisfied me with its execution.
3 stars
This is honestly a fun and engaging late Victorian-era Egyptology adventure book, about a hieroglyphist Englishwoman struggling to undo the curse she believes has plagued herself and her sister ever since her father desecrated the mummy of ancient Egyptian conjoined twins. Think Indiana Jones for people who believe in repatriating the artefacts in the British museum. I think for anyone who fondly remembers 1999’s The Mummy movie, this will be a fun time. Unfortunately I’m just too picky; I spent the whole book longing to re-read the Amelia Peabody series by Elizabeth Peters, which I think did this concept somewhat better; Clementine would fit right into that series as one of the charming but foolish young people that Amelia and the Emerson clan find themselves assisting.
Newcomers to Egyptian mythology will appreciate that Clementine, our narrator and protagonist, is an expert in Egyptian myth and tells her favorites to her travelling companions, which is both edifying and interesting. As a reader already somewhat familiar with the stories, however, I found myself annoyed that Clemmie’s version was never qualified; it draws heavily and almost exclusively from Plutarch rather than from actual Egyptian sources, which ran counter to the Egyptian-culture-belongs-to-Egyptians message the story was ostensibly trying to get across. To that end, there was also a scene with a blind fortune teller beggar woman that seemed entirely uncritical of that trope and left a bad taste in my mouth.
Ultimately, this story seems to struggle with whether it wants to be about sisterhood (biological and/or cross-national) or about Clemmie as neo-Gothic heroine. I think the UK title, Nepthys, serves the story better by putting the focus on the overlooked Egyptian goddess around which the story thematically centers. There’s a lot of good material in this book, but it never quite satisfied me with its execution.
December 7, 2025
I liked the plot in theory. However I didn't think any of the characters were fleshed out enough and some pivotal plot points I thought were really rushed through and I felt a bit meh about the plot because of that.
May 11, 2025
Jedna hvězdička za obálku.
Druhá hvězdička za Egypt.
Třetí hvězdička z dobroty srdce. 😄✨
Druhá hvězdička za Egypt.
Třetí hvězdička z dobroty srdce. 😄✨
June 28, 2025
*2.5 stars ✨
I had high hopes for this one. For one, I love the setting of Egypt. That’s what I liked about this book. Egypt and the myths. It did become repetitive at times, though. Unfortunately, the characters brought this story down for me. They were very bland and made the story feel slow.
I had high hopes for this one. For one, I love the setting of Egypt. That’s what I liked about this book. Egypt and the myths. It did become repetitive at times, though. Unfortunately, the characters brought this story down for me. They were very bland and made the story feel slow.
September 27, 2025
Rachel Louise Driscoll’s The House of Two Sisters follows Clementine “Clemmie” Attridge, an English scholar of hieroglyphics in the late 19th century. She journeys to Egypt in an effort to atone for her family’s misdeeds tied to a cursed amulet and her father’s controversial mummy-unwrapping exhibitions. Her sister Rosetta is in fragile health and Clemmie hopes to undo a curse and free Rosetta of her health issues. As Clemmie travels through Egypt, she meets several other tourists including Rowland Luscombe, whose presence provides both companionship and tension on the Nile journey. Although the historical research is clearly robust, the narrative often felt too elaborate for my tastes. I had a hard time connecting with any of the characters and the mystery was too far-fetched to keep me engaged. The story also felt longer than necessary at moments, with tangents that dragged the pace. For those interested in mysteries set in Egypt or stories that engage with the ethics of museum collections, The Stolen Queen by Fiona Davis remains a stronger recommendation in that space.
Recommended for: readers intrigued by Egyptian settings, but those who prefer tighter plots and stronger emotional connection may find this one only partially satisfying.
I am grateful to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group -Ballentine for providing me with an advanced reader copy of Rachel Louise Driscoll’s The House of Two Sisters.
Recommended for: readers intrigued by Egyptian settings, but those who prefer tighter plots and stronger emotional connection may find this one only partially satisfying.
I am grateful to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group -Ballentine for providing me with an advanced reader copy of Rachel Louise Driscoll’s The House of Two Sisters.
June 5, 2025
In The House of Two Sisters we follow Clementine as she makes her way through Egypt to break the curse on her family. Clemmie and her father Clement made a name for themselves unwrapping mummies for treasures. Despite her protests, Clement unwraps a unique mummy with ominous hieroglyphs and a beautiful amulet. When her family falls ill, Clemmie can’t help to think there was a curse protecting the unearthed mummy. Clementine sets off by herself to right their wrongs, before time runs out.
I really liked the atmosphere and setting of this book. The author did a great job taking you back to Egypt in the 1800s, you can almost feel the heat and sand on your face. The history and myths of the sister gods were interesting. I liked the symmetry between the sisters in both stories throughout.
The book has a great opening hook and mystery to draw in the reader. While the pacing faltered in the first half, once the antagonist is introduced after the halfway mark, we finally have more tension to propel the story forward. I felt for Clemmie and her journey to help her sister, however, the characters overall didn’t stand out to me as I had hoped, they seemed very generic and underdeveloped.
Picking up the pace towards the end, some of the story puzzles fall into place. Clemmie’s struggle to get the amulet back to its rightful place and her change of mind regarding Egyptomania become the main story. I recommend this book to fans of historical fiction with slight magical elements, and a tiny hint of romance, the writing and research were enjoyable.
Thank you to Ballantine Books for the free review copy.
I really liked the atmosphere and setting of this book. The author did a great job taking you back to Egypt in the 1800s, you can almost feel the heat and sand on your face. The history and myths of the sister gods were interesting. I liked the symmetry between the sisters in both stories throughout.
The book has a great opening hook and mystery to draw in the reader. While the pacing faltered in the first half, once the antagonist is introduced after the halfway mark, we finally have more tension to propel the story forward. I felt for Clemmie and her journey to help her sister, however, the characters overall didn’t stand out to me as I had hoped, they seemed very generic and underdeveloped.
Picking up the pace towards the end, some of the story puzzles fall into place. Clemmie’s struggle to get the amulet back to its rightful place and her change of mind regarding Egyptomania become the main story. I recommend this book to fans of historical fiction with slight magical elements, and a tiny hint of romance, the writing and research were enjoyable.
Thank you to Ballantine Books for the free review copy.
November 18, 2024
Interesting mythology, but not a huge fan of the writing style
October 23, 2024
4.5 ⭐
Nephthys by Rachel Louise Driscoll is a beautifully atmospheric and richly imagined blend of Egyptian mythology and Victorian mystery that drew me right in. The story centres on Clemmie, a quiet, intelligent young woman with a passion for reading hieroglyphs -something her Victorian family overlooks until her talents become the key to unlocking a curse that haunts them. Her father’s obsession with Egyptian relics leads to devastating consequences for her family, and it’s Clemmie who must travel to Egypt to make things right.
What I loved most about Nephthys was the vivid sense of place - Driscoll’s portrayal of Egypt is enchanting, and the contrast between Victorian society’s obsession with relics and the living, breathing culture of Egypt itself adds a layer of tension. Clemmie’s journey along the Nile is filled with evocative imagery, from the golden sunsets over the river to the haunting tombs of forgotten deities. Driscoll's ability to intertwine Egyptian mythology with historical fiction is incredible. The myths of Nephthys and Isis are woven into the narrative in a way that feels both grand and intimate, making Clemmie’s personal quest reflect on a mythological level.
The relationship between Clemmie and her sister is the emotional core of the novel. It’s not just about ancient curses and unravelling mysteries; but about Clemmie’s struggle to step out of the shadows, not only in her family but in her own life. The emotional tension between Clemmie and her sister adds depth, grounding the fantastical elements of the story in very real human emotions.
However, there were a few aspects that felt predictable, particularly some of the twists that were telegraphed early on. While the mythology was fascinating, I found myself wishing for more subtlety in some of the plot developments. That said, the book’s charm lies in its rich world-building and character relationships, which more than made up for these minor shortcomings.
Overall, Nephthys is a thoroughly engaging debut with a wonderfully immersive setting, rich in historical and cultural detail. Fans of Stacey Halls or Susan Stokes-Chapman will find much to love in this gothic Egyptian tale. I couldn’t put it down and would love to see this developed into a series, perhaps with a shift to another character’s perspective next time!
Huge thanks to NetGalley and Random House UK For an ARC of ‘Nephthys’. All opinions are my own.
Nephthys by Rachel Louise Driscoll is a beautifully atmospheric and richly imagined blend of Egyptian mythology and Victorian mystery that drew me right in. The story centres on Clemmie, a quiet, intelligent young woman with a passion for reading hieroglyphs -something her Victorian family overlooks until her talents become the key to unlocking a curse that haunts them. Her father’s obsession with Egyptian relics leads to devastating consequences for her family, and it’s Clemmie who must travel to Egypt to make things right.
What I loved most about Nephthys was the vivid sense of place - Driscoll’s portrayal of Egypt is enchanting, and the contrast between Victorian society’s obsession with relics and the living, breathing culture of Egypt itself adds a layer of tension. Clemmie’s journey along the Nile is filled with evocative imagery, from the golden sunsets over the river to the haunting tombs of forgotten deities. Driscoll's ability to intertwine Egyptian mythology with historical fiction is incredible. The myths of Nephthys and Isis are woven into the narrative in a way that feels both grand and intimate, making Clemmie’s personal quest reflect on a mythological level.
The relationship between Clemmie and her sister is the emotional core of the novel. It’s not just about ancient curses and unravelling mysteries; but about Clemmie’s struggle to step out of the shadows, not only in her family but in her own life. The emotional tension between Clemmie and her sister adds depth, grounding the fantastical elements of the story in very real human emotions.
However, there were a few aspects that felt predictable, particularly some of the twists that were telegraphed early on. While the mythology was fascinating, I found myself wishing for more subtlety in some of the plot developments. That said, the book’s charm lies in its rich world-building and character relationships, which more than made up for these minor shortcomings.
Overall, Nephthys is a thoroughly engaging debut with a wonderfully immersive setting, rich in historical and cultural detail. Fans of Stacey Halls or Susan Stokes-Chapman will find much to love in this gothic Egyptian tale. I couldn’t put it down and would love to see this developed into a series, perhaps with a shift to another character’s perspective next time!
Huge thanks to NetGalley and Random House UK For an ARC of ‘Nephthys’. All opinions are my own.
February 12, 2025
All the aspects I love from this genre can be found in this book. The story of a young female Egyptologist determined to undo a curse, with deeper themes of respect for Egyptian heritage and culture. If you are fascinated by ancient Egypt, particularly during the Victorian era, then you are going to love this book. Egyptian myths and gods, artefacts and grave robbers, hieroglyphs and curses are all to be found in this highly engaging book.
‘No doubt the people in this room, at first glance, imagine she’s a typical English traveller, here to enjoy the sun, pick up a few knick-knacks, and purchase a bottleful of sand to take home. They couldn’t be more wrong.’
I will admit that it takes a little while to draw you in and feel a connection to the characters. You will however soon be filled with intrigue especially once you arrive in Egypt. The focus of this book is very much on the two sisters and how the author ties it in with the mythology surrounding Nephthys and Isis is wonderful. There is a solid amount of research here not only around Egyptian gods and their stories but also Egyptomania from the Victorian era (“hunger for the relics of that bygone civilisation. Perhaps the mania part has become too real?”). The impact of tomb raiding and antiquity hunting is very well presented - ‘Artefacts are being damaged, provenance is being lost, and history is undone because everyone wants to claim their own Egyptian treasure ... They are taking what they want from the desert, and when they are through, it will be left ravaged and devastated.’
If these are topics that appeal to you, add in a mystery/thriller component whilst sailing up the Nile and you have a wonderful read.
‘The fascination for Ancient Egypt began as a game, grew to an obsession, became a curse. Now it’s controlling her every move.’
‘No doubt the people in this room, at first glance, imagine she’s a typical English traveller, here to enjoy the sun, pick up a few knick-knacks, and purchase a bottleful of sand to take home. They couldn’t be more wrong.’
I will admit that it takes a little while to draw you in and feel a connection to the characters. You will however soon be filled with intrigue especially once you arrive in Egypt. The focus of this book is very much on the two sisters and how the author ties it in with the mythology surrounding Nephthys and Isis is wonderful. There is a solid amount of research here not only around Egyptian gods and their stories but also Egyptomania from the Victorian era (“hunger for the relics of that bygone civilisation. Perhaps the mania part has become too real?”). The impact of tomb raiding and antiquity hunting is very well presented - ‘Artefacts are being damaged, provenance is being lost, and history is undone because everyone wants to claim their own Egyptian treasure ... They are taking what they want from the desert, and when they are through, it will be left ravaged and devastated.’
If these are topics that appeal to you, add in a mystery/thriller component whilst sailing up the Nile and you have a wonderful read.
‘The fascination for Ancient Egypt began as a game, grew to an obsession, became a curse. Now it’s controlling her every move.’
February 6, 2025
Quiet, studious, & reserved Clementine "Clemmie" is the younger daughter of Clement & Flora Attridge. A second daughter, instead of the hoped for son & heir, but at least her father has encouraged her fascination with Ancient Egypt & translating of hieroglyphics, even if he does shut her out of the business side of things. At one of the parties where an Egyptian mummy is unwrapped, Clemmie is handed an unusual amulet & as she starts to translate it, she quickly realises that it foretells a curse on those who disturb the remains. Unable to dissuade her father from carrying on, Clemmie can only look on in horror.
5 years later, now 23-year-old Clemmie arrives in Egypt on an urgent mission. Bad luck has dogged the Attridge family since that night, & now her sister is ill & the only way Clemmie can see of saving her, is returning the amulet to the land of the immortal sisters, Isis & Nephthys. She meets up with three fellow travellers but can they be trusted?
I had high hopes for this one but I feel it just missed the mark for me. I really enjoyed the Egyptian myths side of things & highlighting the conflict between seeking knowledge versus respect for the dead & ancient cultures is well done. I found Clemmie a bit too 'not like other girls' at times & the pace of the first half of the book was quite slow, although the second half was better. If only the first half had held my attention as well as the second, it would have been a higher rating. I would definitely read another book by the author though as I think the Isis/Nephthys angle was an interesting one.
My thanks to NetGalley & publishers, Vintage/Harvill Secker, for the opportunity to read an ARC.
5 years later, now 23-year-old Clemmie arrives in Egypt on an urgent mission. Bad luck has dogged the Attridge family since that night, & now her sister is ill & the only way Clemmie can see of saving her, is returning the amulet to the land of the immortal sisters, Isis & Nephthys. She meets up with three fellow travellers but can they be trusted?
I had high hopes for this one but I feel it just missed the mark for me. I really enjoyed the Egyptian myths side of things & highlighting the conflict between seeking knowledge versus respect for the dead & ancient cultures is well done. I found Clemmie a bit too 'not like other girls' at times & the pace of the first half of the book was quite slow, although the second half was better. If only the first half had held my attention as well as the second, it would have been a higher rating. I would definitely read another book by the author though as I think the Isis/Nephthys angle was an interesting one.
My thanks to NetGalley & publishers, Vintage/Harvill Secker, for the opportunity to read an ARC.
August 11, 2025
When I first saw this book, I was concerned it might glorify the 'Egyptomania' that raged in Victorian era England as artifacts were polished from Egypt and people attended mummy unwrappings (even sometimes drinking tea made from mummy wrappings!). The author does exactly the opposite in the novel, condemning the practice and exploring the moral ramifications for the crimes that have hurt Egypt's effort to preserve its history.
The main character, Clemmie, is a woman heeroglyphist/linguist in a time where women in academic spaces were almost non-existent. She ventures to Egypt, a place that has always held her heart thanks to her father's business, but not for pleasure: she must return a stolen artifact in hopes to dispell a curse that has ravaged her life for the past five years.
Clemmie must grow by exploring how her father (and to an extent, herself) contributed to the larger problem of illegal archaeology digs and artifact trading. Her perspective shifts through the novel, and she is forced to grapple with hard truths.
I really enjoyed the blend of ancient mythology with the gothic elements woven throughout. The story kept me on the edge of my seat, and the author's passion for ancient Egypt truly shines through. What an amazing debut! 💚
Thank you so much to @rachel.louise.driscoll @netgalley and @randomhouse for the opportunity to read and review this novel.
The main character, Clemmie, is a woman heeroglyphist/linguist in a time where women in academic spaces were almost non-existent. She ventures to Egypt, a place that has always held her heart thanks to her father's business, but not for pleasure: she must return a stolen artifact in hopes to dispell a curse that has ravaged her life for the past five years.
Clemmie must grow by exploring how her father (and to an extent, herself) contributed to the larger problem of illegal archaeology digs and artifact trading. Her perspective shifts through the novel, and she is forced to grapple with hard truths.
I really enjoyed the blend of ancient mythology with the gothic elements woven throughout. The story kept me on the edge of my seat, and the author's passion for ancient Egypt truly shines through. What an amazing debut! 💚
Thank you so much to @rachel.louise.driscoll @netgalley and @randomhouse for the opportunity to read and review this novel.
January 10, 2025
This was a fun ride, and Driscoll paints a magnificent and sweeping Egyptian sandscape from which to base the action. Clemmie is a strong and capable character with layered motivations, so the plot flow always seems true to form. A hieroglyphist with a strong pull towards a sense of fairness, Clementine Attridge battles against memories of her mother and father, real-life betrayal from the men in her life and tomb raiders – as she attempts to return an amulet and restore her sister’s health. Driscoll weaves backstory into the present-day plot, along with a history lesson on Egyptian Gods and myth. This is a tale of family and obsession set against a compelling background. Despite the rich sense of place, I’m not sure it needed to be as long as it is, to convey the same story – but each reader will have their preference. Recommended for those looking for historical fiction complete with curses, light romance and a protagonist who won’t rest until balance has been restored.
Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Random House Australia for the advance reader copy in return for an honest review. Review to also be promoted to FishbirdCentral.com closer to publication date in February 2025.
Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Random House Australia for the advance reader copy in return for an honest review. Review to also be promoted to FishbirdCentral.com closer to publication date in February 2025.
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