Shadow Hawk (Mass Market Paperback)

by Andre Norton (Author)
Key Phrases: royal son, royal mother, leopard cub, Great One, Prince Kamose, Two Lands (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review
A new Phar?? attempts to reunite the Two Lands of Ancient Egypt and to drive out the usurping Hyksos. Entering his service as The Leader of Ten; a young Nubian noble puts his experience as a border scout to good account on behalf of the Son of Re and the two royal princes. Using guerrilla techniques already familiar to Norton space-story fans, the Nubian archers successfully pave the way of the Egyptians to conquer the key city of the Hyksos. As usual, Andre Norton packs so much uncompromising exposition into the first half-chapter that it proves a stumbling block to many readers. But once the initial dose is swallowed, the story moves quickly to a high interest peak. Whether the author's locale is in the storied past or the imagined future, there is always the feeling of cardful research and plausible detail. No sissy stuff, this , but rich fare for the avid reader. (Kirkus Reviews) --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Reading level: Young Adult
  
• Mass Market Paperback
• Publisher: Del Rey (May 12, 1987)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0345343662
• ISBN-13: 978-0345343666
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #3,071,031 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An adventure in ancient Egypt., July 30, 1997

By A Customer

Though she is most noted for her science-fiction/fantasy books such as the Wich World series, SHADOW HAWK by Andre Norton is a work of historical fiction based on actual events which occurred in ancient Egypt. The story concerns the captain Rahotep, son of the viceroy of the pharaoh and heir to the nomarchy of the Hawk Nome in the southern provinces. The story takes place during the Hyksos occupation, thus Rahotep is given the nickname Shadow Hawk, as his nome is a shadow of its former being. Rahotep intercepts a message from the pharaoh Sekenenre in Thebes to the north, a plea for military assistance to once again unite the Two Lands. Rahotep, along with the commander Methen, faithful friend Kheti, and 10 Nubian archers, travel north to serve their pharaoh. When they arrive, the group is assigned to the eldest prince Kamose. Rahotep and company prove their worth on a raid with Kamose's younger brother Ahmose and are assigned to the personal guard of pharaoh himself. While serving this honorable but unexciting duty, Rahotep is framed as perpetrator in an attempt of pharaoh's life. He is arrested and severely punished but, with the aid of his friends, manages to escape. After proving his loyalty to the crown, he is taken in by Kamose, now pharaoh following the death of his father by the hands of scheming countrymen. Kamose, Ahmose, and Rahotep then plot to overthrow the Hyksos outpost Neferusi. The last part of the book concerns the attempt to capture the town, an event that would mark a turning point in the battle with the invading Hyksos to bring about a reversal of Egypt's fortunes. The book is basically an adventure story set in ancient Egypt. Norton has done her homework as the details smack of authenticity. The larger events outlined in the book actually took place. Kamose and his "troops of Medja-Nubians" (according to his stela) fell upon the nest of Asiatics at Nefrusy (just north of Khmun, the modern-day Ashmunein), his "brave army in front of me like a breath of fire . . . I overthrew him, I razed his wall, I slew his people . . ." Nefrusy was at the southern limit of the influence of Apophis, just north of the kingdom of Kamose in the area of Beni Hasan. Thus was the tide turned and Kamose and his brother Ahmose restored the glory of Egypt

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Ten year old boy, September 16, 2005

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Shadow Hawk (Living History Library) (Paperback)

This book was about a solder called Rahotep. He was an Egyptian officer that fought against the Hyskos. The Hyksos were a strong people who tried to conquer Egypt and they succeeded. Rahotep was trying to drive them out. In the end he succeeded using his archers to fire upon their horses. The Hyksos had chariots. The Egyptians wanted to make chariots but they didn't have horses which pulled the chariots into battle. They decided to steal the horses. Since they had to shoot the horses, they failed in the last two chapters. I found the book to be a little complicated to understand, especially the soldier's names. I also found that this book had many cool battles, especially the last one. Reading this book could thrill you or bore you depending upon the kind of person you are. If you like battles you will like this book fine but if you don't then don't read it.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Shadow Hawk, December 19, 2002

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Shadow Hawk (Living History Library) (Paperback)

The book is about a young officer/archer in th Egyptian military. It takes place sometime in ancient times. He is the son of a noblemen. Many things happen to him and those he commands.
I thought this book was very good. It was exciting and entertaining. From the very beginning it captures your attention. There really wasn't much bad with the book except some confusing names.
I would like to recommend this book to anyone that likes war books because it has exciting battles and that sort of thing.