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White Lotus Trilogy #2
Persian Rose
In the fifth century BCE, Egypt is the greatest civilization known to mankind. But with a foolish king on its throne, the Nile Valley is ripe for conquering.
Amid this climate of danger and strife, in the alleys and brothels of Memphis, an extraordinary young woman comes of age. To spare her siblings from starvation, Doricha is sold into prostitution. But she has gifts beyond mere beauty. Through wit and determination, she works her way into the realm of the hetaerae—courtesans of exceptional refinement.
As a hetaera, Doricha has access to the schemes and negotiations that shape the world. But the rich and powerful also have access to her, and Doricha soon finds herself in the Pharaoh’s harem, caught up in his reckless schemes. When the Pharaoh sends her off to his fiercest enemy, thinly cloaked by a dangerous ruse, Doricha must become a double agent if she hopes to survive. Caught between the Pharaoh and the Persian king Cambyses, it is Doricha—once a slave, now a woman of great but secret power—who will determine Egypt’s fate
Amid this climate of danger and strife, in the alleys and brothels of Memphis, an extraordinary young woman comes of age. To spare her siblings from starvation, Doricha is sold into prostitution. But she has gifts beyond mere beauty. Through wit and determination, she works her way into the realm of the hetaerae—courtesans of exceptional refinement.
As a hetaera, Doricha has access to the schemes and negotiations that shape the world. But the rich and powerful also have access to her, and Doricha soon finds herself in the Pharaoh’s harem, caught up in his reckless schemes. When the Pharaoh sends her off to his fiercest enemy, thinly cloaked by a dangerous ruse, Doricha must become a double agent if she hopes to survive. Caught between the Pharaoh and the Persian king Cambyses, it is Doricha—once a slave, now a woman of great but secret power—who will determine Egypt’s fate
356 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 2, 2017
147 people are currently reading
278 people want to read
About the author
Libbie Hawker
38 books495 followersLibbie was born in Rexburg, Idaho and divided her childhood between Eastern Idaho's rural environs and the greater Seattle area. She presently lives in Seattle, but has also been a resident of Salt Lake City, Utah; Bellingham, Washington; and Tacoma, Washington. She loves to write about character and place, and is inspired by the bleak natural beauty of the Rocky Mountain region and by the fascinating history of the Puget Sound.
After three years of trying to break into the publishing industry with her various books under two different pen names, Libbie finally turned her back on the mainstream publishing industry and embraced independent publishing. She now writes her self-published fiction full-time, and enjoys the fact that the writing career she always dreamed of having is fully under her own control.
Libbie's writerly influences are varied, and include Vladimir Nabokov, Hilary Mantel, Annie Dillard, George R. R. Martin, songwriter Neko Case, and mixed-media storyteller Chris Onstad, to name but a few.
She previously wrote under the pen name L.M. Ironside (historical fiction).
After three years of trying to break into the publishing industry with her various books under two different pen names, Libbie finally turned her back on the mainstream publishing industry and embraced independent publishing. She now writes her self-published fiction full-time, and enjoys the fact that the writing career she always dreamed of having is fully under her own control.
Libbie's writerly influences are varied, and include Vladimir Nabokov, Hilary Mantel, Annie Dillard, George R. R. Martin, songwriter Neko Case, and mixed-media storyteller Chris Onstad, to name but a few.
She previously wrote under the pen name L.M. Ironside (historical fiction).
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
June 25, 2017
As with many of Libbie Hawker's other books, I am enjoying this series, but I do have to mention that there are many spelling and grammatical errors which could put off some readers. It didn't bother me so much because the storyline really drew my attention, but I did take away one star because of it. However, there were so many intrigues going on and I just had to know what was going to happen, so I kept reading.
This is the story of Rhodopis, one of only two known hetaerae mentioned by name by Herodotus, the other being Archidike, who is also in the book. From being plucked off the streets by essentially selling herself so her family wouldn't starve, to her training by her masters right hand man, Aesop...yes the very one who wrote all those lovely fables we know of today. I wasn't even aware that he existed that long ago.
Anyway we go from her training to her introduction as a hetaerae into society at the time of Pharaoh Amasis, who is none too popular, because his love of anything Greek is brewing tension in Memphis. Too many Egyptians feel that the Greek people and culture is doing away with their identity as a people. So it is in this time that Rhodopis finds herself, at the center of a crisis that is about to boil over. That is all I will say about it, because I don't want to give anything else away.
Book three is supposed to be released this fall, so I am looking forward to the conclusion of her story.
Recommended (if you can overlook the grammatical errors). This review is for both books currently in the series, The White Lotus and Persian Gold.
This is the story of Rhodopis, one of only two known hetaerae mentioned by name by Herodotus, the other being Archidike, who is also in the book. From being plucked off the streets by essentially selling herself so her family wouldn't starve, to her training by her masters right hand man, Aesop...yes the very one who wrote all those lovely fables we know of today. I wasn't even aware that he existed that long ago.
Anyway we go from her training to her introduction as a hetaerae into society at the time of Pharaoh Amasis, who is none too popular, because his love of anything Greek is brewing tension in Memphis. Too many Egyptians feel that the Greek people and culture is doing away with their identity as a people. So it is in this time that Rhodopis finds herself, at the center of a crisis that is about to boil over. That is all I will say about it, because I don't want to give anything else away.
Book three is supposed to be released this fall, so I am looking forward to the conclusion of her story.
Recommended (if you can overlook the grammatical errors). This review is for both books currently in the series, The White Lotus and Persian Gold.
June 23, 2019
This book was the real test, from my point of view; the possible proof in the pudding. I’ve felt that Libbie Hawker had potential for several years, I’ve even greatly enjoyed an opening novel of a trilogy only to feel like the second and third books didn’t maintain the initial quality. I wasn’t crazy about White Lotus, the first book in Hawker’s trilogy about the semi-legendary Rhodopis, but I liked it, and for me the big question was could Hawker sustain my interest and that decent level of quality throughout the second and third books. Having finished Persian Rose, I think the second book does carry it through.
As in the previous novel, one of Hawker’s strengths are her descriptions and the deft way in which she sets a scene. She seems to have really come into this in the past couple of years, and it’s a pleasure to see. For me, I truly appreciate the linguistic skill, not to mention the way in which quality rendering of the environment can make or break my immersion in the story. This is definitely a string to Hawker’s bow.
Another key point is the plot taking off here in the heart of the trilogy. The first book did have a bit of a origin story, set up feel to it, and sometimes those beginnings just don’t need to be told. I forgave the hint of it in the first book though, because I still managed to cover some of the key aspects of Rhodopis’ myth, and I anticipated a shift into high gear in Book Two. I can’t say I was disappointed. There is more drama, a greater thrust into important political events, and the stakes are higher, the consequences of failure more dire. There are several twists and turns in the story, and we’re whisked off to impressive and far places such as Pharaoh’s court, the Persian empire in Babylon, and back to a tense undercover existence in Memphis. This is absolutely what the second book should be doing. And yet…
And yet, there was something missing. I want to try to explain what this was, not because the book wasn’t good – indeed, I am rating it fairly highly – but because it could have been even better. I think the certain je ne sais quoi in this case was that the story couldn’t support the scope. We’re told that we travel to distant, awe-inspiring lands, and that our main character exists as a vital element amidst powerful kings of bustling empires… but it didn’t feel like it to me. In terms of location, I felt like I was on a whistle-stop tour, with just enough time to see the top three tourist sights, meet one or two key characters, and then off again. The cast felt awkwardly small, which also pierced the veil of the grand scope. I have difficulty remembering anyone from the Persian section of the book besides Cambyses and Phanes – but in order for me to believe that Rhodopis was in the heart of the empire, there needed to be a much larger ensemble of colourful and fleshed out characters. I think Rhodopis as the sole main character may have added to this sense, as she was the only one who felt like a distinct, fully realised person to me. With more time spent on grounding the different locales, and with a bigger, more developed cast, Persian Rose could have been improved, in my opinion.
Nevertheless, definitely enjoyable, and I do plan on reading the third book to finish the trilogy.
8 out of 10
October 15, 2018
2.5
I have to admit, this series is not as good as the She-King series. First, there is far, far, far too much info dumping, including a whole info dump by one character about what happened in the first book. Which, okay, sometimes people start with book 2, but wasn't that what the foreward bit was for?
Second, the change in loyalities should have been more developed. It comes across as far too sudden.
There are some good points, more women interacting with each other in positive ways instead of just sexual competition, but the plot that forms the third part of the book is deeply flawed and doesn't make much sense.
Writing is good, and the up until the third half of the book, the plot works.
I have to admit, this series is not as good as the She-King series. First, there is far, far, far too much info dumping, including a whole info dump by one character about what happened in the first book. Which, okay, sometimes people start with book 2, but wasn't that what the foreward bit was for?
Second, the change in loyalities should have been more developed. It comes across as far too sudden.
There are some good points, more women interacting with each other in positive ways instead of just sexual competition, but the plot that forms the third part of the book is deeply flawed and doesn't make much sense.
Writing is good, and the up until the third half of the book, the plot works.
June 2, 2017
A continuation of a well researched interesting story that was informative and entertaining. Really needed a good edit, spell check does not edit and there were grammar errors in almost every chapter, which is just annoying for those of us who don't just skim. Good character development.
April 22, 2018
I really enjoy Hawker's historical narratives. This second installment of the White Lotus Trilogy was a much faster paced story compared to the first and the increased action really moved the narrative along. Although there were grammar and spelling mistakes, evidence of poor editing, it does not take away from the interesting plot.
Rhodopis returns, this time as a member of the Pharaoh's harem. She finds harem life boring, maintaining that she is still a slave, in another setting. Rhodopis soon finds herself in danger from the Pharaoh's son Psamtik. Psamtik is eager to see his father's reign end and to restore the Egyptian way to a Greek ravaged Memphis. Psamtik takes his anger against the Greek influence out on Rhodopis; so when Rhodopis is given the chance to act as the Pharaoh's spy in Persia, she takes it.
Once in beautiful Persia, with a just king and friendly companions, Rhodopis cannot betray the Persian king. Rhodopis also learns that women had freedom in Egypt, before Greek influence, her greatest dream is to be free. She decides to help bring down the Pharaoh by allying with Persia. To achieve freedom and keep her head she must bring allies to the Persian cause. Returning to Memphis, Rhodopis must risk her life to find these allies.
Clearly this novel moves with much more action than the previous installment. Rhodopis is finally in control of some of the things that are happening to her. In only 356 pages she travels all over South West Asia, takes on two new names and becomes a spy for two powerful kings. I cannot wait to see the conclusion to Rhodopis' tale.
Rhodopis returns, this time as a member of the Pharaoh's harem. She finds harem life boring, maintaining that she is still a slave, in another setting. Rhodopis soon finds herself in danger from the Pharaoh's son Psamtik. Psamtik is eager to see his father's reign end and to restore the Egyptian way to a Greek ravaged Memphis. Psamtik takes his anger against the Greek influence out on Rhodopis; so when Rhodopis is given the chance to act as the Pharaoh's spy in Persia, she takes it.
Once in beautiful Persia, with a just king and friendly companions, Rhodopis cannot betray the Persian king. Rhodopis also learns that women had freedom in Egypt, before Greek influence, her greatest dream is to be free. She decides to help bring down the Pharaoh by allying with Persia. To achieve freedom and keep her head she must bring allies to the Persian cause. Returning to Memphis, Rhodopis must risk her life to find these allies.
Clearly this novel moves with much more action than the previous installment. Rhodopis is finally in control of some of the things that are happening to her. In only 356 pages she travels all over South West Asia, takes on two new names and becomes a spy for two powerful kings. I cannot wait to see the conclusion to Rhodopis' tale.
March 1, 2018
I AM SO FRUSTRATED
Seriously?. Throw away final happiness for what? A botched plan of clumsy seduction ?
I’m honestly so unimpressed with rhodopis at this point. She’s so terrible at sex and the only thing she’s good at is dancing and maybe somehow really squeezing by when things are hopleless. I hate Rax, I hate how she couldn’t just kill him, and at this point if the next book is about her escaping that nonsense, I am so done.
Also if you’re triggered by rape, don’t read this book.
Seriously?. Throw away final happiness for what? A botched plan of clumsy seduction ?
I’m honestly so unimpressed with rhodopis at this point. She’s so terrible at sex and the only thing she’s good at is dancing and maybe somehow really squeezing by when things are hopleless. I hate Rax, I hate how she couldn’t just kill him, and at this point if the next book is about her escaping that nonsense, I am so done.
Also if you’re triggered by rape, don’t read this book.
November 29, 2018
Much better than the first one!
This second book of the White Lotus series was much better than the first book. The story is still a bit unevenly laid out, but the plot is interesting and suspense-filled at times.
Unfortunately, I found pages of descriptions of architect or foods that were overdone and made me want to skim pages as I read to get to the meat of the story of this very young courtesan involved in political espionage in early Egypt and Persia.
I think readers of historical fiction may enjoy this second book. I do plan to read the next of the series.
This second book of the White Lotus series was much better than the first book. The story is still a bit unevenly laid out, but the plot is interesting and suspense-filled at times.
Unfortunately, I found pages of descriptions of architect or foods that were overdone and made me want to skim pages as I read to get to the meat of the story of this very young courtesan involved in political espionage in early Egypt and Persia.
I think readers of historical fiction may enjoy this second book. I do plan to read the next of the series.
November 17, 2018
Definitely a slight improvement over the first book in this series. However, everything in this story is just a little too tidy and predictable. All in all, the series reminds me a bit of the oftentimes cheesy and repetitive VC Andrews books: fast, easy reads without having to think too much other than about how to slap some sense into the overly spineless, overly cute, overly brutal, overly ruthless, overly amazing or overly anything really characters.
October 9, 2021
Fascinating 2 of 3
This second novel is just as intriguing and fascinating as the first. Reading about how Siricha's life has drastically changed since being sold into slavery in Egypt is nothing short of fascinating. Lonnie Hawker definitely has a gift of making one believe all the intrigue that is White Lotus. But our heroine is left in a jam at the quay, so on to the third novel.
This second novel is just as intriguing and fascinating as the first. Reading about how Siricha's life has drastically changed since being sold into slavery in Egypt is nothing short of fascinating. Lonnie Hawker definitely has a gift of making one believe all the intrigue that is White Lotus. But our heroine is left in a jam at the quay, so on to the third novel.
April 22, 2018
Excellent second book in the series
I love how strong the characters are emotionally. Well written, historically accurate for the time setting, and gripping. Brought into the Pharaoh's harem, raped and then sent to Persia, the lead character has been honed to a fine edge of strength and honesty
I love how strong the characters are emotionally. Well written, historically accurate for the time setting, and gripping. Brought into the Pharaoh's harem, raped and then sent to Persia, the lead character has been honed to a fine edge of strength and honesty
April 27, 2018
Typos but great!
Try to highlight all the typos you see to notify the author. I am really enjoying these books so much. I don’t understand, however, how little she tries to remember or find her family. That’s a weird part. Otherwise fabulous.
Try to highlight all the typos you see to notify the author. I am really enjoying these books so much. I don’t understand, however, how little she tries to remember or find her family. That’s a weird part. Otherwise fabulous.
July 20, 2017
I really liked the ending to this book. Definitely a surprise.
Looking forward to the next installment.
Looking forward to the next installment.
August 16, 2017
Good read
This book had good character development and plot. I enjoyed the history. I look forward to the next book in the series.
This book had good character development and plot. I enjoyed the history. I look forward to the next book in the series.
October 21, 2017
Quick moving story
A good sequel to the first book. Don't look for any type of historical accuracy, but if you are in the mood for an entertaining read this series does the job.
A good sequel to the first book. Don't look for any type of historical accuracy, but if you are in the mood for an entertaining read this series does the job.
April 3, 2018
Practice makes perfect
This second book was written with a bit more care. Not as many grammatical errors and misspellings. I’m OCD about that.
Kept me interested enough.
This second book was written with a bit more care. Not as many grammatical errors and misspellings. I’m OCD about that.
Kept me interested enough.
July 19, 2018
Finished the Trilogy, would have like a different ending for Doricha.
May 28, 2019
Excellent read
A new and exciting version of the oldest Cinderella story, sprinkled on with fictional history, romance and adventure. Very well written.
A new and exciting version of the oldest Cinderella story, sprinkled on with fictional history, romance and adventure. Very well written.
January 22, 2020
I like the characters and the writing, but the errors in editing, misspelled words make it somewhat hard to read...
September 23, 2020
Main character gets raped. She goes to persia and plans revenge.
June 27, 2021
I have read two in this series and I am looking forward to the third. Things do not progress as one might think. There are twists and turns. Recommend the series. That’s all I will say 😳🤗🤣
March 4, 2025
Quick easy read.
March 16, 2018
And the sage continues, as Rhodopis first adjusts to life in the Pharoah's harem and then is sent to Persia under an alias. Hawker does an excellent job at crafting characters you love, and characters you wish were devoured by a crocodile. I also have to say that I wanted to strangle Sappho's brother, when he blamed Rhodopis for all of his problems. There are some typos, but apart from that, I greatly enjoyed this book and look forward to the conclusion.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews