Customer Reviews

Ramses: The Son of Light - Volume I

5 star:		(65)
4 star:		(40)
3 star:		(17)
2 star:		(20)
1 star:		(19)

 

 

Dont' expect to learn much about the life of Ramesses II from this book. Just as the rest of the series,while it is a good book for a lazy day at the beach, it is full of historical speculations and mostly historicaly inacurate.

...or at least that is how this, uh, piece of historical fiction should have been marketed. The plot is a juvenile mystery in which the greatest of Egypt's pharoahs (albeit in a younger guise) and his friend, Moses (yes, THAT Moses), are the sleuths. The prose is moaningly bad even for the 'tweens crowd for which this novel should have been aimed, and the characters are riduculously flat and clichéd. It also offers little to no detail of society or daily life in those times thus failing to believably "set the stage" and transport the reader. If you're really looking for some decent historical fiction, try Colleen McCullough's Masters of Rome series. Not the same time period or topic, but you adults in crowd will not feel intellectually insulted with each passing paragraph. I rate this a one star only because I cannot leave half a star. Why would it earn even half a star? Spelling.

The young Ramses stared the bull in the face. He was afraid. The bull was so fierce. The young prince turned to his father, Seti I, for help. "You're sending me to my death", cried the young boy. The pharaoh responded "You must become the light of your people, shining like the sun. You were hidden in my hand like a star; today I am setting you free. To shine-or to vanish!" Thus would begin the long and vibrant career of Egypt's greatest pharaoh. The first of a five-volume set, Christian Jacq's novel of the life of Ramses the Great begins with the king's early life in Egypt.

The supremely confident prince thought he was certain to succeed his father to the Horus Throne, but he was the only one who did. His brother, Shanaar, was the designated heir and he was jealous of his younger brother. His teacher said his name isn't even mentioned in court circles. He was told to leave town. Yet the prince was driven toward power and would never settle for anything less. He had a friend who felt the same way. A fire inside him driving him toward something great. That man was Moses. Even at a young age he began questioning the gods and was troubled by dreams he couldn't understand.

Life would not be easy for the young prince. He would face many obstacles that would put his life in danger. His father was an enigma to him-leaving him to believe he was testing him for greatness and then abandoning him. If he was the Son of Light he would have to battle the forces of darkness and they would come from people very close to him.

In ancient Egyptian culture the pharaoh was the protector of ma'at, the protector of order. To prove he was worthy of the honor he would have to prove it in the great battleground of Egypt. It would be order against chaos; light against darkness; and those storm clouds would gather threatening to consume the light before it had a chance to shine.

Christian Jacq weaves together an exciting tale, based on the life of Ramses II of Egypt. This was the time of Moses and we're introduced to him as a young teenage friend of the Prince. It was also the time of the battle of Troy and in Greek mythology Menelaus and Helen were forced by a great storm to the shores of Egypt. Jacq even has Homer conversing with the Crown Prince sharing his stories and philosophy with him. Finally, there is the living pharaoh, Seti I, who is seen as the gentle and wise ruler imparting his wisdom to his son. It is an exciting beginning to what promises to be one the ancient world's most gloriest of times.

I personally thought that book was worthy of praise when I had completed it. The morality of it all was somewhat so important to the book that without it this marvelous book would have a straightforward, boring, and completely unrealistic plot. And so I recommend this book as well as the other Ramses books by Christian Jacq, you won't be dissapointed!

Very dissapointing. I expected another bright book like Uarda but instead found a writing style similar to that of a 14 year old: poor in vocabulary, depth and wisdom and over-compensating with insignificant episodes one after the other. Useless to say, I won't purchase any of the next 5 books in the series.

I have read this many times( along with the rest of the series)
The story is beautifully written. An amazing piece of litrature!

the series promises much more than it can deliver. there is very little plot development and character development. Ramses is the pharoah-to-be, a morally upright if brash person, and all the people who are against him are evil, the ones for him are the good guys, who have their personal flaws.

i agree with the author of the review "Just Missed the Mark", that somehow, without good reasons given, Ramses always seems to come out on top no matter what happens and despite of all the plotting of his enemies. he's THE only one invincible, morally-upright, just, caring guy with the gods-given authority to lead. no one else gets to win, just Ramses.

this series disappointed me. an encyclopedia could have been more exciting.

I bought the first three books of the Ramses series, because I was interested in reading a book about Egypt. And after completed the first one I feel quite satisfied. Christian Jacq has the talent for representing his knowledge about ancient Egypt in a manner comfortable for common readers. One of the things I enjoyed very much in this book is the way the author makes you "sink" in the atmosphere of Egypt. There are also some moments and facts that are known from history and there are some experimental (or little irritating...) moments like the one with Homer, being contemporary of that time. I liked though the way Trojan war is incorporated with the time Ramses lived.

The story of the book is intriguing, and retaled in a 'calmer' way, making the book suitable for reading while in relaxed state. Imagine sunny afternoon, laying in a comfortable posture, thinking of nothing urgent... I think this book suits perfectly in this situation.

Another interesting aspect for me is the representation of the importance of the religion for the ancient egyptians. Seti (Ramses' father) for me seemed to be very sober and prudent man and in the same time he payed great attention to the religion and customs. This is how a great culture is being developed and maintained. This book made me read more about the egyptian mythology, which for me is very specific and sublime.

I'm curious about the next books, especially about the third one and the battle at Kadesh. I really hope the battle itself will be represented in more details than the battle between Ramses and the nubians in the first book.

Finally, my opinion is that this book deserves to be read. And if someone has interest in ancient Egypt I think he will be filled with pleasant feeling after closing it, like I was.

After reading Pauline Gedge's books (her books on Egypt are a must read), I was looking forward to more historical fiction on Egypt. However, I was sorely disappointed by this book. At first I thought it might be the translation - at one point Ramses says "Right on." One would think he was a modern American teenager rather than 2nd in line to the throne! Reading on though, I realised that it couldn't just be the translation -Ramses ends up in a fight with some grooms in the stables - you would think they should recognize him from his dress and manner! I couldn't finish the book. Unless you like romance novel style books or you are younger, I would go with Pauline Gedge's books - start with "Child of the Morning" or Lady of the Reeds."

I would agree with the other 1-star reviewers when I say that this book is utter rubbish. Apart from the thin plot, poor writing style and erroneous historical facts, my biggest gripe is with the characterisation. The characters are so simplistic as to be cartoonish. Each is either a "goodie" or a "baddie" and as such it is impossible to become engaged with them.

I thought it pertitent that Ramses should have a friendly, amicable lion as a pet, as at the time I had been comparing the novel to the Lion King and other great Disney cartoons!