It truly surprised me in the best way possible. It has everything you could want—desire, war, ancient gods, monsters, and a creeping evil that threatens to destroy it all. The world of Khetara, inspired by Ancient Egypt, is so vivid that I could practically feel the desert heat and hear the whispers of old magic in the air. The mythology-based magic system was a huge win for me—fresh, fascinating, and really well thought out.

We follow four totally different characters—a princess, a priestess, a rebel, and a tomb robber—and I genuinely liked all of them. The story jumps between their points of view each chapter, and I never found myself wishing to get back to one over the other. Each had their own unique vibe, struggles, and stakes, and watching their stories slowly start to overlap was incredibly satisfying. There were some wild twists too—definitely kept me flipping pages.

The only thing that pulled me out a bit was the language. Some of the dialogue and descriptions felt super modern, which made it harder to stay fully immersed in the ancient setting at times. It wasn’t a dealbreaker, but it did stand out.

Still, this was such a fun and engaging read, and I’m very ready for the next book. If you’re into fantasy with mythology, rich world-building, and strong character arcs, definitely give this one a shot.

Thank you NetGalley and Hachette Children's Group for this eCopy to review

I was really excited when I saw I was approved for this title. Egyptian fantasy? COUNT ME IN.

The world-building and attention to detail were amazing. In the story, we follow our four main characters: Princess Sitamun, Priestess Nefermaat, Rebel Raetawy, and Tomb Robber Karim as they find their place in the world and in all the bloodshed and political intrigue that is to come.

While I enjoyed the plot, it took me some time to connect with the characters, but I enjoyed seeing their character growth and development. Some of the chapters felt a bit boring, and maybe it was the 4 POV that threw me off a bit and made this book a very slow read.

I am really interested in seeing what is to come!

3/5 stars

I was a bit unsure of this book towards the beginning of the story, but I'm glad I stuck with it. Each of the characters had their own personal turmoil, yet their lives are connected by a forgotten oracle that entwines their fate. An understanding of Ancient Egyptian politics and religion was not needed as everything was explained in a way that was easy to understand.

The story was immersive and captivating, a great choice for fans of the fantasy genre. I am looking forward to reading the rest of this series.

Thank you NetGalley and Hachette Children's Group for this eCopy to review

When I picked up His Face is the Sun, I was immediately captivated by its lush, epic setting inspired by Ancient Egypt. The novel introduces the Kingdom of Khetara, a land divided and on the brink of destruction. The pharaoh is wasting away from a mysterious illness, and forces within his family and the southern regions are plotting against him.

The story follows four main characters: Princess Sitamun, Priestess Nefermaat, Rebel Raetawy, and Tomb Robber Karim. Each of them is ripped from their lives and thrown into the conflict, connected by a forgotten oracle that whispers across the land. Sitamun dreams of love and luxury but discovers treachery at the heart of the kingdom. Nefermaat is chosen by the goddess Bast and must leave everything behind to study under the high priest. Raetawy joins a rebellion after witnessing profound injustices, and Karim unwittingly unleashes an ancient evil from a tomb.

As I followed their journeys, I was immersed in a world full of magic, political intrigue, and high stakes. The characters were richly developed, and their paths intertwined in a way that kept me engaged throughout. The story is gripping and intense with an incredible cliff hanger of an ending.

His Face is the Sun is an engrossing fantasy with myriad twists and turns, offering a vivid and immersive experience that fans of the genre will appreciate.