The Genes of Isis

by Justin Newland

Akasha is a precocious young girl with dreams of motherhood. She lives in a fantastical world where most of the oceans circulate in the aquamarine sky waters.

Before she was born, the Helios, a tribe of angels from the sun, came to Earth to deliver the Surge, the next step in the evolution of an embryonic human race. Instead they spawned a race of hybrids and infected humanity with a hybrid seed.

Horque manifests on Earth with another tribe of angels, the Solarii, to rescue the genetic mix-up and release the Surge.

Akasha embarks on a journey from maiden to mother and from apprentice to priestess then has a premonition that a great flood is imminent. All three races – humans, hybrids and Solarii – face extinction.

With their world in crisis, Akasha and Horque meet, and a sublime love flashes between them. Is this a cause of hope for humanity and the Solarii? Or will the hybrids destroy them both? Will anyone survive the killing waters of the coming apocalypse?

Genres: Fantasy

299 pages, Paperback

First published February 18, 2017

About the author

JUSTIN NEWLAND’s novels represent an innovative blend of genres, from historical adventure to supernatural thriller and magical realism.
Undeterred by the award of a doctorate in mathematics from Imperial College, London, he conceived his debut novel, The Genes of Isis (Matador, 2018), an epic fantasy set under Ancient Egyptian skies. His second book, The Old Dragon’s Head (Matador, 2018), is set in Ming Dynasty China in the shadows of the Great Wall.
The third, The Coronation (Matador, 2019) is set during the Great Enlightenment and speculates on the genesis of the most important event in the modern world – the Industrial Revolution. The Abdication (Matador, 2021) is a mystery thriller in which a young woman confronts her faith in a higher purpose and what it means to abdicate that faith.
At this point in his writing career, after four self-published books, Justin was offered a part-funded contract with the Book Guild.
The Mark of the Salamander (Book Guild, 2023) is the first in a two-book ‘The Island of Angels’ series. It tells the epic tale of England’s coming of age during the Elizabethan era. The second in the series, The Midnight of Eights (Book Guild, 2024), charts the uncanny coincidences of time and tide that culminated in the repulse of the Spanish Armada.
His latest novel, as yet unpublished, is THE SPIRIT OF THE TIMES. It features a young Kyrgyz woman’s journey westwards along the Silk Road amongst a supporting cast of Genghis Khan, the Black Plague, a perplexing rhyme, a ring of roses, and the greatest mystery of all – the spirit of the times.
He’s exploring ideas for the next novel – a retelling of the legend of King Arthur Pendragon, the once and future king.
Justin’s enduring passion is to explore the origins of our current time. This prompted a broad research into what we’ve inherited from history – encompassing Egypt, China, Prussia and Tudor England. As well as the novels, he’s written a variety of entertaining talks, which he gives to the WI, U3A, Probus and Rotary. See the website for more information.
Alongside the talks, Justin promotes his work through regular book signings at TG Jones (ex. WH Smith) through which he has sold over 3,000 books over the last six years. He has also sponsored over 40 UK and US blog tours, during which he has given numerous radio interviews.
Justin was born in Essex, England, three days before the end of 1953 and lives with his lady in plain sight of the Mendip Hills in Somerset, England.
Contact Details/Social Media
E.: justin.newland@hotmail.co.uk
F.: https://www.facebook.com/justin.newla...
IG.: https://www.instagram.com/drjustinnew...
M.: +44 (0) 7748 114 170

Reviews

[Sherry Fundin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had to stop when I saw the vibrant yellow cover and see what The Genes Of Isis by Justin Newland was about. Then I saw angels and grabbed it. The Genes of Isis by Justin Newland wasn’t quite what I though it would be and it took me a while to get into it, but it is worth a read if you are into science fiction, fantasy, and historical fiction. I love when I can recommend a debut novel.

My name is Akasha. I am mother of you all. You are the children of angels. And this is out story.

The Helios is a tribe of angels that, like I have seen before, think they have all the answers. They came to Earth to move humans to a new stage of evolution by delivering the Surge.

Horque comes to Earth with the Solarii, another tribe of angels to fix what the problem the Helios created when they made the hybrids.

Akasha has a premonition that foretelsl of all their extinctions with a great flood. So many moments reminded me of a religious and an Egyptian story.

I am not a church goer, but I have enjoyed some Christian books and those with a religious tone. The Genes of Isis by Justin Newland is one of those. Many things sounded familiar, especially the polluting of religion for personal reasons. Political intrigue and revenge are alive and well. Is this where pyramids came from? I would think they would be more aware of Karma. 🙂

Issa made a deal with the devil and, at first, I though she was just a nice person. As the story comes together, I find she is so much more. Who knows what would have happened without her.

The Genes Of Isis by Justin Newland is hard for me to rate. I wasn’t very far into the book and wondered if this would be one of those I wouldn’t finish. I was confused. Not just by the names, which I create my own way of pronouncing them in my head, making the reading easier, but figuring out what was going on…Is it Gods and angels? Is it aliens? A third or half of the way through, the religious tones emerged and things were coming together. All in all, I would recommend if this is your type of story and like immersing yourself in a fantasy world of fantasy.

I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of The Genes Of Isis by Justine Newland.

[Orláith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Part sci-fi, part fantasy and part historical fiction, The Genes of Isis is a wonderfully immersive re-imagining of ancient Egyptian society.
Despite following multiple narratives, it managed to keep me hooked, chapter after chapter as each character has their own distinctive voice.
I'm sure history buffs will be able to pick holes in the world-building, but as I am a firm believer in suspending one's disbelief when reading, especially when reading fantasy, I adored the descriptions of the architecture and technology, of the people and locations.
I also very much enjoyed the romance between Akasha and Horque and found myself to be rooting for them from the offset!
Overall, this was a thoroughly enjoyable fantasy and I will definitely be seeking out more from this author!
Thank you so much to the Justin Newland for gifting me a beautiful copy of The Genes of Isis.

[Coffee with Lacey · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I first started reading the story, it was automatically dramatic as there was a windstorm of sand and salt. Water slowly disappearing, people fearing for their lives as well as concern for others and their community. Akasha at first seemed to be an innocent little girl, but was actually a strong young lady who becomes a warrior against the elements. I always a love a strong female lead. Especially someone who is magical.
If you like a book that is set in ancient history, and is different from other paranormal/sci-fi books, this is the book for you. A little tip: Read when quiet lol. With all of the characters, and what the story is, what is going on, you will need to concentrate.

[Zoé-Lee O'Farrell · Rating 4 out of 5]

this is not the sort of book I would normally read…which is exactly why I went for it. I wanted to get out my comfort zone, and once I had peace and quiet in the house and could concentrate I am glad that I did. I am intrigued by the Egyptians as I will devour anything to do with Greek Mythology I wanted to see if it would be the same here.

Well I was not disappointed like I said I had to concentrate but once I got in the flow, I wanted to learn all I could about the divide between the hybrids, Solarii and humans and to learn more the astral plane that was being discussed

I absolutely loved that the chapter titles were all included in the body of the chapter, I kept looking out for it when reading and the chapters were all short and snappy so it was easy to speed through this book.

The vivid imagery used by the author, had me picturing the events perfectly. The dust storms, in the beginning, I felt I could actually be there experiencing it, trying to keep the dust off me!

With the multiple points of views in the different chapters gave the reading of this mythology a whole new reading experience, one I thoroughly enjoyed. I am sure that some historians would pick holes in the story, and I do not know how much of this is factual (ignoring some of the glaringly obvious bits) but I read this at face value and ignored the legends (and google!).

If you want to know if anyone survived the apocalypse then you need to open to page one and begin the adventure.

[kirsty · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love books that feature mythological elements and supernatural elements so this book was right up my street.

The writing was really good with an engaging storyline and well developed characters that I liked. It was a gripping read that was mysterious, suspenseful and twisty. It also had a level of unpredictability that kept me guessing.

I really enjoyed reading this book and look forward to more from the author

⭐⭐⭐⭐/5

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[MeMe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Justin Newland tells a fascinating story based on the Book of Enoch that explains life on Earth thousands of years ago. As the reader journeys through time become immersed in a time when the physical and astral realms are virtually indistinguishable from each other. In the course of the story, he provides a unique insight into the process of building the Pyramids and details a variety of Egyptian artifacts that were found there. By looking at the biblical flood as the kind of overwhelming event they were, "The Genes of Isis" focuses our attention on the origins of our species. In addition to its esoteric nature, the plot also includes warmth, tragedy, adversity, and surprises. My attention was captured early on and I had a hard time putting it down.

[Justine · Rating 2 out of 5]

i didn’t get most of what was happening - it was mostly just vibes 🫶


2/5 stars

[Movies, Shows, & Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

Note: This review contains NO spoilers

Actual star rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Again! Author Justin Newland intrigued and kept me engaged into another historical mythological fantasy... and with a sci-fi twist. The Genes of Isis has a dramatic start and continued to captivate and immerse me into ancient Egypt and its mythology. What also fascinated me was the biblical elements throughout the book. With all these captivating elements, I really had to focus (sometimes, go back pages) on all the intricacies of the characters and all the other fantastical elements intertwined in the novel to get the full impact of the creative and vivid world the author created.

The Genes of Isis was an intense, imaginative, and enjoyable read. It is, by no means, a quick read, especially since historical fiction is not a genre I read very often. But, Justin Newland's writing is compelling, sophisticated, and brilliant that readers "travels" through time in his novels.

Reviewed by Jasmine
Disclaimer: We received a review copy for an honest review. All is my own opinion.

[Carly Rheilan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set in some version of ancient Egypt, before the biblical flood, but in time when the Jews were well established in Egypt (it’s a fantasy and bit woolly when it comes to timelines) this is a strange and haunting book. The skies are full of water and have been through living memory. A cataclysmic flood is looming.

The world is populated by humans and not-quite-humans, and the ‘humans’ in the story aren’t the way we think of them now. Human society is dominated by aliens from the sun who have built the pyramids to protect the world from harmful forces introduced by previous invaders– but they cannot protect humans from the devastating hybridization which those other invaders have introduced, except by rendering the human race sterile. Are these aliens from the sun benign gods or ruthless technocrats? And the hybrids – are they monsters or something else?

Enter our heroine, Akasha, a ‘human’ woman who cannot accept the forced sterilization of the human race. And who carries the future of the human race in her destiny.

This work is hard to pin down. It has a haunting, shifting, oneiric quality, playing with memories of biblical stories, imagery from ancient hieroglyphs and pyramid paintings, and the reader’s desire to see the human race flourish. The writing is beautiful. For me, though, the book loses a star because of its many lose ends. Hard to list them without spoilers, but there were questions raised throughout the book which I felt were unanswered at the end, and that left me dissatisfied. But I guess human life is like that. Above all, this book worked for me as an interrogation of what it means to be human. It didn’t give me the answer. I didn’t really want it to.

[Twila · Rating 5 out of 5]

Those pictures on Egyptian papyri – wolf and bird and snake headed humans, winged creatures like angels, tiny hairless humanoids serving others who are twice as tall – suppose that wasn’t an artistic fantasy but a depiction of how the world once was? Justin Newland’s strange, beguiling story offers such a vision in a curious, genre-defying mix of sci-fi and fantasy and allegory, a kind of alternative historical fiction or – dare I say it? – almost an alternative bible. Some characters are familiar – not least the pyramids themselves – and there is the flood, which is surely the same one as Noah confronted, and the Jews – still put upon – building an ark. But the gods are different: they are alien creatures, from the sun, living amongst humans reluctantly, wanting to go back, arguing amongst themselves while the little humans serve them and honour them and wait for their judgments. Perhaps they are, in some way, benign, but in their cruelty they are also indifferent to humans : (much like the real God, I suspect, if there is any such...)

At the heart of all this is Akasha, an apprentice to a priestess – an apprentice who will one day outshine her mistress. She is a wonderful character, feisty and tender and brave and wise (I wanted to be her, apart from her unholy attraction to one of the cruel gods – but of that I won’t say more for fear of spoilers). The task for her is nothing less than the renewal of the human race. Renewal? Regeneration? Or something else, somehow more sinister?

A disqueiting book altogether, but one that works its way into your consciousness and doesn’t let go.

[Rebecca Benson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Books Love Tour for the copy of the novel.

I was approached to give an honest and fair review of The Genes of Isis by @Drjustinnewland from @troubador_publishing.

I honestly wasn’t sure of this book at first. The premise was interesting because I do like a good book on Egypt but it started slow but once it got going, the world building and story was rich.

Akasha is human and Horque is Solaris, a race of sun angels who came to Earth in order to release the surge and cleanse the Earth of hybrids and hybrid seed. Together they foretell the end times that will either wipe the Earth clean of every one or restart the human species without the taint of the hybrid seed.

This is a science fiction story rolled into a historical background with elements from both Egyptian and biblical legends. A great flood is predicted and Akasha must journey through her world to become humanity's savior.

The world in which Dr. Newland has created us rich with colors and images. He portrays Egypt as the lavish home of the Sun Angels who work at building and maintaining the pyramids. Babylon is written with lavis gardens and towers.

The story flows through the growth of Akasha and finding love with Horque which was once forbidden. We see the rise and fall of Pharaohs and ultimately the birth of Akasha’s children who are the ones to bring the world into the new era.

I enjoyed the book and it’s rich characters and enjoyed the story line that wove familiar themes into an exciting story.

[Jemma sellar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Genes of Isis by Justin Newland 📚

This book surprised me. A lot.

This story is part sci-fi/ fantasy with some hysterical fiction littered through it.

It follows multiple POV’s, from multiple different species :- human, solarii & hybrids that all interlink, demonstrating how these different species co-exist together in an ancient Egyptian society. We follow the two main protagonists, Akasha who is human & Horque who is Solarii- a race of sun angels who’s main objective is to deliver what is referred to as the “surge” a power that aims to cleanse the earth of the hybrids and hybrid seed. Akasha has a vision showing an apocalyptic flood, sending her on a journey to save humanity and kick start the human race free of the hybrid seed with the once forbidden angels.

There is honestly so much to this story that it’s difficult to write a synopsis, but there is a romantic aspect to this novel also which I really enjoyed and it didn’t overshadow the plot.

The WRITING 😍😍👏🏼👏🏼 justin is in a league of his own! This author is TALENTED when it comes to literature. It took me a minute to grasp it but once I did I was hooked!

This world was so well written I was easily able to envision every scene vividly. His writing is so rich with imagery, you never struggle with wondering what a place looks like.

I really enjoyed this book, a few times I got a little confused with the plot but I think if I was to re read this book I would fully understand every aspect. It is a book I’d pick up again. I also cried at the end , I thought the ending was heartbreaking but beautifully done. 👏🏼👏🏼

4/5 ⭐️

This book was gifted to me as part of a tour with love book tours

[T.M. Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book started out slow but it really is a setting the stage sort of technique. Once the Author started conveying this world he created, the train began moving at a more steady pace. There is a lot to unpack in just over 300 pages, several characters, each having their own voice not to mention the history (some true some reinvented for the story) and the scenery which is all somewhat unique and very vivid the way it's written.

Akasha is a strong female lead and I thoroughly enjoyed watching her grow and evolve. Then you get to witness her relationship with Horque, I was rooting for them from the start. Akasha's journey is difficult, arduous and weighs heavily on her. But it also makes her the person she becomes. I so invested in this character I laughed with her, cried with her. That's the kind of heroine I want the Author to give me when I'm reading a book. You do get to see what's happening through multiple POV, but the Author does a fantastic job of ensuring the reader knows who's eyes their looking through at any given moment.

This story rolls a lot into the woodwork, let me just say. Science fiction, biblical aspects, Angels, Aliens, mystery, mythology and... Le Sigh, love. I quite enjoyed this book, the only reason I'm giving 4 instead of 5 stars is there were more loose ends than I cared for. But I'm hoping there will be more books in this world.

[Laura Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ancient Egypt has always fascinated me. I’ve watched many documentaries and fictionalized movies about it. And I’ve read up on it. It also fascinates me that a connection to aliens has been delved into. Their advanced technology would explain how the magnificent pyramids came to be.

Genes Of Isis pulled me in immediately. Set in Egypt thousands of years ago, the people are different and they’re ruled by beings that are more than human, aliens from the sun. In order to save humanity they only have a few choices to select from. One is a cataclysmic flood, unleashing the water that fills the skies. I kept trying to picture that. A sky filled with water.

I was caught up in the biblical aspects of the story. The mythological and alien. And the humanity. There’s loss, tragedy, political strife, hope, romance and the wonder of what we are here for.

The synopsis hooked me but I was worried if the plot could keep me intrigued and not get bogged down from the weight of the world the author created. I need not have feared. The short chapters, the intricacies of living in this long ago Egypt and the characters, human, more than human and alien all kept me zipping along. If the author chooses to continue with this story, I’d be happy to venture into this world again.

I received a complimentary copy. My review is voluntarily given.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just looking at the cover and reading the title made me feel warm inside, before I had even read the first page I knew that I was going to love this book! I love it when I get that feeling before even starting a book because that feeling has never let me down!

The story whisked me away to a beautiful fantasy world where I felt right at home.

Right from page one there is so much going on, so much atmosphere and intrigue. The walls could have been tumbling down around me and even that wouldn’t have made me pull myself away from this book.

I liked how the story fell into a few different genres. Be prepared for mysteries and a different point of view on certain myths and legends.

I absolutely loved all of the history of the ancient Egyptian Gods, I have a weird obsession with Egypt which I have never been able to explain, perhaps I was a pharaoh in a past life!

Highly recommended 5 star read!

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

I was gifted a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review by Love Books Tours, views and opinions are my own and have not been influenced by anyone.

[Sharon Rimmelzwaan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read one book of Justin Newlands' previously and thoroughly enjoyed that. When The Genes Of Isis invitation popped in my inbox I knew I had to read it!
This book is a blend of fantasy, sci-fi and mythology too. The mixing together of the fantasy with the history of the Egyptian gods was an excellent touch to this story. Again Justin Newlands world building is exceptional, I felt like I was there. His character development,yet again was perfect. I was able to picture everything and everyone, and understand what drove them throughout. This being the second book I have read of this author's, all I can say is he is so consistent with his expert storytelling. Both books I have read have spirited me away from everyday life and immersed me in such vivid imagery and engaging characters.
I loved the conclusion (fingers crossed for a sequel) and am looking forward to my next Justin Newland tour for his other book too!

[Sonja Charters · Rating 4 out of 5]

📚Book Review📚

The Genes of Isis
Justin Newland

🌟🌟🌟🌟✴️


Really enjoyed this fantasy/mythological story of love, change and sacrifice.

I loved how the author combined the fantasy world whilst keeping lots of the history of the ancient Egyptian Gods.

The world was beautifully created and described throughout and the history of the new races explained in good detail. This allows us to really engage with the characters and their actions and understand their motivations as the plot moves along.

I often find fantasy books a bit intense, but thought that the writing style here was nice and easy going with lots of pace and excitement.

Loved the ending (no spoilers) and hoping there might be a sequel following soon.

[Al Ross · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was pleasantly blown away by this book. It’s a fast paced story and something completely different to any book I’ve ever read (granted, fantasy isn’t my usual go-to). However, Justin Newland mixes in enough factual history with the fantasy and supernatural storyline that it kept me reading. The story is fast-paced and captivating. The only thing for me was that, at times, the language was a bit complex for me but I definitely got used to the writing style as I got more into the story. The factor that I enjoyed most was that all the characters are flawed and, at some point in the story, I disliked each one. But never did I dislike them all at the same time. I think this is a really clever thing to do and it definitely keeps you on your toes!

[Kate Blythe · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5 ⭐️

This book is a mixture of fantasy, sci-fi, mythology, and historical fiction. I loved that this book throws you into the world of the story right from the very start. The chapters alternate between characters and I really loved reading from this perspective. I also loved getting to know the characters as the story developed. I cannot fault the author on either setting or character development.

I found the plot to be enjoyable, but it did take me a bit to get into it. Once I did though I was hooked. I would definitely read more books by this author!

[Treasure Flakes · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really struggled with this one even though I so wanted to like it. The characters had very little development, I quickly forgot who was who and their names were confusing; so I had to keep flicking back pages to know who I was reading about. The plot was limp and didn't flow very easily, most of the time I had no idea what was actually going on and I quickly grew bored of it. The idea was sound but the execution was really poor.

[Samantha Turley · Rating 5 out of 5]

The mythology background was wonderful, I tend to be drawn to these books. This one was very well done.
I think Justin Newland did a good job of explaining his world and characters.
I enjoyed getting to know the characters both primary and secondary. They all felt like they had their own purpose and had depth that made me care about them.
On top of that, the writing style was easy to follow along with and helped me keep flipping pages steadily til the end.

[Gina Stamper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Justin Newland grabbed my attention at the beginning. He has no problem getting the story started.
Plenty of action along with fantastical themes and setting written in a descriptive way that allows the reader to picture it in her head.
Great characters really heightened the experience. You really are able to connect with them through his words.
A nice treat for fans of Mythology and Fantasy alike.

[Nagma (Take A Look At My Bookshelf) · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I saw the cover and read the blurb, I wasn’t sure of this book, but I love books that have mythological elements and was intrigued. The premise of this book is interesting, it's a science fiction story with ancient Egyptian and biblical elements.

The book was very well-written and the vivid imagery the author has used really helped me envision the scenes as I was reading. The chapters were short and easy to read. All in all, this was a solid read.

Rating: 4/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐

[R.K. Emery · Rating 5 out of 5]

A polished writing style that led the way for an easy to follow and learn and concise read.

Justin Newland has written a descriptive novel that does a great job of pulling the reader into the world he has created.

I enjoyed getting to know the characters both primary and secondary.

This is a great read and even those who are not strictly fantasy fans will be enamored!

[C. Gonzales · Rating 5 out of 5]

Newland's writing is in a league of its own. The way he captures a character's emotions without saying it directly... the way he makes the reader feel.
An enjoyable read that will keep you entranced to see how it resolves.
I would definitely read more stories by this author. He clearly knows his mythology.If you enjoy mythology even a little, you will enjoy this story.

[Caroline · Rating 3 out of 5]

Got this as part of a book tour in exchange for an honest review

This tells the story of a god like people (the Solarai) ,who built some of the great wonders of Egypt, and their relationship with humans when a great flood is prophesied.

So this blends today some ancient Egyptian beliefs with an element of more modern ones but can be confusing at times to figure out exactly what is happening and why.

I found it interesting to see how the two cultures overlapped and I liked the blend of styles and having the two different POVs.

Altogether I found it a decent read but feel people who like more religion in their stories may enjoy it more.

[Lms · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sorry couldn't get my head around the names, the different beings... Got to chapter 6 no idea what was happening.

[James Harries · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mostly, when one thinks of novels, one thinks of long fictional narratives that focus on some particular aspect of human experience; romance, betrayal, defiance, oppression, to name a few. But with Justin Newland’s debut novel, “The Genes of Isis” the whole of the origins of the modern human is brought into focus through the literally overwhelming events of the biblical flood.

In the modern, scientific age, we have come to dismiss all earlier ideas of human origin in favour of a rather brutal and frankly boring narrative of cumulative accidents; an evolution that contains no plan or purpose save survival. But suppose that the stories and myths that remain from preceding generations and cultures, could be glued together – what would they show? What originally was the Ark? Why, at certain times in history, did different cultures build pyramids? Why are there these continuing ideas of good v. evil or this persistent notion that humans really are supposed to be better than animals? And what is this thing about Adam and Eve? Really?

Read “The Genes of Isis” – it may be a fiction, but within its central story of a young woman’s journey from initiate to priestess, from maiden to mother, it offers a fascinating new entry point to these ancient mysteries and questions.

[J. Else · Rating 1 out of 5]

A flood is coming, one capable of wiping out all life on earth. However, when Akasha and Horque lock eyes for the first time, divine beings known as the Watchers bless the two as the last hope for humanity. Their progeny will survive the flood and repopulate the earth. But their union is taboo. Akasha is human, while Horque is a Solarii, aliens/“angels” in human form stranded on earth until an old curse can be made right. Set in the Old Kingdom, The Genes of Isis is a speculative tale about the evolution of man to homo sapiens sapiens.

Unfortunately, the research is bare minimum with incorrect facts sprinkled throughout. People didn’t say “fire at will”; things like chessboards and bridesmaids didn’t exist yet; 3rd, 4th, and 18th Dynasty names are haphazardly mixed in; the country wasn’t called Egypt (a Greek name), it was Kemet; and Thebes (another Greek name) was called Waset. Plot-wise, most progression happens due to divine intervention. At first, Akasha finds Horque odd and arrogant, but after the diving blessing, she’s insta-love crazy for him. Threats are solved not by human effort but by mysterious forces telling people what to do or removing obstacles. This, consequently, removes opportunities for character growth. Only Horque’s mother shows initiative to influence the plot, which comes at great cost to her.

Despite its “speculative” classification, if the historical setting isn’t supported by strong research, the story’s not believable. Language and mindsets are too modern in their references, making it difficult to reconcile the setting with its characters. Flying machines in ancient Egypt? Pyramids and obelisks built by aliens? For history fans, this disappoints. However, Newland cultivates many creative story elements, and as a science fiction story, it totally works. As a speculative piece set in ancient times, it doesn’t.

Review originally posted via the Historical Novel Society at https://historicalnovelsociety.org/re...

[Robert Waterhouse · Rating 4 out of 5]

Using the Book of Enoch as its starting platform Justin Newland tells a fascinating story interpreting life in the far distant past of human history. He takes the reader to a time where the physical and astral realms are virtually indistinguishable in day to day living. As the story unfolds he presents a unique view of the science behind the creation of the Pyramids and a variety of Egyptian artefacts. Apart from its highly esoteric nature the plot is also full of warmth, tragedy, adversity and surprises. From fairly early on I was hooked and found it difficult to put down.