This book is one of the reasons I kept reading Norton even after I began to realize her (not particularly thickly disguised) cruelty.I had never heard of Meroe before I read this book, and it led me to further research on the subject. I've always had great respect for Norton's knowledge of the back alleys and culdesacs of history. She's also a good storyteller, and good at extrapolation. The society of the Empire of Amun (and its predecessors, Meroe and 'Khem' (Egypt) is well developed (at first). The descent into the sewers and secret passages isn't quite so disorienting as in other Norton books. The machinations of Khasti and the titular 'wraiths' aren't very plausible, but court intrigues are well developed, and the material elements are nicely realized. More later, as I reread, and am reminded of faded elements.Not particularly well-managed sewers, come to that. If the city of New Napata has been sited for hundreds of years over sewers which are essentially no more than underground canals draining who knows where, I would expect that there must be an area outside the city that was heavily polluted, and the city's drinking water must be badly compromised. Furthermore, I seriously doubt whether crocodiles could live in such a noisome environment.If the wraiths aren't particularly personalized (only one is known by name), the citizens of New Napata (with the exception of a very few) are almost as faceless. There are a few mentions of Guilds and suchlike (and one merchant who lost a donkey in an intruiguing way)--otherwise, mostly not even the shadows of a city full of ordinary people living their lives are to be seen.The most incredible part to me is the fact that a competent, professional woman from our society easily accepts the notion of an anointed caste-based society. In the prologue, she is a sophisticated member of a cosmopolitan society, eating Chinese food, discussing developements in other lands. Very soon after arriving in Amun, she accepts the basic premises of a xenophopic society, even to the point of scornfully rejecting the religious beliefs of the 'southern barbarians'. Of course, she's entered the society as a princess and priestess. Maybe a little trip through the sewers could prove a useful lesson after all--IF she learned anything from it.
I just could not get interested in this book and gave up after 81 pages. I thought this was going to be about a time travel to ancient Egypt. Instead it was turning out to be a alternate universe travel to a futuristic Egypt style world which wasn’t working for me. It started out in modern times, then jumps to ancient Egypt, but then the sci-fi stuff starting popping into play like flying crafts and weird gun-like weapons. Besides, I was also having trouble with all the strange names and who was who. I’ve just got too many other books in the TBR pile to keep reading something that’s confusing and not enjoyable.
What do You think about Wraiths Of Time (1992)?
Solid science fiction, and, for its time, an attempt at diversity. It suffers from the personality overlay and a certain emotional stunting which may also be a product of the SF publishing standards of its time. What would have happened to Meroe had it not been overrun? Norton trades here on the mysteries of ancient Egypt and associated kingdoms as well as the exotic idea of artifact-linked mental powers. The villan is of course stock Norton, but there seems to have been a good bit of worldbuilding going on under the surface, which Norton waves at as she hurries us through the plot (and the sewers...)
—Jennifer Heise
