Ancient Civilizations

Lamentations and Magic, Book 1

De: Russell Cowdrey

Narrado por: James Anderson Foster

History is but a shadow of the truth.

A jaded thief and an idealistic archaeologist form an unlikely partnership to solve an ancient mystery. Opposed at every turn by unknown forces, their journey takes them across 1880s Egypt in search of a lost temple to the other side of the universe, where magic is all too real.

Being a foreigner's bastard, Louisa learned early to take from the world before it took from her. Like a whisper in the sands of time, a stolen letter hints at the unimaginable.

In the wake of Alexander the Great's death, his empire fractured. Fighting over his remains, armies of pretenders to his legacy maneuvered within the parched plains and canyons of the Egyptian Sinai. Elements of those armies vanish, leaving a mysterious footnote to history—a footnote that sends Louisa to Egypt seeking answers and treasure.

Archaeologist Dr. Benjamin McGehee is facing new beginnings. Consumed with preparing for his first Egyptian excavation and raising Abu, a recently orphaned teenager, Ben never expected the enigma that is Louisa Sophia.

Joined on their quest by cavalrymen from the 13th Bengal Lancers, Ben and Louisa discover the impossible. A mystical artifact that transports them to the fabled Field of Reeds from Egyptian lore.

Caught in the middle of a war and hunted for their unique knowledge, the desperate Earthlings confront a world where magic is common and alien races coexist alongside dwarves, elves, and humans, all of which are descended from Earth's ancient civilizations. Ben and Louisa must race to unlock the secrets of a long-vanished alien race or face the Lamentations.

Can they survive long enough to find a way home?

Lamentations and Magic is a cross-genre adventure combining elements of alternative history, archaeology, sci-fi, romance, coming of age, epic fantasy, military history, time travel, and found family.

©2022 Russell Cowdrey (P)2024 Podium Audio

World Building with all my faves

Very ambitious combination of archaeological adventures from the 1900’s and the armies of history and fantasy. I found myself thoroughly engaged while also cross reading historic battles. Using characters named and modeled after real people is also a fun way to create stronger connections with the reader. So many directions the series can go. With so much derivative content, I enjoyed the originality of these worlds.

Thrilling adventure through space and time

The narrator was excellent and kept me riveted to the story. First half of the book is like an Indiana Jones adventure with lots of history and great characters. The second half of the book Ben, Louisa, and Abu go to a new world with lost of science fiction and fantasy elements. Can't wait to listen to book 2.

Indiana Jones meets Stargate

Fantastic story. Takes a bit to get to magic and sci-fi elements but well worth the wait. And the story leading up to that point is entertaining in its own right as an Indiana Jones style story of an archeologist and his adopted so seeking an ancient site with the help of a morally ambiguous thief (the romance interest), all while be harassed by unknown forces a petty criminals. Getting ready to start book 2!

Came in for quick distraction, was very surprised!

So far finished with book 1 and into book 2. The writing and pace is very good, and I highly recommend this. Russell definitely did amazing research on the history facts (both civil war and ancient civilizations). I know that one thing that caught my eye (it being like Stargate type of books), is only somewhat correct right now. It is more a 'transport to another world in a different part of the galaxy 1 time' way. But I am liking that premise and explanation.

Give it 5 out of 5 on both Overall and Story. The performance would be closer to 4.5 out of 5. James Anderson Foster is a very good narrator, though a few of the characters in these books (which there are so many) are a little close in intonation, accent and cadence are a little hard to differentiate. But without going to multiple narrators that is a problem for almost all world spanning/multiple character books.

Now to finish book 2 and onto book 3