Pharaoh: A Novel of Ancient Egypt    by Wilbur Smith Order:  USA  Can William Morrow, 2016 (2016) Hardcover, CD, e-Book      Reviewed by Mary Ann Smyth James Rollins had this to say about Pharaoh by Wilbur Smith: 'A thrilling tale ... as magical as it is enlightening – not just about history, but about the heart of a heroic man'. All seems lost when Taita and his vast army face defeat in the battle for Luxor. Pharaoh Tamose lies mortally wounded. Ex-slave Taita, with the help of an old ally, wins the war and returns to Luxor a hero – except that he is then branded a traitor and imprisoned! The new Pharaoh, Utteric, is impossibly young, weak, and extremely cruel. He doesn't like the adulation showered upon Taita. Rameses vows to help Taita escape when Utteric pronounces that Taita will be tortured to death in the most horrible manner that Utteric can devise. Taita realizes that he must act – and soon – to stop Utteric. Taita must take back Egypt. Pharaoh is a history that will keep you enthralled. If you are in the least bit squeamish about beheading, battlefield amputations, slit throats, eye gouging, or any other wounds that would produce a blood bath, simply skip those parts and move on to the less gory rendering of war. Smith recounts what life must have been like at that time in history. He does it in such a way as to depict Rameses' era as though it were yesterday and we could become a part of it. He does indeed have a magical touch with words. Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons. Find more Historical books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews