Going Forth By Day

Children of Stone #1

by Mary R. Woldering

Shu lifts me up,
the Souls of On set up a stairway for me in order to reach the Above,
and Nut puts her hand on me
just as she did for Asar on the day when he died

...Pyramid Texts, inscribed on the walls of King Unas tomb 5th Dynasty c. 2345 BC

Marai, a former shepherd who discovered a fallen 'star' and was gifted with amazing abilities by the unearthly Children of Stone, has been separated from those he loves. Kept apart by forces seeking to control all of them, they must independently grow to understand their own powers while continuing their journey to wisdom. Will they be reunited? Will Marai rise up and begin to Go Forth By Day? Will those who care for him survive without his guidance and love?

Going Forth By Day, the second book in the Children of Stone series, is the story of Marai's companions, Ariennu, Deka, and Naibe-Ellit. Through their involvement in the lives of the royalty of ancient Kemet, new alliances form, loyalties shift, and the comfortable lives of some are shaken to their core.

Genres: Fantasy

386 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2013

About the author

Years ago, when I began to study mythology, it occurred to me that the gods and goddesses never seemed divine. They acted like super-talented people full of very human passions and shortcomings. When they appeared in different legends these various archetypes were like threads woven into the tapestry of various eras and cultures. This idea fascinated me. I began a journey of recording and relating these stories. Now I weave my god-characters through all the times and spaces I chronicle and encountered.

Mary R. Woldering is an author, artisan, art historian, madwoman, visionary and devoted wife to Dr. Jackie F. Woldering, mother of Ruth and Thom and grandmother of five. She lives in Mentor, Ohio.

Reviews

[W.C. Quick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Passionate storytelling

This is a complicated tale that works. From the heart breaking introduction to the main character traveling to a cliff hanger ending, something that bothers many readers. I figured there was going to be more story. The author is not one to skimp on details. So plan on spending some time on the chapters. And it is ambitious, stirring up a blend of alternate religious history, magic and alien encounters.

[Jon Zelig · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Voices in Crystal,” the first book in Mary Woldering’s “Children of Stone” trilogy is a rich and complicated text; there is a lot to keep track of: names and places and rituals, etc. From my point of view that’s a neutral matter.

If you like “fast and light”? Wrong book for you.

If you’re into “alternate reality” epics? Perhaps a reasonable choice.

The book has a good deal of Old Testament (or, in a deeper sense, Abrahamic) DNA, along with perhaps a skosh of Game of Thrones. There are a lot of names that sound Egyptian or Arabic; there is a god, part of whose name is Yahweh. But then there is a boy nursed by a lion: shades of Romulus and Remus? And a wise man named Djedi: Star Wars, anyone? For the most part that “mashup” works. But one is periodically diverted into wondering about possible, canonical, parallels.

Should I think of “the mountain of the Law” as Mt. Sinai?

And, if so, what would that mean?

Woldering writes well and the quality of the editing and proofreading is quite good. One shouldn’t have to even mention something like that regarding a published work, but this makes her an outlier, in a positive sense. Those basic characteristics are absent from a stunningly high percentage of books—both self-published and “professionally” produced.

Those technical qualities are particularly important in work of this sort. It’s reasonable for a reader to have a bit of a dizzied, Tilt-a-Whirl, feeling while accommodating to a new and complicated world. It is a BAD feeling when it seems like the operator of the ride herself is dizzy. It almost always feels like Woldering’s in firm control. Readers may not always know “where we are” or “where we’re going.” She does. She’s the driver who takes you on “a long cut,” through some off-the-beaten-path cultural site, rather than a shortcut, but who you trust will get you to your destination.

At heart, this is a “religion came from the sky” book; a slightly brutal compression: shepherd touched by extraterrestrials is transmuted into a god and sets out to spread the word.

While studying mythology, Woldering writes, she was struck by how, “Some of the archetypes [of gods] resembled each other in their strengths and weaknesses as if, by some mystical power they had moved from land to land to become woven into the tapestry of time and culture.”

I’ll poke at that just a little: It makes sense that ancient people would gravitate toward “weather gods” and “harvest gods” and “hunting gods.” I don’t see an explanatory need for a “mystical power” to unpack this phenomenon. That said, I recognize that—across time and cultures—the great majority of people have looked to religion as explanation or justification or compass.

This is not my kind of book. But judged fairly, in context, it is an exemplar of the genre.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

When trying to describe this book, the word “epic” immediately comes to mind. It’s rich, detailed, and immersive. It boggles my mind to consider the amount of research the author must have done to achieve something of this magnitude. The characters are perfectly drawn. Their mindsets, motivations, manner of speaking, etc feel incredibly authentic for people living in Egypt during this time. Aside from the elements that are obviously fiction (the “children”, sleeping pods, magic), the book feels much like an ancient text translated into modern language. Over and over, I found myself being impressed by the author’s commitment to her characters.

The premise of the book is also imaginative. I love mythology. The way that Woldering was able to give meaning and explanation for these ancient gods was clever and innovative. Every detail was considered, well thought out, and connected with the other elements of the book. The story was both creative and incredibly cohesive.

However, this is not a light read. It requires focus and time to have a true understanding of what’s going on. I wouldn’t recommend reading it while any distractions are around or picking it up to pass a few minutes. It requires concentration.

My major problem was that there was entirely too much to read. All books have lulls. One or two is understandable. However, it seemed that every time the plot was advanced, following it was long stretch of elaboration, explanation, or character development. Was it important to have these? In some ways, yes. They helped the book by giving us deeper insight into a character’s feelings or thoughts, painting a picture of a setting, or providing historical insight into the people’s ways of life But more so, it hindered my ability to remain invested in the plot. I found myself putting the book down or taking breaks more often than I usually would.

I believe that with each book we read, we search for an anchor - something to tether us to the book. This can be personality traits we share with the characters, experiences we’ve had in our own lives, or particular interests that also appear in the book like sports or painting or baking cookies. I couldn’t find my anchor in this book, and it inhibited my ability to connect to what I was reading.

Therefore I consider this book to be much like a great piece of art. While I can say that I thoroughly appreciate it and learned from it, I can’t say that I truly enjoyed it.

You may like this book if you enjoy:
-the culture and mythology of ancient Egypt
-thoroughly getting to know fictional characters both inside and out.
-stories that require thought and reflection
-descriptive prose

[Stefanie Nici · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well researched and well told, the author creates a vivid picture as the story comes alive on each and every page. A mix of ancient Egypt, history and sci fi makes for an interesting read.
The author also created a glossary and a map in the back of the book for her readers. Very interesting.

[H.M. Holten · Rating 4 out of 5]

World Mythos Fantasy
We are in ancient Egypt, in the period of the Old Kingdom. Amerei is a simple shepherd who seeks his goddess. In songs and dreams, he beseeches her to come to him. When a star falls, Amerei sets out to discover if his beloved deity, Ashera – Queen of Heaven – has finally come to him.
Aboard the Goddess Boat, he finds the Children of the Stone who send him on a mission to bring a bag of crystals to Djedi, son of Sneferu, founding pharaoh of the Fourth Dynasty.
With him he brings three women, fallen sisters who, like Amerei, have been healed and endowed with magical powers aboard the Goddess Boat. The three women function as a triad, representing three aspects of the goddess. Amerei worships them as such and develops a strong as well as sexual relationship to them all.
Their quest is fraught with drama and violence.
Ms Woldering mixes Ancient myth and Sci-Fi visions into a colourful if slow-moving narrative that touches on spirit walking priests, singing stars, as well as human desire and violence. She evokes pictures of gleaming pyramids but puts emphasis on her characters’ uncertainties and doubts. There is no space for rational thought in a realm and time where intuition rules the day. In that, she puts up a mirror of today’s world where authority isn’t always trustworthy and trusty people have little or no authority.
It is a pity that her writing style tends to repetition – especially of songs and prayers – something that will put off some readers. All in all, there is food for thought in this mythical and historical fantasy. My only regret is that Ms Woldering ends the story with a cliff hanger. The idea that people will only continue reading a series if every volume ends with a significant hook never appealed to me.

[Jeanette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Voices in Crystal by Mary R. Woldering is an immersive journey set in ancient Egypt and its surrounds. When a 'star' crashes in the desert sands, the shepherd Marai's life is changed forever. He is given a mission by the alien Children of the Stone. Once he sets off, three women join him on the journey to Egypt. Meanwhile, a jealous priest plan to thwart him and the Children of the Stone.

There was much that I loved about this book. The setting was immersive and especially with its almost palpable details about everyday life in ancient Egypt and the Arabian Peninsula skilfully woven into the narrative. The characterisation of Marai and the three women and the jealous prince was well done. One can't but like Marai - sensitive, understanding, thoughtful, loyal yet powerful - especially in how he relates to the women. Each of the three women had intriguing backstories and different strengths. The plot is relatively simple, though has interesting aspects, and it follows the trope of the 'gods' as aliens both good - and misguided. I also like the emphasis on compassion and forgiveness though there are some quite violent and gory scenes.

I did find Voices in Crystal hard going at times, mainly because it was slow paced and had long and seemingly repetitive passages of philosophical ideas and about the past interactions of the children. Action scenes were good when they happened (though still with a lot of analysis and thoughts involved.) And as most of the main characters can mind-read and see into the future and the past to a limited extent, there was not much room for suspense to develop. The book also ends on a significant cliff-hanger.

If we skip over the polygamy aspect, the relationship and intimacy between the women and Marai was respectful and tender. Still, I was surprised to find a good proportion of the books (maybe a third, sometimes it felt like half) was given over to long, detailed, explicit scenes of love making between Marai and the three woman and the story was packed with sexual innuendo.

On first completion of the book, I was tempted to leave a lower rating because of many of the passages that dragged, but I found myself thinking about the characters in the days that followed - hence the 4 stars.

[Guy Donovan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I rarely encounter fantasy novels set in the period of ancient Egypt. After reading “Voices in Crystal,” which is book one in the “Children of Stone” series, I’ll absolutely be on the lookout for more. I won’t bother to summarize the book, as plenty of others already have, but I will say that I liked it very much. The concept of using alien tech as the basis of a story involving “primitive” people such as Marai and his female companions (wives?) each receiving a new lease on life struck me as a very smart addition to what could have been a more straightforward historical fantasy. As it is, “Voices in Crystal” works as historical fiction, traditional fantasy (save the setting), and even science fantasy. Further, it accomplishes each successfully.

Being a debut novel of an indie author, the “polish” factor can at times be a bit rough, with simple typos standing out mostly. That said, the characterizations of the main players and the depth of their individual journeys as broken, flawed people all seeking a better life, both inner and outer, is handled deftly and with artistry by the author. It is clear in her writing that these characters all live and breathe within her head as much as any real person. The villains too, are not stereotypes, but rather fully fleshed out people in their own right, which is all-too-often lacking in the majority of fantasy published these days, both indie and “professional.”

In all, a great tale of average people wrapped up in exceptional circumstances. Well worth the cost and fully deserving of a good 4 stars. I’m very much looking forward to “Going Forth by Day,” the second book in the “Children of Stone” series.

[Stephanie Barr · Rating 3 out of 5]

Voices in Crystal by Mary Woldering is an immersive experience into a world most of us know nothing about, down to the nitty gritty feel of the sand and the smell of the brackish water. It's obviously well researched and overflows with historical and mythological tidbits from one of the most fascinating epochs in Egyptian and, yes, human history. If that fascinates you, this may be the book for you.

It is not without some challenges that may not suit everyone, including myself, as it is not only a slow-starting book but the pace never really picks up. It is also written in a stream-of-consciousness style I had a hard time making sense of and made a character reader like me feel isolated from the characters. I never got a bead on any of them, really. I was *told* what they were like, but I didn't see it. There is also a considerable and pervasive emphasis on sex that was a little disturbing for me and, something that *really* drives me crazy. a cliffhanger ending. Finally, there were a number of distracting typos and other editing errors.

I think some people will really respond to this book and enjoy it, but others will struggle as I did.

[Leo McBride · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an intriguing book - and a thoroughly determined piece of world-building.

Voices in Crystal is the first in a series set in the shade of Mount Sinai, and the author carves out a mythology that is rich and sumptuous.

The story focuses on Marai, who becomes more than the simple shepherd he begins as, transformed by alien powers into... well, even he is not so sure what he is exactly. His powers seem god-like to those who knew him, and the world he grew up in is changed forever.

Elsewhere, a pharaoh's son wrestles with his own destiny, his path to leadership foiled. Where will his path cross with Marai's? That would be telling!

It's a big saga - a little light on action but exploring the history of the world in depth, and the psychology of its protagonists thoroughly. It can be a little slow as a result - only in that one needs to pay attention to the detail of the story to really appreciate it.

Woldering really does create a whole new world to experience - and deserves plaudits for that.

[Andrew Cairns · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed Mary R. Woldering's rich evocative writing in this story based on her research into ancient mythology. The action takes place in or around 'Kemet' - ancient Egypt, following the main character Marai - a humble shepherd as he encounters the mysterious Children of Stone, who arrive from the heavens. At first he takes them for the goddess Ashera, but soon finds out they are something else entirely, rejuvenating his body and sending him out on a mission to meet an enigmatic priest or his assistant. Soon after his encounter, he saves three women from slavery, and welcomes them as his 'wives'. The book is reminiscent of works such as Gilgamesh The King, Games of Thrones - the Dothraki, The Alchemist, or the tales from One Thousand and One Arabian Nights. Perhaps what is most original here is the way the author digs down deep into the motivations, desires and emotions of Marai and his companions. Recommended for fans of epic fantasy / mythology tales.

[Lucretia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, this was really a very deep and rich read. I thoroughly enjoyed the blending of religion, history, and fiction. I’m a huge fan of ancient alien intervention stories, so I was predisposed to fall in love with the premise. The attention to detail is phenomenal, making the setting and characters come to life in vivid detail. That the characters were flawed and grew along with the tale added to the realism and enjoyment.

The pace was deliberate as it will be with the first part in a series, especially with such an epic type of adventure/journey. The way it unfolds, revealing more layers as you go had me riveted.

The end left me with enough questions that I will certainly be reading more, and look forward to picking up the adventure where it left off.

[Terra James · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an amazing adventure and with every page you turn you want to read another. Children of Stone is a rare love/fantasy/adventure/ book and it is exciting to learn about the characters. I can't wait to read the next book in the series as this one was a cliff hanger. I highly recommend this book to an fantasy reader.

It is rare to have a book that weaves religion with Egyptian culture.

[W.C. Quick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Getting to the Heart

Passion guides the characters, as always... since the first songs offered to the gods from the Shepard Marai bin Ahu Voices in Voices in Crystal. The 4th book is a bit less sexy, no less erotic, bloody romance. Some characters need to learn the hard way.

[Leland Lydecker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Something New is Here...That Has Never Been Before
Voices in Crystal follows the trials of Marai, a grief-stricken shepherd who lost his wife to tragic circumstances fifteen years before. Chosen by a the mystical voices of the “Children,” he finds himself reborn and joined by three wise women on a journey toward enlightenment. Although the author doesn’t gloss over the grim details of a world where marauding slavers are a very real threat and where someone was considered old if they lived to the age of thirty-five, it still manages to be a kind and gentle tale.

Voices is a lovingly researched historical fantasy about a period which has previously received little attention. This tale about a wandering shepherd’s meeting with Egyptian peoples at the height of the construction of the pyramids is so well crafted that the reader can smell the scents, taste the food, and gain a feel for the experiences of someone alive then. The level of authenticity and the skill with which it is conveyed are unrivaled in anything else I’ve read about this period in human history.

I really enjoyed the historical accuracy: the details of life and worship, the interaction of various peoples and their separate yet similar gods and goddesses, and the carefully crafted intrigue as Marai works to unravel the mysteries of his quest. My only complaints are that the pacing is often quite slow, and that Voices in Crystal ends without resolving immediate danger facing Marai and his companions.

Nevertheless this was an intriguing read, and I look forward to seeing where Marai, Ariennu, Naibe, and Deka’s journey leads them in the next book.

[Richard Burke · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story weaves together ancient Egyptian mythology with a touch of Sci-Fi. The premise of the book is an alien visit, which endows the main character, Marai, with superhuman powers.
The level of description is impressive, verging on poetic, but a little too much so at times to the detriment of plot advancement.
This was not a light read, but if you enjoy fantasy mixed with ancient history, you may enjoy this book.

[Alex · Rating 3 out of 5]

First of all I've got to say that the mere concept of this book is squarely in the realm of things that I absolutely love. Aliens coming to earth to turn humans into superhumans is a good premise, but aliens coming to earth to do that IN ANCIENT EGYPT is fantastic. And it's even better when you can tell that the author loves the time period and has really done her research. The thing I loved best about this was all the little details about Akkadian and Egyptian life, and the way the author really conjured up a world-view and a mind-set that was not at all like our own. I especially liked it when the main character arrived at the temple and underwent teaching in Egyptian religion and cosmology.

Things that I didn't like - it badly needs an editor. There are lots of typos and words that need capitalizing.
- Possibly period specific sexism and what seemed to me to be an unnecessary prevalence of rape in women's storylines
- in fact the portrayal of women as a whole was really quite peculiar.
- promulgation of the idea of a divine feminine and divine masculine and the divine nature of heterosexual sex, which bothers me as an asexual, agender person, because I feel like my existence is being written out of the universe.
- (possibly linked to the above) a homosexual villain.

If you like Game of Thrones however, I think you will enjoy this more than I did.

[Jennifer Arntson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Voices In Crystal drew me in with its amazing cover, and beckoning title. The content of the work is rich in detail, and although in the beginning the names and places were somewhat overwhelming to keep track of, I became well acquainted with the key players and scope of the information quite quickly.

The story follows Marai, a troubled widower, who years later having yet to emerge from grief, becomes the vessel for the intellect of the children (a superior race from beyond) and is compelled to follow their lead. The epic tale unfolds in both rich imagery and lyrical melody, intertwining the stories of the unknown shepherd with Hordjedtef, a man who’s dedicated his life to finding ‘the children,’ but is denied the blessing Marai is empowered with.

Despite the fantastic world created for me, I had real trouble enjoying it. It saddens me that a work so full of great ideas bogged me down with numerous typographical errors. A work like this is not one you can simply skim over and get a general sense of. As such, I slowed down to savor each morsel given to me in the description. Therein lies the problem. With each jarring punctuation error, I was pulled out of the story, constantly struggling to decode the intent of the information (and I’m not even marginally good at proofreading). With incredibly long chapters and no natural break, the story shifted from one point of view to another, and I had to go back and figure out if the transition was something I had missed, of if I bypassed an error on assumption, and it caused me to stumble. Somewhere in the middle, the nagging interruptions turned into a constant flood of distraction overshadowing the beautifully crafted scenes. It was like watching a cinematic masterpiece with a colicky infant sitting in the seat behind me.

I so desperately wanted to enjoy this book. I was ready for it. I looked forward to it. I just wished it was ready to be read.

[Lisa Redfern · Rating 3 out of 5]

God-like humans seek knowledge keepers

Voices in Crystal is a story of loss, grief, and devotion inside a desert tribe. The level of cultural detail and description nearly overpowers the characters in the first half of the book.

My interest and engagement kicked in with the inclusion of a fascinating alien element.

After contact with the aliens, Marai and his companions become more than mere humans.

For pop culture references, these protagonists and their High Priest antagonists remind me of Teal’c from Stargate and Ronan the Accuser from the Guardians of the Galaxy 2 movie.

Other Voices in Crystal themes include; the healing and restorative powers of love, respect for women, seeds of life, sibling relationships, the value of learning, wisdom, and information availability for all, and the damage and disharmony caused by corruption of power.

[Hilary Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is not your typical fantasy book of heroes, battles and action. In fact, I don't think there is a single character who is a hero or a villain in it. There are deaths and some suggestion of rape (almost always off-page) but mainly it is an exploration of human nature. All characters have their flaws as well as their graces and they often rise up to do heroic deed or sink down. There is always a reason for their actions. The language is enthralling but this is not a rapid page-turner. You want to keep reading but each page needs time and attention to get the best from it. It is not suited to speed readers. This book will repay any time spent reading it and definitely makes you think. Due to period and themes, some Christians may find it a little disturbing.

[Michelle Cornwell-Jordan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Voices in Crystal is a lush, grand adventure that I did not want to leave! I love history so this Historical Fantasy was right up my alley. There's so many nuances to the story...it's difficult to say which captured me? I believe everything working together from the rich, mesmerizing descriptions to the adventure...all held me and would not let go until the end! Author Mary Woldering is an excellent storyteller who weaves a world (overlapping our own) that truly captivates and entertains! I'm looking forward to the next in the series!

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the cover art, it is beautiful. This is an amazing can't put down page turning adventure. Children of Stone is a love, adventure and a fantasy story all rolled into one delicious book. This is a book from an amazing author. Rarely when I finish a book do I want to read it again this book is an exception. I will definitely be rereading it soon while waiting impatiently for the next book to be released. I highly recommend this book

I won this book through goodreads.

[Ica Iova · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always wondered about the Pyramids- how people so primitive, were able to build such majestic structures. After reading Children of Stone by Mary Woldering, I got my sought-after answer: they used alien technology. This is a different kind of fantasy—multi-layered, well-researched—touching on history, ancient cultures, religion. I enjoyed the book in spite having trouble remembering the names (something I experience with all fantasy books)

[Beth Worsdell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This beautifully written novel contains my favorite subjects, ancient aliens and our ancient past. And wow, the two were connected flawlessly in this tale of lost love, new love, and an epic journey in more ways than one.

Rich characters, fantastic descriptions, and world-building enriched this novel. You can tell immediately that there was much research done.

It was a slower-paced read than I am used to, but the depth of this wonderful novel was brilliant.

[Jennifer Shepard · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book I read from this autor and let me tell you that I loved it! Such a good book with great characters that keeps you obsessed with every page since the first one. The story is fresh, something I've never read before! Amazing job! definitely a must read!

[Dana Fernandez · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first book by this author. It was beautifully written that kept me wanting more. I’m looking forward to the next one in the series. I would recommend this book and author.

[F. Stephan · Rating 5 out of 5]

What I really liked
Voices in crystal is a great read, one that I recommend. I have been fascinated by the ancient civilisation of Egypt, Summer, and Akkad, read a lot about it and then went into science-fiction until I crossed the path of this book. I can tell the precision of the descriptions. It feels like you live through those ancient times, full of passion, primal emotions, and god reborn walking on earth.

I love also how the future technology from the children is described by the inhabitants of that age. Often, writers uses modern words to describe those encounters. Here it feels like you were living through those ages.

What I struggled with
The author has chosen to build the action slowly and gradually to immerse you in the world. Sometimes, I would have like the action to go just a little faster. I still continued, glued to this epic world, though !

My overall impression
This is an powerfull novel of raw, primal emotions in an harsh ancient world. And it's a great satisfying read ! I loved it.

[Janet R Brienza · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alternative history with aliens

This book Ended up being quite more than I expected. I thought I was getting a retelling of the birth of Christ, given the cover. I was happy to read on, and find much more!

It opens with a prayer. It’s a solemn, mystical vibe that penetrates this work. I liked it very much.

The characters are well developed, and I found them to be likable. I did struggle with many different points of view, and lush detail. Once I found a quiet spot without a television blaring in the background and lots of chatter, I was able to concentrate and enjoy.

A large portion is adult in nature. Nothing gratuitous, or in bad taste, but if that’s not your thing, take note.

Warning #2, this book ends in a cliffhanger. Freak that I am, I like that sort of thing, but I know some do not.

Looking forward to what happens next!

[Bonnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Voices in Crystal by Mary R. Woldering is an involving journey set in ancient Egypt and the areas nearby. There was much that I loved about this book. The setting was engaging and Mary skillfully wove almost palpable details about everyday life in ancient Egypt and the Arabian Peninsula into the narrative. The characters were believable and well fleshed out, each one having their own back story. It was a little slow paced, but there was enough excitement to keep me turning the pages. I recommend this book.

[Lora Milton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Despite the dull cover, this is an interesting story set in Ancient Egypt. It starts out with a village that needs to move, but one member of the tribe who lost his wife has turned to madness and his sister is unsure whether he will go with them.

It's a slow boiler that reads a lot like mythology, so not a fast action read, especially in the beginning. I've taken my time reading it to absorb the beautiful imagery as well as assimilating the story and getting to know the characters. These are all well drawn and distinctive.

There's a supernatural-scifi element layered over a well-researched historical background which I found rather unique. Also uncommon is the story involves common village dwellers rather than the grandeur of the king and queens of Egypt.

A little slow in places, but will appeal to those who like to read old folktales.

[Nick · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book that needs time to read, not one that can be digested in an afternoon. The world building is complex and multifaceted, with a lot of information given as you go along. There are frequent lulls in the action filled with exposition, but it rarely feels like you’re being spoon fed information. I enjoyed the mixing of myth and magic, and the incorporation of recognizable bits of various religions. It’s an ambitious piece of world-building, with an enjoyable plot - a good book for a lazy day in a hammock.