Rating: 5 out of 5
This volume, clearly one of my favourites in this series, stands rather alone in depicting a form of Ancient Egypt. Since reading this previously, I’ve gone through a few detective mysteries set in 19th century Egypt looking back at the glory period, but it’s very rare that an author actually takes a long and good look at the period itself – and even rarer that they do so rather well. That said the mysteries were somewhat overemphasized in the writing on this read and perhaps toning it down wouldn’t have hurt to get the message across.
This is by no means an excellent book but got for me the setting wins the day. The story of Cherwell and Thalric is otherwise not unexpected in many ways: so many different collisions for the two old enemies that them working for a relatively common goal in solving the mysteries city of Khanaphes is rather unexpected. What do the two learn or accomplish? Their main achievement for me is looking past the first allegiance to a common past. It’s not uncommon to end up in a situation where there’s more in common with old foes with the same experience as oneself compared to new allies.
The other characters don’t really stand out much. Amnon is probably the most memorable, doing well in the general story. His upright nature with honest and direct approaches make for an enjoyable, if not a particularly surprising person. Hrathen doesn’t really stand out in any way. Angved perhaps, with his inquisitive nature, should be mentioned as he had the most healthy approach to the whole endeavour.
Overall, this is an instalment in the series which I mainly enjoy for the setting. The characters too – at least Che and Thalric – but mostly still old Khanaphes.
