This is the lost story of Lord Ankhwenefer, known to the Greeks as Chaonnophris the Rebel, the last native Egyptian Pharoh. The brilliance and heartache of his rebellion weave a tale that history has forgotten.Until now.
I’ll always remember working with my mother on a fourth-grade report on King Tut’s tomb. As I recall there was a very ornate poster board involved. Looking back, I’m not sure how much I contributed to that project, but I have been fascinated by ancient Egypt ever since. So I was really looking forward to reading Origins, by Nicole Sallak Anderson.
When I saw the list of characters at the front of the book, I was a bit concerned, afraid that I would get lost among so large a cast. Fortunately, the main characters, conflicts, and premise came into focus quickly. I was expecting a dramatic exploration of succession-oriented plotlines and militaristic conquests, and these aspects of the book are very well written. The sibling rivalries are particularly well done. Three brothers want to be king. At least two brothers want the same woman. To top it off, a civil war is on the way, and an evil pharaoh must be overthrown. The stakes are enormous. It’s quite a story!
I especially enjoyed the spiritual aspects of this book. Here’s a great quote from the book that shows how mystery and romance combine in the story: “Could she and Ankhmakis be one Ba in two bodies? Such a pairing was rare―twin flames didn’t often incarnate together.”
The author did a great job building the scenes in this book. I didn’t just visualize them, I felt them. When Natasa went “deep inside a tunnel in the grand pyramid” and then embarked on an amazing spiritual journey, I was mesmerized. It was an out of body experience. Astral projection. The author claims that Natasa “was alone in the cosmos,” but truly I felt like I went right along with her.
Origins (Song of the King’s Heart Book1) is a 5-star read. A for: Action, Drama, Intrigue, Romance, and Mysticism. Count me in for book 2.
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Author
jypsylynn
2 years ago
Thank you HFVBT for a complimentary copy. I voluntarily reviewed this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
REVIEW u2009
How many great rulers and amazing accomplishments are lost to time? Origins brings a fascinating story to the world that, otherwise, might have never been known. I learned a great deal from this book, and I am glad for that. u2009
u2009
The world of 200 BCE is complex (with characters whose names I sometimes can’t pronounce), and Nicole Sallack Anderson spares no detail in her creation of an insightful authentic time and place. I have long imagined Egypt as a sort of preternatural place with a history that is both wondrous and vexing. Origins reinforced my conviction that ancient Egypt was a culture possessed of an unearthly mythical otherness. This story combines mysticism with the tangible in a well balanced narrative that flows with the characters. u2009
u2009
Such turbulent times for these people! The characters face impossible choices requiring sacrifice, honor and duty. Love, treachery, hope, despair-the story has all of these aspects and more. I care about the characters’ fates, and I am so interested to know what happens next. Origins is the first of a trilogy, and there is so much story yet to come. Historical fiction readers, pick up a copy today!
Author
susanhcampton
2 years ago
Welcome back my Fellow Book Dragons. It is once again Tea Time Tuesday and our Gem this evening is truly ancient and beautiful. A small hawk carved from Ivory found in Seti’s Temple, it is magnificent. Take it from it’s tiny sarcophagus, feel the power emanating from it? Be careful not to hold it too long, remember Lord Carnarvon? This is “Origins: Song of the King’s Heart” by Gem Maker Nicole Sallak Anderson.
Ms. Anderson brings to life the rebellion against the Ptolemies in 205 B.C. Her research for this time period has been phenomenal and it shows. This tale is extremely detailed, down to the letter. She has explained her research in a short, but detailed prologue. It reminds me of Cecil B. Demille’s introduction to The Ten Commandments. “Origins” holds all the majesty of Egypt in it’s late period in this novel, the first of in a series of three and I am so glad there are two more.
Ankhmakis, second son of King Hugronaphor, falls in love with Natasa, the daughter of the head Priestess of Isis. She will not be his physical wife, but his spiritual companion. Together they will conceive a baby, a foretold Golden Child. Ankhmakis is determined to take Egypt back to her former glory. To the glory of Seti. To the days before Ramses II when Egypt was at the height of her wonder. With Natasa by his side, he feels confident the days of the Ptolemies rule is numbered. Natasa loves him. She is drawn to him like a moth to a flame. She wants what he wants. This is a romance for the ages.
I loved this book! This is not college Egyptology, this is not dry or boring. This book made me want to get out everything I have on ancient Egypt and look at it all again. To see the grandeur that was Egypt. This is a love story, a mystery, an adventure and an epic. If you are stuck in the cold weather doldrums already, this will take you to far away lands with sunshine and warm waters. Sail along the Nile in silks and fine linens as slaves fan you with palm fronds. Eat at great banquets with the nobles of Egypt, Greece and other countries along trade routes of the time in fine marble halls. Visit the library of Alexandria in it’s glory days and find out how a woman could gain entrance when women were not allowed there. This is “Origins”.
Thank you, Nicole Sallak Anderson, for one of the most beautiful historical adventures I have ever read in my 552 years of reading. Your humble Book Dragon thanks you immensely! This book is currently available on Amazon in both paperback and Kindle form. It is currently FREE on Kindle Unlimited.
Until tomorrow I remain, your humble Book Dragon, Drakon T. Longwitten
I’ll always remember working with my mother on a fourth-grade report on King Tut’s tomb. As I recall there was a very ornate poster board involved. Looking back, I’m not sure how much I contributed to that project, but I have been fascinated by ancient Egypt ever since. So I was really looking forward to reading Origins, by Nicole Sallak Anderson.
When I saw the list of characters at the front of the book, I was a bit concerned, afraid that I would get lost among so large a cast. Fortunately, the main characters, conflicts, and premise came into focus quickly. I was expecting a dramatic exploration of succession-oriented plotlines and militaristic conquests, and these aspects of the book are very well written. The sibling rivalries are particularly well done. Three brothers want to be king. At least two brothers want the same woman. To top it off, a civil war is on the way, and an evil pharaoh must be overthrown. The stakes are enormous. It’s quite a story!
I especially enjoyed the spiritual aspects of this book. Here’s a great quote from the book that shows how mystery and romance combine in the story: “Could she and Ankhmakis be one Ba in two bodies? Such a pairing was rare―twin flames didn’t often incarnate together.”
The author did a great job building the scenes in this book. I didn’t just visualize them, I felt them. When Natasa went “deep inside a tunnel in the grand pyramid” and then embarked on an amazing spiritual journey, I was mesmerized. It was an out of body experience. Astral projection. The author claims that Natasa “was alone in the cosmos,” but truly I felt like I went right along with her.
Origins (Song of the King’s Heart Book1) is a 5-star read. A for: Action, Drama, Intrigue, Romance, and Mysticism. Count me in for book 2.
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you HFVBT for a complimentary copy. I voluntarily reviewed this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
REVIEW u2009
How many great rulers and amazing accomplishments are lost to time? Origins brings a fascinating story to the world that, otherwise, might have never been known. I learned a great deal from this book, and I am glad for that. u2009
u2009
The world of 200 BCE is complex (with characters whose names I sometimes can’t pronounce), and Nicole Sallack Anderson spares no detail in her creation of an insightful authentic time and place. I have long imagined Egypt as a sort of preternatural place with a history that is both wondrous and vexing. Origins reinforced my conviction that ancient Egypt was a culture possessed of an unearthly mythical otherness. This story combines mysticism with the tangible in a well balanced narrative that flows with the characters. u2009
u2009
Such turbulent times for these people! The characters face impossible choices requiring sacrifice, honor and duty. Love, treachery, hope, despair-the story has all of these aspects and more. I care about the characters’ fates, and I am so interested to know what happens next. Origins is the first of a trilogy, and there is so much story yet to come. Historical fiction readers, pick up a copy today!
Welcome back my Fellow Book Dragons. It is once again Tea Time Tuesday and our Gem this evening is truly ancient and beautiful. A small hawk carved from Ivory found in Seti’s Temple, it is magnificent. Take it from it’s tiny sarcophagus, feel the power emanating from it? Be careful not to hold it too long, remember Lord Carnarvon? This is “Origins: Song of the King’s Heart” by Gem Maker Nicole Sallak Anderson.
Ms. Anderson brings to life the rebellion against the Ptolemies in 205 B.C. Her research for this time period has been phenomenal and it shows. This tale is extremely detailed, down to the letter. She has explained her research in a short, but detailed prologue. It reminds me of Cecil B. Demille’s introduction to The Ten Commandments. “Origins” holds all the majesty of Egypt in it’s late period in this novel, the first of in a series of three and I am so glad there are two more.
Ankhmakis, second son of King Hugronaphor, falls in love with Natasa, the daughter of the head Priestess of Isis. She will not be his physical wife, but his spiritual companion. Together they will conceive a baby, a foretold Golden Child. Ankhmakis is determined to take Egypt back to her former glory. To the glory of Seti. To the days before Ramses II when Egypt was at the height of her wonder. With Natasa by his side, he feels confident the days of the Ptolemies rule is numbered. Natasa loves him. She is drawn to him like a moth to a flame. She wants what he wants. This is a romance for the ages.
I loved this book! This is not college Egyptology, this is not dry or boring. This book made me want to get out everything I have on ancient Egypt and look at it all again. To see the grandeur that was Egypt. This is a love story, a mystery, an adventure and an epic. If you are stuck in the cold weather doldrums already, this will take you to far away lands with sunshine and warm waters. Sail along the Nile in silks and fine linens as slaves fan you with palm fronds. Eat at great banquets with the nobles of Egypt, Greece and other countries along trade routes of the time in fine marble halls. Visit the library of Alexandria in it’s glory days and find out how a woman could gain entrance when women were not allowed there. This is “Origins”.
Thank you, Nicole Sallak Anderson, for one of the most beautiful historical adventures I have ever read in my 552 years of reading. Your humble Book Dragon thanks you immensely! This book is currently available on Amazon in both paperback and Kindle form. It is currently FREE on Kindle Unlimited.
Until tomorrow I remain, your humble Book Dragon, Drakon T. Longwitten