Ramose: The Wrath of RA (Book sent by www.writeaway.org.uk)

(Image taken from Black Dog Books Website)
Ramose is one of two books that I have recently read in order to write a review of it. Read the review below and feel free to comment:

Blurb:

Ramose has been captured by rebels. He's in desperate need of help. Yet everyone seems to have turned against him - even his own sister. Are the gods angry with him? And can he escape the wrath of Ra? Enter the world of the Pharaohs in Ramose's final journey to discover his destiny.

Title: Ramose – The Wrath of Ra

Author: Carole Wilkinson

Illustrator: N/A

Genre: Historical Fiction

Age Range: 7-11 (writeaway search parameters = 6-8, 9-11

Curriculum Subject: History

Theme/Subject: Ancient Egypt, betrayal, adventure, history, friendship

Publisher: Catnip

ISBN: 1846470072

Reviewer: Mathew Tobin

Review:

The Wrath of Ra is a short adventure story (161 pages to be exact) following the journey of Ramose, brother to the Pharaoh. The story begins with the Ramose's return to his homeland only to find that his devious sister, Hatsheput, has dug her claws into Egypt's rule and plots against him.

With the help of his soldier friend, Hapu and outsider, Karoya, Ramose attempts to find his footing back amongst the halls of the Pharaoh's home and bring a sense of order to a turbulent Egypt. Will such a strike cost him and his friends their lives though? You'll just have to read the book to find out.

'Ramose: The Wrath of Ra' is the fourth and final installation of Wilkinson's Ancient Egypt series. As a stand alone novel it has a fair whiff of adventure whilst trying to paint a vivid picture of life in the times of the pharaohs. In my opinion, it succeeds in the latter field, but rather misses in the former. If you want a novel of grand adventure and excitement then this is not it. If, as a teacher, you want a book that has some excitement whilst also lending a nod to illustrating life in Ancient Egypt then perhaps giving this series of books the once-over may be worth your while.

For me, I felt that Wilkinson was torn between trying to create a good story and attempting to hit all the buttons on bringing life to the world that embodies Ancient Egypt. Having taught the Ancient Egyptians to my Year 5 class for a few years now, I did smile at the textbook images and lifestyles illustrated in the author's work. However, I would not read it to my class as I feel that the story itself was not good enough.

It would make a fair addition to the class/school library. The option for a child to apply their own vision of Ancient Egypt to that created by the author would be good and perhaps rewarding: as a story though I found the characters slightly lacklustre.

Unfortunately, I have not read the three preceding novels and wonder if the build up of the world and characters would have helped me appreciate all that takes place in this final instalment. Perhaps a group of budding readers who are becoming secure in their reading ability would appreciate a book where the story is easy to follow, the world is clear and vivid and the text easy to grasp. If so, then this would fit the bill.