Guardian of the Horizon

Elizabeth Peters

5/19/2004

In The Last Camel Died at Noon, the Emerson family discovered a forgotten, hidden city in the desert. Now, ten years later, in 1907, they are summoned to return. The city needs help only the Emersons can give.

Now Amelia, Emerson, Ramses, and Nefret have to figure how to return to the city of Nefret's birth without anyone else knowing. The Emersons are well known throughout Egyptology circles, both the legal and illegal ones. Others suspect what was discovered ten years earlier, but couldn't prove the existance of or locate the hidden city. It is suspicious when the family decides to go to Sudan again rather than Egypt.

Once there, the family has a new set of political problems to handle. Since their last visit, they have been promoted to demi-gods. They are embroiled in the city's politics and religion. Things get worse the farther they go.

Some of the Emerson family's older journals have been found. The editor of their papers is excited to be able to backtrack a few years from the last novel. This journey takes place after The Ape Who Guards the Balance.

I'm of two minds about Guardian of the Horizon. The story fits in well with the rest and is exciting. But the writing didn't keep my attention. I could put the book down and walk away without regret for minor reasons. It's not one that stands well on its own. It depends on the rest of the series for character development. Ramses views of his mother in Guardian of the Horizon are amusing. It also uses background from The Last Camel Died at Noon. Yet it is a complete story in istelf. It can be read independent of the rest of the series. But I don't recommend starting the Amelia Peabody series with Guardian of the Horizon.

You can find more about this book at .

Crocodile on the Sandbank
The Curse of the Pharaohs
The Mummy Case
Lion in the Valley
The Deeds of the Disturber
The Last Camel Died at Noon
The Snake, the Crocodile, and the Dog
The Hippopotamus Pool
Seeing a Large Cat
The Ape Who Guards the Balance
The Falcon at the Portal
He Shall Thunder in the Sky
The Lord of the Silent
The Golden One
Children of the Storm
Guardian of the Horizon
The Serpent on the Crown
Tomb of the Golden Bird