Customer Reviews

Lord of the Two Lands

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is pure, beautiful storytelling. This is the crown of all historical fiction. Judith Tarr writes in a stirring, lovely prose that evokes the imagination and a deep sense of prophecy and power. The relationships between the characters are done magnificently. Alexander is depicted just how I imagine him, and his interaction with everyone else is amazing. Meriamon the Egyptian princess is easy to identify with, one of three female characters in fantastic fiction I am able to stand, and her relationship with Niko is funny, touching, and real at the same time. The dialogue, the descriptions, the historical detail - everything is done to scale in this masterful epic of ancient history.

Amazing Novel - Meriamon, daughter of the last pharoah, must bring Alexander to Egypt and convince him to take up the position as pharoah of the Two Lands.

This book is a wonderful read, the relationship between Alexander and Haphaistion, as more than just lovers, is clearly displayed. Meriamon's commitment in fullfilling her duty to her country and to her King is reminiscent of Tarr's strong female heroines. It also has its lighter notes with Alexander's brother Arrhidaios and the fictional chracter Nikos who is Mariamon's love interest.

All in all Tarr has captured the essence of the characters perfectly, you feel as if you know them and wish you could have met them!

"King & Goddess" is also another one of my favorites by Tarr (displays the life of Hatsepshut, Queen-Pharaoh of Egypt)

High praise, believe me, since I have read and discarded thousands of books. The story of Alexander and his early conquests are especially captivating and refreshing. Tarr's use of the English language is supert, at times, I could almost see the Alexander, hear the songs, and feel the magic. The characters in this story are unforgettable, depending on my moods, sometimes I identify myself most with tough Meriamon, and at other times, with Niko. This is a book that I feel will become a classic, perhaps too rough to put beside your Shakespeare, but perfect for the bed table, within arms reach.

By the way, my other two favourites are "The Horse and his Boy" by C.S. Lewis and "The Great Gatsby" by R.ScottFitzgerald.

Judith Tarr tells a story which is rich with description, and she refreshingly tells it from an Egyptian point of view. There are too many historical fictions told from the Greek or Macedonian or even Persian point of view. An Egyptian perspective is quite fascinating. Meriamon, a priestess, (and the daughter of a Pharaoh) is the main character. We read of her journey, why she must meet Alexander the Great, and how she helps and guides him to his goals. Since I have a great interest in Alexander the Great, I was afraid that the story would deal mainly with Meriamon and Egypt, and not enough with Alexander. However, I was pleasantly surprised. Meriamon's story is greatly intertwined with Alexander's. Also, I was also glad to see that Judith Tarr acknowledged Alexander's close relationship with his good friend Hephaistion, who is often overlooked.

Some of my thoughts on the story: While you don't have to know Egyptian history to read this book, I'm sure it would help. I'm not familiar with many Egyptian gods other than Ra and Anubis, and found myself struggling a bit; also, part of the book is romance- Meriamon falling in love with one of Alexander's close soldiers- and it is done in such a way that it is quite believable. There are one or two love scenes- very short- but they kind of pop out of nowhere. Also, the book switches from Meriamon's point of view to other characters' point of view, so be sure to pay attention or it will become confusing.

I felt that Judith Tarr had a very good grasp on Alexander's character. He was an amazing general and strategist, but he also did some foolish things (as everyone does). Overall, I'd recommend this story. If you'd like to read more historical fiction concerning Alexander the Great, I'd recommend Mary Renault's Alexander trilogy: Fire from Heaven, The Persian Boy, and Funeral Games. I also just finished Melissa Scott's A Choice of Destinies and would recommend that as well.

I bought this book on a whim at an antique store because I *love* anything to do with Egypt. Usually, I don't read all the novels I get for months or years after I get them, but for some reason I started reading this one the night I bought it.

And it was wonderful. I had very many late bedtimes thanks to this book, and Tarr's delightful characters. In fact, I just finished it today, and could not have been more satisfied with the story. The interaction between Niko and Meriamon is very tempting and gives away just enough info at a time to keep the story moving. And the magic isn't too overdone (though at times could drift from historical fiction to fantasy) and is faithful to the Egyptian pantheon. All in all I thought it was an excellent book, even though it's not "the best" book of historical fiction I've seen. I heartily recommend it to anyone looking for some magic. :)

One of Tarr's best books; fine history, interesting take on Alexander, and her usual clean prose. Magic is appropriate for the era and used well; the trek through the Land of Coming Forth by Day is especially notable--a nice symbolic touch for Alexander's (and Meriamon's) psychological journey. The romance might turn off some readers, but it takes more of a backseat than in Tarr's other works. The interaction between Meriamon and Alexander is especially charming.

The synopsis sounded so enchanting, and the topic and setting were so promising, yet the book just doesn't get there. The main character, the heroine, is interesting, but not enough about her is divulged in the establishment of the beginning of the story. I found myself disappointed by the end, the magic was empty, the hints at magic were even more disappointing. I wonder if I will be able to pick up another Judith Tarr now.

Highly recommend!

Alexander the Great - complex and charismatic - his journey to Egypt is sometimes lost in the glare of his conquest of Asia. That story is told here, with historical accuracy and supernatural elements appropriate to the time.

The characters are compelling Meriamon, on a mission from her people and her gods, with her shadow-guardian and accompanied by Sekhmet, the cat who chooses for herself where to go and whom to be with. Ptolemy, future pharaoh, Thais, his Athenian mistress, Hephaistion, Alexanders most faithful companion, Niko, Meriammons reluctant bodyguard, and more ... All of them vivid and engaging ... I felt I was traveling with them, sharing the hardships and triumphs of the journey

I've re-read this book several times and enjoyed it more each time

Alexander the Great comes to Egypt, while Egyptian princess Meriamon and Macedonian soldier Nikolaos strive to forge a relationship.

Tarr's writing flows well and her description is occasionally lovely. I found the plot a little short on action, but generally well-structured. Characters are reasonably appealing, though Tarr's Alexander lacks the sheer fire of Renault's classic portrayal, and the relationship between Meriamon and Niko never quite coalesces for me. It amused me that Egypt's rebelliousness gets sympathetic treatment, while city-states resisting Alexander are perforce black-magic practitioners and baby-sacrificers. Touches of magical elements here are sometimes a bit nebulous, though Meriamon's Anubis-shadow is a nice image.

This book is an absolute jewel. The author's literary style is one of a kind. It is unique in its exquisiteness in the use of the language, colorfulness of expressions, narrative flow in which the events are told as they are follow the internal mental work-about s of a female ancient mind...within another time, a time at which neither logic nor material issues were able to fight the imperial and absolute status held by superstition and perhaps Magic.