The premise is strong, and there are two brief scenes — one early moment between Isis and Osiris, and a later one involving Maneros — that genuinely moved me. Those glimpses showed what the story could have been when it allowed emotion to unfold naturally.
But the rest of the book never reached that level for me.
The narrative style leans heavily on exposition and reflection, and to me, it often read more like a memoir or an extended essay than a novel. Instead of letting scenes breathe or allowing me to experience revelations alongside the characters, the story often stepped in to explain what happened, how Isis felt about it, and why it mattered. Moments that had already been described would reappear in thoughts or dialogue, which created a sense of repetition and left many emotional beats summarized rather than felt.
I could see several twists coming long before they arrived, which normally doesn’t bother me much. Predictable twists can still be satisfying if the reveal is handled well or if there’s a clever twist‑within‑a‑twist that adds surprise. Here, however, when the twists finally appeared, I didn’t feel the tension, discovery, or emotional payoff I was hoping for.
The dialogue often felt unnatural and didactic, with characters speaking in long, polished paragraphs that explain themes or psychology rather than sounding like real conversations. I also felt that the characters fell into one‑note roles — wholly good, wholly bad, wholly wise — without the nuance or complexity that would make their conflicts more compelling.
The book’s heart is in the right place, and its themes of empathy, justice, and resilience are admirable. But stylistically, it wasn’t for me. I found myself disconnected because I was constantly being told what to think instead of being invited to truly feel.
Readers who enjoy myth retellings written in a reflective, thematic, memoir‑like voice may connect with this more than I did.
1.5 ⭐️ rounding up to 2
Thank you to Alcove Press and NetGalley for the advance reading copy of Isis of Egypt: Goddess of Thrones by Malayna Evans.
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Rating Guide: My star ratings represent personal resonance, not universal value. I admire writers for the courage it takes to be seen and the discipline it takes to create. Thank you for writing, and for reading.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5 — Deeply resonant, even when I can’t fully put it into words
⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4 — Compelling and well-written
⭐⭐⭐ 3 — Not quite my style, but still enjoyable
⭐⭐ 2 — Had promise but didn’t quite land
⭐ 1 — Fell short of what I hoped for
