Anne and Christopher Rice knocked it out of the park with this novel. I think that the best part of this novel is that long term readers of Rice and new readers alike can jump right into this adventure and enjoy all of its many facets. It is written such that it creates a powerful and immersive expansion into the world of Ramses the Damned, but in such a way that it can also work well as a stand alone novel in its own right.

The book managed to continue the story line of many of the characters we have grown to love, and I think the characters have developed and become more nuanced in some of the best ways throughout this book. Unfortunately, other characters that feel like they should have had greater, more important roles, seemed to have been left at the way side. The plot has you turning pages non-stop; the pacing was exquisite in that you never even have a single paragraph where your mind starts to blur and you think: Hmmm,,,what did I just read? You will constantly be on your toes, wondering what is going to happen next, You will be ensnared by the story; I have no doubt about it.

You do lose some of the 'horror' aspect her other works are known for, but it is more than made up by fantasy elements.

One other small critique I have for this novel is that I think it has lost some of the sex appeal/sensual aspects that Anne Rice so masterfully intertwined throughout the first novel.

This is a solid 5 start book and readers would be wise to snatch up this, the last novel by Anne Rice.

The third installment in the Ramses the Damned series and Anne Rice's last published work. I enjoyed this immensely. Unfortunately, unless Christopher Rice wants to continue the saga, I don't think we'll be hearing anymore from Ramses the Great and the rest of his immortal friends.
This book centered on the start of WWII and keeping a great power from the humans so as not push the war one way or the other. Very interesting premise and who knows what the world would be like w/out the terrible war that ripped nations apart? Fortunately, the ending is tidy and if this is the last installment, it's a good one.

*Special thanks to NetGalley and publisher for the e-arc of this novel.*

It was a lot of fun being back in this world again. The original book, The Mummy (or Ramses the Damned), I think is a masterpiece of an adventure. It was good to revisit Ramses and Julie and Elliot and the gang. The plot of this one was intriguing. I mean, who isn't creeped out by moving statues? I will say, this wasn't a home run for me. There were times I felt the characters were acting, well, out of character, particularly Ramses when he was keeping secrets from those he loved. And some of the characters were sidelined to the point that they didn't serve any real purpose. While the Eye of Osiris was an intriguing device, I felt the reasoning for involving Ramses and Julie was a bit shaky. Overall, I thought it was a fun novel that was good for a diversion, but it lacked the depth I've come to love in Anne Rice's fictional worlds.

Anne Rice's very last book (written with son Christopher Rice), The Reign of Osiris (Ramses the Damned #3), is the captivating story of Ramses the Great and explains, as only Anne Rice can, how Ramses lived for far longer than any other Pharoah. An ancient elixir made Ramses immortal and allowed him to advise the greatest pharaohs in history until he decided to take a break deep inside a long-buried sarcophagus. Lawrence Stratford, an archeologist, interrupted that eternal slumber in the early 1900s after discovering Ramses' resting place, and he was shipped back to London. Once he reawakens, the adventures begin in book 1, The Mummy, through Book 2, The Passion of Cleopatra, and end with this book.

No one tells a paranormal story like Anne Rice. Her world-building is so rich and complex that there is barely a need for suspended disbelief, as this complex world must exist outside the book's pages. Her characters are tragically flawed, layered with yearning and doubt, and sympathetic in their need for what we all long.
As always, there are many big themes explored in this fast-paced, action-packed tale of greed, power, and corruption that the immortals living among us must conquer for the good of all humanity. Other themes - such as life and death, the afterlife, and the role of one of those involved when a person passes into the realm of the dead - are all explored in fascinating observations that I will be contemplating for years to come.

The Reign of Osiris can be read as a stand-alone novel, but reading the other two books first adds a depth that cannot be achieved with one book alone.

If you are looking for a captivating tale that will hold you riveted from beginning to end, The Reign of Osiris (Ramses the Damned #3) is just the story you must read.

Since getting a copy of “Interview the Vampire” as a high school freshman in 1983, I have been a fan of Rice’s for decades. It has been a pleasure to follow the Chronicles of the Vampires, the Mayfair Witches, the Wolf Gift Chronicles, and Ramses the Damned. “The Mummy or Ramses the Damned” is one of my favorite books by Rice. It is the one I have re-read more than any other. As a Rice fan, it has been a privilege to read an advanced reader copy of her most recent novels.

From millennia ago, rituals and instruments of magic appear from a forgotten past. Powerful magic being used to harm those who knew Lawrence Stratford, father of Julie. Magic Ramses remembers from the time he was King of Egypt. Magic which is capable of changing the course of a country and a war. It is up to Ramses and his companions to uncover the mystery of who is employing this magic, why, and how to stop it.

Knowing this was her final novel before passing, reading “The Reign of Osiris” was bittersweet. Typically, I refer to Rice’s writing style as lush because her eloquent, descriptive words paint a vivid picture. “Osiris” did not fail to deliver. It was another amazing tale of Rice’s beloved theme of immortals who walk among us. The loneliness her immortals feel is palpable as are the connections they forge with one another.

This was a thrilling novel hard to put down. While Christopher Rice is a very capable author in his own right, my only regret is Anne will not be able to collaborate in a sequel, if there is to be one.

For fans of Rice and her “Ramses the Damned” series, this will be a loved novel I highly recommend.

Thanks to Netgalley for providing this ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

4 stars from me, which means I really liked it!

Thank you so much NetGalley for this book. I believe my approval came through shortly before Rice's passing, and I felt so blessed to be able to read this book in advance. I have never not loved an Anne Rice book that I have read, and it makes me question why I have not sought more of her works, but I will start to!

I read Ramses the Damned: The Reign of Osiris and had not read any of her prior mummy books (silly me!). With that being said, I still loved this book. I will likely read the others in proper order and give this a re-read. There is something just so engrossing about Rice's writing and her imagery, no matter what the theme (vampires, witches, and dare I say . . . fairy tales?) Rice has a knack for making the unbelievable, believable.

Again, 4 very solid stars from me. I think one of those stars is solely for the fact that this book has motivated me to read more (all) of her novels.

I've been an avid reader of Anne Rice for many years, so when I saw this book had been written with her son, Christopher Rice I was ecstatic for the opportunity to read it. Unfortunately, I was approved for the book as I had read of Anne's passing. She was truly a gifted writer and will be incredibly missed.

I had not read the other books within the Ramses the Damned series, but was really intrigued by the premise of the characters and a magical elixir that afforded them immortality. The characters are very interesting and bring depth to the story. Having read a lot of Anne Rice's prior books, I was excited to see vampires and Egypt combined to bring a couple of my interests together. The re imagining of Ramses and Rice's depiction of how he was able to live so long, truly made for a fun read. In true Anne Rice fashion, the descriptions of the locale, the character's depth, and depictions of how everyone within the book interacted made you feel as though you were right there with these characters experiencing the loneliness, hardships, and delights as deeply as they were. I'll have to read the two other books in the series as I now have to know what happened prior!

Anne Rice can do no wrong in my opinion. This was a perfect ending to this series and probably the best one.

I have not read any books by these authors prior to receiving this book. I realized that it was the third in a series and devoured the first two so quickly. This book went the same way and I did not want it to end!

I was very sad to hear that Ann Rice had passed away. I feel very fortunate to have found her books, and I have read almost all of them. I have really enjoyed the series that her and her son have written together. This book is one of those books. I love that this book combines two of my favorites themes vampires and Egypt. A group of vampires come across an Egyptian artifact used in religious ceremonies thousands of years ago. Unfortunately, it falls into the wrong hands, and these immortals must band together to stop their nefarious plans. It's very well written, and it will keep you in the edge of your seat

It was interesting reading about the upcoming World War from an immortals perspective. Fighting the urge to protect humanity at the cost of exposing immortality. I wasn't sure how Egypt would tie into it. As the title implies, Ramses previous life is connected to Osiris. The connection is not addressed...right away. Misinformation and a tinge of ignorance puts the immortal world at risk. Who better to face it than Ramses?

The book is full of action and suspense, but it takes a lot of dialog to get there. In my opinion, the ending leaves the reader with more questions than answers.

I have been waiting for this for so many years, and it's all I expected. Everything Anne rice writes is magical, and this is no different.

DNF at 6%. I’m sure this is a great book for it’s intended audience, but it is extremely wordy and drawn out for my tastes. I’m struggling to stay interested and it’s just not for me.

The Reign of Osiris by A. Rice and C. Rise, published by Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group / Ancor, is the third book in this series. Ramses the D can easily be read as a stand-alone, for best reading experience I recommend to read the books in order.
Pharao Ramses became immortal someone on his way, the millenium old being is reawakened in Edwardian England, developing relationships to Julie and Bektaten.
This is a complex, enthralling story, fast paced, drama laden, a thrilling tale that had me in suspense from start til the last page. An outstanding read, 5 stars.

I was given a free e-copy of this novel by NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.
A pharaoh made immortal by a mysterious and powerful elixir, Ramses the Great became counselor and lover to some of Egypt's greatest and most powerful rulers before he was awakened from centuries of slumber to the mystifying and dazzling world of Edwardian England. Having vanquished foes both human and supernatural, he's found love with the beautiful heiress Julie Stratford, daughter of Lawrence Stratford, the slain archeologist who discovered his tomb. Now, with the outbreak of a world war looming, Ramses and those immortals brought forth from the mists of history by his resurrection will face their greatest test yet.

Russian assassins bearing weapons of immense power have assembled under one command: all those who loved Lawrence Stratford must die. From the glowing jewels at their necks comes an incredible supernatural force: the power to bring statues to life. As Ramses and his allies, including the immortal queens Cleopatra and Bektaten, gather together to battle these threats, Ramses reveals that the great weapon may have roots in an ancient Egyptian ritual designed to render pharaohs humble before Osiris, the god of the underworld. The resulting journey will take them across storm-tossed seas and into the forests of northern Russia, where they will confront a terrifying collision of tortured political ambitions and religious fervor held in thrall to a Godlike power. But the true answers they seek will lie beyond the border between life and death, within realms that defy the imagination of even an immortal such as Ramses the Great.

In Ramses the Damned: The Reign of Osiris, Anne Rice, revered and beloved storyteller ("queen of gothic lit, the maestro of the monstrous and the diva of the devious" --The Philadelphia Inquirer), in collaboration with her son, acclaimed bestselling novelist Christopher Rice ("a magician; a master" --Peter Straub), bring us another thrilling, seductive tale of high adventure, romance, history, and suspense. (Goodreads synopsis)

Honestly this was a surprise, because I thought the second book was a nice ending to Ramses’s story. However, this novel proved that I was wrong. There is still so much that Egypt’s history, Ramses’s history, can bring to life.

Most immortality stories speak of the power of immortality. But Anne and Christoper’s novels speak more of the humanity in the immortals. They do not, can not, forget the years they have experienced. Ramses uses that time to advise the pharaohs of his homeland. It was his memories that caused Cleopatra’s rise. The saying that it is “harder to life than to die” really takes place throughout this series.

It also highlights an important factor that every History channel, archaeologist, and researcher knows. Misinterpretations of lost languages can, and do, happen. Those misinterpretations can lead to greatness, but also to failure. It would be unwise to take these lost languages literally because no one can truly know what was meant. We can infer what the texts say, but we as a society should accept that we may be wrong. It is interesting how this one novel can say so much about what is wrong with a society as a whole without enforcing any specific beliefs as the most accurate.

I was very happy that this novel dealt more in philosophy and emotional relationships, and less in the physical aspects of them. The emotions that roll through Julie, Bektaten, and Ramses were beautifully written that as the reader I felt that I was experiencing those emotions with each character.

I do wish that we, the readers, could experience more of Ramses experienced with the colossus. But that would be entering a realm that no one can really begin to understand. Even with very active imaginations.
Overall I rate this novel 5 out of 5 stars.

So glad there was this Ramses and hope there is another.My favorite Anne Rice series. So good. There needs to be more

Anne Rice is THE REASON I have such a passion for reading. I first read Interview with the Vampire in middle school and have been captivated by her story telling ever since. In all honesty Ms. Rice has shaped the way that I perceive the world around me. Her characters taught me to appreciate every single second of life and to find the small wonders in even the most mundane things. I am happy to report that Christopher's story telling is on the same level as his mother's. When I heard that they were working on a sequel of Ramses the Damned together I knew I had to read it. In fact, I knew before I even started the novel that it would be epic! I am happy to report this novel lived up to every expectation I had for a novel written by my favorite author.

Ramses the Damned: The Reign of Osiris is the third book of the Ramses series, originally created by the inventive mind of Anne Rice. She has created an epic tale of a well-known Egyptian pharaoh, Ramses the Great. History states that Ramses lived far longer than most of the populace during his reign, thus creating one of the most famous Egyptian dynasties. Anne creates a story to help explain how Ramses was able to live so long in a time when mortality rates were incredibly low. She reimagines him as an immortal that has survived for centuries aiding subsequent pharaohs in their reign. As someone who has read the previous two books, I was familiar with the background story, and I personally feel that readers should read the first two books to really appreciate this third installment.

Ramses the Damned: The Reign of Osiris is classic Anne Rice story telling. The way Anne describes her characters with such detail really puts her readers in the mindset of the character. As a reader, you can feel the turmoil and loneliness that Ramses feels as an immortal, as illustrated by the below quote:

"But his only companion had been the knowledge that he walked alone, experienced alone, learned alone, fell in love with mortals whose light would soon be snuffed out by time alone."

The utter loneliness of living a life watching everyone around you eventually wither and die, profoundly devastating...No wonder to the reader that he is described as Ramses the Damned, cursed to live a never-ending life of watching mortals die and kingdoms fall.

Ramses is fortunate though to have found someone to share his immortality within Julie, she is his life companion. When Ramses and Julie receive a letter in their London home from a woman proclaiming to be their queen with eight thousand years under her belt, they both question how many more of their kind there truly are. Their self-proclaimed queen, Bektaten, calls them to her ancient castle for a round table discussion about an upcoming war, but on the way to the castle Ramses and Julie experience a force that Ramses first encountered when he was a mortal pharaoh. This mysterious force awakens a memory in Ramses that he wrote off as a hallucination, but he soon comes to find out, what he experienced was an actual out of this world experience that no one else, mortal or immortal, has ever been witness to.

Ramses the Damned: The Reign of Osiris is an incredibly interesting novel explaining mortality and the idea of reincarnation. The vivid way in which Anne and Christopher detail what happens to the human soul after death left me breathless. Also thought provokingly, they mention the point of how mistranslations of historical text have caused arguments and wars for thousands of years. Misinterpretations of humanity's most important text have caused thousands to lose their lives. Some humans have made ancient text translations that have been proven to be completely wrong later in time, raising one to question all ancient language interpretations. This novel centers around one fool's misinterpretation of a text to put himself into power, and how twisted the human psyche can become with a false sense of power.

It has truly been an honor and privilege to review this advanced reader copy for Netgalley and Knopf Double Day Publishing Group!

Ms. Rice and Christopher, you have truly done it again, congratulations!

Fantastic book! Always love what this author writes! Looking forward to future books by this author!

The third book in the Ramses the Damned series is a rollicking adventure with non-stop action and suspense. I thought the second book in the series, The Passion of Cleopatra, wrapped up the dangling storylines from the first book quite nicely, so I wasn't expecting this installment. But I'm so glad Anne and Christopher Rice continued the story of their immortals. The Reign of Osiris further explores the mystery of reincarnation and the connection between Sybil and Cleopatra. (I don't want to give away plot points from the second book, so I won't say any more about that.)

This installment introduces a new antagonist--and a spiritual force unlike anything the characters have encountered--and it delves into the mysticism of Ancient Egypt and religious dogma. This is quintessential Anne Rice material, and everything we've come to expect from her novels is present in this book, including the lush descriptions, sexy immortals, and philosophical musings. In some ways, this book reminded me of a more action-packed version of Memnoch the Devil, and I can't wait to see if the Rices create a fourth adventure that further explores the themes of this book. Anne's son, Christopher, is her collaborator, and his plotting strengths are very evident in the action of the book.

I have been reading Anne Rice books for thirty years now, and I can't express how much I have loved the universe she has created in her fiction. Even though her Ramses series is separate from the Vampire Chronicles, Lives of the Mayfair Witches, Wolf Gift Chronicles, and other supernatural novels, they all exist within the same universe--a place I never want to leave. I only wish Anne Rice was an immortal like one of her characters so she could continue to write these books forever. I hope she will continue to collaborate with her son to wrap up some of the other storylines she has left unfinished.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advanced reader's copy in exchange for my honest opinions.

I have been eager for a new entry from Anne Rive since the last book, and found much to enjoy here. I appreciate the collaboration with Christopher and the historical grounding in the book. I think the element of this collaboration that I enjoy most is the way the writer team brings this mythic world through life through literary language. There is a descriptive and ethereal quality to the writing that I found effective in their world-building.

Having read this one, I’m now eager for the next book, and looking forward to potential media adaptations.