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The Assassin's Betrayal: A Lost Sands of Time Novel

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The gods demand obedience. The crown demands blood. And an assassin is never meant to want anything at all.



Nebi was forged in silence and sharpened in blood. A blade in the hands of kings, a shadow in the halls of temples. He has lived his life bound to duty. To Pharaoh, to country, to divine will. The Panther never disobeys a direct order.



Until he is offered freedom, and commanded to betray the one who controls him. In this act, he finds a woman who sees the man beneath the blade.



She is not meant to be touched. Not meant to be chosen. Not meant to survive.



But neither of them were born to kneel.



As whispers of rebellion coil through the sands and the gods begin to stir, Nebi must decide what freedom truly costs, and whether a man raised as a weapon can ever choose his own fate.



In a land ruled by crowns and prophecy, love is treason, and betrayal?

Is the only path to freedom.

362 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 17, 2026

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C.P. Harrow

3 books33 followers

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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
Profile Image for Addy.
314 reviews13 followers
August 19, 2026
4.5 Stars 💫
Thank you to the author for the ARC!🖤

She's the Pharaoh's daughter who has been hidden away.
He's her father's personal assassin.
A relationship doomed from the start, perhaps?
What happens when one man's greed takes precedent and the gods get involved?
Find out in The Assassin's Betrayal!

Before now, I've never read a book that includes Egyptian themes and mythology, but it was so intriguing to dive into and learn about. This is the second time that a C.P. Harrow book has had me reading something new, and I loved every second of it! Nebi, the pharaoh's blade, and Amaunet, the hidden princess and rightful heir, had a very fast-moving relationship, but that made sense for the story. There really wasn't much time between the series of events, and when you know, you know. That plot twist? I genuinely sat in shock for a brief moment as I tried to wrap my head around what had just happened. This story was very well written and developed, and I really enjoyed being able to dive in! I'm looking forward to seeing what is done in the next one!
Profile Image for Ashley Manson.
26 reviews7 followers
July 16, 2026
Advances reader copy review

Although it started out slow, I enjoyed the book quite a bit. It’s well-plotted and matches Egyptian mythology well. I personally feel like it could almost blend into the mythology. I could also envision it as a movie.
The characters all hold interesting backgrounds. The scenes depicted are well described. The banter at times could be repetitive but still felt fun.
Overall I found it to be a good read.
Profile Image for Lindsayrosereads .
116 reviews13 followers
July 19, 2026
If you don't usually pick up books inspired by Ancient Egyptian mythology, this might be the one that changes your mind. Between the wrathful gods, false idols, political tension, and questions of loyalty, there's so much happening without it ever feeling overwhelming.

The writing is beautiful, almost lyrical, but what surprised me most is how cinematic it feels. The story leans heavily on dialogue, so it plays out like you're watching a movie. I know that style won't work for everyone, but for me it made the pages fly by.

Nebi completely won me over. His banter with both Amaunet and his best friend, Abasi, kept bringing lightness to a story that tackles some heavy themes. Speaking of Amaunet... she gave me major Princess Jasmine energy. Strong, opinionated, unwilling to let anyone tell her who she should be... she just also happens to need a little help escaping the palace.

One of my favorite parts of this book was the found family. These characters don't just stand beside each other, they truly see one another. They recognize each other's pain, challenge each other when it's needed, and remind one another that no one has to carry their burdens alone.

As the story unfolds, it becomes just as much about truth as it is about love. Secrets have a way of surfacing, no matter how carefully they're buried, and watching these characters find the strength to face them made the ending incredibly satisfying.

If you enjoy mythology-rich romantasy, layered characters, witty banter, found family, and romances built on trust and devotion instead of instant attraction, I absolutely recommend picking this one up.
Profile Image for BrewedBookDragon.
138 reviews3 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
July 5, 2026
What happens when gods and mortals both decide to rebel?

✨️ARC Review✨️
Releases: July 17th

The ancient gods of Egypt are pushing mortals around the board like chess pieces.

The Panther is the Pharoah's assassin, a blade forged to kill on command, who wants Freedom.

The Captain of the Guard is the only friend the panther has, even if he wants to cut his tongue out...regularly.

The Pharoah's daughter is hidden within the palace from the world.

I was hooked from the moment I started reading. I even sent C.P. a DM yelling at her at one point during the book. Yes, I had to go back and apologize but that isn't the point.

C.P. Harrow does not write "easy love". She writes devotion that needs to be earned and boy oh boy was this one earned.

The love scene that is in the book is not really closed door but it isn't explicit either. It is done so beautifully that it encapsulates the devotion of the characters.....maybe we can call it door cracked ajar spice.

I do not dare give away anything in this story. If you are a fan of:

Egyptian Lore & Ancient Egyptian Gods
Good Vs Evil
Betrayal
Tension
Love that is devotion wrapped in desire
Touch Her and Die
Characters with layers
Snarky side kicks

Then I highly recommend you put this on your TBR, because our little southern Gothic Queen has done it again only this time we are in the Lost Sands of Time.

This is a story that will stay with you long after you close the cover on the book!!
17 reviews
July 31, 2026
The Assassin’s Betrayal takes place in Ancient Egypt where we first are introduced to a tyrannical ruler Pharaoh Khnumhotep. He sends his assassin Nebi to eliminate as many threats as possible, but even Nebi grows weary and longs for freedom. During one of these missions, Nebi encounters Amun who is essentially the God of Beginnings. Nebi makes a gentlemen’s agreement; in exchange for his emancipation, Amun requires a treasure found only within the pharaoh’s inner sanctuary. It turns out to be far more than what Nebi bargains for. In a calculated game where the gods are meddling in human affairs, time is ticking, the stakes are high, deception is found at every turn, and allies are very few. This is a fast paced book that will leave you gasping at the very end. In the famous words of Cersei Lannister “when you play the game of thrones you win or you die. There is no middle ground.” This was a solid read with good bones, and I thoroughly enjoyed my time reading this book. It took me on a journey through the multiple POV’s including the characters’ doubts as well as their own paths of self-awareness and discovery. Although I am unfamiliar with Egyptian mythology, it is addressed well especially to how it pertains to the theme and plot of the story. I honestly did not see that twist at the end, and I’m sure it may be a point of contention. Regardless, I hope to read more from this new Indie author.
Profile Image for MJ Bernand.
56 reviews1 follower
Read
July 8, 2026
C.P. Harrow did it again! Another amazing book I could not put down!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book from beginning to end. The writing was engaging and flowed effortlessly, making it easy to become completely invested in the story. The chemistry between the two main characters was immediate and believable, creating a captivating connection that kept me turning the pages.

Nebi's devotion is something I will admire always. He's got characteristics of the perfect man. The plot was well thought out, with no loose ends, and everything came together in a satisfying way.

Most of all, the romance was beautifully written! It was emotional, heartfelt, and full of moments that made me genuinely root for the characters. If you're looking for a love story with strong chemistry, solid storytelling, and an engaging plot, this book is definitely worth reading.

Makes me wish a dark god would come offer me a task. 😉

Highly recommend! Coming to you on July 17th!!! ♡♡
Profile Image for Sirens & Swords.
9 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
July 1, 2026
I received an ARC copy of The Assassin’s Betrayal in exchange for an honest review, and C.P. Harrow has once again proven why she’s an auto-read author for me.

Set against the backdrop of ancient Egypt, this story blends political intrigue, mythology, action, and a beautifully written romance. Nebi was an incredible hero whose loyalty, strength, and quiet devotion made him impossible not to love, while Amaunet was a strong, intelligent heroine who challenged him at every turn. Their chemistry felt natural, and I was completely invested in their journey.

The worldbuilding was immersive, the pacing kept me hooked, and every twist felt earned. If you love slow-burn romantasy, morally gray assassins, ancient Egyptian mythology, and characters you’ll genuinely care about, I highly recommend picking this one up.
17 reviews1 follower
Review of advance copy received from Author
July 5, 2026
OMG! I have no words on describing how I feel after reading this book. It was so beautiful and intense that I had to sacrifice my sleep just to get through it.

Plot twist was twisting hard, everything I told myself that I'm okay and have recovered from the previous plot twist! A new onst.e arises and changes the entire story

Nebi, the Panther/the assassin, that man was truly something else. From the early chapters you could tell that he was a mind of man you had to think twice before crossing. I loved the fact that even when the whole Egypt praised Ra he stood firm in his belief and praised Amun even though it was in secret. I hate that the "almost" happened later than I expected but I'm glad it happened it took more pages than I expected😅
I'm also glad that the true Pharaoh was able to claim her place while the "fake" got what he deserved even though it wasn't that much. Assassin betrayal is a great book and it's truly worth reading and staying up late going through the pages
42 reviews4 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
July 9, 2026
5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I absolutely loved this book. It hooked me from the beginning and kept my attention the entire time (that isn't easy to do with my ADHD brain).
This book has Egyptian Gods & Mortal's and the decisions that have to be made. I loved everything about it, from the characters' beliefs and values to the wit & banter, from side characters. As well as the dynamics of the main characters & how they stand by each other, & the touch her & die dynamic that happens. The world is so well done that I truly felt like I was a part of it. I have always enjoyed Egyptian lore, and this story made me feel like I was actually there experiencing it with the characters. C.P. Harrow did an amazing job bringing this story to life in my head in a very imersive way, which I truly enjoyed. I can't wait to see where she goes with the other stories in The Lost Sands of Time series
Profile Image for Megan Church.
34 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
July 16, 2026
I’d like to thank C.P. Harrow for the opportunity to read The Assassin’s Betrayal as an ARC.

Set in ancient Egypt, this story follows Nebi, the Pharaoh’s assassin, who has grown weary of a life spent in service and longs for freedom. His latest mission becomes a turning point, not just for him, but for Egypt itself. Unearthing long‑buried secrets, grief, treason, and decades‑old betrayals.

This book is an emotional whirlwind. It explores how grief can twist into something far more dangerous, and Harrow writes these moments with such nuance that you almost feel sympathy for the choices made in desperation.

One devastating decision ripples outward, altering the future for several characters.I highly recommend this book to fans of ancient Egyptian mythology, The Mummy, or stories steeped in betrayal and political intrigue.
Profile Image for reads.and.ruin 📚.
97 reviews4 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
July 5, 2026
This book is so beautifully written. From the moment I started the book I didn’t want to put it down. Yes the chapters are long, and yes I had to stop in the middle but I didn’t want to.

I felt like I was truly in this world. I could picture everything that took place, it was so immersive.

This was a slow burn, but it was so well done. Once you finally got to the scene, it was worth it.

My favorite character was Nebi. He was someone you wanted to be on your side and not against you. He stood on his own beliefs and didn’t back down.

I loved that this book was unlike any other book I have read. I highly recommend it.
190 reviews84 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
July 15, 2026
This is a must read for those that enjoy Egyptian mythology. The Ancient gods of Egypt are stirring. The Pharaoh is keeping secrets buried beneath his walls. His assassin grows weary of being used. This book tells the story of people desperately wanting freedom and an Ancient God interested in setting things to right. This book was so very good. It is well written and once you pick it up the story sucks you in. If you love Egyptian mythology, fantastic characters and really good story telling, I absolutely recommend.
Profile Image for Jerry.
73 reviews2 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
July 16, 2026
This is a spoiler free ARC review. Thank you to the author for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

C.P. Harrow has created a masterpiece in The Assassin's Betrayal, book one of the new A Lost Sands of Time series. Thoroughly researched and poetically written, this historical romance drops you in the heart of ancient Egypt. Intricately woven twists and surprises keep you guessing just who is good and who isn't.

This is definitely one of my top books for 2026! I can't recommend it enough!
7 reviews
Read
July 7, 2026
You know when you meet an author at a random book fair on a Saturday, and now you're OBSESSED with her and her writing! Yep, that's me and how I got here. This was an absolute pleasure to read. The character's were beautifully written and the story line was amazing. The historical part of the story was on point. Don't pass this read up! OR any of her others.
Profile Image for Add Another To The TBR.
24 reviews
July 20, 2026
The twists and turns in this book came as steathily as the panther himself. Nebi got under my skin and refused to let go. I had to put the book down and walk away for a moment! An idea as brilliant as the sun on the Nile, this book was unexpected and riviting down to the final pages.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews