Lord Scott Oken, a prince of Albion, and Professor-Prince Mikel Mabruke live in a world where the sun never set on the Egyptian Empire. In the year 1877 of Our Lord Julius Caesar, Pharaoh Djoser-George governs a sprawling realm that spans Europe, Africa, and much of Asia. When the European terrorist Otto von Bismarck touches off an international conspiracy, Scott and Mik are charged with exposing the plot against the Empire.
Their adventure takes them from the sands of Memphis to a lush New World, home of the Incan Tawantinsuyu, a rival empire across the glittering Atlantic Ocean. Encompassing Quetzal airships, operas, blood sacrifice and high diplomacy, Ramona Wheeler's Three Princes is a richly imagined, cinematic vision of a modern Egyptian Empire.
My thoughts:
This was different, I do like the what if stories. Some take in a few things, some go really deep. Here we have an Egyptian Empire that never fell, oh and took over a lot of land. Cleopatra and Caesar lived happily and the rest is history. Europe is a bunch of states with princes under Egypt. Truly a mix of cultures.
But across the ocean the Inkas, The Aztecs, yes everyone got to flourish in their own ways so they are empires of their own. They can also fly, so the can rule the skies.
But what is the world without some evil guys? Here in form of Bismarck, Victoria and Albert.
To the story, Lord Scott, an Albion prince spies for his Empire and is sent to the New World with his friend Mikel, a Nubian prince and a scholar. I will not say what they look for but oh they got ideas across the ocean. The first travel through North Africa and then we get the new world. Everything so unfamiliar and yet yes so could have been.
Still...well it just could have been better, something was better even if it worked. Just..something. So I liked the what if the best.
Conclusion:
An interesting what if story.
Cover
Cool
ebook, 352 pages
Published February 4th 2014 by Tor Books
Alternative history
Netgalley
This sounds interesting, especially since I'm reading about Cleopatra's daughter right now.
ReplyDeleteI have read 3 about her ;)
DeleteThis actually sounds like a very interesting "what if" story, especially if one knows and enjoys history a lot so you can compare better. Cool! Thanks for sharing. :)
ReplyDeleteI love what ifs, they make you think you know. I need more what ifs
DeleteThis book sounds promising, but I'm not sure it'll be for me.
ReplyDeleteI can't say cos yes cool parts, but..could have been even better.
DeleteI love the cover and the idea, but it sounds like maybe it didn't live up to the promise. That's a shame.
ReplyDeleteI had a hard time when trying to rate it, I enjoyed it, but then at times it felt a bit dry and I felt it could have been better. But for the cool world it gets "good" from me
DeleteSorry there were things that it could have done much better
ReplyDeleteYeah, that was not as good, but the world was s cool!
DeleteAlmost Friday!!!!
ReplyDeleteWOW! The cover totally caught my eye and drew me in, but your review and the book description sealed the deal. I'm taking note of this one. Sounds right up my alley! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI do hope you will like it, for the world alone. Yes more what ifs, haha, I have a weakness for those
DeleteWell it doesn't sounds like you were very enthused by it. I thought about picking this one up but I'm just not feeling compelled enough.
ReplyDeleteFirst part, eh, second part, yay. So ...it was tricky
DeleteLOL on Victoria and Albert as villain. What an interesting alternate history this is!
ReplyDeleteIt was a good spin to it
DeleteOh well. Interesting concept. Doesn't sound like something I would enjoy either.
ReplyDeleteI liked the concept, I did not always like the book...but the concept was worth it
DeleteI just read another review that said the details were lovely but sometimes swallowed the story.
ReplyDeleteHm...maybe that was my problem, though I did love the details but yes they did not leave much room for other things
DeleteHm... I could use another "what if" story. Guess that is why I like retellings so this one might be for me.
ReplyDeleteI have another lying around...so wanna read it but no time
DeleteHmm, I think you had mentioned this one to me on Twitter & we were talking about it after you finished it. Interesting. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteYup...yup
DeleteHuh...very intriguing.
ReplyDeleteI oddly do like the cover...it is plain...but I like it.
I like the cover,pretty
DeleteWhat a fascinating alternate what if story! I love the cover too. :-)
ReplyDeleteI know, they are just so interesting cos..what if
DeleteI think I could like this one. It's funny, just finished a book with Cleopatra in it, but in another life.
ReplyDeleteEveryone seems to be reading about her
DeleteThat's another way of doing it ;)
ReplyDeleteOoo I do like alternative history stories! Thanks for sharing:)
ReplyDeleteThey are so cool
DeleteI love reading about Cleopatra but don't think this one's for me.
ReplyDeleteCleo's children's children's children 2000 years later
DeleteInteresting, not sure if I would like it though.
ReplyDeleteIt was...good and not so good
Delete