My review of Pauline Gedge's The King's Man, the long-awaited final volume in her trilogy of the same name, was published in today's Globe and Mail.
If you enjoy ancient Egyptian settings, The King's Man is a must-read, but you really need to begin with the first volume, The Twice Born, for the storyline in the subsequent books to make sense. Gedge is an internationally bestselling author, and her earlier books had American and British publishers, but the current trilogy was published in English only in Canada. If you're not Canadian, I'd recommend spending the extra money on postage; her books are worth it.
About Me
- Sarah Johnson
- Collection management librarian, readers' advisor, avid historical fiction reader, NBCC member. Book review editor for the Historical Novels Review and Booklist reviewer. Recipient of ALA's Louis Shores Award for book reviewing (2012). Blogging since 2006.
I think it's time I added some of Pauline Gedge's works to my shelf. I see them in the bookstore all the time, but haven't yet purchased one. Based on your review I think this trilogy would be a good place for me to start. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteGedge is one of those historical novelists who drops you headlong into a completely alien world. I had the setting of this one in my head for days after I finished! I'd think you could start with any book of hers, as long as it's a standalone or the first book in a series. It's been a long time since I read Twelfth Transforming, and I'm very tempted to reread it as a sequel of sorts to this.
ReplyDeleteI love Pauline Gedge. My favourite series is the Hera series. The first one is House of Dreams, followed by House of Illusions. Set in ancient Egypt, they are the stories of Thu, a peasant who by her own tenacity, a little luck and fate is thrown into the dangerous world of the high ranking nobles of Egypt. I would love a sequel. I don't know if that would be possible though. It ended so well. In my imagination I dream of sequels and stories of her and what might have happened. Such a wonderful cast of characters. Seriously, one of my all time favourite series. Pauline Gedge is such a good writer! I hope she writes more, although I read somewhere that she wanted to take some time off. I would cry if she didn't write more though.
ReplyDeleteHi Anna, thanks for your report on House of Dreams/House of Illusions, which is a series I haven't yet read. I hope she will continue writing, too.
ReplyDelete