In this hefty volume, the author continues the story already begun with the Hippopatamus Marsh. Prince Kamose Tao of Weset assumes command of the rebel soldiers after his father's death, rallying the native princes to fight under him. Nubian soldiers from Wawat under the command of the General Hor-Aha are allied with the Egyptian soldiers, giving Kamose and his men an edge against the towns and forts they encounter on their trek north. As the campaign draws on, the effects of war leave their mark on Kamose, and he forfeits all else in order to oust the Setiu from beyond Egypt's borders and restore true Ma'at to this ravaged land. 'The Oasis' is a surprising stage for the unpredictable, and the inevitable.

The author's goal was to "rehab" Kamose Tao in history's eyes and she has indeed succeeded. The Lord of the Two Lands trilogy continues with the intensity and determination well established in the first book. Even though the story line is recorded in history, there is no real sense of predictability. Lots of action, repeated demonstrations of survival of the fittest, and treachery abounds. I thank Ms. Gedge for including a map, a bibliography, and for sating my thirst for historical fiction! I'll say a little prayer to Thoth that she continues to create such enjoyable works.

The Oasis, the second volume of Pauline Gegde's Lord of the Two Lands Trilogy, is even more captivating the the first. Following the death of Sequenenra Tao at the hands of feared but brilliant General Pedzeku, the members of the House of Tao are stipped of their titles, nobility and power to rule over their ancestral home of Waset by the Setiu King Apepa. The idea of a foriegn king ruling over Egypt does not sit well with Sequenenra's sons Kamose and Ahmose despite all that they have lost and, with their family's permission, they decide to restore Egypt to the rightful Egyptian rulers, the Taos, or die in the process.

At times gruesome and painful, the Oasis details exquistely the price war can exact on those who wage it. The decision to take life, regardless of how noble its reason, is one which weighs heavily on the soul. Gedge's character Kamose Tao, who proclaims himself Pharoah and sets out to purge Egypt of the Setiu who have usurped the country from its rightful citizens, fights many bitter, bloody battles in which innocents are killed to right what the Ancient Egyptians refer to as Ma'at - a sense of law, righteousness and justice. The development of this character from an introspective older brother, favored by his grandmother, to a king who speaks his mind without regard to consequences and who is tormented by the horror of a war of his own making, is indeed compelling.

Additionally, as you will always find in the work of Pauline Gedge, Egypt is recreated in intricate detail. The reader is transported to a time when the 17th Dynasty is concluding and the Great 18th Dynasty is about to leave the womb...

I can't wait to read The Horus Road (vol 3)!

This book is an easy to use reference book which pulls together the various renderings of the content of Chronicles in other Biblical books. There are charts which succinctly show the emphasis of particular accounts by charting the number of verses in particular books spent on the history of specific individuals. The book makes it easy to study the historical period covered by Chronicals as a single unit rather than the hop-scotching that reading the Bible straight through provides.

Highly recommended for anyone studying Chronicles - whether you call it Tanak or Old Testament.

I got this book a week or so ago and while it is excellent I didn't find it as good as Lady Of The Reeds(published as House Of Dreams in Canada). The plot didn't seem as strong, and to me it was a little bit disconcerting having three parts (the first told by Kamen, the second by a scribe, and the third by Thu) inside the book.

It's still a good book, and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. Gedge once again has painted a vivid image of Ancient Egypt and continued with the story of Thu. The plot was still griping, even if it didn't shine quite as brightly as Lady Of The Reeds, and the characters were well-written as usual. This book is worth buying, and the ending has an interesting twist.

THIS IS AN EXCELLENT BOOK FOR EGYTOPHILES. IT IS SET IN ANCIENT EGYPT AND HAS SO MANY DETAILS THAT YOU WONDER IF MS. GEDGE LIVED THERE. PAULINE GEDGE IS AN ABSOLUTE GENIUS WHEN IT COME TO BOOKS ABOUT ANCIENT EGYPT AND SHE IS NO SLOUCH IN THE SCIENCE FICTION DEPARTMENT EITHER---SO GOOD I READ IT 7 TIMES THUS FAR!

When I read 'Lady of the reeds' and found out there was a second book following Thu's life, I never expected it to be this good, I got the book three days ago and I have to admit, it was very hard for me to put it down, I have to say Pauline Gedge did an amazing job, in her book you can feel the pain, passion and regrets involving Thu's life. I just have to say, you have to read this book, believe me, you won't regret it.

I read all three of these books in about 15 days, and I can only imagine how exhausted Pauline Gedge was when she finished writing them. I imagine she never wanted to see them again, but gosh, I wish she had taken the time to wrap them up.

They were, in general, very interesting, well paced books with enough reflection by and with each character that I could identify with them as sympathetic human beings, possessing all the emotional features that make us human. I thought from time to time some of the players stepped out of character, but that was excusable, and only slightly irksome.

The ending gave me the biggest fits. Where did it go? The epilogue was in reality not an epilogue at all, but the final chapter of the story. Epilogues give a brief synopsis of people and events subsequent to the action of the story. This was missing altogether. Something regarding the reign of Ahmose and a quick rundown on what became of the main characters would have been nice. I don't want to be too specific on this subject; I don't want to dissuade anyone who may be interested from reading these books, but if you have read them, you know what I'm talking about. This is more than a wish on my part for a continuation. There really were several dangling loose ends that needed tying up.

Would I recommend these books to a friend? If I knew their tastes ran to historical adventure fiction, yes. I just wish Ms. Gedge would consider adding a real epilogue to a future edition.

Pauline Gedge has been always amazing story teller. Her "Horus Road" is another chapter to never forgotten history of Egyptian kings fighting foreign invaders - Hyksos, known in a book as Setiu. "Horus Road" is the third and the final book in this epoch describing struggle of ancient Tao house to establish the glory of independent Egypt and their anointed Pharaohs. Ms. Gedge did a fantastic job describing in detail the time around campaign against the Setiu, relationship of the members of the royal house, the psychology of young pharaohs, coming of age and fighting not only external enemy, but its own demons, weaknesses and doubts.

The third book describes the actions of the youngest son of the Tao house, Ahmose, who survived the assassination, and is ready to finish grandiose work started by his uncompromising brother Kamose, killed by treacherous princes. Ahmose is set to succeed and expel foreigners from Egypt, but before he will be able to finally beat his grave enemy, he must deal not only with political aspects of emerging Egypt, but also with social issues and family relations. Ms. Gedge did a splendid job recreating ancient Egypt. Her research skills are impeccable, but her story is a bit heavy at times in this part, and a reader needs to go through plenty of unnecessary reading in order to find some action, bountiful descriptions, or insightful conversation. I still highly recommend this book and the entire series to ancient history lovers, but I think some readers will be put off, and will never finish this monumental work.

Pauline Gedge is an excellent and imaginative writer and a great storyteller. I read the trilogy in a week, and this book in two sittings. I was captivated by the fast-moving story. What a fabulous reading experience.

I am usually totally lost when any author tries to describe multi-focal battle scenes, but I found her descriptions easy to envision. I thank Ms. Gedge for including a map, creating a cast of memorable characters, and illustrating many aspects of everyday life in "royal" Egypt. Her descriptive talents allow one to visualize meals, dress, the struggles of daily life, human frailties, and even complex religious customs and rituals.

It's ending was a little anticlimactic...perhaps a sequel? Ahmose's second son, Amunhotep, becomes the next pharaoh. It made me wonder what happened to his first stepson, or even if he was an historical figure.

I'm definitely adding Ahmose to my Historical Hunks and Heroes list. I am pleased to add this trilogy to my library.

This is a wonderful study but a bit disjointed in the prose style and in the categories of analysis Stafford chose. It's less biographical and narrative than would be appropriate for those simply curious about the two women in question and presumes a lot of bacground knowledge about the period.

Like the other reviewer implied, don't buy this book if you just want a quick peek into the lives of 2 English queens. This book is more appropriate for people well-acquainted with the subject matter. The book is really well-written and will be a great source for history students for years to come.

Stafford presents an facinating view of women in the early middle ages, presenting their power as well as limitations. However, the book is rather confusing when it comes to keeping track of who is who. The genealogical tables at the back of the book are less than helpful. Stafford asserts that a good part of the power of these women was based on family relations and connections, but this was difficult to follow. Still, the work does present some very interesting ideas and is worth reading.

This book has been foundational in determining how we understand early medieval women's history and the role of marriage and marital politics in the period. I recommend it highly.

This is a densely written, historically detailed account of a mysterious and romantic era of ancient Egyptian history. I have been fascinated with this period since I was a little girl, and I could hardly put the book down the first time I read it.

Pauline Gedge knows Egyptian daily life very well, and her strength is in recreating it. As far as the historical events and personalities go, sometimes I agreed with her interpretation, sometimes not.

The idea that Tiye married Akhenaton is not historically verified, though it does weave together some facts in an intriguing way. I first discovered that interpretation in a book called Oedipus and Akhenaten, which theorized that Akhenaten was the historical Oedipus, and Gedge has certainly gone with this interpretation. It is intriguing for the novel, and she makes a good case, especially in details like the role of the seer, Amenhotep son of Hapu. I have to say, though, I don't really believe that it happened this way. I also disagreed with her view of Akhenaten as a weak dreamer. He was many things, possibly mad, but anyone looking at sculptures of him can see that, whatever he was, he wasn't weak.

I have the same feeling about Nefertiti and her "viper heartedness." To suit certain interpretations of the facts, Nefertiti had to be made vain and power hungry. I'm sure she wasn't perfect, but I just couldn't see her as the hollow, shallow character she was made to be.

Other interpretations were spot on, or at least interesting. I liked the relationship of Mutnodgeme and Horemheb, and the tragic love story that weaves delicately through the major part of the novel. Ankhesenamun and Tutankhamun's brief, sad story felt real to me, as well Horemheb's eventual motive for murder.

One thing this book did leave me wanting: The story of Amunhotep and Tiye in their youth.

Queen Tiye, the Great Royal Wife of Pharaoah Amunhotep III is the focus of this very complex historical novel. Pauline Gedge gives a new interpretation of some of the known historical and archaelogical facts about the entire Amarna Royal Family including Akhenaton, Nefertiti, Smenhkara, Ay,Tutanhamon and Horemheb. Her portrayals of Queens' Tiye and Nefertiti are masterful in showing their struggles to govern and hold on to power for the former and to attain power for the latter. Each were women who had husbands who were Pharaohs, but had other agendas which were to the detriment of Egypt. However, these women wanted power and to govern. Gedge's new spin sees Tiye and Nefertiti as rivals with Ay and Horemheb forming a quadrangle of deadly machinations, murder and political intrigue which resulted from Akhenaten's religious revolution during the Eighteenth Dynasty.

Ancient Egyptian buffs will be intrigued by Gedge's use of known facts and figures and the weaving of these into a fascinating portrait of an Egyptian Queen fighting the decline of her empire. The rich historical details and the incorporation of stories, myths and facts about the opulent lifestyles,descriptions of palaces and of the cities of Karnak, Akhetaten shows Miss Gedge's thorough knowledge of or research of the period.

Unfortunately this is also a handicap, because the need to weave facts and create fiction to make a workable story had me questioning certain elements crucial to the story. An example would be Nefertiti's desire to becoming a Great Royal Wife This is known to have been attained; however, she did not wear the disk and two-feathers crown which Tiye wore, wearing her own distintive Blue Crown. Although, this crown was known previously or used later, Nefertiti was a Great Royal Wife. In the story her pursuit of this Rank and The Two Feather Disk Crown of Tiye was a crucial dramatic element which formed the basis of a number of her misdeeds. Another example was the diminution of the role of Kia(Kiya)one of Akhena! ten's secondary wives who many believe may be Tutankhamun's mother or at best was a "Favorite" such that wine jars were found at Amarna with this inscription. A greater role was given to Sitamun, daughter-wife of Amunhotep III and Tiye. The rivalry between she and Nefertiti was quite interesting. Another interesting character was Mutnodjme, sister of Nefertiti and wife to Horemheb. Gedge even had the vicissitudes of Tiye as working mother. The best feature of the novel is the atmosphere and descriptions of this historical period which were so vivid and seemly accurate that you felt you were in that time period. Having read Lady of the Reeds, Miss Gedge is a master of this type of writing and her ability to weave the archaelogical and historical evidence with mythological and religious elements is excellent.

In the Twelfth Transforming, Pauline Gedge takes us back to a world that existed over 4,000 years ago, in ancient Egypt. She brings to life characters that we know historically existed, but she breathes humanity into them, replete with virtues and many fallacies. These characters are not one-sided as sometimes happens with protaginists in a novel, but complete with persons which you sometimes like, and then dislike. You're transported back to palaces along the Nile, walking alongside Akhenaten and his queen Nefertiti, their children, family and extended retinue, with their intrigue and excesses, and political outmanuevering intertwined with daily life. Her writing is rich in depth, and she is a writer whose book I buy just because she's the author. A definite 5 star!

Since I was 13, and read Child of the Morning, Pauline Gedge has been my favourite author. Now, nearly 20 years later, she continues to dazzle with Lady Of The Reeds (or House of Dreams in Canada). When I read her words, I can feel the heat of the sun and the breezes off the Nile; smell the sandlewood and jasmine; see the palaces, villages, and homes of the people she writes about. I loved this book and sequel with a fierce passion - for 4 days this summer I did not move off the deck, while I read them both. Thu may have been written as a character whose own character is less than lovable, but she charms you so completely that you really care about what happens to her, and hope that everything works out well. She is the perfect anti-heroine who proves that it's not just men who can be rather unlikeable and still have us cheering for them. It has never been acceptable for a woman to be seen in that light. Heroines have always had to be lily-white paragons of such virtues as kindness, gentleness, and are most certainly not allowed any ambition. Thu defies all those stereotypes, and makes us love her for it. I say Bravo! Ms. Gedge, and I only wish there could be more books about the fabulous Thu!

This extremely well-written prose by Pauline Gedge was a pleasure and delight to read. The writer's technique of using the English language to describe ancient egypt and events in this book is astounding! The peasant, Thu, growing up with her poor egyptian family, has high dreams for herself & is not content to be a mere "woman" in egyptian society or a midwife as her mother before her. She attains her dreams after all, but not in the way she would hope. She rises up from a life of poverty on her parents farm in the Delta through the help and mystery of the Seer, Hui, a strange, magical, man with long white hair and red piercing eyes. She befriends him, eventually loves him like a father, & leaves her home to take on several exciting, interesting and intriguing phases of her life before finally, realizing she is all along being prepared for a special mission in life. Partially by design and partially by deception by the people she loves, she attains royal residence as a concubine of the Pharaoh. She finds this submissive, royal, life unaccepting for a beautiful young woman, just being one of many favored by Pharaoh. The book is intriguing until the end and I would recommend this book highly. This is my first Pauline Gedge novel and I will now read all of them!

I've heard a lot of praise for the Eagle and the Raven by Pauline Gedge, but I believe Lady of the Reeds is much better! The main character causes dislike at times, empathy at others. The book flows interestingly along with an easier read than most other of Ms. Gedge's books. The growth of the main character from a small village to a concubine in Pharoah's harem is fascinating. If you like this book, try reading Slammerkin by Emma Donoghue! Both main characters have good and bad points, and are intent on survival. A Great Read!

I love reading historical fiction because, when it's done correctly, we can live in a time that has past. "The Hippopotamus Marsh" is the first book by Pauline Gedge that I have read, and I will probably read some of her others. She writes so descriptively that you really feel like you are in the story. I will admit that the book is a little hard to get into. There are so many characters that a list and descriptions are at the front of the book, and I used it frequently at the beginning! Once I got into the story though, I was hooked! You feel for Sequenenra and his family and you want them to overthrow the King Apepa. I won't give anything away, I hate it when people do that, just read this book. If you enjoy historical fiction, Ancient Egypt, or a story about a family that loves each other, you'll like "The Hippopotamus Marsh."

The Hyksos (interlopers from Asia Minor with Creton and Minoan trading connections) ruled Egypt for over two hundred years at the end of the "Middle Kingdom" era. Theirs was a gradual and almost bloodless seizure of power, but once ensconced in their Delta strongholds they sacked Memphis and plundered Egypt. Their archers and horse drawn chariots give them military superiority over the Egyptians. But in the middle of the Seventeenth Dynasty the native princes of Upper Egypt rebelled against the foreigners, their alien gods and ways. Seqenenra Tao, Prince of West, lead the revolt against the Hyksos. His provincial aristocratic family are accustomed to a life of impoverished gentility on their estate, far removed from the center of power and commerce in the Delta and the influence of the Hyksos. But when the Prince decides to through off the shackles of subservience, their lives change as each family member must risk everything, including their lives, to restore Egyptians and their gods to glory. Highly recommended for historical fiction enthusiasts, The Hippopotamus Marsh is a thrilling novel of epic proportions and the first of a planned trilogy. Author Pauline Gedge brings the antiquarian Egypt vividly to life with her engaging and thoroughly entertaining story of passion, intrigue, and the ushering in of the downfall of the Hyksos and the emergence of Egypt's Eighteenth Dynasty.

MAKE SURE YOU HAVE ALL THREE BOOKS BEFORE YOU BEGIN!!

If you love historical fiction with its intrigues, plots, regal characters, and faraway times, get ready for a fabulous reading experience. And if Egyptian history is your thing, you'll be pleased with this investment.

This is the first book I have read by Pauline Gedge, and what a find. It certainly will not be the last. She has a wonderfully fluid writing style and the ability to breath life into her characters. You can't help but feel the intensity of their convictions.

Very entertaining and fast-paced. I have no need to retell the story...just make the time and soar into ancient times.

I regret buyning this book, because It's made in poor material and its contents has much less than what I was expecting. It is really more expensive than it should cost. If you need a good book in this subject, don't spend your money with this one. Buy another.

This book is a taped cheap paperback that costs $50, but that's not all that is wrong with it, it also has NO index and NO explanations. Plus it is littered with advertisements galore. The cheap book which costs $50 is made by "The Technology Group", which by my experience is a Group that likes to make money of Occult Students. A book for the index is sold seperately at $25, and a book for the explanations is also sold seperatley at $45, plus a book of index cards which contain the modern day symbols is also sold seperately at $18. You are better off not getting anything from this Technology Group located in El Sobrante, CA. Trust me on this one book, it is nothing more than a book that is made to take advantage of Occult students by taking their money and giving them a cheap ripoff, so cheap all the pages look like the been done at Kinko's. DO NOT GET THIS BOOK!!!!!

I agree with the other reviewers that this is a cheap, sub-standard book. BUT it is a photocopy of the ORIGINAL manuscript held at the British Museum. I think it is a bit overpriced, but found it useful to compare the actual scribe's writing and drawings with other editions of the Lemegeton. The transcription by White is erroneous in several places if you compare the handwriting of an obscure word with others that are not so obscure the style the scribe wrote the letters becomes apparent (A's, O's, E's, F's and S's seem to be the most problematic). Hope this helps you in your decision.