This book was described as an Ancient Egyptian Game of Thrones and thats exactly what it was. Highly recommend.

I loved everything about this book!! You go through an adventure that will make you travel in ancient Egypt in a world of self empowerment and discovery and fantasy. The characters of this book are so interesting and the story reignited my forgotten love for ancient Egypt history! I read it in one day and will recommend to anybody, can’t wait for the next books in the series!!

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Genre: YA Fantasy
Format: Ebook

Thank you to NetGalley for providing a copy of this ebook in exchange for my honest review.

This young adult fantasy novel blends Ancient Egypt with the intrigue of Game of Thrones. The story unfolds in a kingdom rife with unrest and heavy taxes imposed by the Pharaoh, leaving smaller towns struggling. When the Pharaoh dies, his son takes the throne— but is he any better? Meanwhile, a young child starts having mysterious visions, a tomb raider unleashes something unexpected into the world, a woman is determined to fight for her town, and a princess is torn between loyalty to her family and doing what’s right.

While this is classified as young adult, it seems more suited to older teens. It touches on mature themes, including sexual undertones, and contains graphic violence.

I’ll admit, it was tough to get into at first. The beginning was strong, but then the pacing slowed down. There are four main points of view, and I didn’t connect with all of them. While I liked the characters, I found myself wishing for different storylines.

That said, the book picked up speed toward the end, and I was hooked to see what would happen next!

The writing felt a bit off at times, especially in moments where events unfolded too quickly without enough explanation. I would have preferred more depth in those parts rather than detailed descriptions of gardens and pools.

Despite these issues, I’m intrigued enough to want to read the second book! The Ancient Egypt-inspired setting was a fun twist, and I’m invested in seeing where the story goes.

This was a fun book set in Egypt. The story emerges through several povs. There is a lot of political intrigue and some magic directly from the gods themselves. I really enjoyed reading this book!

I was very excited to read based on the description, the plot sounds interesting and original. I really enjoyed the mythology aspect. It was a little slow at times but over all an ok read.

Wow! I have always been fascinated by ancient Egyptian lore. This first installment of what is sure to be a series, is an incredible start.
Although this is a work of fiction, it is obviously well researched. The storyline is interesting, and the characters are well developed.
The only thing that would hold it back from being appropriate for a book club discussion is that the book ends in a cliffhanger.

Way to read pose with good world building and character development. Will be interested in see more works by this author.

His Face is the Sun is a stunning debut that blends Egyptian history, culture, and mythology into a captivating fantasy. Michelle Jabés Corpora crafts a richly detailed world filled with intrigue, magic, and lovable characters. The plot is gripping, especially after the first 25%, and the mythology is seamlessly woven into the story. By the end, I was completely invested in the characters and their journey. If you love Egyptian-inspired fantasy with heart and depth, this book is a must-read. I can’t wait for the next installment in the Throne of Khetara series!

This book was a pleasant surprise.
I thoroughly enjoyed it, as it was a quick read and a good time.

Game of Thrones meets The Mummy in this stunning historical fantasy set in Ancient Egypt!

Strife has come to the kingdom of Khetara. As the old king succumbs to his illness rebellion looms as high taxes and famine eat away at the common people. Princess Sita knows her father’s illness isn’t natural but can she betray her twin to save him? Neff only wanted to do her father proud but a vision sweeps her away from her common life and into the priesthood where she will become a seer, blessed by the gods. Rae becomes radicalized under the harsh treatment of the king’s tax collectors and decides to join the rebellion faction known as the Horizon. Karim only wanted to provide for his younger siblings after his father’s untimely death, but when he robs the wrong tomb he unleashes an ancient evil with magical abilities that no one knows how to stop.

MJC offers a vivid and well researched backdrop to a very character-driven story. A lot of people might be put off by multiple povs and plots to keep up with, but I feel those are the best kind of stories, especially when they all finally converge on each other and everything starts to make sense to the reader. And while there are plwnty of characters their motivations and the politics that make up the majority of this first book might not be for everyone. I adore world building and scheming in my fantasy novels and His Face is the Sun provides plenty of each.

There are some points during which the story did seem to lag a little bit but it made up for it with plenty of action in the second half. There is an open ending leading into book two (I wouldn’t quite use the word cliffhanger) reminiscent of the end of the first act of a play. It leaves you with enough to be satisfied but craving more.

I think any fantasy reader would be pleased after reading this book (I couldn’t put it down!), especially one looking for a culture and mythos that isn’t often explored in the genre. I thoroughly enjoyed the novel and will be eagerly anticipating book two!

This incredible fantasy is layered, fascinating, and epic in scope. I can't wait to read more books in this world, and see these characters become the heroes--and villains--they were meant to be!

Thank you to NetGalley, Sourcebooks Fire, and Michelle Jabes Corpora for the opportunity to read His Face Is in the Sun in advance in exchange for my honest review.

Unfortunately, I ended up DNFing at 15%. I had a hard time connecting with the characters and immersing myself in the story. Just as I started to get invested, new characters were introduced, making it difficult to stay engaged. The world-building also felt quite heavy, and I found myself more lost than drawn in. I truly wanted to love this book, but it just wasn’t the right fit for me. That being said, I know many readers will appreciate the depth of the world and storytelling—it simply wasn’t for me.

This book is advertised as YA. The presences of any sex makes is unpurchasable for most public school libraries. Many school systems have updated policies regarding explicit content that is very strict. While I enjoyed this novel, I couldn't purchase it for my collection. Maybe a rebrand as new adult?

"His Face Is the Sun" is the forthcoming first installment in Michelle Jabès Corpora's "Throne of Khetara" trilogy, scheduled for release on May 6, 2025. This young adult fantasy novel draws inspiration from ancient Egyptian mythology, weaving a narrative rich in romance, magic, adventure, and horror.

Set in the kingdom of Khetara, a land blessed by the River Iteru yet fraught with internal divisions, the story unfolds against a backdrop of political intrigue and looming rebellion. The pharaoh's mysterious illness has sown seeds of unrest, with factions both within the royal court and in the southern regions plotting against the throne. Amidst this turmoil, an ancient evil stirs in the desert, threatening to engulf the kingdom in darkness.
The narrative centers on four protagonists:

Princess Sita: Living in the opulence of the palace, she uncovers a betrayal that endangers her life and the stability of the royal court.
Neff: A priestess-in-training grappling with intense visions from the gods, she discovers that other mystical forces are at play within the grand temple.
Rae: The daughter of a farmer, she witnesses the exploitation of her land and people by the pharaoh's men and contemplates who will challenge the king's tyranny.
Karim: Raised among the pyramids of the Red Lands, this tomb robber survives by plundering the wealth of the dead, inadvertently awakening an ancient malevolence.

These four individuals, drawn together by a forgotten oracle, must navigate a realm of murder, betrayal, magic, and monsters to save Khetara from destruction. The novel promises a complex interplay of personal journeys set against epic stakes, exploring themes of power, destiny, and resilience.

Early readers have lauded the book's intricate world-building and character development. One reviewer remarked that, despite the extensive world-building leading to a slower pace initially, the story captivated their interest, especially as it delved into the rich mythology and magic of Khetara. They also noted the presence of unexpected gore, adding a layer of intensity not commonly found in young adult fiction.

You can parallels between this novel and the "Game of Thrones" series, highlighting the depth of character construction and the balance in world-building. They expressed enthusiasm for the trilogy, particularly eager for the subsequent installments following the compelling conclusion of this first book.

In summary, "His Face Is the Sun" is poised to be a captivating addition to the young adult fantasy genre, offering a richly imagined world, complex characters, and a narrative that intertwines romance, magic, and political intrigue. Fans of epic fantasies inspired by ancient cultures may find this novel particularly engaging.

"His Face Is the Sun" is a YA fantasy taking place in ancient Egypt that follows 4 main characters- Rae, Neff, Sitamun, and Karim. From various parts of Egypt, their paths begin to intertwine as they embark on perilous journeys that are part of an ancient prophecy.

Rae- a farmgirl, fights for freedom for her people
Sitamun- a princess, holds a dangerous secret that could change the world
Karim- a tomb raider accidentally awakens a force meant to be kept asleep
Neff- a young girl accidentally discovers she has the power of prophecy and is swept away to the palace

I loved this first installment of the Throne of Khetara series! We follow 4 vastly different perspectives and each character was so unique! The story switched perspective every chapter and each character was equally engaging. The world building was so in depth I could visualize what was happening and where the characters were. The book was well written, fast paced, and engaging. Although this is certainly a LONG book (500+ pages), I flew through it in a few days. This story is adventurous with hints of romance, and some LGBTQ+ characters.

The author really knocked this one out of the park and I can't wait for book 2! Highly recommend this new series!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and SOURCEBOOKS Fire for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

TW:
One thing I would say to be wary about if you're super squeamish is there is a bit of gore in this book. It says there is some "horror" elements to the book in the synopsis, but it's mostly just gory/bloody stuff, not actually anything scary (cause I'm quite wimpy and was nervous!). There are also some character deaths.

3.5 stars rounded up.

As someone with a childhood obsession of ancient Egypt and who dressed as a Cleopatra for Halloween atleast three years in a row I was stoked to get this ARC. I was a little apprehensive about it being YA but for the most part it really didn’t feel that way. I almost forgot that I wasn’t reading an adult fantasy except for the few times a character is getting chased by the undead or we get a POV from a cat.

Speaking of POVs, there’s nothing wrong with multi POVs but four (5 if you include the cat) was a lot. Since I only really found myself interested in 2 out of the 4 it felt like it took a terribly long time to get back to a POV I was interested in.

This book was definitely a slow drag and it took a very long time for the pieces to come together but understandable knowing that this is book 1 of a trilogy. It wasn’t my favorite but I will absolutely read the next book.

2.5/5 CHECK TRIGGER WARNINGS BEFORE READING THIS BOOK.

I am so sorry, but I did not like this.

I think the biggest contributor to me not liking this book has to do with what category it has been put in. I was under the impression that this book is YA, it is even tagged as such, but I really do not think that this is YA. (I do know that a lot of people share the sentiment, in general, that YA is starting to get way more grown up and I think this book is a victim of that as well.) I would not have the issues I have with this book if it was considered even New Adult.

There were multiple scenes that felt so graphic in nature that this should not be YA. When the first one happen (around the 25-30% mark), I thought that maybe it was a one-off and that was the only graphic scene there would be, but it was not the only one. That really threw me off and gave me the ick for the book. And we all know you cannot come back from the ick. (Looking back, I really wish I had DNFed after that first scene that made me uncomfortable.)

There were also a few historical inaccuracy things that bugged me a little, but I am used to that with books, so I tend to ignore them when reading, but point them out in the review. This is one of those books that did that.

This just wasn't for me and that makes me so sad because this really did have so much potential. There were some really cool things done with mythology that I really wish could've been expanded upon. That was the only thing I really liked about this book. And I really just couldn't connect with the characters either.

Thanks to NetGalley for the e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review! My Goodreads review is up and my TikTok (Zoe_Lipman) review will be up at the end of the month with my monthly reading wrap-up.

His Face is the Sun by Michelle Jabes Corpora
Throne of Khetara #1
4.5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 0.2/5
Cursing: none
Format/Source: ebook ARC from NetGalley
Genres/Tropes: fantasy, romance, magic
Audience: YA
Setting: Khetara (Ancient Egypt lore)
Characters: Sita, Neff, Rae, Karim, Bintanath, Nebet, Amunmose, Mery, Kenna, Omari, Pa
👍 short chapters, multi POV, no cursing, learning Egyptian hx/beliefs/traditions, character development
👎 too long intro story/characters (60%), slow at times
Description:
Desire, War, Magic, Monsters...a forgotten oracle will unite them against an ancient enemy. But who will be on the throne when the red dust of Khetara settles?
The Kingdom of Khetara...the crowns of the north and south were joined through war a generation before, but Khetara remains a land divided. The pharaoh is wasting away from a mysterious illness—and forces in the south and within his own family are plotting against him. An ancient evil awakes among the rolling dunes of the Red Land that threatens to destroy everything in its path.
Four strangers—a princess, a young priestess, a rebel, and a tomb robber—are ripped from their lives and thrown into the conflict. Only together can they save the kingdom from destruction, but when the bloodshed is done, who of Khetara’s children will sit on the throne?
My opinion:
Corpora pens a lyrical fantasy steeped in ancient Egyptian lore and culture. The short chapters and multiple POV make for a brisk and breezy reading. I appreciate how very well the characters are developed and continue to expand throughout the novel. I do feel that a little too much of the book was devoted to character and setting development, leading to a slow pace at times. I appreciated learning all about ancient Egypt as Michelle weaved Egyptian hx/beliefs/traditions/lores into the storyline seamlessly. I absolutely adore that there is no cursing in this tale. I delighted in this story and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys a clean fantasy writing.
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This review is from an ARC. A great read for anyone who loves ancient Egyptian lore. The novel takes place in a fantasy land called Khetara but the author based her world on Ancient Egypt. The story of four very different characters are bound by an ancient prophecy. This first book in a series introduces these characters and begins to show how they are bound. There is Karim, the tomb robber, Raetway, the peasant burdened by the tyranny of Khetara, Nefermaat, the young girl with a gift of prophecy chosen to become a priestess, and Sitamun, the beautiful daughter of Pharaoh Amunmose. There is intrigue as the Pharoah Amunmose is dying and horror as an ancient Pharaoh erased from history is unearthed. A fun and absorbing story.

As a huge fan of Ancient Egypt, I was very excited to read this book. The characters and different pov were very interesting and gave clear insight to the different lives that each character lead and how their choices changed their paths. The world building was very well done and drew me in as a reader. I would recommend this book to anyone that enjoys YA genres even without a love for Ancient Egypt, but also to those less inclined to YA but into Ancient Egypt as the storytelling was beautiful on both aspects and could be appealing to a wider audience.