House of Rejoicing is Libbie Hawker’s long-awaited return to the lush decadence and dark power of ancient Egypt.
In the waning years of Egypt’s Eighteenth Dynasty, when female power can only come at an unsettling price, four royal women struggle against the shadowy influence of Akhenaten, the infamous heretic Pharaoh. Akhenaten wields control of a strange, emerging religion unlike anything Egypt … religion unlike anything Egypt has seen. His power can’t be denied, but whoever can maintain her grip on the unpredictable Pharaoh will hold all of Egypt in her hands—and better still, will remain mistress of her own fate.
Tiy, once the undisputed might behind the throne, must choose to relinquish her hard-won influence, or manipulate the innocent in order to secure her hold on Akhenaten’s leash. Kiya, an idealistic foreign princess, will win Akhenaten with love—if he’s capable of feeling love at all. The celebrated beauty Nefertiti will use the Pharaoh for her own ends, turning the tables of a deadly political game to free herself from her ambitious father’s grasp. And Sitamun, kept imprisoned as the Pharaoh’s plaything, will defy the gods themselves to save her daughter from a similar fate.
House of Rejoicing is the first part in Libbie Hawker’s new ancient Egyptian series, The Book of Coming Forth by Day. The story will continue in Part Two, Storm in the Sky, in July of 2015.
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Not a stand alone book, but If you are a history buff you will no doubt appreciate this story. House of rejoicing it is not! It follows a theme: Power equals Control and all the characters are using any means what-so-ever to attain it. We hear from each one their ways and means of doing this and it became redundant to me at times. I wanted this story to move along to a conclusion but that is not to be in this first book.
Very much enjoyed this book, after all it’s about ancient Egypt. Beware, it’s part of a series and this isn’t one that kind of winds up at the end. It just stops in the middle of a scene and you need the next book to find out what happens. Or you can pull up some history online to find out!
Can’t think I would do much rejoicing if I were one of the characters in this book. I liked it a lot.
The characters are interesting and believable. These are strong women who are trying to endure in a male dominated world. The twists and turns of the story kept me engaged throughout.
Did you ever wonder what happened in ancient Egypt? It’s all here!
Great insight into ancient Egypt. Lovely treatment of the pre and post King Tut era.
Historically interesting, but pretty messed up story, father-daughter, brother-sister incest plays a major role. While historically accurate, the pharaohs did procreate with family, it’s not
I found this book difficult to follow, with all of the long names and nicknames. I enjoyed the plot, but felt that it ended badly–because it didn’t end. It seemed to me that there is a single plot line and it has been chopped into several books.
An excellent historical fiction. Loved reading it and couldn’t put it down.
I kept trying to translate names of places into those I know. The movement from one character to another was fascinating.
Extremely boring.
I loved this book! It brings Ancient Egypt up close and personal with the stories of these women. (also absolutely had to have the next book in the series)
It had a great story line. Much different than many I have been reading.
Very interesting hisoric fiction with strong character sketches
Provides insights into the Royal lives of Pharohs. Their power and family intermarriage certainly took its toll.
If you like being immersed in an historical era that is so far from our own with characters that live and breath please read this wonderful book.
ididnt like it
I liked the history and the different characters,
Well written. Characters are well developed. The reader sees story through the eyes of each character and all events are interwoven as the plot continues. The author provides historical events and well-known people to draw the reader into the story. Super book!
Another book that continues on and on into another book. I do not like series.