Eater of Souls

by Lynda S. Robinson

Reviewed by Coral

Bodies are being found in the streets on Memphis with their hearts ripped out and a feather in their place. Is this the work of a murderer? Or has the Eater of Souls, The Devourer, Ammut, been called from the Netherworld to bring down her judgement on Egypt?

While Lord Meren tries to learn the truth he is also faced with numerous political intrigues: an ambassador from the Hittite Empire has arrived, even as both countries are preparing for war and the Pharaoh has asked Meren to look into a minor noblemen who wishes to be introduced at court, Reshep, who has taken an interest in Meren’s youngest daughter, Isis.

On top of that, Meren has begun his investigation into the murder of Queen Nefertiti, an investigation that could ultimately cost him his life.

I enjoyed this book but it kind of felt jumbled overall. Like there were too many plots going on, even if they all kind of connected back to each other in some sense.

I also kind of realized in this book that the math didn’t really work out for Tutankhamun to be the son of Amunhotep III; Tutankhamun is 14 at the time of the book and his supposed brother Akhenaton was already ruling 16 years ago when Meren was tortured, therefore Amunhotep has been dead at least 16 years. I looked up the dates online (because I am not the best at remembering dates) and there was at least 8 years between when Amunhotep died and when Tutankhamun was born, so it is much more likely (and the accepted theory) that Tutankhamun is Akhenaton’s son.

There is also this weird timeline issue with Meren’s life under Akhenaton and his life under Tutankhamun. I think the author didn’t map it all out properly, because the pieces don’t really fit math wise (both his adoption of Kysen as well as the birth of his third daughter fit in this grey zone that doesn’t seem to fit with how the author has ordered the story of Meren’s life). I find to enjoy the book I know have to try to ignore those parts.

Despite all of the issues I have with the background history of the book, I do enjoy the characters and the mysteries a lot. I just wish that some of the background stuff made a little more sense.

Grade: B