Lord of the Two Lands

by Judith Tarr

Book Overview

When word of the Macedonian king, Alexander, reaches Egypt, the priests of Amon send Meriamon, daughter of Pharaoh, to find Alexander and persuade him to become king of their land. Reprint. AB. K. This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0312853629
• ISBN13: 9780312853624
• Release Date: January 1993
• Publisher: Tor Books
• Length: 317 Pages
• Weight: 1.42 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 6.4" x 9.5"

Customer Reviews

Lord of the Two Lands

Amazing Novel - Meriamon, daughter of the last pharoah, must bring Alexander to Egypt and convince him to take up the position as pharoah of the Two Lands. This book is a wonderful read, the relationship between Alexander and Haphaistion, as more than just lovers, is clearly displayed. Meriamon's commitment in fullfilling her duty to her country and to her King is reminiscent of Tarr's strong female heroines. It also has its lighter notes with Alexander's brother Arrhidaios and the fictional chracter Nikos who is Mariamon's love interest. All in all Tarr has captured the essence of the characters perfectly, you feel as if you know them and wish you could have met them! "King & Goddess" is also another one of my favorites by Tarr (displays the life of Hatsepshut, Queen-Pharaoh of Egypt)

A Masterpiece of historical fiction and literary style..

This book is an absolute jewel. The author's literary style is one of a kind. It is unique in its exquisiteness in the use of the language, colorfulness of expressions, narrative flow in which the events are told as they are follow the internal mental work-about s of a female ancient mind...within another time, a time at which neither logic nor material issues were able to fight the imperial and absolute status held by superstition and perhaps Magic.

A masterpiece

This is pure, beautiful storytelling. This is the crown of all historical fiction. Judith Tarr writes in a stirring, lovely prose that evokes the imagination and a deep sense of prophecy and power. The relationships between the characters are done magnificently. Alexander is depicted just how I imagine him, and his interaction with everyone else is amazing. Meriamon the Egyptian princess is easy to identify with, one of three female characters in fantastic fiction I am able to stand, and her relationship with Niko is funny, touching, and real at the same time. The dialogue, the descriptions, the historical detail - everything is done to scale in this masterful epic of ancient history.

This is one of three books I read over and over....

High praise, believe me, since I have read and discarded thousands of books. The story of Alexander and his early conquests are especially captivating and refreshing. Tarr's use of the English language is supert, at times, I could almost see the Alexander, hear the songs, and feel the magic. The characters in this story are unforgettable, depending on my moods, sometimes I identify myself most with tough Meriamon, and at other times, with Niko. This is a book that I feel will become a classic, perhaps too rough to put beside your Shakespeare, but perfect for the bed table, within arms reach.By the way, my other two favourites are "The Horse and his Boy" by C.S. Lewis and "The Great Gatsby" by R.ScottFitzgerald.

World Fantasy Award Nominee

One of Tarr's best books; fine history, interesting take on Alexander, and her usual clean prose. Magic is appropriate for the era and used well; the trek through the Land of Coming Forth by Day is especially notable--a nice symbolic touch for Alexander's (and Meriamon's) psychological journey. The romance might turn off some readers, but it takes more of a backseat than in Tarr's other works. The interaction between Meriamon and Alexander is especially charming.