From Publishers Weekly
This 13th historical novel from Tarr (White Mare's Daughter) invites readers into ancient Egypt, then nearly buries them amid excavated details and repetitive sex scenes. As the story begins, the Lower Kingdom of Egypt has been conquered by the Retenu, barbaric, hirsute invaders who have enslaved the local shepherd kings. Despite her status as a slave, spunky Egyptian Iry is chosen by the powerful Horse Goddess (incarnate in an actual horse called the Mare) to be her priestess. Meanwhile, Iry's cousin Kemni's prophetic dreams bring him close to the true king of Egypt, and place him at the forefront of the plot to oust the Retenu. When the Retenu lord Khayan falls in love with Iry, he faces a dilemma: will his allegiance to her, and to the Horse Goddess, overcome his loyalty to his people? Kemni dreams, and then arranges, an alliance between the rebellious Egyptians and the sea power of Crete. Iry and the Mare escape from the Retenu, and the war over Egypt begins. All these events occur very, very slowly. Given to showy anachronisms (trousers are "all the fashion among the tribes" ), and lurid sex ("he found her hot secret place and plunged deep"), Tarr's purple and dense prose is heavy going. Despite its historical interest and wealth of events, the narrative is as lively as a mummy. (June)
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Library Journal
Tarr's latest historical romance is set at a time when the kingdom of lower Egypt has been conquered by foreign barbarians. A young Egyptian slave called Iry has been chosen by the White Mare to be her servant. Egyptian rebels hope this means that the Horse Goddess now supports them instead of the invaders. Meanwhile, Iry's cousin Kemni persuades the Cretan king to support the Egyptian cause while finding himself bewitched by a beautiful priestess. If the Egyptians can master the horse and chariot, then their new alliance has a chance of destroying the foreign conquerors. But what will happen to Iry, who has fallen in love with one of the enemy? Tarr (White Mare's Daughter) carefully develops her strong-willed, passionate characters and showcases their complex and compelling relationships. The plot to free lower Egypt is definitely secondary to the love affairs. A solid choice for most public libraries.ALaurel Bliss, New Haven, CT
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.
