I’d like to apologize to the author and publisher for my delay in reading this fantastic adventure! I have always loved ancient Egypt, mummies, archaeological digs, etc and Tomb of Gods definitely delivered. While I do have a few story related questions (if you’re alive how can you be judged? Why was a disc entombed with the priest?) but if you love ancient Egypt or are just looking for a rollicking, fast moving adventure story then I highly recommend this book.

I will definitely be looking for more stories by Mr Moreland.

**Thanks to the publisher and author for the e-arc I received via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.**

I also checked out a physical copy from the library to give the author a boost in circulation numbers. I read my e-version and have to say the font in the physical book was too small.

This one was an okay for me. Readable, but not truly my style. Would try the author again, though.

Moreland never disappoints. TOMB OF GODS is a non-stop trip through an underworld of Gods and Demons. You will be judged!


I loved these characters, even the ones we are supposed to hate. Moreland pulls you into this world beyond our own and gives you terror along with heart and soul. Wil you come out with yours? Stand before Osiris and let him weigh your sins.

I give TOMB OF GODS 4 stars!

Entombed With Terror

I just finished this excellent book. The story was unlike others I've read that are more typical of this topic, although it had some of the features I'd expected. The first portion, the archaeological dig that was losing members to some vicious, unknown enemy, was what I'd expected. But the author packed far more into his story than that.

I don't want to give spoilers and so am limiting myself in what I'll set down here. Brian Moreland is an excellent writer, but more than that, he's done a lot of research into ancient Egyptian mythology, as well as many other religions. What he's given us in his book is a horrific adventure with a deeply thought-provoking study in faith and the meaning of life.

I was given an advanced review copy of Tomb of God's from NetGalley. My review is my own personal opinion of the book.

There are not enough horror books featuring Egyptian archaeology set in the early 1900s! Thankfully Brian Moreland got that covered and nailed down to a T. With a mixture of adventure, tense claustrophobic horror, horrifying monsters, an engaging cast of characters and a slightly different portrayal of the Egyptian pantheon, we are drawn deep into the “Tomb of Gods” and we might not leave.

’In 1935, British archaeologists vanished inside an Egyptian cave. A year later, one man returned covered in mysterious scars.’

The author of TOMB OF GODS, Brian Moreland, created several cringe-worthy scenes wherein the action is intense and creepy good—the imagery is fantastic, however, the response of some of the characters—or lack thereof as to what’s going on around them, or in some cases to them, I can’t quite wrap my head around.

I won't delve into spoiler territory, but I will say that the backstory of the main characters helped drive the narrative forward, resulting in an unexpected conclusion regarding the fate of some characters—one or two admittedly irritated me a bit.

Thank you, NetGalley and Flame Tree Press, for loaning me an eBook of TOMB OF GODS in exchange for an honest review.

Egyptology Horror At It's Best!

In the 1930's an archaeology team and a "National Geographic" photographer are on an expedition to find some undiscovered tombs and their secrets following up on several failed expeditions where none of the explorers returned except for one who was found wandering around in the desert a year after his team was declared missing and he was completely out of his mind with these stranger carvings on his skin from head to toe so he had to be institutionalized. Where was he for the past year and what had he seen and heard that caused him to lose his mind. His granddaughter Imogen who is also an archaeologist will be on this new exploration hoping to unveil some of the mysteries of what happened to her grandfather and his missing team. The new expedition started with around 50 people including laborers who are needed to dig and some military to help protect the team physically and also the treasures they hope to discover to bring back to the museum. What could go wrong with a team so well prepared and looking for scientific answers to their queries, never expecting that when they don't heed the ancient warnings written on the walls of the caves deep within the mountain and they will encounter horrors that they may not survive mentally or physically and each person will realize that you cannot even trust the people that you have known and trusted for years.

Wonderful storytelling by Brian Moreland. I truly got lost within the pages of this well searched and beautifully scripted book. The word building just had me feeling as if I was on this trip with the team experiencing everything they were seeing and hearing. The story starts off slowly but intriguing and it gives you a realistic take on the cast of characters and you will care about some and dislike many but you are excited to find out what happens to all the players in this great ancient mystery horror. This book was so intriguing and I was very impressed with the Egyptian history and the mythology that was so deliciously versed in this book. This book should appeal to any horror reader and also to anyone who enjoys dark Egyptian mysteries.

I want to thank the author Brian Moreland and the publisher "Flame Tree Press" who continues putting out new and wonderful horror stories and also Netgalley for the opportunity to read this fantastic book and any thoughts and opinions expressed are unbiased and mine alone!

I highly recommend this thrilling book and have given a rating of 5 "Exciting, Mythological" 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 Stars! !

Wow! Tomb of the Gods had me glued to my kindle from start to finish. Imagine finding a tomb which is filled with not only ancient treasures but ancient dangers as well. What if there were also hints of ancient knowledge that couod help us now?

What if the only person with the key to finding this treasure was driven insane by his trip to ths tomb? He returned spouting nonsense and covered with strange symbols carved into his flesh. And if he was your grandfather and mentor?

The search for the answers leads Imogen Riley on journey to Egypt and into incredible danger. She joins an expedition led by her colleague and former lover Dr. Nathan Trummel. She meets photographer Caleb Beckett who is on assignment, getting pictures of the dig for National Geographic. After some native workers snd some of the soldiers there to protect them disappear, leaving only pools and streaks of blood behind, the group decides to head into the tomb and seek answers. Bakari, Dr. Trummel's Egyptian helper, goes with the others. The few remaining soldiers also join them.

What follows is a terrifying and amazing journey far beyond what any of them expect!

As a kid I was fascinated by the ancient Egyptians. The pyramids, the Sphinx, King Tut. Their culture and beliefs were so mysterious, but the most intriguing thing for me was what secrets lay buried beneath the sands and in dark long forgotten tombs. Brian Moreland is a new to me author but when I saw the cover of this book I knew it was one that I had to read and I was not disappointed.

1935, Egypt. Dr. Harlan Riley and his team of archeologists vanish without a trace. A year later Dr. Riley returns from the desert covered in mysterious symbols and scars. Seemingly delusional and out of his mind the doctor is unable to explain what happened. This is where our story kicks off as we follow Egyptologist Imogen Riley, Dr. Harlan’s granddaughter, as she sets out to not only uncover the truth of what occurred during her grandfather’s failed expedition but to also finally discover the long lost tomb of Nebenteru that had been the goal of that ill-fated mission.

This book felt like a mix of Indiana Jones fused with the movie The Mummy. Brimming with action, adventure, and a healthy heaping dose of horror. Deep inside a mountain tomb the archeologists and soldiers make the discovery of a lifetime, but something foul and insidious lurks within the dark recesses of the labyrinthine maze of tunnels. Imogen, Dr. Nathan Trummel, and the others will come face to face with wonders beyond their wildest imaginations and the horrifying demons of the past that have come back to haunt them.

This novel was expertly paced and the action was basically non-stop. As a reader who gets distracted easily I found that the short chapters kept me engaged in the story and eager to see what was going to happen next. I am not sure if all of the ancient Egyptian deities and lower demons mentioned in the book are really part of the Egyptian pantheon or not but it all felt expertly researched on the authors part. Learning about the Egyptian beliefs and underworld was fascinating even if liberties were taken.

A wildly imaginative, action packed, gruesomely horrific thrill ride that isn’t afraid to take a turn into the utterly bizarre every once in a while. Tomb of Gods hits the ground running and never looks back over its shoulder as the lights go out and we plunge on ahead into the unknowns of the consuming darkness. Buckle up and keep all hands and feet within the vehicle or you might end up losing a finger, or perhaps something much worse. I had a blast reading this and highly recommended it.

What a brilliant read this book is. If you love the Egyptians, this book is for you although be warned it is a horror.

It is obvious how much research the author has done as he weaves the beautiful scenery, and traditions into this horror story. His writing helps the story flow as you turn the pages more quickly.

In 1935 a expedition of archaeologists disappear in Egypt, they are excavating a cave, all but one survive.

Years later, another team return to solve the answer of the missing party. What they find is chilling as they delve deeper (literally) into the Egyptian mystery.

When you see a new novel that combines Ancient Egypt and horror, you know you have to get it and read it.

This book was the perfect combo between Indiana Jones (if he would be in Egypt) and The Mummy but with an extra dose of horror.

Our story is based in the 1900s and follows Imogen that after helping her grandfather with expeditions and finding lost treasures for the British Museum, finds herself involved in a dangerous expedition that will take her really low underground to make a dark discovery no human is supposed to ever see. A book that will make our characters face their deepest fears and try to survive.

An action packed story with a great ensemble of characters and not a dull moment. We will go through so many adventures and discover the darkest, creepiest, bloody secrets that the Ancient Egypt has tried to bury deep down.

This was a great and creepy read. I didn't know I would enjoy this genre mix so much. It's a dark and twisty adventure-horror novel with a pinch of drama set in Egypt. The author definitely did his research about the Egyptian Pantheon, death rituals and mythology.
Although set in a time where women didn't really have much to say, we follow a strong female lead, who knew her worth and didn't cower in front of the men working in her field, which I appreciated.
I won't spoil too much of the story, but I had a great time reading Tomb of Gods and I can recommend it for anyone who loved the Mummy movie trilogy or the Mummy movie with Tom Cruise (2017). You will love this! I'm usually good with predicting plot lines and endings, but I didn't see this coming.

I'm looking forward to reading more from the author.

Thank you Netgalley and Flame Tree Press for providing me with an advance review copy in exchange for an honest review.

Most kids go through an Ancient Egypt phase, but this archaeologist never actually grew out of hers. So reading a book that explores the “history” behind one of the most well-known empires was right up my alley. I didn’t go into Tomb of Gods expecting factual events or for it to suddenly reveal unknown information about the ancient pharaohs. I think that’s important when reading a book like this- you have to be able to suspend disbelief to truly enjoy what you’re reading.

In saying all that, though, the author clearly did his research. Quite of a bit of what he wrote was at least loosely based on fact, right down to the descriptions of what the early days of archaeology in Egypt were like. I might be at a bit of an advantage because I’ve spent time in the Valley of the Kings, but anyone reading this book should be able to feel vividly transported inside the awe-inspiring tomb that was at the center of this story. I know I certainly did.

As the archaeologists, soldiers, and the rest of the entourage travel further within the cave, it becomes apparent that there is much more at play within its depths. They encounter technology that still doesn’t exist today, so how could the Egyptians have had it thousands of years ago?

Often while I was reading this captivating tale I was reminded of one of my favorite books, Rendezvous with Rama by Arthur C. Clarke. Much like the astronauts who carved their way into Rama, the characters in this book travel through an alien and unknown structure that defies logic and reveals more questions than it does answers. The sense of trepidation and curiosity in the face of sheer wonder and horror was similar to how I felt when I read Rama.

I’m definitely eager to learn more and am rooting for this to become a series, although if that happens I hope the author continues in the vein of not letting everything be fully revealed. It’s a plot device that is difficult to achieve without frustrating a reader but Moreland has more than proved he’s talented enough to do it.

That is one of the many reasons I highly recommend this book. Also, its blend of genres makes it appealing for just about every reader. Combining elements of fantasy, horror, and mythology, Tomb of Gods has something for everyone. As long as you go in with an open mind, the sense of wonder this book inspires will most certainly leave you as impressed as I was.

Full review on my blog! https://alittlenerdtoldme.wordpress.com/2020/05/25/blog-tour-tomb-of-gods-by-brian-moreland/

I picked this one for the cover. I don’t read a lot of horror, but not only did this one have a strong historical bent, but the cover looked like something out of the classic Doctor Who episode Pyramids of Mars. But the way that the story works reads a lot more like Journey to the Center of the Earth – with just a touch of the late 19th/early 20th century archaeology vibe of Amelia Peabody Emerson. And possibly even a bit of Dr. Daniel Jackson’s (Stargate) oft-derided theories about the “true” origins of ancient civilizations.

I was absolutely astonished when that last bit turned out to be closest to the mark.

As you might guess from the above rambling paragraph, when I have to read something described as horror I kind of have to sidle up to it by convincing myself that it’s more horror-adjacent than actual horror. Which is how I ended up at Tomb of Gods. Which in spite of what I just said is DEFINITELY horror.

Surprisingly for a horror story set in a lost Egyptian tomb, there aren’t any mummies. Which doesn’t mean that there isn’t plenty of horror, because there certainly is. But the story isn’t really about the horror that they find, not in the usual way with ambulatory mummies and predatory cursed monsters. Not that there aren’t plenty of monsters.

Instead, this is a story about the horrors that they all bring with them. The horrors that reside deep inside their hearts, the terrible things that they’ve said and done, the ones that they feel the most guilty for. The actions and emotions that they never want to let see the light of day.

Or see the darkest of nights at the bottom of a never-ending tomb – on a journey that feels like it’s heading straight to the center of the earth – by way of the paths outlined in the Egyptian Book of the Dead.

Escape Rating A-: I liked this way more than I expected to. Mostly because it didn’t go any of the places I expected it to. Again with the no shambling mummies. I loved the atmosphere, not just the darkness of the tomb, but also the entire feel of mid-1930s archaeology, especially combined with all those “curse of the mummy’s tomb” vibe, even though, again, no tottering, groaning mummies.

The beginning of this one is all about the setup, and it’s both pleasantly – and unpleasantly – familiar. The grasping, greedy, overbearing archaeologist, the mercenary guards, the frightened native workers, the quest for a treasure that only said overbearing archaeologist believes in.

And into that mix we throw Imogen Riley, also an archaeologist. The granddaughter of the man who originally found said tomb. The former lover of the current, overbearing archaeologist.

While there have been plenty of strange and deadly phenomena already on this dig, it’s only once Imogen is on the scene that the story takes off. She’s the catalyst that kicks off the rest of the action, as her presence provokes her former lover to new depths of, well, basically ignoring all good advice, common sense and proper archaeological practice to rush towards the treasure.

The journey to which exposes the darkness inside each person’s heart as they run headlong towards an end that only he can see. And it’s not the ending we (and Imogen) have been led to expect. He was a prick from beginning to end, and I wanted him to seriously get his comeuppance. Whether he does or not is left to the reader to decide.

In the end, this one is more about the journey than the destination. We see each person’s guilts and fears. The journey is harrowing, and we are as harrowed as the characters we follow.

I’m left with a couple of niggling questions. One is the obvious, in that I am not sure that the villain’s fate was a punishment or a reward. And I think that’s the way it’s meant to end.

As much as I liked Imogen and identified with her as the protagonist, I couldn’t help but wonder whether it was truly necessary for the story for Dr. Overbearing – actually Nathan Trummel, to have been a former lover. That particular bit of setup felt like a nod to earlier stories of archaeological horror and adventure, where the pretty girl was the reward or side piece of the real hero. Which Trummel is so far from being that he’s not even in the same universe – even if he thinks he is.

I also enjoyed the surprisingly deep dive into Egyptian mythology that underpins the story. As I said at the top, I need to sidle up to horror, and all the history and mythology gave me an excellent door through which to do that sidling. While still creeping me thoroughly out. In a good way. This is not a book to read with the lights off, but it is absolutely a book to read!

This book was a lot of fun to read and I wasn't able to put it down turning pages as fast I could.
It begins as an old-style adventure book set in Egypt, it develops into an interesting horror with some mystical undertones.
I loved the plot that flows and the great world building, the interesting cast of characters and the how the POV changes giving you an insight into all the characters.
I look forward to read other books by this author.
It was a gripping and entertaining read that I strongly recommend.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

Tomb of Gods
Author: Brian Moreland
Publisher: Flame Tree Press
Page count: 288pp
Release date: 21st May 2020

I have adored everything Egyptian, particularly mummies, since childhood.
I was first bitten by the proverbial scarab as a child watching Universal and Hammer Horror films, then as an adult I discovered the infamous Mummy trilogy with Brendan Fraser as well as lesser known films such as ‘Bram Stoker’s The Mummy’, which only vaguely resembles the book on which it is based.
I fell in love with ‘Amara’ by Richard Laymon, ‘The Beetle’ by Richard Marsh, ‘The Mummy’ by Anne Rice and many more.
So when I heard about ‘Tomb of Gods’ by Brian Moreland - who I’d also heard good things about, I was very eager to read it.
For starters, the glorious cover art in browns and golds, sings of the Nile.

Egypt, 1935

For Dr Harlan Riley - the tomb of Nebenteru, Egypt, where countless soldiers and explorers were lost forever in their quest, is his proverbial ‘Holy Grail’.
After entering the deep cavern, he is found one year later, wandering around Cairo, unable to explain what has happened to his missing team. He’s also covered in strange scars and talking gibberish.
He is the. interred at Hanwell Mental Hospital, visited by his granddaughter Imogen.
Archaeologist colleague Nathan Trummel plans a return expedition to Cairo and the site of the tomb, guided by Riley’s diary, to find out what happened. Riley wants his granddaughter ‘Immy’ or Imogen to join Trummel on this quest, though it’s clear quite early that Trummel is keeping secrets from her.
The early set up in the mental institution is very reminiscent of Stoker - part ‘Dracula’ with Dr John Seward and Renfield, part ‘Jewel of the Seven Stars’. Then, once this second archaeological expedition begins, with Trummel exclaiming he wants to get to the tomb before the yanks and the Third Reich, the ghost of Indiana Jones and Salah hovers over the story.
The excitement is tangible.
The descriptions of Egypt’s “sea bejewelled with diamonds of light” and “shimmering heat” rising from sand dunes is hypnotic.
If Moreland doesn’t make it with horror - and I sincerely doubt that - his imagery and skill for scene-setting would make him a great travel writer.
I can literally feel the essence of Egypt seeping into my skin as I read this.
As for Imogen, she’s not a housewife or a secretary. She’s spent her life on digs and climbed Kala Patthar in the Himalayas and works for the British Museum as a curator.
She’s smart, ambitious and passionate.
Once she’s arrived at the dig (it’s 1937 now) and the other characters are introduced, including locals, a psychic, a photographer, students and a couple of mercenaries, the novel switches tone and it almost feels as though we’re reading a period ‘Aliens’ tie-in, with dark corners, lots of screaming and visceral remains, with a dash of ‘And then There Were None’.
In parts where the deeper tunnels are explored, the mood is creepy and atmospheric, at times making me jump.
This is when the true exploration begins, as the troop push their way through various levels of the underground tombs, and battle untold horrors, plus their own guilt for previous sins, painful memories and face redemption or punishment.
As they go further into the caverns, onwards and downwards, the horror becomes more grisly and macabre, channeling classic horror authors such as Stephen King, Brian Keene or Shaun Hutson.
There are some toxic male stereotypes in here which I wasn’t too pleased about, but given it is set in the 1930s, it’s unfortunate, but they may be accurate. However Caleb, the photographer makes for a more sympathetic male character and is very likeable, certainly much more likeable than Trummel.
The whole journey that the misfit group takes is like a descent into madness, complete with Tucker Bush Trials.
Though there are truly grim parts, there are also moments of hope, and a satisfying ending.
To conclude, the amount of research into Egyptian lore, archaeology and mythology that Moreland must’ve undertaken is staggering.
This is a true love letter to the tales of Mummies gone before. From Stoker to Rice, to Karloff and Brendan Fraser, this is very much a gruesome labour of love.
‘Tomb of Gods’ must certainly be a horror award contender for 2020.

In the 1930s, a group of British archaeologists enter a strange cave in Egypt....and never come out again. A year later, one man from the ill-fated expedition is found, his body covered in strange scars. His granddaughter wants to know what happened in that cave....so she ventures to Egypt joining a group going to explore that same cave. What they find is.....terrifying.

I love books like this! Failed expedition....bad stuff happens....second group is curious and goes to the same place...bad stuff happens. I love being scared...but feeling superior at the same time. I read a bit....get creeped out...but then start talking to the characters in my mind. "Look....use common sense...the key, smart decision here is DO NOT go in that cave!'' Then when the S hits the fan, I can feel smug and say "See??? I told you so!'' All while still being scared by all the bad things going down and enjoying the book. I might love going into cursed, dark, evil places through reading....I'm curled up safe and sound on my couch with a book (and my chihuahua...no monsters getting past my 'huahua!). I would NEVER EVER be silly to go into any deep, dark evil anything....no portals, no hell gates, no evil caves, no cursed places....nope, nope nope. I think that's why I love books like this....I can go there, but not go there. :)

This is the first book by Brian Moreland that I've read. And I will definitely be back for more! He has several other horror novels that I'm sure I will love just as much as this one!

**I voluntarily read a review copy of this book from Flame Tree Press. All opinions expressed are entirely my own. **

Brian Moreland is an author I've been meaning to read more of since enjoying his book Darkness Rising (way back in 2015! Yikes!), so I was pretty damn delighted to see his latest, Tomb of Gods, arrive courtesy of Flame Tree Press.

I went into this book totally blind, not even bothering to read the description on my NetGalley ARC, and I think my own presumptions about what Tomb of Gods might deliver led me astray. That doesn't make this book bad by any means, even if it didn't meet the expectations I had hoped to satisfy. The quick gist of this book is that, after a team of archeologists goes missing in Egypt, a second excursion is launched to find out what they discovered in an ancient pyramid. Admittedly, I was hoping for - and expecting and wanting! - some awesome mummy horror and... well... that's not at all what Tomb of Gods is.

This book is more of a riff on Chariots of the Gods, which makes for a great concept, and Moreland adeptly flips the script on expectations. It was a total 180-degree turn on what I had hoped for, and I wasn't ever quite able to reconcile what I wanted versus what I got. Sometimes it's very rewarding to find something totally unexpected, and while Moreland certainly provides an Egyptian horror novel that dares to do something different, it didn't have quite the right taste for me, and I found my willful suspension of disbelief getting awfully strained as the book wore on.

I think Moreland simply tried to do too much here, introducing too many concepts, and creatures, and spins on Egyptian lore and mythology that it just got a bit too bloated and bogged down for my tastes. Several of the set pieces dragged on for longer than I like, and multiple times I found myself itching for Moreland to just get onto the next scene. There were a few tropes I could certainly have done without, as well, like the scorned lover/love triangle bits, and the terribly outdated 'atheist must learn to believe' nonsense that, speaking as an atheist, really rubs me the wrong way.

So, overall, this one was a mixed bag for me. Moreland gets points for creativity, but I feel like this was either the wrong book at the wrong time for me, or, failing that, simply just wasn't for me.

TOMB OF GODS is a very complex horror/fantasy which delves deeply into mythology (not just Egyptian, but also Sumerian, Akkadian, Mesopotamian, Celtic) as well as into philosophy, psychology, and metaphysics. Certainly there's never a dull moment. Archaeology in Egypt is the surface focus, but the story reaches far beyond and much deeper than that.

This is my first book by Brian Moreland, but I'd heard great things about his other works, so I had high hopes going in. I was not disappointed! I'm not usually a fan of horror, but the Egyptology and mythology in this novel intrigued me. I employed the help of my husband for part of this review, the horror became a little too much for me. He absolutely loved it and recommended we buy a physical copy for our bookshelf.

Though the overall horror element was not for me, I still found the writing to be highly engaging and incredibly fun! Great character development, solid writing, and a cool premise combine to make a great narrative!

I loved Imogen, she was dynamic and interesting, very reminiscent of Rachel Weisz from The Mummy. In fact, the book had some very good Mummy/Tomb Raider feelings that I appreciated! Having been out of the tomb explorer, archeologist genre of books and movies for quite some time, this was refreshing! I've loved Egypt since I was kid and seeing themes, Gods, and other elements weaved through the story was amazing!

When you first start reading, you may think that this is familiar ground, but you will quickly understand that it is not. This isn't a simple story about finding riches and going on grand adventures. This is a book that actually made me feel the pain of the characters, the fear was visceral. Several times, I had to put the book down because it was so well written. Of course, my husband finished it, loved it, and gave it two thumbs up!