Nefer the Silent (The Stone of Light, Vol. 1) Review

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(More customer reviews)It was with great anticipation that I began The Stone of Light, by Christian Jacq. Having read the Ramses series, I am well acquainted with Monsieur Jacq, his vast knowledge about ancient Egypt and his wonderful command of language. Only one word can capture my feelings about his latest tome: DISAPPOINTMENT. The Stone of Light reveals nothing about the life of ancient Egypt. The wonderful descriptions from the earlier Ramses series that transported you back thousands of years, is nowhere to be found. Instead, the reader is confronted with a formula book where the evil personnages have about the same depth of character as the silent movie villans who wore black capes, had pencil thin moustaches and tied victims to the railroad tracks. Here, they plot and scheme, they are bad and some meet a justifiable end. Our hero - it is only by comparison with the "bad" characters, that we can surmise who the "good" ones are. But don't expect the stature of an ancient hero, they just don't measure up. What is missing, what the author failed to share, is some of his knowledge and understanding of life in the craftsmen's village in the Valley of the Kings and Queens. He missed the opportunity to bring us into a royal tomb as it was being created. He could have shown us the steps, explained the paintings, brought the entire valley to our consciousness. Instead, the reader is faced with a B grade version of ancient Egypt. If a movie were to be made and production costs prohibited an Egyptian set, no problem. The entire setting could be transported anywhere, even to Mayberry. Nothing would be lost and very little would need to be changed.I eagerly devoured every book in the Ramses series, even going so far as to reading Vol IV in French so that I didn't have to wait until the English version was available. Monsieur Jacq, I am very disappointed in you. Your knowledge of ancient Egypt is not surpassed by many. You writing style is normally above par. Why would you besmurch your legacy by writing something on par with Barbara Courtland? Shame on you!

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They built a civilization ahead of its time, and dominated the ancient world. They defined an era of war, love, passion, power, and betrayal. They were a people of mystery whose secrets have turned to dust -- but who inspire our awe and wonder even to this day.... The ancient Egyptians They showed us how to live. And how to die. Christian Jacq, author of the international triumph Ramses, brings the people and the passions of ancient Egypt to life in an enthralling epic novel in four volumes.

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THE TREE OF LIFE (Volume One in the Mysteries of Osiris ) Review

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(More customer reviews)Christian Jacq is an author that has a gift for mixing characters he has created with facts he knows to be true from ancient Egypt. "The Tree of Life" is one such book and it gives an glimpse of how life in ancient Egypt may have been.

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The Wise Woman (The Stone of Light, Vol. 2) Review

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(More customer reviews)During the long rule of Ramses the Great, Egypt prospered. This allowed Ramses to provide full support to the Place of Truth, an isolated village in the Upper Egyptian desert. Artisans use the locale to design and build the tombs and pyramids of the Pharaohs. Only the elite enters the select secretive enclave where the magical STONE OF LIGHT resides, an artifact that turns matter translucent. Most individuals who apply for a position here are found wanting and rejected. Mehy, a powerful person under the reign of Meneptah, Ramses' son, seeks vengeance on the place for rebuffing his efforts to work there.

Mehy easily fools Meneptah into ceding him more power. Mehy uses his position of authority to gather information about the Place of Truth in order to weaken the place, but so far his numerous efforts have failed to accomplish his goal. Still, he remains a dangerous adversary whose powers are growing, leaving the residents of the Place of Truth to prepare for a bleak future.

Readers who follow the works of talented storyteller Christian Jacq will find the WISE WOMAN has a lot more action in the story line than its predecessor NEFER THE SILENT had. In either case, Ancient Egypt comes vividly alive in the minds of the audience, so much so one would think they entered a time portal to observe the place today. The characters are complex with details that provide motives and reasoning so the reader can better grasp the background and nuances to the plot without slowing down the pace. This fascinating work will leave readers anxiously waiting to see the further mischief caused by Mehy in future works.

Harriet Klausner

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They built a civilization ahead of its time, and dominated the ancient world. They defined an era of war, love, passion, power, and betrayal. They were a people of mystery whose secrets have turned to dust -- but who inspire our awe and wonder even to this day... The ancient Egyptians They showed us how to live. And how to die. Christian Jacq, author of the international triumph Ramses, brings the people and the passions of ancient Egypt ot life in an enthralling epic novel in four volumes.

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Ramses: The Son of Light - Volume I Review

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(More customer reviews)This book kept me entertained, which is usually all I ask from a book. In the historical fiction genre, however, I usually assume that the basic plot elements are either provable fact or at least in some way believable to historians. While I read the book, I was shocked to find out that much of what I thought about this period was wrong; when I finished and did research on the subject, I was disappointed to find out that I had been misled by someone who knew better.
I know that many will defend this work on the grounds that it is fiction, but I believe that someone with Jacq's credentials has a responsibility to his readers. Many people will read this book and 'learn' that Ramses II was contemporary with Helen of Troy, and that Homer was contemporary with them both - which is only the greatest of the wild inaccuracies in this book. One misguided reviewer on this site states, "The fact that the author, Christian Jacq, has a doctorate degree in Egyptian studies made me presume that the contents should not be too far from the truth". In actuality, the contents bear little resemblance to any defensible version of history. It's not just that conversations and minor characters are created, which is expected. It's not just that unexplained events are explained away in a controversial manner, which is reasonable. The problem is that established facts in history are actually contravened here. If you read this book and take for granted that anything you read is true, you are taking a great risk.
I am not telling you to avoid this book. It is very entertaining, and it may interest you in Egyptology. Certainly it propelled me to research the Trojan War, among other subjects. Just make sure that you understand; this is not historical fiction along the lines of George, Penman, and Shaara. This is closer to the alternate history novels of Harry Turtledove. Read and enjoy, but do not take it to heart.

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Ancient Egypt comes alive in this eagerly anticipated new series that's breaking sales records in Europe! "Ramses, Vol. I: The Son of Light" recounts the thrilling story of Ramses, the legendary king who ruled Egypt for more than 60 years. Chosen by the pharaoh Seti, the 14-year-year-old Ramses sets into motion a tapestry of royal intrigue, treacherous plots, and romantic adventures that will keep readers spellbound and hungry for more.

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Paneb the Ardent (The Stone of Light, Volume III) Review

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(More customer reviews)A secret community of artisans and their families living in the mythical Place of Truth design and build the royal tombs of the pharaohs. Life and death meet here to create special artistic designs that eventually become the resting-places of Egypt's rulers. The magical Stone of Light can turn anything into gold and make matter translucent. It is place of harmony, but one member of the community has allied himself with the group's enemy, General Mehy.
This traitor and the General plot to steal the Stone of Light and destroy the village. With Seth II about to be ordained pharaoh unless his own son's challenge defeats him, the timing is perfect to devastate the Place of Truth. General Mehy plays father against son planning to become the first Egyptian ruler in many years to rule without the Place of Truth on his side in victory.
The third volume in this fascinating ancient historical fiction series brings back all the key characters we either root for or against from the previous epic tales. Christian Jacq provides his usual visual and colorful story that makes an ancient civilization seem alive. Readers see a political intrigue thriller wrapped inside the golden age of Egypt and that leaves the audience appreciating an author who enhances a powerful plot with interesting details of a once thriving culture.

Harriet Klausner

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The Place of Truth (The Stone of Light, Vol. 4) Review

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(More customer reviews)Everyone believes the slaves built the pyramids that housed the tombs of the Pharaohs. However, those brilliant architectural structures were fashioned by the people who lived in the Place of Truth, an isolated village of artisans. The virtuosos living there used the magic of the Stone of Light to transform anything into gold and to convert matter into a translucent item. Though revered by most that know them, they have a powerful enemy in General Mehy of Thebes.

When he was younger, Mehy tried to join the Place of Truth, but was rejected for not meeting the standard required of all the residents. He has held a grudge ever since and now has an inside person trying to steal the Stone of Light for him. Mehy is clever as he works behind the scenes so no trace exists to him if something goes wrong. Still he does everything he can to weaken the power base of those who run the Place of Truth, but even with his Machiavellian ways can he prevail over one of Egypt's most scared icons?

The fourth and final novel in the STONE OF LIGHT series is as magically powerful as the previous three tales. The leader of this small village of people answering a noble cause is a hero setting an example of honor and loyalty instead of hedonism and vanity for his fellow residents. The villain is obsessed, but works his ruses behind a veil of safety. Christian Jacq completes his classy Ancient Egypt quartet with another triumph that will gratify future audiences for eras.


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Christian Jacq, author of the international triumph Ramses, brings the people and the passions of ancient Egypt to life in an enthralling epic novel in four volumes Volume IV: The Place of Truth The beloved Master of the Place of Truth has been savagely assassinated, and the artisans of the magnificent, hidden village are deep in mourning. But even in their grief, their devoted work on the tombs of the Pharaoh continues under the leadership of a heroic new Master. Entrusted to protect his family as well as the village's mystical secrets, Paneb the Ardent enters the inner circles of power, in the royal court of a queen. But an unknown traitor undermines the security of the Place of Truth. Will Paneb reveal the culprit in time?

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