An amazing novel as seen through the eyes of a novelist who visited the land, walked through the sands, and became enamored with the beauty and mystery that is Egypt. Ancient Egypt, recovering and healing from the disruptive rule of the Hyksos, was once again under the rule of a Pharaoh determined to renew cosmic order and dispel the chaos threatened after years of Hyksos occupation. The palace, with its sculpted columns, vibrantly colored murals and serene garden pools, was the perfect place for Hatshepsut to play and learn the duties she would need to continue her father's legacy. Hatshepsut was rarely called by her full name. Her family called her Hatasu, the familiar and comforting name she knew well. As a member of the royal family, her path was ordained. Secure in her future and the knowledge she would marry with her brother, Hatasu willingly learned her duties. For years, her mother ignored the prophecy put forth by the most accurate of the oracles. She clung to the one she wanted to believe, the easier path for her daughter. It was many years before an old nurse told Hatasu of the second prophecy, and as tragedy surrounds her, Hatasu has an uneasy feeling she may never be Queen. Her father, the Pharaoh, ruled over a vast land with many holdings. Their culture and tradition had been destroyed many years ago and it must not be allowed to happen again. Yearly tributes were paid and respect earned. When a visiting delegation disregards tradition and flagrantly engages in an act of war, one of Hatasu's brothers is the target of an assassination attempt. As the events unfold, Hatasu learns there is much unseen in the realm that must be learned to save their way of life.