The Horus Road (Lords of the two lands) - Hardcover

Gedge, Pauline

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 067088670X ISBN 13: 9780670886708

Publisher: Viking, 2000

Synopsis

In this, the last book of the trilogy, the youngest son of Seqenenra Tao assumes command of the native armies rebelling against the Pharaoh Apepa, whose alien dynasty has ruled Egypt for two hundred years. When his dedicated but ascetic older brother, Kamose, was assassinated by his own allies, Ahmose was seriously wounded. The women of the family must hold the native forces together until Ahmose can recover and develop a strategy that will bring about the downfall of the "rulers of the uplands," whom we know today as the Hyksos.

About this title

About the Author

Pauline Gedge is the author of eight novels including Child of the Morning, and lives in Canada.

From Publishers Weekly

Chronicling the struggle between Egypt's native kings and the foreign Setiu rulers during the 12th dynasty, Gedge's Lords of the Two Lands trilogy sweeps to completion in this hefty final volume (following The Hippopotamus March and The Oasis). Although readers unfamiliar with the previous novels may peruse the helpful foreword, a list of 62 characters featuring such confusingly similar names as Ahmose, Ahmose-onkh, Ahmose Abana and Ankhmahor may daunt newcomers. Ahmose Tao, youngest son of the first rebel pharaoh, takes up the reins of power against Setiu King Apepa, who has claimed the uplands and caused the death of Ahmose's father and brother. Upon crowning himself King, Ahmose leaves the village of Weset and his sister/wife, Aahmes-nefertari, to lead the army toward Het-Uart, the Setiu royal home. They plan to storm the walled city and seize control of the crucial Horus Road. When Apepa's greatest general dies in battle, he closes the city, and Ahmose's army must hold vigil until Het-Uart crumbles. Back in Weset, Queen Aahmes-nefertari is lavishly rebuilding her family's empire and enjoying the authority accorded her by her husband's absence. When Ahmose returns, their growing coolness toward each other is exacerbated by the death of their daughter and another ill-fated birth. Ahmose leaves again for battle, where Apepa escapes his army and flees to Rethennu. As the Egyptians continue their march after Apepa, Ahmose endeavors to oust the Setiu, unite the realm and restore glory to his gods, whatever the price. Gedge's meticulous research is rendered in able prose; unfortunately, the novel often sinks under the weight of historical detail and long, drawn-out battle scenes. More fictionalizing and a few editorial cuts would have made the going less laborious.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Edition details

• Publisher: Viking
• Publication date: 2000
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 067088670X
• ISBN 13: 9780670886708
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 507