Title: Daughter of the Sun (Cult of the Cat series, Book 1)
Author: Zoe Kalo
Genre: YA mythological fantasy
Word count: 93,000 words
Release date: May 1, 2016
Egyptian mythology is an inseparable part of their history and culture; the stories of Ra, Osiris, and Set, the Rise of Horus, tempt me from my childhood. Egyptians had a number of Gods and Goddesses and, heavenly attribution was given to almost every natural power, phenomenon, animals, and birds. Zoe Kalo’s debut publication, Daughter of the Sun (Cult of the Cat Book I) piqued my interest at the first place for the following blurb.
Cult of the Cat series blurb
According to ancient Egyptian prophecy, three feline goddesses—Bastet, Sekhmet, and Mafdet—would one day be reborn as triplets during a solar eclipse.
But someone—or something—separated them at birth. Because if ever they were reunited, they would unleash a blistering power that could destroy the world.
In an adventure where the past confronts the present and blood, betrayal and secrets abound, the triplets face each other for the first time. And discover they’re the only force able to stop the evil god Apophis from enslaving humanity.
My Views
Frankly, this is the second book I’ve read based on Egyptian mythology. Though we have a plethora of plots based on Greek and Nordic mythos, but such consistency is not seen with the Egyptian mythology. Murder in the Place of Anubis (Lord Meren, #1) by Linda S. Robinson was the first book I came across steeped in Egyptian Gods.
However, Zoe Kalo’s novel deals, as the blurb shows, with the feline Goddesses. It’s the story of Trinity, an orphan left at the doorstep of a nunnery with only an envelope and a scrap of something that resembles papyrus. One day, a visitor, Dr. Nassari delivers a news that Trinity is the long lost granddaughter of a wealthy woman, Margaret Wilford, living on the island of Kedilerin Ada. Trinity’s world changes as she finds herself on the island of cats. After her grandmother’s death, she begins to face and feel changes within, changes that are new and incomprehensible to her. She gradually learns her connection with the Egyptian Gods and her family history. It’s time to fight against the odd, the evil, the impending danger!
The author has made the story interesting enough by several twists and turns and sequence of events. Trinity’s life at the nunnery, her fight with Beth, friendship with Brianna; all have subtle indications to the later events that followed in her life. The narrative style and technique are simple and easy to grasp, though never monotonous.
It’s a pretty decent read in the Y/A genre and would be loved by pre-teens and even the adults.
I think the book ends in a hurried manner. A few extra pages would have done justice to it.
However, I’m looking forward to the next book in the series.
From my side, it’s 3.5/5
About the Author
A certified bookworm, Zoe Kalo has always been obsessed with books and reading. Reading led to writing—compulsively. No surprise that at 16, she wrote her first novel, which her classmates read and passed around secretly. The pleasure of writing and sharing her fantasy worlds has stayed with her, so now she wants to pass her stories to you with no secrecy—but with lots of mystery…
A daughter of adventurous expats, she’s had the good fortune of living on 3 continents, learning 4 languages, and experiencing a multicultural life. Currently, she’s working on a Master’s degree in Comparative Literature, which she balances between writing, taking care of her clowder of cats, and searching for the perfect bottle of pinot noir.
Connect with Zoe Kalo
Website | Facebook | Twitter
Buy Link: Amazon
Thank you for this review… And I am intrigued by Egyptian Mythology So thank you for sharing your insights of this book
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Same here. Egyptian history and mythology are really interesting!
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Thats a wonderfully written review Mani!
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Thanks, Leena… 🙂
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It sounds like a fast paced read, there is something so fascinating about the Ancient Egyptian myths and the culture that created so many monuments. I fancy watching The Mummy now.
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I love watching The Mummy again and again. Egyptian history and mythology are really fascinating!
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sounds interesting. i’ll try to read it sometime. 🙂
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Sure…you’ll like it, I think… 🙂
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I don’t like hurried endings in a book. It always makes me feel like the author lost steam and just wanted to end things already. Reminds me of my ex-wife…she started out sweet and patient then when we got to know each other well, she took the handcuffs off and ran away. So, I don’t think I’ll be reading Daughter of the Sun. Perfect review, Maniparna.
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Thanks for reading and commenting… highly appreciated… 🙂
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You write very well. It was a pleasure, Miss Maniparna.
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Thank you so much!
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Great review, once again Maniparna. Your review is too inviting and makes me want to read the book immediately!
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Thanks, Indah. As a reviewer, it’s the best compliment I can have… 🙂
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I rather like the cat goddess, Bastet. Like all cats, she has a nice mix of masculine and feminine qualities: nurturing, but fierce when she needs to be.
Interesting that the Egyptians have an idea of cat triplets since so many old religions have a triple Goddess, usually representing the stages of the Moon — and the stages of life: Maiden, Mother, Crone (which the Christians translated into Son, Father, Ghost).
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Yes, so many old religions, scriptures and texts have similar concepts…it’s interesting to find out the relations…
In Hindu mythology, cat represents a Goddess named Shasthi, literally meaning, the sixth.
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Interesting review. Though I haven’t read any novel on Egyptian mythology as yet, I recall reading about the lineage of Tutenkhamen and Anekhsunamun after seeing Mummy Returns. 🙂
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That was a BIG hit, after The Mummy. 😀 I’ve watched it thrice… 😛
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Friend, I’m giving away all my poems, and song lyrics, if you are interested to use them, please click here. https://starlitoctave.wordpress.com/2016/05/05/giveaway/
Love
Sam
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Nice..wish you all the best. 🙂 …
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Thank you friend, God Bless you.
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🙂 …
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A frank and forthright review there…remember reading about Tutankhamen mummy ..King Tut and the discovery of the mummy by Carter and team..
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Yeah..I’m a big fan of Egyptian history and mythology! They sound really thrilling!
This book is a nice one-time read, anyway… 🙂
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Sounds like an interesting book to read. You always writes wonderful book reviews. 🙂
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Thanks a lot, Amy…:-)
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Sounds like an awesome story line.
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Yes, quite a decent one… 🙂 Thank you for reading and commenting…
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Very interesting thanks for telling us!
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Thanks for stopping by, Lynn… 🙂
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It sounds like a good book. Mythology is always exciting to read about , I’m sure with the cats it was wonderful .
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Thanks, Sara. Yes, though the book belongs to the Y/A genre, but I enjoyed it as well… 🙂
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Egyptian mythology really fascinates me!
http://www.docdivatraveller.com
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Same here… 😀
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