Geraldine Pinch

I found this in the children's Egyptian mythology section in my local public library after being disappointed by another highly regarded Egyptian mythology book by Donna Jo Napoli. The front cover, showing a pharaoh in full ceremonial regalia, crook, flail, double crown, beard, in front of the symbols of the divine protectors of Upper and Lower Egypt was an excellent start. The book fell open to a stirring two-page illustration of Isis spearing an enraged hippopotamus, which might have been show more Horus or Set. It turned out to be a winner, well-told, and well-illustrated by two separate illustrators. The author may have been another of those Egyptologists, like Barbara Mertz, who turned to popular writing. She seems to have written some scholarly books, some general Egypt books for children, and some fantasy. show less

Prince of the Godborn is, to me, reminiscent of Megan Whalen Turner's The Thief...if a book can be reminiscent of another book written thirteen years after itself, that is. Where The Thief borrows from Classical Greece, Prince of the Godborn seems to draw inspiration from Biblical Israel and the Mediterranean. But both books flesh out an intricate, vividly complete fantasy world. And as in The Queen's Thief series, I rather suspect the Seven Citadels' story will only become more complex, and show more compelling, with each book. show less

Geraldine Harris explores not only Egyptian mythology and lore but its sources and historical contexts as well. The result is a rich, engaging dip into Egypt's culture from its beginning through its final decline. Well worth the read!

This is an excellent introduction to the mythology of Ancient Egypt. More than just an encyclopedia of gods and goddesses, this book takes a thematic approach and presents the major stories using major concepts (such as creation, death, morality, etc.). I found it very easy to get through and now feel ready to delve deeper into this subject (using the excellent resources listed in the book)!