[Todd A Fonseca]

Just finished Soul and Shadow by Susan McCleod, here's the review:

Egyptologist and illustrator Lily Evans finds her visions and dreams of ancient Egypt inspirational for her paintings. A wealthy and famous English archaeologist happens upon Lily’s work and believes that they are the result of a connection Lily has with the unsettled soul of an Egyptian priestess – Amisihathor. While Lily does not believe in such things, her visions and dreams become more and more intense as does her romance with Kent – the grandson of the very archaeologist who discovered the Amisihathor’s tomb. Lily begins to learn of the priestess’ long buried secrets and soon finds her own life at risk as she gets closer to the truth.

Susan McLeod’s Soul and Shadow provides an interesting look a the social parallels of ancient Egypt and today; greed, desire, politics, love, betrayal, and romance are timeless. I especially enjoyed the sections of the novel which recounted the life and times of Amisihathor. McLeod’s writing, cadence, and style is spot on in these sections and her considerable research and expertise in this area shines. I did however find the early romantic interactions between Lily and Kent a little forced early on in the novel though this improves as the story evolves.

Soul and Shadow is a brief novel at 124 pages and I longed for more of the ancient Egyptian parts of the story. McLeod’s writing style is very refined and enjoyable to read; I look forward to her next offering.