Good Reads: Pharaoh

Pharaoh by David Gibbins
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Pharaoh is the seventh book in the Jack Howard series. It is a well written, well edited novel and can be read as a standalone, but I think it would be better enjoyed if read as part of the series. There are a large number of characters from previous books and my lack of background with them led to confusion.

This book is a combination of history and modern mystery. There are two stories being told: One the history of the British in the Sudan during the late nineteenth century and the other the modern story of archeological discovery. Archeology is the unifying factor between the two.

The two main characters, Jack and Costas, are trying to discover the artifacts and history of an ancient Pharaoh. They are endearing characters with a lively style of interaction. Secondary characters are equally interesting, but not well fleshed out.

While much of the story was slow moving there were parts of Pharaoh that had me glued to the story they were so beautifully written. I could have done without the detailed descriptions of equipment and scientific procedure. It was like reading a science textbook rather than a novel.

If you enjoy history, archeology and mystery you will like Pharaoh. The ending of this novel is a cliffhanger.

ARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley.