Lena Austin Reviews

Page Two

Added September 26, 2005

The God's Wife

Author: Lena Austin
Publisher: Cerridwen Press
Available At: www.cerridwenpress.com
Publishing Date: June 16, 2005
Genre: Fiction: Historical
Format: Ebook download in PDF/HTML/LIT
Price: $5.95
ISBN: 1-4199-0260-1
Author Email/Website: lena.realmsoflove.com
Reviewer: Safiya Tremayne
Rating: 7.7 Gargoyles

Hatshepsut (Hati) had lived in the temple of the God's Wives for many years. She knew her duty to Egypt and was prepared to do whatever necessary to ensure Egypt survived. Dancing before the Pharaoh Tutmose II and winning his lust, if not his heart, to become his newest wife was the ultimate achievement. Even if she loved another, her childhood friend, the scribe Senmut, her duty came first. She never expected to love Tutmose or gain his friendship.

Tutmose and Hati had a wonderfully affectionate relationship. She completely understood his fear of sexual intimacy and used her training to put him at ease. While they both knew he would eventually have to pretend to set her aside once she was pregnant, they both enjoyed their time together and planned the future of their country. Hati's actions and insights constantly surprised Tutmose's advisors but even they could not doubt her wisdom.

Finally pregnant, Hati is sent to small quarters far away from the Pharaoh and another of the God's Wives is chosen for his concubine. To protect her child, the future heir of Egypt, the new concubine would need to become pregnant as soon as possible. Trained in herbs and well versed in poisons and their antidotes, Pythia is the perfect candidate for the new bride. But her bitterness toward Hati may endanger them all.

When Tutmose dies right after his first night with Pythia, Hati is forced to take immediate steps to ensure she remains in control of the kingdom. Thanks to their forethought, Tutmose's advisors are willing to let Hati rule the kingdom until her child is old enough to rule. However, will the rest of the country accept a woman as ruler?

The story of Hatshepsut and Senmut is one of the greatest mysteries of the ancient times. No one is entirely sure what their relationship was. What we do know is Hatshepsut is one of the few female pharaohs and dressed to look the part, shaving her head and in all other ways appeared as a male. Austin takes these familiar and controversial characters and gifts readers with her view of what could have happened.

The God's Wife is an interesting tale. With intriguing characters, fast- paced action, descriptions to bring Ancient Egypt to life, and plenty of emotion, Lena Austin presents her take on Hatshepsut, the female Pharaoh and her advisor/scribe Senmut. While the plot is not very detailed, the reader is still swept along with the characters in the ever-changing political climate. Not a plot driven by any means, Austin uses her varied and dimensional characters to keep the reader interested and rapidly reading. A depth to the characters draws your eye and causes the reader to invest their own emotions in the story. A very fun read.

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