His Face is the Sun

Corpora, Michelle Jabès. His Face is the Sun. Book 1 of the Throne of Khetara series. 2025. 525p. ISBN 9781464224584.

The kingdom of Khetara is simmering with unrest, mirroring the intense heat of the Khamsin winds. When the pharaoh's wife gives birth to not one but three children, she receives help from three strange ladies who each bless a child. The eldest son becomes the crown prince. The middle child, the daughter Sita, becomes a princess becomes a bargaining chip to marry to another kingdom to support Khetara. The youngest son joins the temple. 

Karim, a tomb robber from the Red Lands, spends time with a group called the Jackals. When plundering an ancient tomb, Karim inadvertently awakens an ancient evil, a pharaoh who was stricken from history more than a thousand years ago. Now Karim is on the run, pursued by a malevolent monster. 

Neff is the only child of the local scribe. When she experiences a powerful vision from a goddess, she is noticed by the high priestess and brought back to the capital's temple where she can train. But her visions are very powerful and prove true. She connects with the young prince who now lives in the temple, but she's unaware that other, more sinister magic is at work within the grand temple.

Raetawy is a farmer's daughter who keenly feels the burden of the pharaoh's exploitation of her people and land. Wondering who will dare challenge the pharaoh, Rae finds that she might be the best suited person to do so after all.

The pharaoh's unexplained illness fuels whispers of rebellion, creating a volatile atmosphere throughout the land. Concurrently, a long-forgotten oracle in the quiet desert begins to manifest, unleashing a dark prophecy that intricately connects the destinies of Sita, Neff, Rae, and Karim. With an ancient evil now roaming the land, and with a corrupt and murderous crown prince claiming the throne of Khetara, bloodsheed looms over the land! Can these four strangers discover what prophecy binds them together and save Khetara before it is too late?

Tales of Ancient Egypt: Myths & Adventures from the Land of the Pyramids

Cook, Hugo. Tales of Ancient Egypt: Myths & Adventures from the Land of the Pyramids. 2024. 160p. ISBN 9781684493807.

Tales of Ancient Egypt is a captivating journey through the rich history of the ancient civilization of Egypt. Moving beyond the familiar story of Tutankhamun, this book delves into a wealth of lesser-known tales, including the daring escape of Cleopatra to meet Julius Caesar and the Cinderella-like tale of a peasant girl who married the pharaoh. The book seamlessly blends historical accounts with fascinating myths, offering a vibrant tapestry of love, betrayal, and royal intrigue.

Beyond the engaging narratives, Tales of Ancient Egypt provides valuable insights into Egyptian history and culture. Readers will learn about the construction of pyramids, the intricate process of mummification, and the role of gods and goddesses in ancient Egyptian society. With its engaging storytelling, meticulous research, and stunning visual presentation, this book is an great introduction to ancient Egypt for young readers, sparking their curiosity and inspiring further exploration.

The Curse of King Tut

Netzley, Patricia D. The Curse of King Tut. Part of the Mystery Library series. 2000. 96p. ISBN 978-1-56006-684-9. Available at 932 NET on the library shelves.

One of the most significant archaeological discoveries of the 20th century was the unearthing of Pharaoh Tutankhamen’s tomb in the Valley of Kings. Long forgotten, the boy king’s tomb is located in an area filled with the tombs of rulers and nobles of Ancient Egypt,but all of these burials sites have been plundered over the last four thousand years. Tutankhamen’s last resting place, however, was forgotten by history and by plunderers and contained objects and murals that helped understand an entire period in history.

Born to King Amenhotep IV, Tutankhamen ascended the throne early in his life following a period of decline and neglect. Though young, he set forth to create reforms and to return Egypt to its former glory. But Tut died young, most likely murdered by his advisors. He was given the proper burial rights and he was laid to rest in a tomb. All aspects of his life were erased from Egyptian records, and he soon was forgotten.

When Howard Carter began looking for tombs in Egypt in the 1920s, he was convinced that the few references to Tut found in old records indicated that there was a tomb that had not been found. He led an expedition that explored the Valley of Kings and eventually located King Tut’s tomb buried under dozens of feet of dirt. But soon, people related to the expedition began to die, and the curse of King Tut was born.

This fascinating book presents information on the expedition that discovered King Tut’s tomb. It describes Egyptian burial rituals, and reviews the King’s history. Several possible explanations for the curse are explored, from fungus to deadly gases and mosquito bites, but ultimately there appears to be no link between the many victims aside from their participation or exposure to members of King Tut’s expedition. Is there a curse? Read this book and reach your own conclusion.

Nubian Kingdoms

Russann, Edna. Nubian Kingdoms. 1998. 64p. ISBN 0-531-20283-6. Available on the library shelves at 939 RUS.

As the Egyptian state first unified and began its southern expansion in the 3000s BCE, it encountered the Nubians. Located south of the first cataract, the Nubians controlled access to the southern reaches of the continent and traded resources such as gold, ivory, and elephants. The Egyptians coveted these resources and launched many incursions into the southern interior.

The fortunes of Nubia, as the region was called, were intricately tied to those of Egypt. As Egyptian power rose, Nubia’s fell, but as the Egyptian state ebbed, the various Nubian kingdoms expanded into Egypt. This relationship would continue for nearly 2,400 hundred years, until the Roman conquest of Egypt allowed the Nubian kingdom of Meroë to thrive. Eventually the country converted to Christianity, before converting again 500 years later to Islam.

A powerful kingdom in its own right, Nubia eventually became part of Egypt and of Sudan. Readers interested in the past will appreciate the exotic nature of Nubia and its unfamiliar history.