What's the Name of That Book??? discussion

The Reluctant God
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SOLVED: Children's/YA > SOLVED. Youth Fantasy book about Ancient Pharaoh Prince Twins trained to become the future leaders of Egypt. Spoilers ahead. [s]

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message 1: by Neilio (last edited May 16, 2022 11:16PM) (new)

Neilio | 4 comments In ancient Egypt twin Princes are trained. One in various languages and one in how to become the next leader of Egypt.

Spoilers ahead:

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Priests and midwives delivering the children. Special marker bracelets amulets* were placed on each twin to make sure the older son was known so he could become the ruler of Egypt.

The younger brother is trained in extensively in every language of their day, the evolution of languages, how they are structured, etc.

The older brother, the crowned prince is trained in fighting, strategy, diplomacy, logistics, trade, economics, and how to be the future Pharaoh of Egypt.

They are still fairly young and the Father dies suddenly.

Turns out the Twins marker bracelets amulets* were intentionally switched at birth. Nobody knows the crowned Prince is the younger brother. The Priests swoop in and essentially kidnap the "younger" brother and true heir to become Pharaoh. They explain to him that he is the rightful next Pharaoh and the Gods will be offended if his brother becomes King while he lives. They tell him he has been chosen to protect their sacred scrolls. The priests take him to a cave and essentially mummify him alive (not normal, not just that he's alive but also that his organs and what not are left alone). Anyway they do some chanting or what not on him as they seal his sarcophagus and his tomb. So because of their magic he falls asleep rather than scratching away at his enclosure.

He wakes up in England Cairo* hundreds of years later and his Tomb has been robbed and his sarcophagus sacred scrolls* shipped to England. If I recall correctly he has to find the scrolls and return them to Egypt or the old Gods will wreak havoc on the world.

Upon waking he meets someone in the museum and is able to work out some of the meanings of the words they speak because of his extensive language training (and her badly pronounced Egyptian). He struggles to speak back but again is able to work out some words back. As they talk he picks up the language very quickly almost magically. (She has to teach him english but he does pick it up fast.)

I never did finish the book. And it's bothered me for years.

FOUND
https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/3... found me the book and several of the detailed were misremembered by me. So I tried to edit the post to strike those details. Much thanks to Brenna!


message 2: by Brenna (new)

Brenna | 734 comments How long ago did you read it?

Maybe The Reluctant God by Pamela F. Service?


message 3: by Neilio (new)

Neilio | 4 comments Around the 2000 so 21-22 years back.


message 4: by Brenna (new)

Brenna | 734 comments If you want to check it out, The Reluctant God is available to borrow here: https://openlibrary.org/works/OL26365...

Here is a snippet that matches your details:
"His tutor took a long deep breath and looked him in the eye. “You are the son of a king—his eldest son. It was you who were born first, not your twin. I placed the amulets about your necks but told their true meaning to none but those in this room."


message 5: by Neilio (new)

Neilio | 4 comments Sounds right! I had ordered it after you first posted. But that is very convincing!


message 6: by Neilio (last edited May 16, 2022 11:08PM) (new)

Neilio | 4 comments Brenna

I forgot to come back here and thank you for helping me find the book! I read it and loved it. Very grateful for your help. That is a childhood dream being realized.


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The Reluctant God (other topics)

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