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mayetra's review
3.0
The reason this didn't get more stars is that it was so short. Books set in Ancient Egypt that aren't about are few and far between. I really liked the characters but it was really just too short. It felt like the promise of an epic story but the delivery of a short story. The author is a really good storyteller, it would be nice to see her lengthen her story, broaden her world building and generally flesh out her stories. I will continue this series.
married2agamer's review
5.0
I read the third book in this series first and have been meaning for quite awhile to come back around and read the other books in this series. Today, I FINALLY read the first book and I fell in love with Bek and Merys' story as quickly and as deeply as I fell in love with Kamin and Nima's story when I read book 3. I was rooting for Bek and Merys the whole way through and was so sad when the story ended.
I have only read two books in this series and I am dying to read the rest.
I have only read two books in this series and I am dying to read the rest.
buuboobaby's review
4.0
Diverting, though undemanding read. I enjoyed the ancient Egyptian setting, found the protagonists likable, and found the ending satisfying.
Full review soon at www.mangamaniaccafe.com
Full review soon at www.mangamaniaccafe.com
reginaexmachina's review
I thought this sounded up my alley but I'm tired of romance books describing the male love interest's anatomy immediately twitching upon meeting the female protagonist like it's some kind of sex compass. No. Just stop right there.
friedatweehuysen's review
4.0
Charming
This was a charming and lovely romance set on the banks of the Nile river. I enjoyed reading this book.
This was a charming and lovely romance set on the banks of the Nile river. I enjoyed reading this book.
rosepetals1984's review
2.0
"Priestess of the Nile" is a mature romance novella set in Egypt during the 1500s BC. It revolves around the brief romance between the Crocodile god Bek (or Sobek) and the mortal priestess Merys.
I never would've guessed that this was an erotica title based on the first chapter, as the story opens with an alluring, placid interaction between the two lead characters, with remarkable potential for the story to come. The mythology appears sound, the personalities of the characters sharp and defined for the commencement. I especially like Merys's personality considering her dedication to her sister and in light of her role as a priestess. The budding attractions and one particularly harrowing event where Bek saves Merys' life is well-noted, but I think the sensuous scene came in a bit awkward, perhaps even being oversexed for the tone the story took prior.
From that point on, the story read rough for me because it was rushed for events. I found that it was trying too hard to sell the story for what it entailed. True, this is a novella, and it comes in at about 21,000 words, but I think the extra development would've made Bek and Merys's relationship have that much more hold, and wouldn't seem like they fell on the side of "insta-love connection". I suppose that's a minor quibble since there are a lot of instant connections in some stories of equivalent length and structure, but when arriving towards the novella's last portion, where the connection should've been more sound for the events coming across, it didn't add up.
The tension in the last two chapters should've had more impact for what they lent, but didn't because I felt they were rushed and told more than shown. I thought it particularly telling in one of the lines where Bek thinks "Only one thing in my life might affect me in this fashion—a threat to Merys." And while the following discovery was jarring in ideal, it passed by too quickly and with such a brief emotional resonance that I couldn't really have the connection to it that it would've otherwise meant. Same with the very last scene in the final chapter - I just couldn't connect with it despite the intention, and its uneven pacing made it seem thrown together for the resolution.
I'll give it the benefit of the doubt - it will likely be a story that those who like brief novellas with a bit of action, romance, and historical placements would like, but I think with a bit more development and careful pacing, this could've come across as a better read.
Overall score: 2/5
Note: I received this story as an ARC from NetGalley from the publisher Carina Press.
I never would've guessed that this was an erotica title based on the first chapter, as the story opens with an alluring, placid interaction between the two lead characters, with remarkable potential for the story to come. The mythology appears sound, the personalities of the characters sharp and defined for the commencement. I especially like Merys's personality considering her dedication to her sister and in light of her role as a priestess. The budding attractions and one particularly harrowing event where Bek saves Merys' life is well-noted, but I think the sensuous scene came in a bit awkward, perhaps even being oversexed for the tone the story took prior.
From that point on, the story read rough for me because it was rushed for events. I found that it was trying too hard to sell the story for what it entailed. True, this is a novella, and it comes in at about 21,000 words, but I think the extra development would've made Bek and Merys's relationship have that much more hold, and wouldn't seem like they fell on the side of "insta-love connection". I suppose that's a minor quibble since there are a lot of instant connections in some stories of equivalent length and structure, but when arriving towards the novella's last portion, where the connection should've been more sound for the events coming across, it didn't add up.
The tension in the last two chapters should've had more impact for what they lent, but didn't because I felt they were rushed and told more than shown. I thought it particularly telling in one of the lines where Bek thinks "Only one thing in my life might affect me in this fashion—a threat to Merys." And while the following discovery was jarring in ideal, it passed by too quickly and with such a brief emotional resonance that I couldn't really have the connection to it that it would've otherwise meant. Same with the very last scene in the final chapter - I just couldn't connect with it despite the intention, and its uneven pacing made it seem thrown together for the resolution.
I'll give it the benefit of the doubt - it will likely be a story that those who like brief novellas with a bit of action, romance, and historical placements would like, but I think with a bit more development and careful pacing, this could've come across as a better read.
Overall score: 2/5
Note: I received this story as an ARC from NetGalley from the publisher Carina Press.
bookfever's review
3.0
I love any books that feature Egyptian mythology. I'm always on the look for such books and haven't read too many actually. Priestess of the Nile was pretty likable in altogether. Sure, there were some flaws like sometimes I didn't like the inner monologues of both main characters and the writing also wasn't all that but I did like the originality of a book featuring Sobek, the crocodile god. Also it was a pretty short book (about 60 pages) so there wasn't much room for character building but hey it has egyptian gods, I am not complaining!
Aside from their inner monoligues I really liked the main characters Merys and (So)Bek. I loved their romance and how devoted Bek was to her. So, yes, I definitely want to read the other books in this series!
Aside from their inner monoligues I really liked the main characters Merys and (So)Bek. I loved their romance and how devoted Bek was to her. So, yes, I definitely want to read the other books in this series!
jessschira's review
5.0
I can honestly say that this story surprised me. I found myself liking the characters far more than I ever expected to and the plot kept me engaged the entire time. The story included some twists and turns I never saw coming. I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series
vailynst's review
2.0
Read via NetGalley
Tales of Egyptian Gods can be beautiful, tragic and horrifying. I was enchanted by the idea of a maiden luring a God's attention with song. I admit it, I'm a sucker for romance, music and happily ever afters.
This short story is about a young maiden named Merys and the Crocodile God, Sobek. A familiar song lures Sobek from his duties and he meets Merys fishing in the Nile. Over time, Sobek & Merys fall in love but their love is doomed because Gods and mortals are not meant to mix.
Though I tried, I didn't like the story as a whole. The story is written in a way to invoke the past but modern speech patterns destroy the illusion of history. There are elements of old tales & fables but I find that I cannot be engaged by the story. Nor do I like the characters.
Priestess of the Nile has a beautiful cover and an interesting premise. Regretfully, this story is not for me.
Tales of Egyptian Gods can be beautiful, tragic and horrifying. I was enchanted by the idea of a maiden luring a God's attention with song. I admit it, I'm a sucker for romance, music and happily ever afters.
This short story is about a young maiden named Merys and the Crocodile God, Sobek. A familiar song lures Sobek from his duties and he meets Merys fishing in the Nile. Over time, Sobek & Merys fall in love but their love is doomed because Gods and mortals are not meant to mix.
Though I tried, I didn't like the story as a whole. The story is written in a way to invoke the past but modern speech patterns destroy the illusion of history. There are elements of old tales & fables but I find that I cannot be engaged by the story. Nor do I like the characters.
Priestess of the Nile has a beautiful cover and an interesting premise. Regretfully, this story is not for me.