Scan barcode
mxsallybend's review
3.0
I find myself of two minds over Tomb of Gods, having devoured the first half with absolute enthusiasm, only to struggle my way through the second with varying degrees of curiosity.
Brian Moreland captured my attention from the first page, convincing me to throw caution to the wind and join this dark, dangerous journey of discovery. That first half of the book is pure pulp horror and archaeological adventure, full of tomb raiding, museum antiquities, strange curses, madness, and monstrous murder. I loved the atmosphere of the dig and the curious subterranean maze of excavated tombs, full of dead ends, hidden passages, and deadly pitfalls. Best of all, it had a strong, courageous heroine in Imogen, who is just as capable as her contemporaries, but more admirable in terms of her personal and professional values.
As Caleb, the dig’s photographer, descends through the impossible liquid quicksilver barrier, however, my curiosity began to give way to trepidation. In all fairness, the blurb did speak of “a technologically advanced relic,” but I was hoping more advanced for the ancient Egyptians than the early twentieth-century explorers. But then, as Bakari, their Egyptian guide, begins to explain about the maze, the doors, and legends of the underworld, that curiosity returned. I loved how the story played with history and fabricated this weird physical connection between mythologies. And while I initially struggled with what I’ll call (for the sake of avoiding spoilers) the Stargate elements, I was willing to keep an open mind. I didn’t love that aspect, but I didn’t hate it either.
Where that trepidation began warring with exasperation, though, was with the psychological horror of repressed memories, guilt, remorse, and loss. We’d come all this way, solved all these puzzles, fought through all these monsters and obstacles, just to come face-to-face with the terrors and traumas of our pasts. It felt like it snatched the story out from under the characters, turning active protagonists into passive subjects. I just wasn’t that interested in their personal stories, and I struggled with the muddy morality of how and why they were punished. Worst of all, Imogen’s story became Trammel’s, and that narrative usurpation irked me.
I wish the second half of Tomb of Gods could have been as much fun as the first. It did have its moments, but the shifts in theme and focus pulled me in too many different directions. With a great first half and an okay second, I’ll meet in the middle and call it good.
https://femledfantasy.home.blog/2020/05/29/book-review-tomb-of-gods-by-brian-moreland/
Brian Moreland captured my attention from the first page, convincing me to throw caution to the wind and join this dark, dangerous journey of discovery. That first half of the book is pure pulp horror and archaeological adventure, full of tomb raiding, museum antiquities, strange curses, madness, and monstrous murder. I loved the atmosphere of the dig and the curious subterranean maze of excavated tombs, full of dead ends, hidden passages, and deadly pitfalls. Best of all, it had a strong, courageous heroine in Imogen, who is just as capable as her contemporaries, but more admirable in terms of her personal and professional values.
As Caleb, the dig’s photographer, descends through the impossible liquid quicksilver barrier, however, my curiosity began to give way to trepidation. In all fairness, the blurb did speak of “a technologically advanced relic,” but I was hoping more advanced for the ancient Egyptians than the early twentieth-century explorers. But then, as Bakari, their Egyptian guide, begins to explain about the maze, the doors, and legends of the underworld, that curiosity returned. I loved how the story played with history and fabricated this weird physical connection between mythologies. And while I initially struggled with what I’ll call (for the sake of avoiding spoilers) the Stargate elements, I was willing to keep an open mind. I didn’t love that aspect, but I didn’t hate it either.
Where that trepidation began warring with exasperation, though, was with the psychological horror of repressed memories, guilt, remorse, and loss. We’d come all this way, solved all these puzzles, fought through all these monsters and obstacles, just to come face-to-face with the terrors and traumas of our pasts. It felt like it snatched the story out from under the characters, turning active protagonists into passive subjects. I just wasn’t that interested in their personal stories, and I struggled with the muddy morality of how and why they were punished. Worst of all, Imogen’s story became Trammel’s, and that narrative usurpation irked me.
I wish the second half of Tomb of Gods could have been as much fun as the first. It did have its moments, but the shifts in theme and focus pulled me in too many different directions. With a great first half and an okay second, I’ll meet in the middle and call it good.
https://femledfantasy.home.blog/2020/05/29/book-review-tomb-of-gods-by-brian-moreland/
zarco_j's review
4.0
When I saw Brian Moreland had written a horror story based around Egypt how could I resist it?
Fast-paced and utterly engaging, I absolutely adored this. This isn't the first of the author's books I've read and it won't be the last.
Thanks to NetGalley and Flame Tree Press for a copy in exchange for an honest unbiased review.
Fast-paced and utterly engaging, I absolutely adored this. This isn't the first of the author's books I've read and it won't be the last.
Thanks to NetGalley and Flame Tree Press for a copy in exchange for an honest unbiased review.
anomieus's review
2.0
2.5 ⭐
Serviceable, sometimes amusing, and rather predictable plot (caves! Egyptian deities!) with some clunky writing, unlikable characters all around, and a very preachy final quarter.
They could easily turn this into an action packed movie series à la "The Mummy".
Serviceable, sometimes amusing, and rather predictable plot (caves! Egyptian deities!) with some clunky writing, unlikable characters all around, and a very preachy final quarter.
They could easily turn this into an action packed movie series à la "The Mummy".
git_r_read's review
4.0
I think I uploaded this to the Nook thinking along the lines of archeological thriller, but I believe it leans more towards horror. I liked it for the most part, but had issue with the main character, Imogen, but the way she acted may have been for historical veracity or what the author felt was how women must have acted like back in the day. She is smart in books but has growing up to do with her emotional self. Kept going back to the man who treated her rather callously and for his own selfish gains.
It is scary with the descriptions of each character going through their own past and self-loathing or self-justification for actions taken, orders followed, all that. The mind can play tricks or bring up things we have thought long buried or ignored into diminished value.
What was real and what was imagined. Descending into a treasure hunt or fact finding or the next big break and finding more than they bargained for.
If you like horror, this is a good choice.
It is scary with the descriptions of each character going through their own past and self-loathing or self-justification for actions taken, orders followed, all that. The mind can play tricks or bring up things we have thought long buried or ignored into diminished value.
What was real and what was imagined. Descending into a treasure hunt or fact finding or the next big break and finding more than they bargained for.
If you like horror, this is a good choice.
jayfr's review
4.0
When I saw Brian Moreland had written a horror story based around Egypt how could I resist it?
Fast-paced and utterly engaging, I absolutely adored this. This isn't the first of the author's books I've read and it won't be the last.
Thanks to NetGalley and Flame Tree Press for a copy in exchange for an honest unbiased review.
Fast-paced and utterly engaging, I absolutely adored this. This isn't the first of the author's books I've read and it won't be the last.
Thanks to NetGalley and Flame Tree Press for a copy in exchange for an honest unbiased review.
catliongiraffe's review
5.0
This is my favorite of all the books I’ve read this year. Truly a fantastic story.
chloelouise_xiv's review
2.0
The premise of this book should have been right up my alley, but unfortunately it really fell flat for me. I enjoyed the first few chapters, but once the team started “exploring” I started to get bored and lost all interest in the characters. I didn’t find the writing to be very engaging either. Shame! :(
reads_vicariously's review
5.0
If I see a title that involves Egyptian mythology and tombs beneath pyramids then I'm automatically on board. So I guess the author hooked me in early just with that, but I'm pleased to say that not only did this set up pay off, but the book rises to an epic level I was not expecting and goes in insane directions that I never saw coming.
I truly am going to say very little about the plot here. I want you to be as surprised as I was with each new unfolding event. What I will say is that the book wastes no time in getting to the good stuff. Our characters get to the dig site and things start going sideways very quickly. And speaking of characters, I love the ones constructed here. Imogen is fantastic as our egyptologist heroine, and other characters I liked include Caleb (her photographer-turned-love interest) and Dyfan (the blind assistant with a special sixth sense). Even the characters you're supposed to hate - namely expedition leader Trummel and head of security Gosswick - were fully realized and well done. The author does a good job of blending in the character's backstories and motivations with the current horrors they are facing.
And believe you me, there is a lot of horror here. And a nice variety as well. Lots of tense moments, gruesome violence, and eerie happenings. To say this book is a mix of Indiana Jones and Tomb Raider is wildly underselling it, but I did enjoy the overall focus on exploration and puzzle-solving (as well as the numerous creatures and nightmares that make an appearance). I wish I could talk about the final act, but I can't. Just know that it blew my mind. Go read it and get back to me so we can talk.
I know a little about Egyptian mythology, but there's so much here that I'd never heard of. I spoke with the author and he mentioned doing about a year of research, and it shows - from references to specific archaeological sites/finds, to ancient Egyptian belief systems, to the construction of the afterlife and the various layers therein. Not only was a I enamored by all the (new to me) lore, but I was also excited to see scenes of what I knew (such as a particular moment where hearts are weighed against the feather of Maat for eternal judgment).
Overall I loved this book! It's a longer one, and some parts did start to drag for me, but I never lost interest in what was happening or fearful anticipation of what was going to happen next. It's a wonderful mix of mythology, thriller, and horror. Highly recommend!
*4.5 stars rounded up for Goodreads
I truly am going to say very little about the plot here. I want you to be as surprised as I was with each new unfolding event. What I will say is that the book wastes no time in getting to the good stuff. Our characters get to the dig site and things start going sideways very quickly. And speaking of characters, I love the ones constructed here. Imogen is fantastic as our egyptologist heroine, and other characters I liked include Caleb (her photographer-turned-love interest) and Dyfan (the blind assistant with a special sixth sense). Even the characters you're supposed to hate - namely expedition leader Trummel and head of security Gosswick - were fully realized and well done. The author does a good job of blending in the character's backstories and motivations with the current horrors they are facing.
And believe you me, there is a lot of horror here. And a nice variety as well. Lots of tense moments, gruesome violence, and eerie happenings. To say this book is a mix of Indiana Jones and Tomb Raider is wildly underselling it, but I did enjoy the overall focus on exploration and puzzle-solving (as well as the numerous creatures and nightmares that make an appearance). I wish I could talk about the final act, but I can't. Just know that it blew my mind. Go read it and get back to me so we can talk.
I know a little about Egyptian mythology, but there's so much here that I'd never heard of. I spoke with the author and he mentioned doing about a year of research, and it shows - from references to specific archaeological sites/finds, to ancient Egyptian belief systems, to the construction of the afterlife and the various layers therein. Not only was a I enamored by all the (new to me) lore, but I was also excited to see scenes of what I knew (such as a particular moment where hearts are weighed against the feather of Maat for eternal judgment).
Overall I loved this book! It's a longer one, and some parts did start to drag for me, but I never lost interest in what was happening or fearful anticipation of what was going to happen next. It's a wonderful mix of mythology, thriller, and horror. Highly recommend!
*4.5 stars rounded up for Goodreads
johnlynchbooks's review
4.0
When I saw the slate of 2020 Flame Tree Press titles, 2 of them in particular drew my eye. The first by Glenn Rolfe, the second, the newest Brian Moreland. Ancient Egyptian horror set in the 30’s? Yep, sign me up for that.
When her grandfather disappears, only to re-emerge a broken man, Imogen Riley must know what happened. He claims to have found an ancient Egyptian tomb and the greatest archaeological discovery. In order to find out what has taken her grandfather from her, Imogen joins colleague Nathen Trummel on an adventure of wonder and horror.
Going to throw this one out there. This is my favorite book by Moreland. The writing, plotting, and characterization here are leaps and bounds beyond what I’ve read from the author previously. Despite not having read all of his books, I still feel comfortable making the claim that this may be his best overall book. It’s just difficult to feel otherwise after having read this. I love the mixture of history, adventure, and horror that Moreland has put in the pages.
Imogen is an excellent main character and I had a good time following the exploration of The Tomb of Gods. There is plenty of action here and the scary sequences are terrifying. This was one of those books that keeps you engaged the entire time, even when there are lulls in the scares and action, the sense of discovery and adventure keep you within the authors grasp.
Tomb Of Gods is an excellent novel by Brian Moreland, and another top notch horror from FlameTree Press. I hope the author and publisher work together again soon.
When her grandfather disappears, only to re-emerge a broken man, Imogen Riley must know what happened. He claims to have found an ancient Egyptian tomb and the greatest archaeological discovery. In order to find out what has taken her grandfather from her, Imogen joins colleague Nathen Trummel on an adventure of wonder and horror.
Going to throw this one out there. This is my favorite book by Moreland. The writing, plotting, and characterization here are leaps and bounds beyond what I’ve read from the author previously. Despite not having read all of his books, I still feel comfortable making the claim that this may be his best overall book. It’s just difficult to feel otherwise after having read this. I love the mixture of history, adventure, and horror that Moreland has put in the pages.
Imogen is an excellent main character and I had a good time following the exploration of The Tomb of Gods. There is plenty of action here and the scary sequences are terrifying. This was one of those books that keeps you engaged the entire time, even when there are lulls in the scares and action, the sense of discovery and adventure keep you within the authors grasp.
Tomb Of Gods is an excellent novel by Brian Moreland, and another top notch horror from FlameTree Press. I hope the author and publisher work together again soon.
scottneumann's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0