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Lords of the Two Lands #3
The Horus Road
Ahmose, the youngest son of Seqenenra Tao, assumes command of the native armies rebelling against the alien dynasty that has ruled Egypt for two hundred years, but when he is seriously injured, the women of the family must hold their forces together to cause the downfall of the "rulers of the uplands." Reprint.
528 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2000
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622 people want to read
About the author
Pauline Gedge
85 books485 followersI was born in Auckland, New Zealand, on December 11, 1945, the first of three girls. Six years later my family emigrated to England where my father, an ex-policeman, wanted to study for the Anglican ministry. We lived in an ancient and very dilapidated cottage in the heart of the English Buckinghamshire woodland, and later in a small village in Oxfordshire called Great Haseley. I grew up surrounded by countryside that I observed, played in, and grew to know and love passionately, and I wrote lyrically of its many moods.
My father had his first parish in Oxford, so in 1956, having passed the eleven-plus exam, a torture now fortunately defunct, I attended what was then the Oxford Central School for Girls. I was a very good student in everything but mathematics. Any academic discipline that is expressed and interpreted through words I could conquer, but math was bewildering and foreign, a maze of numbers and ridiculous symbols with which I had nothing in common. I liked chemistry, because I was allowed to play with pretty crystals and chemicals that behaved as if they had magic in them. I studied the violin, an instrument I struggled over and gave up after two years, and the piano, which I enjoyed and continue to play, along with the recorders. Music has always been important to me.
Then in 1959 my father accepted a parish in Virden, Manitoba, and the family left for Canada. After three months at the local high school, I was sent to a boarding school in Saskatchewan. It was the most dehumanizing, miserable experience of my life. In 1961 I began one inglorious year at the University of Manitoba’s Brandon College. I did not work very hard, and just before final exams I was told that my sister Anne was dying. I lost all interest in passing.
Anne wanted to die in the country where she was born, so we all returned to New Zealand. She died a month after our arrival, and is buried in Auckland. The rest of us moved down to the tip of the South Island where my father had taken the parish of Riverton. For a year I worked as a substitute teacher in three rural schools. In ’64 I attended the Teachers’ Training College in Dunedin, South Island, where my writing output became prolific but again my studies suffered. I did not particularly want to be a teacher. All I wanted to do was stay home and read and write. I was eighteen, bored and restless. I met my first husband there.
In 1966 I married and returned to Canada, this time to Alberta, with my husband and my family. I found work at a day care in Edmonton. My husband and I returned to England the next year, and my first son, Simon, was born there in January ’68. In 1969 we came back to Edmonton, and my second son was born there in December 1970.
By 1972 I was divorced, and I moved east of Edmonton to the village of Edgerton. I wrote my first novel and entered it in the Alberta Search-for-a-New-Novelist Competition. It took fourth place out of ninety-eight entries, and though it received no prize, the comments from the judges and my family encouraged me to try again. The next year I entered my second attempt, a bad novel that sank out of sight. Finally in 1975 I wrote and submitted Child of the Morning, the story of Hatshepsut, an 18th Dynasty Egyptian pharaoh, which won the competition. With it came a publishing deal with Macmillan of Canada and the rest, as they say, is history.
My father had his first parish in Oxford, so in 1956, having passed the eleven-plus exam, a torture now fortunately defunct, I attended what was then the Oxford Central School for Girls. I was a very good student in everything but mathematics. Any academic discipline that is expressed and interpreted through words I could conquer, but math was bewildering and foreign, a maze of numbers and ridiculous symbols with which I had nothing in common. I liked chemistry, because I was allowed to play with pretty crystals and chemicals that behaved as if they had magic in them. I studied the violin, an instrument I struggled over and gave up after two years, and the piano, which I enjoyed and continue to play, along with the recorders. Music has always been important to me.
Then in 1959 my father accepted a parish in Virden, Manitoba, and the family left for Canada. After three months at the local high school, I was sent to a boarding school in Saskatchewan. It was the most dehumanizing, miserable experience of my life. In 1961 I began one inglorious year at the University of Manitoba’s Brandon College. I did not work very hard, and just before final exams I was told that my sister Anne was dying. I lost all interest in passing.
Anne wanted to die in the country where she was born, so we all returned to New Zealand. She died a month after our arrival, and is buried in Auckland. The rest of us moved down to the tip of the South Island where my father had taken the parish of Riverton. For a year I worked as a substitute teacher in three rural schools. In ’64 I attended the Teachers’ Training College in Dunedin, South Island, where my writing output became prolific but again my studies suffered. I did not particularly want to be a teacher. All I wanted to do was stay home and read and write. I was eighteen, bored and restless. I met my first husband there.
In 1966 I married and returned to Canada, this time to Alberta, with my husband and my family. I found work at a day care in Edmonton. My husband and I returned to England the next year, and my first son, Simon, was born there in January ’68. In 1969 we came back to Edmonton, and my second son was born there in December 1970.
By 1972 I was divorced, and I moved east of Edmonton to the village of Edgerton. I wrote my first novel and entered it in the Alberta Search-for-a-New-Novelist Competition. It took fourth place out of ninety-eight entries, and though it received no prize, the comments from the judges and my family encouraged me to try again. The next year I entered my second attempt, a bad novel that sank out of sight. Finally in 1975 I wrote and submitted Child of the Morning, the story of Hatshepsut, an 18th Dynasty Egyptian pharaoh, which won the competition. With it came a publishing deal with Macmillan of Canada and the rest, as they say, is history.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
May 7, 2025
I took a break from mainlining medieval history (Just picture me as Scarface and instead of Coke, piles of jumbled medieval history books I’ve been inhaling) to finish this excellent series.
Ms. Gedge remains firmly one of my favorite historical fiction authors. The trials and tribulations of the Tao family have come to a close and with their ending a bittersweet goodbye on my part.
Ms. Gedge remains firmly one of my favorite historical fiction authors. The trials and tribulations of the Tao family have come to a close and with their ending a bittersweet goodbye on my part.
December 3, 2017
Well I find myself in a quandary again – because the writing in this series is so consistently good, I have nothing new to say when I come to review the sequels. I’d either be reiterating the exact same praise, or telling you to go and read my review of the previous novel instead. But as quandaries go, this is probably the book lover’s best one to be in. No one wants to read a series that starts out strong, dangles the promise of having found a great author you can read for years to come… and then fizzles out at the end. In fact, I have bad memories of several such series that started well and ended badly. Fortunately, Pauline Gedge has a consistent level of quality that has put her on my auto-buy list over the years. That’s pretty high praise from me considering I have only two other authors on that list. I trust Gedge to always deliver me an amazing reading experience, and I’ve never been let down.
There’s plenty of engrossing military challenge and action to get into here, and it being the last book in the trilogy you might assume that our protagonists are in the ascendant here. Well… sort of. Whilst I do love the absorbing military campaigns that this trilogy follows, for me the most memorable plot points in this book are the bittersweet moments. Those are the ones that really gut you when reading them, provoking anger and sadness. I know not everyone is a fan of that sort of thing – some people will even swear off a book if it breaks their heart (A Song of Ice and Fire is brought to mind); but it’s precisely these moments that make a book. If everything was always fine and dandy, would you really be worried for the protagonists? Real risk compels us to emotionally invest on a deeper level, and yeah, the tragic moments hurt, but they’re also a symptom that the book is doing its job well. I’d take that over a bland read with forgettable characters any day. For me that most affecting plot twist is
I don’t have any quotes this time, mainly because I whizzed through the book so fast I didn’t have time to collect and post any, but Gedge’s wonderfully vivid descriptions are as fresh and transporting as ever. Her characters are nuanced and very human; in fact, their humanity pretty much makes the central plot of this book, and you’re left with a strange sense of a distant, astounding culture that you nevertheless comprehend the motivations of perfectly. Once you understand the social mores that they’re operating in, it’s easy to empathise with historical people, and Gedge is a master at balancing this correctly – bringing to life that exotic time and place, and yet connecting you to the characters. Believe or not more historical authors than I care for have trouble with this, usually succeeding in one point but failing on the other (creating a fascinating setting but distant characters, or identifiable characters but with a 21st century voice and really anachronistic setting).
There’s not much more I can say that I haven’t already said in reviews of the first and second book in the trilogy, so I’ll simply close by saying I highly recommend Pauline Gedge.
10 out of 10
January 3, 2018
Bullet Review:
What do I write at the end of this fantastic trilogy? This was pure enjoyment, from page 1 of “The Hippopotamus Marsh” to page 562 of “The Horus Road”.
Now that it’s done, I’m kinda sad to leave behind all these characters and not be a part of their world anymore.
Full Review:
I won't go into much of a plot synopsis as that would easily blow most of the spoilers from "The Oasis", but this is the conclusion of the conflict between Seqenenra, the rightful ruler of Egypt, and Apepa, the Setiu usurper, started all the way back in "The Hippopotamus Marsh".
As I turned the last page, read the last word and found out what happened to my characters, the only thing that was in my mind was how bittersweet the whole ending was. It reminds me of the classic Star Wars trilogy of my youth - "A New Hope" was the inciting incident, the introduction of our characters; "Empire Strikes Back" saw our character endure many hardships and setbacks and "Return of the Jedi" saw evil defeated, but also the end (at the time) of the adventures of our friends and companions. In the same manner, "The Horus Road" is sad to me - I'm not going to be a part of Ahmose or Ramose or Aahmes-Nefertari or Tetisheri or Aahotep or any of the amazing characters that I've grown to love over this brilliant trilogy.
This trilogy means a lot to me; I read this alongside my dear friend, Iset, who gave me the books some years ago. But more than that, these books have been the only 5-star rated fiction books I've read in some 3 years. I've spent many years agonizing over whether I even love to read anymore, if maybe reading has just passed me by, that I'm too cynical, too pessimistic, not imaginative enough to enjoy being transported away to another world. (Alternatively, maybe all the books being written these days were crap...)
This trilogy made me fall in love with reading again. I'm stunned that I've read nearly 1800 pages of these books, as this is the one case where I look back at the pages I've finished and instead of going, "What HAPPENED in all those pages?" I went, "OMG, I read THAT much?! That much happened?!"
"Lords of the Two Lands" is a beautiful trilogy, a real stellar example of how to do a trilogy well. I cannot heap enough compliments upon it - the characters are intricate and real, the setting is so vibrant and vivid, I feel as if I am living in Egypt, the story is complex, the writing is beautiful and elegant, yet not so heaped in purple prose as to obstruct the reading experience.
I am so glad to end this year on this trilogy. 2017 was a tumultuous year in many ways, but in my personal life and in my reading life, it was pretty damned stellar.
What do I write at the end of this fantastic trilogy? This was pure enjoyment, from page 1 of “The Hippopotamus Marsh” to page 562 of “The Horus Road”.
Now that it’s done, I’m kinda sad to leave behind all these characters and not be a part of their world anymore.
Full Review:
I won't go into much of a plot synopsis as that would easily blow most of the spoilers from "The Oasis", but this is the conclusion of the conflict between Seqenenra, the rightful ruler of Egypt, and Apepa, the Setiu usurper, started all the way back in "The Hippopotamus Marsh".
As I turned the last page, read the last word and found out what happened to my characters, the only thing that was in my mind was how bittersweet the whole ending was. It reminds me of the classic Star Wars trilogy of my youth - "A New Hope" was the inciting incident, the introduction of our characters; "Empire Strikes Back" saw our character endure many hardships and setbacks and "Return of the Jedi" saw evil defeated, but also the end (at the time) of the adventures of our friends and companions. In the same manner, "The Horus Road" is sad to me - I'm not going to be a part of Ahmose or Ramose or Aahmes-Nefertari or Tetisheri or Aahotep or any of the amazing characters that I've grown to love over this brilliant trilogy.
This trilogy means a lot to me; I read this alongside my dear friend, Iset, who gave me the books some years ago. But more than that, these books have been the only 5-star rated fiction books I've read in some 3 years. I've spent many years agonizing over whether I even love to read anymore, if maybe reading has just passed me by, that I'm too cynical, too pessimistic, not imaginative enough to enjoy being transported away to another world. (Alternatively, maybe all the books being written these days were crap...)
This trilogy made me fall in love with reading again. I'm stunned that I've read nearly 1800 pages of these books, as this is the one case where I look back at the pages I've finished and instead of going, "What HAPPENED in all those pages?" I went, "OMG, I read THAT much?! That much happened?!"
"Lords of the Two Lands" is a beautiful trilogy, a real stellar example of how to do a trilogy well. I cannot heap enough compliments upon it - the characters are intricate and real, the setting is so vibrant and vivid, I feel as if I am living in Egypt, the story is complex, the writing is beautiful and elegant, yet not so heaped in purple prose as to obstruct the reading experience.
I am so glad to end this year on this trilogy. 2017 was a tumultuous year in many ways, but in my personal life and in my reading life, it was pretty damned stellar.
May 17, 2012
In the final installment to Gedge’s Lords of the Two Lands trilogy, the story of the Tao’s family attempt to reclaim Egypt from the Setiu invaders reaches a thrilling and riveting climax. I can’t say it’s the best book of the trilogy (deciding that would be something of a Sophie’s Choice), but I can say it’s a wonderfully written, compulsively readable finale.
Ahmose Tao, Prince of Weset and self-proclaimed pharaoh now that both his father, Seqenenra, and brother, Kamose, have both died at the hands of those who claimed to be loyal yet ultimately betrayed them, has successfully reclaimed the entire land of Egypt. The last bastion of Setiu rule is their capital city, Het-Uart, a thickly walled repository of Setiu troops and scared citizens. Those impassable walls also held Ahmose’s sister, Tani, Apepa’s hostage these many years, as well as the physical symbols of Egypt’s divinity, the Horus throne, the double crown, the Crook of Mercy and the Flail of Justice. During the long months away from Weset, while Ahmose continues to lay siege to Het-Uart and finish the reclamation of his beloved country, a new center of Egyptian administration is taking shape under the capable hands of Ahmose’s wife Aahmes-nefertari and his mother Aahotep in Weset, both of whom effectively keep Egypt running by organizing and supervising the many small details required to keep a country working. Yet there’s a distance between Ahmose and Aahmes-nefertari which has nothing to do with their physical separation and as Het-Uart finally falls and a final betrayal to Ahmose’s reign comes to light, engineered by Apepa and orchestrated by Tani, Ahmose must decide if seeking reparation for such a awesome treachery is worth the price: the loss of his marriage and love of Aahmes-nefertari
As with the other books, the battle scenes are the poorest part of the novel, suffering from a lack of dynamism as the writing itself remains adroit. The only exception were the scenes describing the sieging of Het-Uart and, later, the Rethennu fortress of Sharuhen, which, perhaps because they were so much more intimate than the other large battle scenes, seemed to have a greater sense of urgency and were infused with a more authentic sense of the chaos which would surround such close-quarters fighting. Where Gedge really shines is in the complex interplay of her characters and their very human reactions and emotions. We see the fragility of Aahmes-nefertari as she tries bring together a nation in her husband’s absence while dealing with the trauma of childbirth and infant mortality; the desperation of Ramose as he attempts to rescue Tani, his idealized love; the cutting-to-the-quick of both Ramose and Ahmose as Tani reveals how she’s changed from the free-spirited girl they both knew years ago. Towards the end of the novel, these full-developed relationships intertwine to create a heartbreaking resolution of the story. That's said, Tani’s story is the most engrossing and the one which is the most vexatious. My horror at Tani’s behavior equaled that of Ahmose’s.
In the end, The Horus Road is a rousing, nail-biting, undeniably satisfactory ending to a trilogy of books which comprise just about some of the best ancient Egyptian historical fiction out there.
Ahmose Tao, Prince of Weset and self-proclaimed pharaoh now that both his father, Seqenenra, and brother, Kamose, have both died at the hands of those who claimed to be loyal yet ultimately betrayed them, has successfully reclaimed the entire land of Egypt. The last bastion of Setiu rule is their capital city, Het-Uart, a thickly walled repository of Setiu troops and scared citizens. Those impassable walls also held Ahmose’s sister, Tani, Apepa’s hostage these many years, as well as the physical symbols of Egypt’s divinity, the Horus throne, the double crown, the Crook of Mercy and the Flail of Justice. During the long months away from Weset, while Ahmose continues to lay siege to Het-Uart and finish the reclamation of his beloved country, a new center of Egyptian administration is taking shape under the capable hands of Ahmose’s wife Aahmes-nefertari and his mother Aahotep in Weset, both of whom effectively keep Egypt running by organizing and supervising the many small details required to keep a country working. Yet there’s a distance between Ahmose and Aahmes-nefertari which has nothing to do with their physical separation and as Het-Uart finally falls and a final betrayal to Ahmose’s reign comes to light, engineered by Apepa and orchestrated by Tani, Ahmose must decide if seeking reparation for such a awesome treachery is worth the price: the loss of his marriage and love of Aahmes-nefertari
As with the other books, the battle scenes are the poorest part of the novel, suffering from a lack of dynamism as the writing itself remains adroit. The only exception were the scenes describing the sieging of Het-Uart and, later, the Rethennu fortress of Sharuhen, which, perhaps because they were so much more intimate than the other large battle scenes, seemed to have a greater sense of urgency and were infused with a more authentic sense of the chaos which would surround such close-quarters fighting. Where Gedge really shines is in the complex interplay of her characters and their very human reactions and emotions. We see the fragility of Aahmes-nefertari as she tries bring together a nation in her husband’s absence while dealing with the trauma of childbirth and infant mortality; the desperation of Ramose as he attempts to rescue Tani, his idealized love; the cutting-to-the-quick of both Ramose and Ahmose as Tani reveals how she’s changed from the free-spirited girl they both knew years ago. Towards the end of the novel, these full-developed relationships intertwine to create a heartbreaking resolution of the story. That's said, Tani’s story is the most engrossing and the one which is the most vexatious. My horror at Tani’s behavior equaled that of Ahmose’s.
In the end, The Horus Road is a rousing, nail-biting, undeniably satisfactory ending to a trilogy of books which comprise just about some of the best ancient Egyptian historical fiction out there.
January 17, 2018
4,5 stars - English hardcover - Thanks Amy for the read. 🌸🌹🌸
May 30, 2011
Ahmose succeeds in defeating the Hyksos king Apeppa. Ahmose was one of the most outstanding kings in the history of ancient Egypt.
His son Ahmenhotep is born
Hyksos were a foreign people who conquered Egypt about 1640 B.C. and ruled for about 100 years, until they were driven out by Thutmose I. The Hyksos let the Egyptians continue with many of their customs but left behind some important technological advances, including the chariot and the scimitar.
Ahmose was amrried to his sister Nefertiri.
Ahmose(1570-1546 BC) is considered the founder of the 18th dynasty, although strictly speaking it is not a new dynasty,
because he ended the work begun by his grandparents, parents and brother (Kamose), reconquering Upper Egypt
and expelling the Hyksos invaders who had run the country for over 100 years.
He was famed and much appreciated by the Egyptian people for his military exploits.
A lot is known about them, thanks to one of his faithful soldiers, Ahmose son of Ibana.
This Ahmose son of Ibana wrote an autobiography of his own exploits, following the king,
which remained in his tomb. Ahmose' autobiography is full of tales.
Having been properly brought up by his powerful grandmother and mother, Ahmose married his very own
sister Ahmose Nefertiri, and made her a queen even more important than they had been.
This last title was hereditary and used by all succeeding queens till Hatshepsut, who gave it
to her daughter Neferure when she became "king". The title fell into disuse during the solo reign of Thutmose III.
Following the death of Ahmose, Nefertiri took on the role of regent for her young son Amenhotep I. Amenhotep I (sometimes read as Amenophis I and meaning "Amun is satisfied") was the second Pharaoh of the 18th dynasty of Egypt. His reign is generally dated from 1526 to 1506 BC. He was born to Ahmose I and Ahmose-Nefertari, but had at least two elder brothers, Ahmose-ankh and Ahmose Sapair, and was not expected to inherit the throne. However, sometime in the eight years between Ahmose I's 17th regnal year and his death, his heir apparent died and Amenhotep became crown prince. He then acceded to the throne and ruled for about 21 years.
After Amenhotep died, wherever his tomb was located, his body did not remain there. Amenhotep I's body was found in the Deir el-Bahri Cache above the Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut and is now in the Egyptian Museum in Cairo. His mummy had apparently not been looted by the 21st dynasty, and the priests who moved the mummy took care to keep the Cartonnage intact. Because of that exquisite face mask, Amenhotep's is the only royal mummy which has not been unwrapped and examined by modern Egyptologists
During the new kingdom (1567-1085)the capital of Egypt was Wesset which means "mace"to express the extreme authority of this city ,then the name was changed to "Thebes" and Homer described it as " City of the Hundred Gates".The Arabs called it "Luxor" means" The city of Palaces"because they were impressed by its magnificent edifices and huge buildings
His son Ahmenhotep is born
Hyksos were a foreign people who conquered Egypt about 1640 B.C. and ruled for about 100 years, until they were driven out by Thutmose I. The Hyksos let the Egyptians continue with many of their customs but left behind some important technological advances, including the chariot and the scimitar.
Ahmose was amrried to his sister Nefertiri.
Ahmose(1570-1546 BC) is considered the founder of the 18th dynasty, although strictly speaking it is not a new dynasty,
because he ended the work begun by his grandparents, parents and brother (Kamose), reconquering Upper Egypt
and expelling the Hyksos invaders who had run the country for over 100 years.
He was famed and much appreciated by the Egyptian people for his military exploits.
A lot is known about them, thanks to one of his faithful soldiers, Ahmose son of Ibana.
This Ahmose son of Ibana wrote an autobiography of his own exploits, following the king,
which remained in his tomb. Ahmose' autobiography is full of tales.
Having been properly brought up by his powerful grandmother and mother, Ahmose married his very own
sister Ahmose Nefertiri, and made her a queen even more important than they had been.
This last title was hereditary and used by all succeeding queens till Hatshepsut, who gave it
to her daughter Neferure when she became "king". The title fell into disuse during the solo reign of Thutmose III.
Following the death of Ahmose, Nefertiri took on the role of regent for her young son Amenhotep I. Amenhotep I (sometimes read as Amenophis I and meaning "Amun is satisfied") was the second Pharaoh of the 18th dynasty of Egypt. His reign is generally dated from 1526 to 1506 BC. He was born to Ahmose I and Ahmose-Nefertari, but had at least two elder brothers, Ahmose-ankh and Ahmose Sapair, and was not expected to inherit the throne. However, sometime in the eight years between Ahmose I's 17th regnal year and his death, his heir apparent died and Amenhotep became crown prince. He then acceded to the throne and ruled for about 21 years.
After Amenhotep died, wherever his tomb was located, his body did not remain there. Amenhotep I's body was found in the Deir el-Bahri Cache above the Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut and is now in the Egyptian Museum in Cairo. His mummy had apparently not been looted by the 21st dynasty, and the priests who moved the mummy took care to keep the Cartonnage intact. Because of that exquisite face mask, Amenhotep's is the only royal mummy which has not been unwrapped and examined by modern Egyptologists
During the new kingdom (1567-1085)the capital of Egypt was Wesset which means "mace"to express the extreme authority of this city ,then the name was changed to "Thebes" and Homer described it as " City of the Hundred Gates".The Arabs called it "Luxor" means" The city of Palaces"because they were impressed by its magnificent edifices and huge buildings
April 29, 2012
I've done little but sit and read The Horus Road since finishing my review of The Oasis earlier today. I can and do read lengthy books incredibly quickly. Gedge's books are a rare thing – I find them incredibly readable, but with enough depth there to keep me interested and invested in the plot, but more importantly, the characters.
I don't really know what else to say about The Horus Road. The strengths of the first two books continue here. The characterisations are still detailed and the stakes are still high. I liked the arc that Ahmose and Aahmes-Nefertari's relationship went through. I liked seeing Ahmose's struggle to be king, not just military commander. I loved that the ghosts of Seqenenra and Kamose still hovered over the story from beginning to end.
I wouldn't have missed an afterward that explained the significance of the struggle of the Setiu/Hyksos on Egyptian history, and the fate of the characters. But it's not really needed.
Above all else, with The Horus Road, Gedge's Lord of the Two Lands trilogy becomes the sweeping epic I felt it would be in The Hippopotamus Marsh.
I don't really know what else to say about The Horus Road. The strengths of the first two books continue here. The characterisations are still detailed and the stakes are still high. I liked the arc that Ahmose and Aahmes-Nefertari's relationship went through. I liked seeing Ahmose's struggle to be king, not just military commander. I loved that the ghosts of Seqenenra and Kamose still hovered over the story from beginning to end.
I wouldn't have missed an afterward that explained the significance of the struggle of the Setiu/Hyksos on Egyptian history, and the fate of the characters. But it's not really needed.
Above all else, with The Horus Road, Gedge's Lord of the Two Lands trilogy becomes the sweeping epic I felt it would be in The Hippopotamus Marsh.
May 3, 2012
This review is for the whole trilogy:
This fine set of historical novels covers the reclamation of Egypt from the Hyskos in the 1500s BCE, culminating in the establishment of the 18th dynasty by Ahmose I. I picked up these books because I didn't know much at all about ancient Egypt beyond the standard stuff I learned in high school. The trilogy proved to be extremely interesting. Gedge does a beautiful job of bringing ancient Egypt to life and creating extremely real and sympathetic characters from such remote historical figures. I especially enjoyed her warm portrayal of family life. Gedge also deftly explores the effects of a brutal war, constant danger of betrayal, and prolonged struggle on her characters and their relationships.
This fine set of historical novels covers the reclamation of Egypt from the Hyskos in the 1500s BCE, culminating in the establishment of the 18th dynasty by Ahmose I. I picked up these books because I didn't know much at all about ancient Egypt beyond the standard stuff I learned in high school. The trilogy proved to be extremely interesting. Gedge does a beautiful job of bringing ancient Egypt to life and creating extremely real and sympathetic characters from such remote historical figures. I especially enjoyed her warm portrayal of family life. Gedge also deftly explores the effects of a brutal war, constant danger of betrayal, and prolonged struggle on her characters and their relationships.
August 13, 2008
The final installment of the series, and I couldn't put it down. Parts get a little slow, but they are necessary for the development of the story. I will definitely look for more Pauline Gedge after finishing these three.
August 10, 2010
Like most good series, this one had the best of the whole story in it. This book had some wonderful surprises in it, it found me loving the developments the characters were making.
January 9, 2011
The third book was my favorite. I finished it a 5 days and really enjoyed the finishing of the trilogy. She's a great author who uses as many true facts about the time period as possible.
January 19, 2009
Excellent depiction of 17th dynasty Egypt.
This author is a wonderful writer.
This author is a wonderful writer.
March 12, 2021
“The Horus Road” – Egypt is reclaimed and the foreign rule is repulsed.
“The Horus Road” is a fictionalization of the events during the late Second Intermediate period (1640-1540 BC) of Egyptian history around some known historical characters. This book is the 3rd book of the three-book series written by this author. The first is “The Hippopotamus Marsh”, the second is “The Oasis” and then this third one, and you need to read them in this order to best understand and enjoy the story.
Ancient Egypt had glorious Pharaonic rule from 2686 to 304 BC, but there were brief periods within when Egypt was occupied by foreigners and they ruled Egypt. During Second Intermediate period kings from neighboring countries concurred Egypt (called Hyksos or Setiu or Heqa Khasut) with superior military power by use of chariots, compound arrow and bronze weapons. However, dethroned Egyptian kings continued to resist them and finally overthrew them during the New Kingdom was started.
These three books are a story of the struggle against foreign ruler Apepa based at north Egypt’s Het-Uart by the Tao family from southern Egypt based at Waset, which is present day Luxor. First Seqenenra Tao starts the rebellion, dies at the hand of Apepa’s general Pezedkhu, which book-I. His second son Kamose carries on the liberation, liberates entire South Egypt, make Pezedkhu retreat, lay siege around the fort of Het-Uart, but afterwards dies in internal power struggle between his deputies, which is Book-II.
In this book the Seqenenra’s third son Ahmose takes over the family’s crusade against Apepa. He is more mature and strategist. He restructures the army in a professional manner and minimizes the chance of internal rebellion by any powerful Egyptian price. He understood quickly that laying siege around Het-Uart and lifting the siege during the season of inundation of Nile as done by Kamose is a failed strategy. He cuts all water supply to the fort, he lays siege year long and he discovers the Horus Road through which Apepa gets military reinforcement from his tribesmen at Rethennu, and successfully cuts it at Egypt’s border.
Now, Apepa is in real trouble, he sends Pezedkhu to fight but he gets killed. Finally, the Het-Uart surrenders but Apepa is able to run away in a disguise to nearby Sharuhen fort in the Rethennu territory with his family the Pharaoh’s throne and Ahmose’s captive sister Tani who is now his queen by her will. Ahmose follows and lays seize of the fort. Finally, he is able to get Apepa who is very sick and dies, he recovers the throne back. He also with strategy is able to capture the fort and kills Apepa’s two sons, thus accomplishing the mission of Tao family or liberating Egypt from foreigners and establishing the Pharaonic kingdom again. But only casualty is loss of his sister Tani.
If you read the three books, you will find that Pauline has written the superbly. I never got bored, the book and its characters are placed in the backdrop of ancient Egypt. I was impressed by her writing skill. Only thing I missed is she has used the twelve months as Egyptians called that time but in her glossary she missed to explain them. I will recommend this book and the other two books of this series to any lover of ancient Egypt. The book does not deviates from the known history and she has also given a bibliography.
“The Horus Road” is a fictionalization of the events during the late Second Intermediate period (1640-1540 BC) of Egyptian history around some known historical characters. This book is the 3rd book of the three-book series written by this author. The first is “The Hippopotamus Marsh”, the second is “The Oasis” and then this third one, and you need to read them in this order to best understand and enjoy the story.
Ancient Egypt had glorious Pharaonic rule from 2686 to 304 BC, but there were brief periods within when Egypt was occupied by foreigners and they ruled Egypt. During Second Intermediate period kings from neighboring countries concurred Egypt (called Hyksos or Setiu or Heqa Khasut) with superior military power by use of chariots, compound arrow and bronze weapons. However, dethroned Egyptian kings continued to resist them and finally overthrew them during the New Kingdom was started.
These three books are a story of the struggle against foreign ruler Apepa based at north Egypt’s Het-Uart by the Tao family from southern Egypt based at Waset, which is present day Luxor. First Seqenenra Tao starts the rebellion, dies at the hand of Apepa’s general Pezedkhu, which book-I. His second son Kamose carries on the liberation, liberates entire South Egypt, make Pezedkhu retreat, lay siege around the fort of Het-Uart, but afterwards dies in internal power struggle between his deputies, which is Book-II.
In this book the Seqenenra’s third son Ahmose takes over the family’s crusade against Apepa. He is more mature and strategist. He restructures the army in a professional manner and minimizes the chance of internal rebellion by any powerful Egyptian price. He understood quickly that laying siege around Het-Uart and lifting the siege during the season of inundation of Nile as done by Kamose is a failed strategy. He cuts all water supply to the fort, he lays siege year long and he discovers the Horus Road through which Apepa gets military reinforcement from his tribesmen at Rethennu, and successfully cuts it at Egypt’s border.
Now, Apepa is in real trouble, he sends Pezedkhu to fight but he gets killed. Finally, the Het-Uart surrenders but Apepa is able to run away in a disguise to nearby Sharuhen fort in the Rethennu territory with his family the Pharaoh’s throne and Ahmose’s captive sister Tani who is now his queen by her will. Ahmose follows and lays seize of the fort. Finally, he is able to get Apepa who is very sick and dies, he recovers the throne back. He also with strategy is able to capture the fort and kills Apepa’s two sons, thus accomplishing the mission of Tao family or liberating Egypt from foreigners and establishing the Pharaonic kingdom again. But only casualty is loss of his sister Tani.
If you read the three books, you will find that Pauline has written the superbly. I never got bored, the book and its characters are placed in the backdrop of ancient Egypt. I was impressed by her writing skill. Only thing I missed is she has used the twelve months as Egyptians called that time but in her glossary she missed to explain them. I will recommend this book and the other two books of this series to any lover of ancient Egypt. The book does not deviates from the known history and she has also given a bibliography.
April 20, 2021
A book so good that it just has to be read in one sitting!
Honestly this was such a satisfying ending to what has now become one of my new all time fave book series.
There is many a series out there that ends up falling at the final hurdle and this is not one of them, the characters that we've come to know and love continue to grow and strive forwards to their ultimate goal but it's not without it's hardships.
Pauline Gedge really knows her stuff when it comes to writing a well put together book, she knows where we want an expanded picture and when things can be condensed and along with the fantastic history leads to a delightful reading experience.
My only sadness is that it is now over, I've been rooting for the Taos and now all is said and done they go on to enjoy the life they've won and I want to go too!
Honestly this was such a satisfying ending to what has now become one of my new all time fave book series.
There is many a series out there that ends up falling at the final hurdle and this is not one of them, the characters that we've come to know and love continue to grow and strive forwards to their ultimate goal but it's not without it's hardships.
Pauline Gedge really knows her stuff when it comes to writing a well put together book, she knows where we want an expanded picture and when things can be condensed and along with the fantastic history leads to a delightful reading experience.
My only sadness is that it is now over, I've been rooting for the Taos and now all is said and done they go on to enjoy the life they've won and I want to go too!
July 10, 2019
Great ending to the trilogy-- very satisfying! On the whole this trilogy was a true epic. The characters were very human and relatable. The historic details were delightful and I did not think the author went overboard just to prove she'd done the research like some historical fiction authors tend to. I did think she was a bit repetitive at times (ie she explains the explains the euphenism "send you down to the river" at least 5 times in the trilogy.). I also wasn't a fan of how she ordered her dialogue sometimes- she didn't have her line breaks where I would have put them. Those are really my only complaints!
January 28, 2018
OMG, the best ending for this trilogy. I have felt that the author did justice on the life of Kamose and Ahmose, but I know she dedicated the trilogy to Kamose.
However, I would really like that Tani was punished more severely or that she realized how stupid she was, and felt the weight of her shame, but it was not meant to be. She held steadfastly to her blind love to Apepa (Apepi).
Lastly, where is the promised honor for Hor-Aha? It wasn't in the epilogue, he deserves it, because he worked hard for it.
Overall, I like this book, even if there were stuff that were left hanging.
However, I would really like that Tani was punished more severely or that she realized how stupid she was, and felt the weight of her shame, but it was not meant to be. She held steadfastly to her blind love to Apepa (Apepi).
Lastly, where is the promised honor for Hor-Aha? It wasn't in the epilogue, he deserves it, because he worked hard for it.
Overall, I like this book, even if there were stuff that were left hanging.
October 29, 2022
5/5 Stars
This was an excellent, bittersweet, and emotional end to a fantastic trilogy. After spending so much time with these characters, I wish there was another book (or series) left to follow their lives. As someone who has studying Egyptology and is writing a dissertation on the Tao family (Ahhotep in particular) it's been extremely fun to read a fictional series about these real historical characters at the same time I'm completing an academic project on them. Pauline Gedge is one of my favorite authors!
This was an excellent, bittersweet, and emotional end to a fantastic trilogy. After spending so much time with these characters, I wish there was another book (or series) left to follow their lives. As someone who has studying Egyptology and is writing a dissertation on the Tao family (Ahhotep in particular) it's been extremely fun to read a fictional series about these real historical characters at the same time I'm completing an academic project on them. Pauline Gedge is one of my favorite authors!
May 31, 2025
Zur Vollendung gebracht. Beständig gut geschrieben, nach allen Regeln der Kunst übersetzt, mitreisende Geschichte bis zum letzten Moment mit all ihren tief berührenden gefühlvollen Momenten, im Frieden, wie im Krieg.
August 25, 2018
Superb!
June 16, 2019
Brilliant trilogy
The ancient world of Egypt definitely comes to life in these books. I want more. Going shopping now! Thanks Pauline.
The ancient world of Egypt definitely comes to life in these books. I want more. Going shopping now! Thanks Pauline.
June 24, 2019
I was so glad when I finished the book! I loved it but could not put it down, so once I was done, I was able to start living again :) An excellent conclusion to the trilogy.
January 2, 2021
Fantastic series!!
March 7, 2023
Last book of the Lord of the two Lands trilogy. I am so upset it’s over, I am getting all her other books.
March 27, 2021
Meticulously researched, this third volume of Pauline Gedge's trilogy, Lords of the Two Lands, opens after a plot to kill all remaining male Tao heirs. Kamose was killed and Ahmose seriously injured during this revolt, but now Ahmose is recovered and determined to carry on with the determination to expel the Hyksos (called Setiu in this trilogy) from Egypt and return the kingship to its rightful heirs, of which Prince Ahmose is next in line. Ahmose and his generals have amassed a large battle ready army, and they go north to the walled city of Het-Uart (also known as Avaris, the Greek name for it), where the current Hyksos leader, Apepa, lives with his family, including two sons. The city's walls are impregnable, however, and Ahmose and his army carry out a prolonged siege. Meanwhile, back home in Egypt's southern capital, Weset, Ahmose's wife and mother manage the remaining troops and run the government, while Ahmose is often torn between his goal to expel the Hyksos and his responsibilities at home.
Gedge does a beautiful job of describing not only the physical environment of Egypt, but also detailed accounts of battles, household customs, and religious rites. Her characters, while based on what we know historically, are fleshed out well. They are believable and full of contradictions, just as people are everywhere, so the reader is able to sympathize with them and understand their motivations.
I felt bereft after finishing this book, because I now have to say good-bye to the Tao family, friends, army and enemies of the 17th dynasty of ancient Egypt, the people Gedge brought to life so vividly. Ahmose's victory and coronation as king of all Egypt ushers in the New Kingdom and starts the stable and prosperous 18th dynasty.
Gedge does a beautiful job of describing not only the physical environment of Egypt, but also detailed accounts of battles, household customs, and religious rites. Her characters, while based on what we know historically, are fleshed out well. They are believable and full of contradictions, just as people are everywhere, so the reader is able to sympathize with them and understand their motivations.
I felt bereft after finishing this book, because I now have to say good-bye to the Tao family, friends, army and enemies of the 17th dynasty of ancient Egypt, the people Gedge brought to life so vividly. Ahmose's victory and coronation as king of all Egypt ushers in the New Kingdom and starts the stable and prosperous 18th dynasty.
February 14, 2014
Okay, we all know that Ahmose ends up liberating Egypt from the Hyksos. The appealing part of The Horus Road is the journey to victory, not so much the victory itself. Will Ahmose be able to continue on and finish what Seqenenra and Kamose died for? Of course he will, but nothing will ever be the same again in the Tao family.
Ahmose is a three dimensional character, but after reading The Oasis, which is in Kamose’s perspective, he seems pale in comparison to his brother. Yet, throughout the novel, Ahmose steps into the large footprints left by his father and brother and eventually outshines both of them. Ahmose is a great character, but Pauline Gedge has not neglected secondary characters like the resourceful Ahmose-Nefertari or the tragic Ramose. She only gives us hints at the great woman Ahmose-Nefertari would become, but it is enough to make her steal every scene that she’s in.
Since the end of the war is drawing near, the plot moves along at a fantastic pace that makes you never want to put this book down. Cities burn, kings run from danger and betrayal happens on both sides…what more could you ask for in the conclusion to this stunning trilogy? The ending is not a perfectly happy one, but it is satisfying and the characters stay true to themselves.
I give this book 4/5 stars.
Ahmose is a three dimensional character, but after reading The Oasis, which is in Kamose’s perspective, he seems pale in comparison to his brother. Yet, throughout the novel, Ahmose steps into the large footprints left by his father and brother and eventually outshines both of them. Ahmose is a great character, but Pauline Gedge has not neglected secondary characters like the resourceful Ahmose-Nefertari or the tragic Ramose. She only gives us hints at the great woman Ahmose-Nefertari would become, but it is enough to make her steal every scene that she’s in.
Since the end of the war is drawing near, the plot moves along at a fantastic pace that makes you never want to put this book down. Cities burn, kings run from danger and betrayal happens on both sides…what more could you ask for in the conclusion to this stunning trilogy? The ending is not a perfectly happy one, but it is satisfying and the characters stay true to themselves.
I give this book 4/5 stars.
August 14, 2015
A difficult book to assess. In terms of the overall plot - the struggle by a noble Egyptian family to evict the Setiu from their country - it's anti-climactic. The decisive struggles were won by the lords of Weset in the previous book. So Ahmose is doing little more besides marking time as he besieges Apepa in his last stronghold. In some senses, this novel is a very long long denouement.
***SPOILERS***
So the drama is built around the royal family of Weset and how their lives have been shaped by the conflict. Ahmose is alienated from his grandmother. Ahmose and Aahmes-Nefertari's become estranged over his frequent absences from home life, though eventually they reconcile. And the family is shocked when they learn Tani is in love with and loyal to Apepa. I suppose the interpersonal drama of the family has been the heart of the story all along. But it's difficult to maintain tension in that story when the external struggle is more or less resolved.
Gedge remains masterful in her prose, in her characterizations, and in her depiction of the habits, the beliefs, and the physical beauty of ancient Egypt. The dramatic arc of the series was unsatisfying, but it's never less than a pleasure to be transported to Gedge's world.
***SPOILERS***
So the drama is built around the royal family of Weset and how their lives have been shaped by the conflict. Ahmose is alienated from his grandmother. Ahmose and Aahmes-Nefertari's become estranged over his frequent absences from home life, though eventually they reconcile. And the family is shocked when they learn Tani is in love with and loyal to Apepa. I suppose the interpersonal drama of the family has been the heart of the story all along. But it's difficult to maintain tension in that story when the external struggle is more or less resolved.
Gedge remains masterful in her prose, in her characterizations, and in her depiction of the habits, the beliefs, and the physical beauty of ancient Egypt. The dramatic arc of the series was unsatisfying, but it's never less than a pleasure to be transported to Gedge's world.
April 18, 2016
I've just finished this trilogy- it came to a satisfying conclusion. Aside from King Tut and Queen Cleopatra, I really don't know much about Egyptian history. I do know the author, Pauline Gedge, is a celebrated and meticulous historical writer so I have little doubt that her re-telling of Kamose, Ahmose et. al is as close to reality as possible.
Fans of George R. R. Martin know that no one character is safe and in this Lords of Egypt trilogy this too is the case. It follows an Egyptian royal family whose divine lineage was usurped by a foreigner who slowly and subtlety unseated them and became King of Egypt. This is the telling how a family, through sacrifice and belief in their gods overcame the foreign obstacle and returned power to the Egyptians.
There was much military intrigue and heart break in these tomes. A great read for historical buffs.
Fans of George R. R. Martin know that no one character is safe and in this Lords of Egypt trilogy this too is the case. It follows an Egyptian royal family whose divine lineage was usurped by a foreigner who slowly and subtlety unseated them and became King of Egypt. This is the telling how a family, through sacrifice and belief in their gods overcame the foreign obstacle and returned power to the Egyptians.
There was much military intrigue and heart break in these tomes. A great read for historical buffs.
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