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3.91 AVERAGE
3.91 AVERAGE
This turned out to to be nothing like I was expecting but it was a fun read nevertheless.
Review to come... Until then, you can read it on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/posts/37376493
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/
adventurous
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This was such a great ride! At times, I felt the same adventurous rush that movies like "The Mummy" gave me. Who hasn't, especially as a child, dreamed of exploring pyramids and tombs in some exotic place in the desert? As you read further the story takes a more sinister turn and almost gives you a "Dante's Inferno" feel of traveling through the many layers of hell in hopes of reaching understanding and ascending. I read a lot of horror so it sometimes takes a lot to actually scare me, but there were certainly parts that made me recoil and need to take a moment. A really great read.
2.25/5 stars.
I liked the premise and the story. For it all, it was longer than it needed to be by about a quarter. It’s not a bad read, just longer than it should/could be. Recommended, with that caution.
I liked the premise and the story. For it all, it was longer than it needed to be by about a quarter. It’s not a bad read, just longer than it should/could be. Recommended, with that caution.
A creepy horror book. What if something can tap into your guilt and sin. More on the blog tour
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.
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".
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.