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bookishblond's review against another edition
4.0
If you love ancient history, especially the wonderful Egyptians, then this book is just what you need. What it lacks in characterization it makes up for in sheer fun. A fast read, and though it can hardly be faithful to history, Hatshepsut is just as one might imagine her to be: lovely as the dawn yet cold as the night, drawing you into herself yet keeping everyone at a distance. I feel so much more could have been done with her character, as her relationship with Senmut left much wanting, but the book was already long enough since it covered her entire lifetime. The story did get maddening at times and required more than normal suspension of disbelief, but it was absolutely fun, the detail was exquisite, the battle scenes well drawn, and the characters were full of life. Gedge is a wonderful writer. This is my first book of hers, but I will definitely be reading more!
ridern2002's review
adventurous
emotional
informative
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
andyreadsfantasy's review
5.0
This is actually a 4-star book. But if someone is going to Egypt or they want an entertaining book about Ancient Egypt, then this would be a 5-star book (but only for that reason).
olifan's review against another edition
4.0
Was a little slow to start and took me some time to get into, but I ended up loving the politics and royal family drama. The book really immersed me in ancient Egypt.
la1ney's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
carterlee1893's review
the writing was conceited, she thought she wrote the fucking bible but ended up writing this sack of shit, the story was slow as fuck, you got lost in it and not in a good way, and everyone in this story is bland or an asshole.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Incest and Slavery
emileaf626's review against another edition
2.0
This book didn't hold my attention well. It can't be easy to make something like ancient Egypt that uninteresting.
This would obviously be the fault of the publisher rather than the author, but the ebook copy I read was full of typos. Periods in the middle of sentences. Multiple sentences lacking any punctuation at all. Random misspellings were scattered throughout the book, including spelling Hatshepsut as Hafshepsut, and God as Cod.
I initially read this book because of the introduction by Michelle Moran, who is one of my favorite historical fiction authors. I recommend skipping this book altogether, and reading Moran instead.
This would obviously be the fault of the publisher rather than the author, but the ebook copy I read was full of typos. Periods in the middle of sentences. Multiple sentences lacking any punctuation at all. Random misspellings were scattered throughout the book, including spelling Hatshepsut as Hafshepsut, and God as Cod.
I initially read this book because of the introduction by Michelle Moran, who is one of my favorite historical fiction authors. I recommend skipping this book altogether, and reading Moran instead.
sleepyboi2988's review
5.0
A wonderful blend of history and fiction. Intrigue, glory, failure, love, loss, it's all here in a captivating, deliciously described setting.
Mrs. Gedge does a wonderful job of making Ancient Egypt and the characters within spring to life from the page. No one here is one dimensional or perfect. Simply put there aren't any real plot holes.
Without spoiling, the ending is not what actually happened, but Mrs. Gedge in the last few chapters does a wonderful job of building an impending sense of not being able to escape destiny and closes it out perfectly for the tale she wove.
Mrs. Gedge does a wonderful job of making Ancient Egypt and the characters within spring to life from the page. No one here is one dimensional or perfect. Simply put there aren't any real plot holes.
Without spoiling, the ending is not what actually happened, but Mrs. Gedge in the last few chapters does a wonderful job of building an impending sense of not being able to escape destiny and closes it out perfectly for the tale she wove.
paolus's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
3.75
tkat's review against another edition
5.0
I first read Pauline Gedge when I was in high school about ten years ago. I found this book (same cover ironically..) on the shelves and picked it up. I loved it from the first page, and devoured it within a few days.
I became a fan of her work with this book, and have read several other novels of hers since. I however have not picked up Child of the Morning until now, ten years later. This is only my second reading, ten years apart, but I remember this book like it was only last week I read it. I loved it then and I love it now.
Pauline Gedge has such a way with words. She's able to draw you in to the ancient, mystical, ageless power that is Egypt during the time of the Pharaohs, pyramids and gods. The main character often refers to the land of Egypt as a glittering green, blue and brown jewel. I have never seen Egypt with my own eyes before, but when seen through the eyes of the characters, I have to agree whole heartedly.
Child of the Morning is the story of the rise of one of the few female Pharaohs in Egypt's history, Hatshepsut, her rise and struggle to claim and keep her birthright, as well as the loss of her crown to her step son Thothmes the Third. There is everything that one could want in a great story. A strong, young woman quaffing at the cup of life, living full loud and proud as she ruthlessly and gaily fights for her birthright. She fights for her country, suffers the deaths of those she loves, builds an empire of peace and prosperity, before bowing to the sands of time when her step son takes her throne, and her crown and makes war.
A book that you can pick up years later and still love, anyone who picks up Child of the Morning will not be disappointed.
I became a fan of her work with this book, and have read several other novels of hers since. I however have not picked up Child of the Morning until now, ten years later. This is only my second reading, ten years apart, but I remember this book like it was only last week I read it. I loved it then and I love it now.
Pauline Gedge has such a way with words. She's able to draw you in to the ancient, mystical, ageless power that is Egypt during the time of the Pharaohs, pyramids and gods. The main character often refers to the land of Egypt as a glittering green, blue and brown jewel. I have never seen Egypt with my own eyes before, but when seen through the eyes of the characters, I have to agree whole heartedly.
Child of the Morning is the story of the rise of one of the few female Pharaohs in Egypt's history, Hatshepsut, her rise and struggle to claim and keep her birthright, as well as the loss of her crown to her step son Thothmes the Third. There is everything that one could want in a great story. A strong, young woman quaffing at the cup of life, living full loud and proud as she ruthlessly and gaily fights for her birthright. She fights for her country, suffers the deaths of those she loves, builds an empire of peace and prosperity, before bowing to the sands of time when her step son takes her throne, and her crown and makes war.
A book that you can pick up years later and still love, anyone who picks up Child of the Morning will not be disappointed.