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bowienerd_82 's review for:
Hand of Isis
by Jo Graham
If I hadn't read [b:Black Ships|2192272|Black Ships (Numinous World, #1)|Jo Graham|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1266621797s/2192272.jpg|2198000] before this one, I might have given Hand of Isis three stars, but coming after Jo Graham's powerful first novel, this one was a disappointment.
I think part of the problem lies in the fact that Cleopatra's story has been told and retold so many times by so many people, it is hard to find an original voice. While Black Ships was revolutionary, Hand of Isis is nothing new.
Black Ships was written with a powerful, wistful poignancy; a story about those who have lost everything trying to find a new home. In comparison, Hand of Isis felt vaguely trashy and soap opera-ish. I was also disturbed by the graphic non-consensual and borderline consensual sex in the book, as it was uncomfortable and unpleasant to read.
The fact that most of the characters were supposed to be reincarnated from the characters in Black Ships was also forced, ridiculous, and unnecessary. It was distracting, and added nothing to the story.
Hand of Isis demonstrated meticulous research, and had its points of interest, but it was sadly lacking in comparison to the author's first book.
I think part of the problem lies in the fact that Cleopatra's story has been told and retold so many times by so many people, it is hard to find an original voice. While Black Ships was revolutionary, Hand of Isis is nothing new.
Black Ships was written with a powerful, wistful poignancy; a story about those who have lost everything trying to find a new home. In comparison, Hand of Isis felt vaguely trashy and soap opera-ish. I was also disturbed by the graphic non-consensual and borderline consensual sex in the book, as it was uncomfortable and unpleasant to read.
The fact that most of the characters were supposed to be reincarnated from the characters in Black Ships was also forced, ridiculous, and unnecessary. It was distracting, and added nothing to the story.
Hand of Isis demonstrated meticulous research, and had its points of interest, but it was sadly lacking in comparison to the author's first book.