Rating: 
Summary: Strong continuing story,amusing,with unexpected twists
Review: Very good book that adds an interesting twist to the series. One character does a very reckless and impulsive act. But it is realistic. Hardest thing to like in this book is that Amelia is "out of the loop" regarding Ramses and Nefret so we readers don't get as much of that sharp whitty commentary on others actions.I truly admire the care this author (and publisher) take to insure consistency among the various books. I eagerly await stories that fill in between the current book time and the previous book (as alluded to). Actually, I look forward to the next installment regardless of its position in the timeline.
Rating: 
Summary: I was disappointed.
Review: It surpirses me how many readers rave about this story. Like some of the other reviewers I do not like cliffhanger endings. And I was totally put off by Nefret's actions -- she acted worse than the girls she scorned throughout the book. I wonder if Ms Peters is getting bored with this story line and is throwing in bits and pieces of extreme stuff just to add some energy into the action.
Rating: 
Summary: She's ruined it!
Review: Long time fans of Amelia Peabody are destined for disappointment in this installment. Not even the pleasure of seeing our old friends again can make up for the fact that Peters has come close to destroying this series. This plot is so labored and forced it creaks and groans at every turn. It is really painful to watch Peters struggle to make it work (it doesn't) by making everybody (even Amelia!) behave as stupidly and unnaturally as possible, and by filling most of the first half of the book with dull and plodding explanation. It seems obvious that this book exists only as a bridge and set-up for the next one. (Frankly, I had expected Peters to treat her fans better than that.) Its motivation relies heavily on flashbacks to unlikely events that occurred years before the time of this book, but after the conclusion of the previous one. Whole chapters are spent on a vain attempt to turn Ramses into Lawrence of Arabia (who appears as a dinner guest in this book). Nefret's behavior is a predictable, trite, cliché, and worst of all Amelia and Emerson have lost all of their detective abilities and require help from the Vandergelts to make the most obvious deductions. Characteristic Peters humor is almost nowhere to be found. A sad and sticky demise for a once delightful series.
Rating: 
Summary: Wonderful once again
Review: As long as I have been reading the Amelia's, I have loved them. My mother used to hear me burst out laughing in the backseat of the car as I followed the exploits of the world's most wonderful archeologists. This latest book is no exception, with twists, turns, and homicidal maniacs aplenty. I would highly recommend this book, and all the preceding ones, to anyone who likes their women strong, their men handsome, and their mysteries with a generous helping of hilarity. Her in-depth research and obvious love of egyptology only make her stories that much more enjoyable. Thank you, Elizabeth Peters, for keeping me entertained all these years!
Rating:
Summary: More! More!
Review: I couldn't put this book down last night until _way_ past midnight, and I got up early this morning to finish it before I started my own work. I look like hell, but I'm a happy woman. It's a _wonderful_ book. And, although I'm not often given to tantrums, I feel like holding my breath and threatening to turn blue until Ms. Peters comes through with the sequel. Well done!
Rating:
Summary: Superb as always, but must Nefret become such a Victorian id
Review: I have beed reading Elizabeth Peters/Barbara Michaels for over 25 years and she one of my favorite authors in addition to C.S. Lewis. Amelia Peabody is obviously her favorite charcater and a possble alter ego and makes a wonderful entrance to all readers in The Crocodile on the Sandbank. Her last two Amelia Peabody's, The Ape that Guards the Balance and The Falcon..., have revived a series that had become the sligtest bit repetitve. In The Ape that Gaurds the Balance Amelia confronts an element to her character that devastates her but adds incredible depth to her life as a longstanding and lovable character. E. Peters did an excellent job of adding a very realistic foible to an endearing and irascible character; it took courage as it may have turned many loyal readers off. Read the book to find out. Two excellent books, together and separately. But, please, In The Falcon at the Portal did Ms. Peters have to turn one of the most independent and original heroines, Nefret, into an insipid Victorian miss? I am heartbroken she could make such a poor choice, Nefret I mean. Ms. Peters will have a lot of explaining to do in the next installment. I too hope it comes sooner rather than later. Given the ending of The Falcon.. it adds new meaning to clifffhanger. great book!
Rating:
Summary: Thank you, Ms. Peters (or Michaels)!!
Review: Can we say 'finally'? The long awaited conclusion(?) to the Ramese(sp) vs. Nefret has finally arived in stores. I am still waiting for the paperback copy myself. Though, I'm sure, it won't make much difference in the price. A MUST READ!
Rating:
Summary: Worthy Peters but with unlikely character flaws.
Review: Elizabeth Peters has done it again. With returning characters and an interesting plot. However, the character changes in Nefret are upsetting. But I will be counting the days until the next installment at any rate.
Rating:
Summary: why didn't it all end out happily, this is getting tiring.
Review: Nefret is such a silly goose. Why did she go off and get married? I think Elizabeth Peters should show more of her feelings about things. I liked how she showed some of her feelings but I want more of them shown. She better hurry up and write that new book I can't kept waiting in supense any longer. Also I think she should wrap everything up in her next one or two books.
Rating:
Summary: In agreement - Frustrating!
Review: Don't get me wrong. This was a very good book and I would highly recommend it, but I was frustrated and disappointed and left without any good feelings at the end. Abdullah's dire warning at the end was not very encouraging. After all of the books in the series you come to care very much for the characters. Some of the things that occurred in this one were upsetting. I hope we do not have to wait long for the next book.
| 
