The synopsis really doesn't prepare you for the other world you get to experience in the story. Ashari and Ben are meant to be, Ben is Ashari's heart's mate, and there are dangers all around them that conspire to keep them apart. Because Egypt is in both of their souls, they get a chance to ignite something new between them and if they can find a way to keep it, to protect it, they just might have the chance at a love that will last longer than a lifetime.
Both Ben and Ashari were interesting in their own right, but it wasn't until we got to the extremely over-complicated Peletus portion that we got Ashari's POV. Up to that bit it was all Ben and I felt so ambivalent about his character because there was so very little to connect me with him. I get who he is, and his dreams are interesting, and his view of archaeology was admirable, but on the whole I just couldn't tell you enough about him that I learned and remembered. It was honestly his relationship with Jared that made him even remotely memorable. Ashari was so full of secrets and so vague until he had to literally info-dump his history, world, dimension, complications, and Ben's past that I felt completely at a loss for any kind of connection to him individually.
And the immensely chaotic explanation of Peletus, its connection with Earth and other dimensions, and Ashari's background was just too much. The integration of all that information was poorly woven. Along with that were the overly descriptive passages that felt like they were trying too hard to be poetic enough to transport you as a reader to the drifting sands of the Egyptian deserts. It was just too much. This story could really have used streamlining and a critical Beta reader or few. The ending was far too abrupt for me with an intense and explosive climax leading to a conclusion far too sudden to feel right. If the next book in the series picks up right where we left off that might be excusable, but on its own I must say that it was unsatisfying.
But here's what I did like. The tenderness and connection between the men was very sweet, the relationship between Jared and Ben was really my favorite part of the whole story, and the interesting worlds and races that were created. Those things were compelling enough to keep me reading, it just took quite a loooooooooong time to get there.
*$6.99 on Amazon
Have you ever wondered if that little voice inside you is actually, your voice?
Egypt captivates Benjamin. As an adult, he immerses himself in his chosen profession, as an archaeologist in the ancient city of Abydos. For Ben, the hieroglyphs, and paintings unlock dreams of a time long lost.
The dig Ben works on is financed by Ashari Hathonatum. For many years, the man has been looking for the one who completes him. He initially saw his heart’s match from a distance. But that was a long time ago and from an alternate universe. When Ashari encounters Ben, he wonders if he is the reincarnation of the man he saw, through another’s eyes, all those years ago. Will the secrets Ashari hides about his heritage stop their love blooming, or will others from his dimension, determined to keep Ashari from his heart’s match, rule the day?
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