 |
- General fiction - |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
The Oasis: Lords of the Two Lands, Volume II |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 The Oasis: Lords of the Two Lands, Volume II byPauline Gedge Soho Press ISBN 156947219X 532 Pages, 2000 Reviewed by Marion E. Cason Read our review of The Hippopotamus Marsh, Volume I in this trilogy Faced with a dilemma, Kamose Tao must choose either to honor his father - slain Seqenenra Tao of Weset - by freeing Egypt from the tyranny of the Setiu overlords, or to live in complete impoverishment and separation from his family. Kamose Tao chooses to set Egypt free. He decides to use a different tactic to make his march on Het-Uart, the stronghold of the Setiu who are well-trained warriors. Kamose Tao gathers the Princes and Hor-Aha, a native of Warwat and leader of the Medjay, and discusses his strategy. They will begin the march on Het-Uart as soon as the lands are passable, after the floods recede from the Nile River. During the floods yearly occurrence, the Princes gather and train their men for battle. Kamose Tao breaks up the training based on the villagers' skills and the Medjay who will help wherever they are needed. He shows his skill as a tactician and when the time comes, the Egyptians are ready with plentiful supplies. Or are they? A few of the Princes are upset when Kamose Tao promotes Hor-Aha to General, commander over the Princes. The battle begins but the stronghold of Het-Uart is impregnable. Kamose Tao and Hor-Aha develop another tactic that will draw most of the Setiu out of Het-Uart, leaving the stronghold exposed. The clever plan works but new problems arise, catching Kamose off balance on the battlefield and at home where the women have taken over the running of the household and lands. Gedge continues the absorbing story based on historical fact, bringing to light many festivities and life of that era, the middle of the Seventeenth Dynasty. The Setiu have ruled Egypt for two hundred years. Gedge also brings to life the obscure Kamose Tao, portraying his talents and what he did for the Egyptians to regain control over their own land. The Oasis is the second in a trilogy. Gedge draws the reader into the fast-paced action with vivid prose - you can feel the water lapping against the side of the boat as it navigates the Nile River. I look forward to reading the third volume with anticipation, to find out how the many conflicts get resolved. |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||