Dawn of Desire

I read this book about 25 years ago and from time to time it would come across my mind. The book I had eventually became too worn from not being able to put it down long enough to do anything and it's weighed heavily on my mind recently, but I couldn't remember the name of the book nor the author. Well, as fate would have it, I decided to do some searches on the web and Lo and Behold, I have found my book again and can't wait to read it again and again. I must check into ordering the sequel to this fantastic story !! The journeys they take as husband and wife keep you spellbound, jaw-dropped and tongue-tied as they encounter very dangerous situations including the pending death of King Amenemhet due to poisoning caused by, if I remember correctly, one of their handmaidens, all while the Queen is pregnant. Joyce Verrette's depiction pulls you into Egypt as if you were having an out of body experience and are able to oversee all that is taking place along their wonderous, but scary journeys. They visit out of the way islands to find a cure for the King's poisoning, encounter natives on a deserted island and have to run for their lives, and so on. This book is very captivating and you certainly won't be disappointed should you decide to order it. I'm so thankful that I have found it again.

This book and its sequel contain well written characters amid ancient politics, treachery and a bit of magic in a realistic style full of adventure. They marry, are separated, reunite, have children and voyage to distant exotic lands. The couple rule together, a strong Queen and Pharoah together. She is not a collapsing violet, not a strident feminist harridin as some strong heroines can be. She is the other half to him, and they are a whole. She's nice, while always a queen. Historically as far as I can tell the book captures the feel of ancient Egypt, travelling the Nile and so on but it is not based in a specific reign, instead borrowing from here and there. The Two Lands are separated as the book begins and are united by their marriage. They build the city of Ithtawe to rule from and so on. Their tombs are not pyramids but carved into the caves of the Valley of Kings. Usually historical inaccuracy drives me crazy but the world Joyce creates feels right and doesn't try to name drop, or to pull something dumb. This and the sequel are one of my top 10 books, I highly recommend it.

This novel is set in ancient Egypt. Here's the description from the back of the book to help you decide if this book is for you: "Their story comes to us across the centuries - the splendrous immortal saga of a love which begins in a far-away time by the shores of the ancient River Nile. The unbounded passion of the incomparably beautiful Princess Nefrytaten and the tawny-skinned Prince Ameni sweeps across the torrid landscape of Egypt as the two lovers, wrenched asunder by treacherous events, must brave peril, degradation, and intrigue before their twin desires can find release and once more, in a surging tide of full-blooded passion and joy."