Review: A Song of War: A Novel of Troy

Title: A Song of War: A Novel of Troy
Authors: Christian Cameron, Libbie Hawker, Kate Quinn, Vicky Alvear Shecter, Stephanie Thornton, S.J.A. Turney, Russel Whitfield, Glyn Iliffe (introduction)
Publication: October 18th 2016 by Knight Media, LLC
Genre: Historical Fiction
Purchase Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo
Rating: 5/5

  

Troy: city of gold, gatekeeper of the east, haven of the god-born and the lucky, a city destined to last a thousand years. But the Fates have other plans—the Fates, and a woman named Helen. In the shadow of Troy's gates, all must be reborn in the greatest war of the ancient world: slaves and queens, heroes and cowards, seers and kings . . . and these are their stories.

A young princess and an embittered prince join forces to prevent a fatal elopement.

A tormented seeress challenges the gods themselves to save her city from the impending disaster.

A tragedy-haunted king battles private demons and envious rivals as the siege grinds on.

A captured slave girl seizes the reins of her future as two mighty heroes meet in an epic duel.

A grizzled archer and a desperate Amazon risk their lives to avenge their dead.

A trickster conceives the greatest trick of all.

A goddess' son battles to save the spirit of Troy even as the walls are breached in fire and blood.
Seven authors bring to life the epic tale of the Trojan War: its heroes, its villains, its survivors, its dead. Who will lie forgotten in the embers, and who will rise to shape the bloody dawn of a new age?

 The Apple by Kate Quinn:

The First story of this anthology started of really strong. I thought it was an amazing story but this came as hardly a surprise since it was written by Kate Quinn, one of my top favorite historical fiction authors. It featured Hellenus and Andromache. I wasn't very familiar with Hellenus but I've of course read more about Andromache. However, I did end up absolutely loving Hellenus. I loved his voice in this story. I also enjoyed reading about Andromache and her husband Hector, who is the crown prince and future king of Troy. As always I thought that Kate Quinn's writing was amazing. It really was a great start!

The Prophecy by Stephanie Thornton:

I was doubtful that I would enjoy the second story as much as Kate Quinn's but I thought it was equally amazing. This time Cassandra wa in the lead, the seer who's visions and warnings no one ever believes. The story was also pretty dark, in my opinion, but it was written so very well. I'm also pretty sure that I couldn't hate Paris and Helen more than I did at this point in the story. As troubled as she was, I did like Cassandra a lot. But I also pitied her because of the bad way her family, except for her twin brother Hellenus, treated her. But overall it was another really great story.

The Sacrifice by Russell Whitfield:

I remember really liking Russell Whitfield's story in A Year of Ravens so I was excited to read this one as well. I ended up loving this story about Agamemnon It actually changed my whole perspective about his character. The start of the story was very sad but also very strong. It was a stunning and exceptional addition to the book.

The Duel by Christian Cameron:

This author was unfamliar to me and at first I had a little of a hard time getting into the writing style for some reason but ended up loving the story soon enough. I don't know what I expected but I really hadn't expected the author to write about Briseis. She was one amazing and unconventional character. This was one powerful story! Achilles played a big part in it a well. Before this story I wasn't sure what to think of his character. He was somewhat an enigma to me but I really liked the author's take on him as well as his relationship with Briseis. This was without a doubt the best story in this book and easily my favorite.

The Bow by Libbie Hawker:

In Libbie Hawker's story I hadn't expected the points of view from Pentesilea and Philoctetes at all. Penthesileo's character I didn't care much for but I really liked Philoctetes because he was reallt different from all the other characters I've come across so far. I really liked his voice and how he hadn't really been part of the war due to a snake bite. I also liked the parts where Priam and Achilled came into as well.

The Horse by Vicky Alvear Shecter:

I was really looking forward to this Vicky's Alvear Shecter's story. Not only is she one of my favorite authors but this story of hers was really excellent. It was quite shorter than some of the previous stories but this definitely didn't mean it was any less enjoyable. In this story Odysseus was the main characters. He was one of my favorite characters so I was really glad to see him in the lead and the author's take on him was really great, too. This story was simply a brilliant piece of writing.

The Fall by S.J.A. Turney:

I was really looking forward to this story and the conclusion of this epic book. I had high expectations because I've really enjoyed S.J.A. Turney' work before. I've only read short stories by him so it's my goal to finally read a full book of his soon. But anyway, this story was a really great one and I loved the ending of the book as well. I really liked how the author wrote the main character of this story, Aeneas who also ended up as one of my favorite characters in general. I really enjoyed it!

Overall thoughts:
I enjoyed all of the stories and all the author involved are so very talented. The book was simply epic and a real joy to read. As much as I enjoyed A Day of Fire and A Year of Ravens, I thought that a A Song of War: A Novel of Troy was even better. It was a true masterpiece!

Read my other reviews here:

A Day of Fire: A Novel of Pompeii
A Year of Ravens: A Novel of Boudica's Rebellion

And make sure to check out the newest book, coming October 17th:

A Sea of Sorrow: A Novel of Odysseus

Review: Cleopatra's Moon by Vicky Alvear Shecter

Title: Cleopatra's Moon
Author: Vicky Alvear Shecter
Publication: January 1st 2013 by Arthur A. Levine Books 
Genre: Historical Fiction ~ Young Adult
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Kobo
Rating: 4/5

PRINCESS OF EGYPT
Cleopatra Selene is the only daughter of the brilliant Queen Cleopatra of Egypt and General Marcus Antonius of Rome. She's grown up with jewels on her arms, servants at her feet, and all the pleasures of a palace at her command, and she wants only to follow in her mother's footsteps and become a great and powerful queen.

PRISONER OF ROME
Then the Roman ruler Octavianus, who has always wanted Egypt's wealth, launches a war that destroys all Selene has ever known. Taken to live in Octavianus's palace in Rome, she vows to defeat him and reclaim her kingdom at all costs. Yet even as she gathers support for her return, Selene finds herself torn between two young men and two different paths to power. Will love distract her from her goal-or help her achieve her true destiny?

Epic in scope and ravishing in detail, this novel reveals the incredible life of a girl long hidden in history: the remarkable Cleopatra Selene.

Novels set in ancient Egypt and ancient Rome are some of my favorites to read about (any book set in ancient times is absolutely my thing) so I was pretty hooked by this story. Cleopatra Selene isn't a person in history that I've seen many books about so I'm really happy I finally read this one. It was such a great story and I was so glad it had a happy ending.

I do have to admit that the start was a little slow. It took my a couple of chapters to really get into the story. But it wasn't long before I fell in love with it. I loved how the author wrote Cleopatra Selene and how great her character developement was. 

I also felt so bad for all the things she and her brothers went through after her parents (Cleopatra VII and Marcus Antonius) died and when they were taken to Rome to live in Octavianus's palace. Things definitely weren't easy for them. Cleopatra Selene is definitely a character I won't forget anytime soon. 

Cleopatra's Moon by Vicky Alvear Shecter is a book I would highly recommend for fans of historical fiction, especially for readers that love books set in the ancient world as much as I do. The story is really great, the writing is excellent and I would also recommend to read the author's note on the historical facts. It's so interesting! 

Check out my reviews of Vicky Alvear Shecter's other books:

Curses and Smoke: A Novel of Pompeii — 5 stars

Anubis Speaks! A Guide to the Afterlife by the Egyptian God of the Dead — 5 stars

Hades Speaks! A Guide to the Underworld by the Greek God of the Dead — 5 stars

Thor Speaks! A Guide to the Realms by the Norse God of Thunder — 4 stars

A Day of Fire: A Novel of Pompeii — 5 stars (Part one: The Son)

A Year of Ravens: A Novel of Boudica's Rebellion — 5 stars (The Druid)

Vicky Alvear Shecter is the author of multiple books set in the ancient world, including the YA novels, CLEOPATRA'S MOON, based on the life of Cleopatra's only daughter, and CURSES AND SMOKE: A NOVEL OF POMPEII and the adult historical collaborations, A SONG OF WAR, A YEAR OF RAVENS, and A DAY OF FIRE. She has written a mid-grade series on mythology (ANUBIS SPEAKS, HADES SPEAKS, and THOR SPEAKS) as well as two award-winning biographies for kids. She a She is a docent at the Michael C. Carlos Museum of Antiquities at Emory University in Atlanta.
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Review: A Year of Ravens: A Novel of Boudica's Rebellion

Title: A Year of Ravens: A Novel of Boudica's Rebellion
Authors: Ruth Downie, Stephanie Dray, E. Knight, Kate Quinn, Vicky Alvear Shecter, S.J.A. Turney, Russell Whitfield, Ben Kane (introduction)
Publication: November 17th 2015 by Knight Media, LLC 
Genre: Historical Fiction
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Kobo
Rating: 5/5

  

Britannia: land of mist and magic clinging to the western edge of the Roman Empire. A red-haired queen named Boudica led her people in a desperate rebellion against the might of Rome, an epic struggle destined to consume heroes and cowards, young and old, Roman and Briton . . . and these are their stories.

A calculating queen foresees the fires of rebellion in a king's death.

A neglected slave girl seizes her own courage as Boudica calls for war.

An idealistic tribune finds manhood in a brutal baptism of blood and slaughter.

A death-haunted Druid challenges the gods themselves to ensure victory for his people.

A conflicted young warrior finds himself torn between loyalties to tribe and to Rome.

An old champion struggles for everlasting glory in the final battle against the legions.

A pair of fiery princesses fight to salvage the pieces of their mother’s dream as the ravens circle.

A novel in seven parts, overlapping stories of warriors and peacemakers, queens and slaves, Romans and Britons who cross paths during Boudica’s epic rebellion. But who will survive to see the dawn of a new Britannia, and who will fall to feed the ravens?

The Queen by Stephanie Dray

Stephanie Dray has quickly become one of my favorite historical authors. I haven't read anything yet by her that I disliked. This first story in A Year of Ravens wasn't an exception. It introduces us to Queen Cartimandua who chose not to revolt against the romans to protect her people, even when they and even her own husband turn against her for it. There are a few glimpses to Boudica, though it doesn't show a lot of her yet. I felt like this story was more of an introduction but it was such a powerful one. 


The Slave by Ruth Downie

Ruth Downie is a new-to-me author. But I gotta say I was really impressed by her story. The Slave is about Ria, who was born a slave. But she was also the illegitimate daughter of the late Iceni king Prasutagus (Boudica's husband). I thought it was a really interesting take on everything, with seeing this story through Ria's eyes.


The Tribune by Russell Whitfield

Russell Whitfield was another unknown author for me but I already know by reading his story that I want to read more of him in the future. The Tribune featured mostly soldiers and a lot of fighting so this one was very action packed. Personally I love stories that feature roman soldiers and the fighting so I thought that was so great. It was brutal and vicious and at times a bit rough to read, yes, but I did love it.


The Druid by Vicky Alvear Shecter

The Druid was written by one of my top favorite historical authors. So I couldn't help but love this story as well. It features Yorath of Mona, a young druid in training, who was the sole survivor of the slaughtering by the Romans. In fact, it was Agricola from the previous story (The Tribune) who let him go in the first place. The story also featured Felix, a Roman soldier who got captured by Yorath. 


The Son by S.J.A. Turney

This story is one of my favorites. I absolutely loved it. It features Andecarus who we've met already. Because he used to be a hostage to the romans, and brought up for a big part by Decianus, the story felt like him making his choice whether to belong with the Romans or his tribe, the Icenis. He knows the Icenis can't win from Rome and does whatever he can to try and make peace, which of course is almost impossible at this point. Meanwhile there was a little romance blossoming between Andecarus and Ria with him wanting to save her from his vile foster brother Verorico. It was just a great story and hope to read more from this author in the future!


The Warrior by Kate Quinn

The Warrior was another favorite of mine, maybe even my favorite (together with The Son by S.J.A. Turney). Kate Quinn never disappoints, in my opinion. It featured Boudica's right-hand man, Duro and also Decianus' wife, Valeria who got captured and ended up as Duro's slave. I really thought this was an interesting story because initially I didn't like Duro and Valeria much from what I read from them in the other parts. But when they were featured in the story and I got to know them better they definitely grew on me. I also thought it was pretty sad with some deaths, but that's to be expected with a novel about Boudica's rebellion. I loved it.


The Daughters by E. Knight

This one was yet another amazing part in this book. Featuring Boudica's daughters, Sorcha and Keena it was most definitely intriguing to read. Mostly because Sorcha and Keena were both very different. Sorcha being a warrior with fire in her, and Keena being softer, a healer. I also thought that E. Knight's writing was especially beautiful!


Overall:

A Year of Ravens: A Novel of Boudica's Rebellion was brilliant. It's one of those books that makes me want to read historical fiction all the damn time! Writting in different points of view by various authors made it all the more special. The characters were all unique in their own way and there wasn't any part that I disliked. I also liked reading the stories of authors I didn't know before because I'm always looking for historical fiction authors. I can't recommend this book enough. Everyone should definitely read it as it was so thrilling and brutal and just fantastic!

       One of my favorite quotes:

“Even if we lose, what of it? We have made a song of freedom that will ring for a thousand years. No one will forget the Iceni or their red-haired queen.”
—Part six, The Warrior by Kate Quinn

Review: A Day of Fire: a novel of Pompeii

Title: A Day of Fire: a novel of Pompeii
Authors: Stephanie Dray, Ben Kane, E. Knight, Sophie Perinot, Kate Quinn, Vicky Alvear Shecter - with an introduction by Michelle Moran
Publication: November 4th 2014 by Knight Media, LLC
Genre: Historical Fiction
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
Rating: 5/5

Pompeii was a lively resort flourishing in the shadow of Mount Vesuvius at the height of the Roman Empire. When Vesuvius erupted in an explosion of flame and ash, the entire town would be destroyed. Some of its citizens died in the chaos, some escaped the mountain's wrath . . . and these are their stories:

A boy loses his innocence in Pompeii's flourishing streets.
An heiress dreads her wedding day, not knowing it will be swallowed by fire.
An ex-legionary stakes his entire future on a gladiator bout destined never to be finished.
A crippled senator welcomes death, until a tomboy on horseback comes to his rescue.
A young mother faces an impossible choice for her unborn child as the ash falls.
A priestess and a whore seek redemption and resurrection as the town is buried.

Six authors bring to life overlapping stories of patricians and slaves, warriors and politicians, villains and heroes who cross each others' path during Pompeii's fiery end. But who will escape, and who will be buried for eternity?

Part one: The Son by Vicky Alvear Shecter

I'm a big fan of this author and I was thrilled when I saw that the first part was her story. The Son is about a young man discovering the joys and disappointments of first loves and acceptance. I really liked this story because I soon discovered about who exactly (historically speaking) the story is about. But more than that, Vicky Alvear Shecter is a great writing and she pulled me right into the middle of Pompeii. 


Part two: The Heiress by Sophie Perinot

Sophie Perinot is a unknown author to me but I loved her story. All the stories and characters in this book are connected but yet they're all different. I liked this story because it showed the struggles of marriage in ancient Roman times and how women didn't really have a show there. It also showed how people are not what they seem at first. Although Aemilia and Sabinus were very different, in age as well as personality, I still really liked Sabinus because he really wanted to take care of Aemilia and in the end he certainly did. 


Part three: The Soldier by Ben Kane

Ben Kane is also a first time author to me. Just like the previous stories, I loved this one. I think it's impossible for me to hate a story about Pompeii but still, the story was great, the writing was excellent and it had a great pace. This story was a bit different from the other because it featured Rufus, an ex-soldier with debts. I really liked reading this point of view because it was more about the gladiators and the rougher side of Pompeii. 


Part four: The Senator by Kate Quinn

This part was yet another amazing addition to the book. Definitely a favorite one of mine. Why? Because Diana (who appeared in the second story first, if I'm not mistaken) came in it, though it mainly focuses on senator, Marcus. Diana is a fantastic character because she's so different from the other women. She's fierce, independent and loyal. So how could I not love her? I liked her interactions with Marcus a lot and admire her so for not abandoning him in all the craziness. Marcus was a totally different story. Due to events happening in his lifetime he became a bit suicidal and didn't want to leave Pompeii when hell broke loose until Diana came to his rescue. 


Part five: The Mother by E. Knight

I had expected this part to be sad because I anticipated where this story would go but I hadn't expected it to completely destroy me. It simply brought me to tears. Not many stories can do that so I applaud E. Knight for being able to do that with this story. It was beautiful in a tragic sort of way. The characters where this part focuses on were fantastic to read about, I loved them all and felt so badly for them. Heartbreaking but it was absolutely intriguing at the same time.


Part six: The Whore by Stephanie Dray

This part was excellent (just like the others) but I think  I liked this one the best of them all because it ties everything up in the end and some of the other characters appear in it and what ultimately happens to them. This story is about Prima and Capella, two prostitues that are also sisters. They were definitely one of the more interesting characters, both very different but I thought reading both their points of view was so good. This story was also kind of sad but wonderfully told. 

Overall: 

I've always been fascinated by Pompeii but in the last year or so my fascination has grown even more so when I found out this book was happening I was so excited about it. The authors are all insanely good, though I had only read books by one of them. I heard a lot of amazing things about the others. Obviously, I wasn't wrong about it at all. The authors all delivered greatly and the book is one of the best I read this year. I might even call it the very best book I have read this year. Although these are stories written by seperate authors, all the parts and characters are connected. Characters from one part appeared in others and so on and on. I can't say enough how much I loved this. Because of this, this amazing collection of stories read as a full book. I can't express enough how much I loved this book. 

A Day of Fire: a novel of Pompeii is one absolutely stunning book with such excellent and colorful writing, full of history about Pompeii, its citizens and the disaster that struck everyone there. I completely recommend this brilliant read!

Find more out about the authors here:

Ben Kane

Stephanie Dray

Sophie Perinot
Kate Quinn
E. Knight
Vicky Alvear Shecter

Review: Hades Speaks! by Vicky Alvear Shecter

Title: Hades Speaks!: A Guide to the Underworld by the Greek God of the Dead
Author: Vicky Alvear Shecter
Illustrations: J.E. Larson
Publication: September 1st 2014 by Boyds Mills Press
Genre: Nonfiction ~ Middle Grade ~ Greek Mythology
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository
Cover Rating: 5/5
Overall Rating: 5/5

Hades, god of the dead, welcomes readers on a dangerous tour of his underworld kingdom, filled with monsters, furies, giants, and vampire demons. Along the way, he reveals ancient death rites and sinister curses, tells hair-raising stories, and cracks jokes to die for. With his witty voice and ghoulish sense of humor, Hades is the perfect guide through this fresh and imaginative work of nonfiction that reads like a novel. Includes a glossary, bibliography, and index.

I loved Hades Speaks! I don't remember the last time I've laughed so much with a book. It was so hilarious and I only wish when I was younger there were books like this teaching me about history and mythology. That would've made things a whole lot more interesting.

Just like with Anubus (Speaks!) I laughed my ass off with Hades. I love how the author portrays and writes these gods and lets them take us on a tour through their world. I simply adore it. It's even better because I'm so fascinated by ancient Greece and their mythology. The book is written in a fun yet informative way and there were lots of pop culture references such as Harry Potter and Percy Jackson - I loved that. 

The illustrations are wonderful. I loved the way Hades and everything else was drawn. This is why I want these books (Anubus Speaks and Hades Speaks) in a physical copy. I'm sure they'll be gorgeous to look at. Ah, someday!

Like I said before, this book is hilarious and Hades made me laugh out loud too many times to count. The comical part of this book is what makes this book so good—that and learning more about ancient Greece, the gods and everything in between.

Funny, interesting, quick and with beautiful illustrations, Hades Speaks!: A Guide to the Underworld by the Greek God of the Dead by Vicky Alvear Shecter was a fantastic read, one of my favorites of 2014 and I would recommend it to absolutely everyone! Seriously, go read it now!

Favorite Quotes:

I'm sorry, but you dont see me sending my minions up there to "help" polish Zeus's lightning bolts or fluff up his storm clouds, now, do you?

Oh, also, do not eat any of the luscious pomeganates that grow near my palace, because if you do, you will never return to the land of the living. Why rush things, right?

Most people picture my dog with three heads, but that is wrong, wrong, wrong. He is way cooler than that. Some poets claimed he had fifty heads and some poets called him the "hundred-headed" beast. Others described him with not only multiple heads, but with a serpent's tail, a mane of snakes, and lion's paws.
Whatever. I call him awesome.

About the Author:

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Vicky Alvear Shecter is the award-winning author of Curses and Smoke, Cleopatra’s Moon, Hades Speaks! A Guide to the Underworld by the Greek God of the Dead, and other books about the ancient world and mythology.

Review: Curses and Smoke: A Novel of Pompeii by Vicky Alvear Shecter

Title: Curses and Smoke: A Novel of Pompeii
Author: Vicky Alvear Shecter
Publication: May 27th 2014 by Arthur A. Levine Books
Genre: Young Adult ~ Historical Fiction
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Kobo
Cover Rating: 5/5
Overall Rating: 5/5

When your world blows apart, what will you hold onto?

TAG is a medical slave, doomed to spend his life healing his master's injured gladiators. But his warrior's heart yearns to fight in the gladiator ring himself and earn enough money to win his freedom.

LUCIA is the daughter of Tag's owner, doomed by her father's greed to marry a much older Roman man. But she loves studying the natural world around her home in Pompeii, and lately she's been noticing some odd occurrences in the landscape: small lakes disappearing; a sulfurous smell in the air. . . .

When the two childhood friends reconnect, each with their own longings, they fall passionately in love. But as they plot their escape from the city, a patrician fighter reveals his own plans for them -- to Lucia's father, who imprisons Tag as punishment. Then an earthquake shakes Pompeii, in the first sign of the chaos to come. Will they be able to find each other again before the volcano destroys their whole world?

I've wanted to read a book about Pompeii for a very long time. I never really came across one (that wasn't non-fiction) until now. I've enjoyed other books by Vicky Alvear Shecter before so I've been really excited to read this book and I'm so glad it didn't disappoint at all. The ending broke my heart a bit but I thought Curses and Smoke was a fantastic read!

Tag and Lucia were perfection. I loved reading their points of view, I loved them as a couple and I loved them as singular individuals. They each had a story to tell and although they lead very different lives (with Tag being a slave and Lucia being the daughter of Tag's owner), they were really amazing together. 

It's also obvious that a lot of research and effort were put in creating the best image of Pompeii as there could be. It shows through the writing —which was incredible by the way— and through the emotions I felt while reading the book. The author did a really great job in that department in my opinion.

I have to mention that I really liked how Pliny the Elder was mentioned a couple of times because he actually did excist. It was really nicely done by the author. Also, you should really read the 'author's note' at the end of the story if you decide to read this book because it's really interesting. Seriously, do it!

The ending was so freaking heartbreaking for me. But I kind of figured that it would end tragically. By the end I had tears in my eyes. But then again, those are the best books—the ones that bring out emotion.

Overall, Curses and Smoke is not just a book about the destruction of Pompeii. It's so much more. It's a love story, filled with intrigue and danger and I loved every part of it. I would recommend it to everyone I know!

About the Author:

Website | Goodreads | Tumblr | Facebook | Google+ | Twitter

Vicky Alvear Shecter is the award-winning author of Curses and Smoke, Cleopatra’s Moon, Hades Speaks! A Guide to the Underworld by the Greek God of the Dead, and other books about the ancient world and mythology.

Review: Anubis Speaks! by Vicky Alvear Shecter

Title: Anubis Speaks! A Guide to the Afterlife by the Egyptian God of the Dead
Author: Vicky Alvear Shecter
Publication: October 1st 2013 by Boyds Mills Press
Genre: Non-Fiction, Children's
Format: e-arc from NetGalley
Cover Rating: 5/5
Overall Rating: 5/5

e-arc provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review.

  

Anubis, the ancient Egyptian god of death and mummification, takes the reader on a personal tour of the "Dark Lands"--the Egyptian afterworld. While touring, Anubis explains ancient Egyptian death practices and escorts the reader onto Ra's "Night Boat," where they must battle the evil demon of destruction, Apophis, so that Ra can be reborn in the morning as the sun disk.

Based on Egyptology research--particularly the Book of the Dead, The Book of Apophis, the Book of Caverns and others--ANUBIS SPEAKS gives middle-grade readers a fun yet factual look at ancient Egyptian beliefs, rituals and practices.

~My Thoughts:

I think this is the first non-fiction book that I'm reviewing. It's not that I don't like non-fiction books. No, I do enjoy them. Especially if they're about Egyptian mythology. And this one was fantastic. I almost finished it in one time. I do know quite a lot about ancient Egypt, if I do say so myself. Ever since I was a kid I loved to read books about it, whether or not they were fiction or non-fiction and I also watched a lot of docus and movies about it. So yes, very much interested in it. But I've come to learn even more now about ancient egypt and the gods because of this book. So great!

This book is told to us by Anubis, the god with the jackal head. I've always liked that god and read a lot about him before but I definitely like how the author wrote him. He's so funny with his little comments every now and then. That's why I loved this book so much. It's not just a non-fiction read where facts are being told. Anubis makes it freaking hilarious and I'm sure kids as well as adult would love it. I did anyway. There were even the steps to mummification. That was one of my favorite parts. 
The drawings in this book were so nicely done. They were also a big part as to why I enjoyed Anubis Speaks so much. I love drawings about ancient Egypt and these were really great. I wish I could have some of them to hang up. <3

So overall, Anubis Speaks is a fun, non-fiction story that's based on the Book of Dead and others, that takes us on a journey through the Egyptian afterlife told to us by none other than the god Anubis. There are a lot of facts we learn from this book but it's told in an amazingly fun way. I've learned a lot but also laughed a lot and that, people, is how you write a great non-fiction book. Also I'm definitely going to check out this author's other books. I think they'll be really great as well. 

This book is definitely a 2013-favorite of mine because I was really impressed by how much fun I was having and didn't want to put it down one second although I had to eventually to get some sleep. I would definitely recommend it to everyone. Young and old, whether or not you like non-fiction or not. Just try it and you might be really surprised and love it as much as I did.

Favorite Quotes:

"And why, you may ask, did Ra refuse to continue walking among his creations on earth? Because you humans had to go and ruin it for the rest of us. You plotted against him. You rebelled, thinking to steal Ra's power (as if) for yourself.
Ra withdrew into the sky in response to your sacrilege. So it's all your fault, you petty backstabbing, power-hungry, smelly little mortals. But I'm not resentful. Really, I'm not.

Don't be shy! It may seem crowded with all us gods on board---including Horus, Set, Isis, Nephthys ("Hin Mom"), Sekhmet, Thoth, Hathor, Serket, and others---but we'll all fit. It's a magic boat.

The three-headed snake with fourteen human heads on its body is not so unusual. I'm sure you've noticed that most of us gods sport animal heads. And I'm sure you've been particularly admiring my noble jackal's head on my exquisitely muscled human body. Why do I have a jackal head? The better to eat you with me, dear.

About the author:

Vicky Alvear Shecter wishes she had a time machine to go back to the glory days of ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome. Until she can find one, she writes about the famous and fabulous lives of the ancients and their gods instead. She is also a docent at the Michael C. Carlos Museum of Antiquities at Emory University.

Find Vicky also on:

Blog | Facebook | Goodreads | Twitter | Website

Purchase Anubis Speaks on:

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Fishpond