This is a really nice collection. I enjoyed it very much. It is so very well researched in both historical and religious terms. Jacq was largely very faithful to historical facts. He made one enormous assumption with no historical backing whatsoever, that Ramses II was King of Egypt during the time of Moses. His history of Moses and the events of his life resemble those told in the bible and Quran, but in a secular fashion. The story does go on, but then again the man did rule Egypt for a very long and eventful period. There are indeed several cardboard like people in the book, very one dimensional and therefore very predictable. If you like history, suspense, lots of action, this is a great collection, enjoy it. If you are planning a Nile Cruise, or have just been on one, you must buy this.

I have read this book first in French and then in English, and I absolutely love it. The translation is very good because it captures the senses of the original. The life of Ramses II is not what people usually expect, and it explains a lot about his relationship with Moses. This book can be read by all ages, and I strongly recommend it! You will love the other 4 volumes as well.

I loved the Ramses books and have all of them. I am anxiously waiting for the 5th too, but in my opinion, this one was the best so far. I am 12 years old and am going to be an Egyptologist someday . (I decided that before reading the book) This book was mesmorizing and captivating. It also tied up a lot of loose ends. I was glad to get rid of Dolora, Ofir and Shannar (some of the characters you'll meet when you read) but I was really sad at the end. I hope Mr. Jacq's adds some new characters to spice up the story, but overall- READ THIS SERIES!

Sure this isn't an in-depth textbook on hieroglyphics, but it is a neat little book that's is probably one of the finest introductions for someone who doesn't want to study for years, but just wants a good general overview of how the Egyptian language works. I recommend it.

I recently completed the above named book and am still in the dark on decoding the Hieroglyphics. However,I did come away with how complex the ancient Egyptians were. I will once again tackle the book and probably walk away with the basic fundamentals of Hieroglyphics. I recently visited the Metropolitan Museum in New York City and they had an exhibit on Ancient Egypt, and to my surprise, I was able to decipher a small portion of the hieroglyphics.

Despite other reviews of this book, I have read it and believe that Jacq achieves all of his basic aims. Does he not state on the first page that you will NOT be able to read hieroglyphs with ease by reading the book? Rather, you would gain a basic understanding of the language, complexity and history involved. Jacq uses accessible language and the odd touch of humour to make his book both entertaining and informative. The naive expectations that others have entered a book such as this with have resulted in it not being properly represented. Therefore, I am setting the record straight by saying that I thoroughly enjoyed this book and found it most beneficial!

The book is excellent!It lets you discover all about the gods,the rituals and the spell practiced in the ancient Egypt and you find out why the egyptian civilization was so mysterious.I think Christian Jacq made his best again to amaze all the ancient Egypt lovers.

Ramses Volume One is a book that impressed me with its simplicity in description and advancement of plot. Ramses Volume One was easy to read and did a great job of setting up an intrigue and respect for the characters as well as the possibility for future volumes of the series.

As with the Ramses series Christian Jacq has once again got me hooked. "Nefer the Silent" was an interesting slant on another side of egyptian civilisation, Nefer had me begging for more but I found the follow up, "The Wise Woman" a tad slow and drawn out in comparison. Jacq's detail to attention and passion for Ramses could never be reflected in any other series. However, Jacq is a master of his craft and has once again left the reader with a cliff hanger in "The Wise Woman," it would be imposssible not to buy the follow up. If you have read and enjoyed the Ramses series i would advise you to keep an open mind when reading Nefer as there is no real comparison. The style is different and more calculated but still continues to be a wonderful insight to the lives of those who lived quite a while ago!! ENJOY - I DID!!

When I seen this book at the library where I work I had to check it out because of my love for ancient Egypt. I would say I made a wise decision. I found it to be informative on the Egytian life though people without much knowledge on Egypt might get a bit confused in parts. It does make for a good historical primer for people only a bit interested in Egypt though. The book started out slow but it got way better at the end and made me eagerly start reading the second volume. By following the lives of Silent and Ardent and their different quests to reach the same goal of being admitted to the Brotherhood of the Place of Truth the reader is taken on a trip through many aspects of the Egyptian peasants. As much as you like Silent and Ardent the equally evil characters of Mehy and Serketa make you root for the good guys even more. As Mehy and Serketa plot to destroy the village bringing bad times to the Brotherhood you start to feel sympathetic for Silent and Ardent and their friends.

The first volume in Christian Jacq's The Stone of Light series is pleasure to read. If you have read his five volume Ramses II series, don't miss this one.

Jacq is an Egyptolgist who possesses an incredible ability: without hindering plot, bogging down his writing with too much detail or weak character development, he allows the reader to visit this great civilization in its glory, recontructed upon accurate historical information. I suppose the point that I am trying to make is that Jacq's novels are not like an academic textbook, although you may find yourself wanting to learn more about this fascinating ancient civilization after reading one of them... His writing simply flows. He skillfully breathes life into actual people (as well as some fictional ones too) that lived thousands of years ago. I have found reading each of his works so far to be a pleasurable experience.

As for Nefer the Silent itself, the story focuses on two young men, Silent (a sculpter) and Paneb (a painter), who both seek to become artists in the brotherhood of the Place of Truth. The Place of Truth is home to a sacred brotherhood who are charged with the task of creating the tombs of the Pharoahs and Queens. Although many rumors exist about the brotherhood due to the secrecy of their work and the fact that they answer only to Pharoah, both men are determined to follow the path that will lead them there. For each it will be different and there it is not certain that an artist will be accepted once he reaches the Place of Truth. Nevertheless, Paneb and Silent are determined to try and this is their story.

I enjoyed Nefer the Silent a great deal and immediately purchased the next volume (I confess, I didn't but the book when it first came out.) I've finished both of them in under three days. I couldn't put this down. I hope your experience is as good as mine has been. Enjoy!

Although full of period flavor and detail, this novel is without a coherent plot. Young Ankhesenpaaten, monotheist heretic king Akhenaton's third daughter, wants to become Queen of Egypt, if only her pesky older sisters will go away. She bustles from unrealistic adventure... to unrealistic adventure..., stopping along the way for an easy, fluid love relationship...that is without real obstacles.

Everything comes "Akheza"'s way. But it doesn't end well, 'cause she's a monotheist like her father, and the priests of Thebes are against her. Oh well.

The novel lacks theme, pacing and structure. Instead, read anything by Pauline Gedge.

I completly disagree with the author of the other review. I really liked the book, it tells the story of Akhesa, the heretic pharao's daughter and her love for Tut. It'a a lovely book