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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
readingvicariously'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
bookish_satty's review
5.0
Wow! Loved it so very much especially the Epilogue! Must read for horror fans! A masterpiece in my eyes!
horrorholmes's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- 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
elles_shelves's review against another edition
5.0
Tomb of Gods by Brian Moreland is part adventure, part horror, and part Egyptian mythology. Dr. Harlan Riley is a famed British archaeologist who is seeking the tomb of Nebenteru, where it is believed King Ramses II sealed his royal secrets. He and his team became lost while on an exhibition for the British Museum of London in 1935. One year later, Dr. Riley is found wandering the desert after being missing for a year; however, he comes back covered in scars and is placed in a mental hospital. His granddaughter, Imogen Riley, is determined to find out what happened to her grandfather in Egypt. She joins an expedition that is following the path of her grandfather to find out the mysteries of the Nebenteru. What follows is a good old fashioned Egyptian pyramid story complete with mysterious disappearances, accidents, booby traps, and rumored curses. This is a fast paced story and I quickly devoured it nearly in one sitting because it was fun!
I initially was attracted to the book because it is published by Flame Tree Press, which usually hit the mark for a fun filled horror novel. This was even better than I expected because it really delved into Egyptian mythology and the concept of a centralized creation myth between various early civilizations. This is my first novel by Moreland, but I will definitely be checking out his earlier works. If they are anything like Tomb of Gods.
I initially was attracted to the book because it is published by Flame Tree Press, which usually hit the mark for a fun filled horror novel. This was even better than I expected because it really delved into Egyptian mythology and the concept of a centralized creation myth between various early civilizations. This is my first novel by Moreland, but I will definitely be checking out his earlier works. If they are anything like Tomb of Gods.
evavroslin's review
5.0
I have missed reading Brian Moreland's novels and was so glad when I heard about his forthcoming release, "Tomb of Gods," in a few months. If you loved the first two "Mummy" films from the early 2000s, you will love this novel. It's a roller coaster ride of a page-turner that will leave you wanting more at the end of each chapter. It has Egyptian deities, forbidden passages, mythology, the Underworld, adventure, intrigue, romance, and pulse-pounding action. It is perfect reading material to lead into the summer season, and I enjoyed it so much. I don't want to spoil the story or the details, but I loved the experiences of the characters, seeing how everything unfolded, and can't wait to read more of the author's work.
annarella's review against another edition
5.0
This book was a lot of fun to read and I wasn't able to put it down turning pages as fast I could.
It begins as an old-style adventure book set in Egypt, it develops into an interesting horror with some mystical undertones.
I loved the plot that flows and the great world building, the interesting cast of characters and the how the POV changes giving you an insight into all the characters.
I look forward to read other books by this author.
It was a gripping and entertaining read that I strongly recommend.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
It begins as an old-style adventure book set in Egypt, it develops into an interesting horror with some mystical undertones.
I loved the plot that flows and the great world building, the interesting cast of characters and the how the POV changes giving you an insight into all the characters.
I look forward to read other books by this author.
It was a gripping and entertaining read that I strongly recommend.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
mayhappily's review
4.0
This was a truly terrific (see what I did there?) read till near the end, then it had a bit of a (for me, on a personal level) dip and then it found its footing again.
In short: this was a near perfect horror novel for me: having become very blasé after years of submerging myself in the horror genre, very few things really register as scary in my mind, but Brian Moreland's Tomb of Gods did the trick, and on more than one occasion!
Since younger days I've been fascinated by the deities and the pharaohs of Egypt, and am very enthralled by the idea of curses protecting secrets, divine or otherwise, as well as exploring these secrets - and reading about it is the perfect way for me to do so and still keep safe.
If I were to have a complaint, there would be two: the more innocuous one being that I honestly feel that romance should know its place (i.e. it doesn't belong in every. damn. story), even if it was only briefly covered in this book and the second... well, it's to do with my personal grievance with this story and the one thing that keeps me from rating this book 5 stars. It is a spoiler, so I will hide it behind an appropriate tag. Do not venture further if you wish for the ending to be a surprise!
In short: this was a near perfect horror novel for me: having become very blasé after years of submerging myself in the horror genre, very few things really register as scary in my mind, but Brian Moreland's Tomb of Gods did the trick, and on more than one occasion!
Since younger days I've been fascinated by the deities and the pharaohs of Egypt, and am very enthralled by the idea of curses protecting secrets, divine or otherwise, as well as exploring these secrets - and reading about it is the perfect way for me to do so and still keep safe.
If I were to have a complaint, there would be two: the more innocuous one being that I honestly feel that romance should know its place (i.e. it doesn't belong in every. damn. story), even if it was only briefly covered in this book and the second... well, it's to do with my personal grievance with this story and the one thing that keeps me from rating this book 5 stars. It is a spoiler, so I will hide it behind an appropriate tag. Do not venture further if you wish for the ending to be a surprise!
janinepipe's review
5.0
Absolutely fantastic. If you THINK you know how this story will go, you are very much mistake. Yes there are echoes of Indiana Jones and The Mummy because it is set in the 1930s in Egypt and they are archeologists seraching a tomb - but that is where any similarities end. If this was an Indy adventure, it would have needed an R rating as it is most definitely a horror story. There was one chapter in particular that I had to skim read as it was too scary for me as I have a phobia of this particuar thing. It is brilliantly and cleverly written, and the amount of research that must have gone into it is phenomenal. I can not wait to read more of Brian's work. 100% recommended - 10/10. Gold star Mr Moreland!!!