River God : A Novel of Ancient Egypt

Rating:
Summary: Taita is the man!!!
Review: First of all, let me say I am amazed by Egypt. My friends at school call me the Pharaohaulic. This book only hieghtens my opinion of the culture.
When I started "River God" I was expecting a lot. I had just finished "The Ramses Saga" by Christian Jacq,(Those are awesome too.) and was desperate for a novel to top them, or at least match 'em. Boy, did I get what I needed!
My favorite character is the narrator, Taita. Now,for all you people who wrote reveiws saying he was arogent and a know it all, I've got one thing to say. YOU ARE ALL CRAZY!! Taita is definetly one of the sweetest characters ever. The person who got my goat was Intef, Taita's master. He both infuriated me and scared me. His emasculating Taita left me enraged and appauled. Man, was I happy when he and his bodygaurd, Rasfer died. (I know that's a little sick.)
As for the lovers in the story, Tanus and Taita's mistress, Lostris, their relationship was beleiveble. It wasn't some stupid Disney-like romance where two people fall in love and everyone lives hapily ever after. The couple has to work to keep their love a secret. And who has to arrange their secret meetings and what not? You guessed it, Taita. This is a tough job, especially after Intef engages Lostris to Pharaoh.
Now that I've laid down all the characters for you I won't give away anymore of the plot. All I can say is if you like historical fiction about Egypt read this book. I'm twelve and I adored it. Think of how much you'll love it if you're an adult 'Pharaohaulic.'

Rating:
Summary: Breautiful and captivating
Review: RIVER GOD is an amazing epic novel of Ancient Egypt that sweeps you away in its story of love, deception, loyalty and honor. I came to love the main characters, Taita, Lostris and Tanus, as dear old friends. Smith's style of storytelling creates such an elaborate yet realistic picture of their lives that you can't help getting emotionally connected to them and thus enjoy their victories as well as mourn their losses. This is the first book I have ever read that takes place in Ancient Egypt and was amazed at his descriptions of the palaces, the Nile, the desert, etc. You think Smith coined the term "local color". Can't wait to start reading THE SEVENTH SCROLL and then WARLOCK.

Rating:
Summary: Taita is the King!
Review: Taita the eunach is the slave and protector of the daughter of the Grand Vizier. When Lostross falls for a soldier her father hates, Taita must scheme and plot to get them together. Over time, Taita comes to acknowledge his own love feelings for Lostross.

I really LOVED this audiobook. The narrator did an excellent job of Taita, Lostross, and the various other characters. At times his narration was so vivid I felt like I was really in ancient Egypt. I particularly enjoyed Taita's inventions, and his hopes and dreams (and his vanity, greed, and ambitions as well!)

Peeves: I would've liked Taita to have some love interest aside from Lostross. I found it difficult to believe (even though a Eunach), that he'd developed no other relationships since his castration. I also found the ending somewhat sad. I prefer happier endings.

Still, a wonderful book Deserving of the hall of fame!