by Christian Jacq
In Ramses: The Eternal Temple (aka "The Temple of a Million Years"), the sequel to Ramses: Son of Light, Christian Jacq continues his compelling story of the new, twenty-three year old pharaoh of Egypt, Ramses, son of Seti. Where Volume I dealt with a power struggle between rival siblings, Volume II develops conspiracies to topple the new pharaoh.
Charisma oozes from the pharaoh, but it's resistible. Friends and family, motivated by ambition and greed, line up to remove him from his throne. A budding sense of unity among the Hebrew workers and a faction devoted to the one god of Akhenaten also threaten his safety.
Sari, one-time scribal teacher of Ramses, is punished and humiliated. Taking out his frustrations on the Hebrews he finds himself on the wrong end of the stick when Moses comes to his fellows' defense. Although in disgrace, Sari was a powerful man, an Egyptian, and in higher standing than the Hebrews. Fearing no one will believe him, Moses flees.
From behind an innocent, gluttonous facade, brother Shanaar keeps up his insidious plotting, taking allies from wherever he can. A third major force, aligned with the Akhenaten faction, is a serious dabbler in the black arts. He repeatedly assaults the queen and her offspring. He also draws Dolora, Ramses sister, and Sari's widow, into his web.
More a bridge between episodes than a stand-alone volume, Ramses II seamlessly continues the story. Make sure you have Ramses III: The Battle of Kadesh at hand.
Publisher: Warner Books
ISBN: 0446673579
