{"id":1335,"date":"2024-12-14T19:01:53","date_gmt":"2024-12-14T19:01:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/?p=1335"},"modified":"2024-12-14T19:01:53","modified_gmt":"2024-12-14T19:01:53","slug":"review-pharaohs-mountain-by-james-a-hillebrecht","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/?p=1335","title":{"rendered":"Review: Pharaoh\u2019s Mountain by James A. Hillebrecht"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Synopsis:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Can a Graverobber\u2019s Defiance Shatter an Empire?<\/span><\/p>\n

The Great Tomb of the Pharaoh Khufu, a monstrous thing in pyramid shape, dominates all Egypt.<\/p>\n

The labor of thirty years by an entire kingdom, the Tomb is the confirmation of the superiority of the 4th Dynasty over all the rulers who came before. And the monument in whose shadow the generations of Khufu\u2019s heirs will forever shelter against any who would seek to overthrow them.<\/p>\n

No graverobber would dream of attacking the Great Tomb. It is ringed by temples of dedicated priests, guarded by the regiment that had protected Khufu in life, and defended by the ingenuity of legions of architects and the curses of a dozen gods.<\/p>\n

Yet its very prestige may be its undoing. For if the Tomb could be violated within weeks of Khufu\u2019s internment, its entire meaning would be negated, proving to the world that even with the expenditure of such labor, treasure, and cunning, the new Dynasty is unable to protect their dead.<\/p>\n

So for those who have chafed under Khufu\u2019s iron fist, the first blow of their rebellion must not be against flesh. But against stone.<\/p>\n

The rebels soon find the man they need: Dahshur, an experienced graverobber who has broken a hundred tombs. A man who despises priests, mocks kings, and has nothing but contempt for the magics woven to protect the dead. An atheist in the Land of the Gods.<\/p>\n

As the new Pharaoh\u2019s army strikes the rebels in Upper Egypt, Dahshur\u2019s team moves against the Tomb. And they succeed in breaking through. Only to find themselves enmeshed in dark plots, diabolic traps, and the growing, terrifying certainty they have unleashed the wrath of the gods.<\/p>\n

PHARAOH\u2019S MOUNTAIN is a stirring, fast-paced action novel following the raiders through the actual passages and chambers of the Great Pyramid, offering staggering new perspectives on some of the pyramid\u2019s darkest mysteries.<\/span><\/p>\n

Favorite Lines:<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cYou have always told me to ask when I did not understand.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd Isis would not forgive.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cA word like sacrilege was not to be banished so easily.\u201d<\/p>\n

My Opinion:<\/strong><\/p>\n

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinion.<\/p>\n

Pharaoh\u2019s Mountain<\/em> by James A. Hillebrecht is an enthralling blend of historical fiction, crime drama, and political intrigue that transports readers to the heart of ancient Egypt. This gripping tale unearths the motivations and audacity behind one of the greatest crimes of the Fourth Dynasty\u2014robbing the Great Pyramid itself.<\/p>\n

The story follows Dahshur, a cunning and rebellious grave robber recruited by insurgents to infiltrate Pharaoh Khufu\u2019s sacred tomb. What begins as a bold act of defiance against tyranny quickly spirals into a perilous journey as the team navigates cursed corridors and awakens forces best left undisturbed. Hillebrecht masterfully balances historical detail with elements of suspense and fantasy, weaving a narrative that is as immersive as it is action-packed.<\/p>\n

The world-building is a highlight of the novel, painting a vivid picture of life in the Old Kingdom. From the intricacies of religious rituals to the politics of the priesthood, the rich cultural backdrop breathes authenticity into every page. As a reader, you feel the weight of the Great Pyramid\u2019s towering presence and the tension that accompanies every step within its darkened halls. The descriptions are so vivid that it\u2019s easy to imagine yourself walking alongside Dahshur and his band of misfits.<\/p>\n

Dahshur\u2019s character is particularly compelling. His irreverence for the gods and disdain for the ruling class set him apart as a flawed yet relatable protagonist. His journey is as much about survival as it is about challenging the divine and human forces that dictate his world. This duality makes him a fascinating figure to follow.<\/p>\n

The pacing of the story is excellent, with enough twists, turns, and surprises to keep readers hooked. Each character feels fully realized, and the dynamics between them are as engaging as the overarching plot. The themes of rebellion, ambition, and hubris resonate throughout, making this more than just a heist story\u2014it\u2019s an exploration of human nature and the lengths people will go to defy their fates.<\/p>\n

Readers who love historical fiction, particularly those with an interest in ancient Egypt, will find Pharaoh\u2019s Mountain<\/em> a standout read. Its meticulous research and fast-paced storytelling appeal to fans of political thrillers and adventurous tales alike.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Summary:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Overall, if you\u2019re looking for a novel that captures the allure of ancient Egypt while delivering a suspenseful, character-driven narrative, Pharaoh\u2019s Mountain<\/em> is a must-read. Hillebrecht has crafted a tale that lingers in your mind long after the final page. Happy reading!<\/p>\n

Check out\u00a0Pharaoh\u2019s Mountain<\/em> <\/a>here!<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Synopsis: Can a Graverobber\u2019s Defiance Shatter an Empire? The Great Tomb of the Pharaoh Khufu, a monstrous thing in pyramid shape, dominates all Egypt. The labor of thirty years by an entire kingdom, the Tomb is the confirmation of the superiority of the 4th Dynasty over all the rulers who came before. And the monument […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":0,"featured_media":1336,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1335","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-bookreviews"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1335"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1335"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1335\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/1336"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1335"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1335"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1335"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}