The Sea King's Daughter [Mass Market Paperback]

Barbara Michaels (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 26, 2005

Since Sandy Frederick first set foot on the volcanic Greek isle of Thera, this breathtaking place of ancient myth and mystery has haunted her dreams. Joining her estranged, obsessed father on a dive to find astonishing secrets from the ocean's floor, she cannot shake the feeling that she was meant to be here; that some ancient, inscrutable power is calling to her. But there are others who have been eagerly waiting for her arrival to drag her into a tangled and terrifying web of secrets, dark superstition, betrayal, blood, and death. And suddenly Sandy's heritage and her destiny could be her doom.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Elizabeth Peters (writing as Barbara Michaels) was born and brought up in Illinois and earned her Ph.D. in Egyptology from the University of Chicago's famed Oriental Institute. Peters was named Grandmaster at the inaugural Anthony Awards in 1986, Grandmaster by the Mystery Writers of America at the Edgar® Awards in 1998, and given The Lifetime Achievement Award at Malice Domestic in 2003. She lives in an historic farmhouse in western Maryland.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: HarperTorch (April 26, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060745177
• ISBN-13: 978-0060745172
• Product Dimensions: 7 x 4.2 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #546,137 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good story, but dated, January 17, 2002

By 

Diana F. Von Behren "reneofc" (Kenner, LA USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Sea King's Daughter (Paperback)

An accomplished diver who lives happily with her mother and stepfather in Florida, Sandy is startled by the appearance of her biological father. Frederick is a crack-pot archaeologist who having lost his professional footing with colleagues due to his Atlantis theories wishes to discover the 20th century equivalent to Schliemann's Troy. He convinces Sandy to lie to her parents, meet him on the Greek Isle of Thera and dive in the treacherous expanse of sea that houses a live volcano. For Sandy this beomes an experience of polarizing emotions---while the Minoan traces on the island speak to Sandy in a way she does not quite understand, the precarious position of Thera, between two tectonic plates, keeps her permanently unbalanced as does the flirtatious relationship that develops between her with Jim, a young archaelogist working for the competition and the father-daughter tie she feels despite the seemingly insensitive actions of her father.
Intermingled with the usual Barbara Michael's mix of historical data and romance, is the coincidental reunion of Frederick, Sir Christopher (another archaeologist), a mysterious woman with an equally mysterious name---Kore, and an ex German officer who shot Frederick and Sir Christopher's companion on Crete during the German occupation in WWII.
Although the modern sensibilites alloyed to the island's ancient past makes for a climate fraught with electricity, I felt that Sandy's overtly feminist opinions adversely dated what could have been a more timeless narrative. Instead of everywoman, Sandy epitomizes the 70s working woman, quick with a retort that ensures an immediate knee-jerk defense reaction.
Otherwise the novel was a good read about an interesting subject.

11 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Well researched., July 8, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Sea King's Daughter (Paperback)

I am amazed. Michaels' has proven that a little research can go a long way. This novel was really very good. The plot weaves together like a well-designed tapestry of mystery and intrigue. This one hooked me so well, I have a new passion for underwater archaeology."

13 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Exciting and suspenseful, August 10, 1999

By 

Vicki J. Kondelik - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Sea King's Daughter (Paperback)

I have been a fan of this author's Elizabeth Peters books for a long time, but this is the first of her Barbara Michaels books that I've read. It is just as exciting and suspenseful as her Peters books. I especially loved the Greek archaeological background.