Monday, January 11, 2016

Cat Book Review/Give-Away:The Pharaoh’s Cat by Maria Luisa Lang


FROM CAT CHAT WITH CAREN AND CODY: Today we are happy to bring to you another marvelous  book that we received in 2015, that we didn't have a chance to review until now. Believe me, this one is WELL WORTH the wait!

Cat lovers around the world know that Ancient Egypt overall, loved the cat. In order to fully appreciate the fabulous historical/fantasy novel, The Pharaoh's Cat by Maria Luisa Lang, it is important to have a little history about the cat in Ancient Egypt.

From National Geographic Kids:Ancient Egyptians worshipped many animals for thousands of years. Animals were revered for different reasons. Dogs were valued for their ability to protect and hunt, but cats were thought to be the most special. Egyptians believed cats were magical creatures, capable of bringing good luck to the people who housed them.

To honor these treasured pets, wealthy families dressed them in jewels and fed them treats fit for royalty. When the cats died, they were mummified. As a sign of mourning, the cat owners shaved off their eyebrows, and continued to mourn until their eyebrows grew back. Art from ancient Egypt shows statues and paintings of every type of feline. Cats were so special that those who killed them, even by accident, were sentenced to death.

According to Egyptian mythology, gods and goddesses had the power to transform themselves into different animals. Only one deity, the goddess named Bastet, had the power to become a cat. In the city of Per-Bast, a beautiful temple was built, and people came from all over to experience its splendor.





FROM CAT CHAT WITH CAREN AND CODY: But...not EVERYONE in Ancient Egypt adored cats! Some (or some ONE) was quite jealous of how a certain cat was held in high esteem. Gasp!!  Who might that be? You will find out in this  quick and action-packed read at only 170-something pages long.  This is the PURRFECT book for a cozy winter night, (or ANY night!)  It taught me much about "Egyptology" and the cat had me in stitches through much of the book. The cat is full of sass and swagger, but trust me, there are MANY sensitive moments as well.  Character development was superb, a wonderful blend of fantasy and history. The "time-travel" component was incredibly clever. You will LOVE escaping to Ancient Egypt, learning, laughing and wiping a tear or two along the way! The Pharaoh's Cat by Maria Luisa Lang should definitely be on your "must-read" list!

ABOUT THE PHARAOH'S CAT
 by Maria Luisa Lang

The Pharaoh’s Cat, narrated in the present tense by the cat himself, is the story of a free-spirited, quick-witted stray in ancient Egypt who suddenly finds himself with human powers joined to his feline nature.


The cat immediately captures the attention of the seventeen-year-old Pharaoh, making him laugh for the first time since his parents' death, and is brought to live with him at the royal palace.

The cat also becomes friends with the High Priest of the god Amun-Ra and seeks his help in solving the mystery of his human powers and the supernatural manifestations that later plague him. He has an enemy in the Vizier—the Pharaoh's uncle and the second most powerful man in Egypt. The Vizier hates him for himself and even more for his relationship with the Pharaoh.

The cat participates in festivities at the royal palace, developing an insatiable appetite for good food, wine, and gossip. He later accompanies the Pharaoh on a trip through his kingdom, all the while renewing the Pharaoh’s ability to enjoy life and inspiring him to become a stronger leader.

Between the cat and the Pharaoh a bond of love gradually forms which will determine Egypt's destiny.


The Pharaoh's Cat imaginatively blends Egyptology with comedy, drama, and even time travel--the cat and the High Priest will meet Elena, a resident of the twenty-first century and the daughter of a renowned Egyptologist.



AVAILABLE ON GOODREADS, AMAZON AND BARNES & NOBLE.



ABOUT THE AUTHOR: 
Maria Luisa Lang was born in Rome and lives in New York City. She has a degree in art history and is an amateur Egyptologist. The Pharaoh's Cat is her first novel. She has almost completed a sequel.

WORLD-WIDE GIVE-AWAY!!! Maria Luisa Lang has generously offered TWO of our readers, who are 18 and over and who reside ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD a chance to win a copy of The Pharaoh's Cat!  (an approximate $10 value). Entering is super easy! Just enter on the Rafflecopter below!!!! Good luck!
a Rafflecopter giveaway



42 comments:

  1. This sounds like a very cool book!

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  2. We bet that will be a furtastic read fur the winner!

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  3. I've been awed by Ancient Egypt for as long as I can remember. And, I have loved cats (and dogs, and other animals) for just as long. What a perfect combination. Egypt and cats.

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  4. Sound interesting ! Once Upon a Time...Cat probably was a COD ..tee...heh
    Thanks so much Caren for great reviews, but I have to skip for a lucky pawson because we are going to move ( not sure when ? ) so mom & dad trys to sell, get rid off all things we have.

    Good Luck everyone who enters =^x^=

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    1. you are welcome my furiend! No worries!! You are going to be seeing less and less reviews (after two more I have to do)........so you won't be missing anything! I don't blame you for wanting to get rid of things, I need to do the same and I'm NOT moving! xoxoxo

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  5. First time I'm hearing about this books. It looks really interesting, though. Have a great week, Caren.

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    1. Well, I LIKE that! You have a great week too! And...it is a unique and wonderful read!

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  6. That sounds like fun with a different twist!

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  7. Being a lover of cats and books (any sort of fantasy being one of my utmost favorites), this books sounds wonderful! Thank you for sharing another great review, Caren! Purrs!

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    1. I'm also a book lover. And even though it's the first time I'm hearing about this book, it seems a perfect read for me. Thanks for another great review Caren!

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    2. @The Menagerie Mom you would LOVE LOVE LOVE this book!!!! You are most welcome and thank YOU! xoxo

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  8. Went crazy for Egyptian history when Tutankumen's tomb treasures visited the US many, MANY years ago! I am fascinated by the Pyramids too. This book sounds great!

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  9. Sounds like a gweat book. Glad you enjoyed it.

    Luv ya'

    Dezi and Lexi

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  10. Oh I would LOVE that! We are ROYALTY! xoxox

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  11. It sounds like a great book. I have always been interested in Egyptology since primary school when we were first introduced to it.

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  12. Thanks for the great review!!!

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  13. Having spent time in the Middle East Mum is interested in all things from that area!! That book sounds like fun!!

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  14. Your reviews are always so positive Caren. Thanks for all your great reviews! We don't need to enter the gee-away though since our Mama just donated two big boxes of books. It was difficult but too much dust starts collecting and there are only so many she can keep! :)

    the critters in the cottage xo

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    1. you are welcome and thank you but you must have missed some where I was somewhat negative :) I am like you, I have to donate some too, I have waaay too many and will frankly be doing WAY less book reviews in 2016. xoxo

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  15. Sounds like a great book! We think it's interesting to hear about kitties in other countries especially when they're treated like the magical kitties we are!

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  16. We are on our paws waiting to find out what happened.

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  17. I really like the cover and the book must be inneresting too. Thanks for the wonderfully kind comment on my blog.

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    1. it is for sure!!! You are most welcome!!!! You KNOW I admire "real".......I think we are about the two "most real" that are around!!!! I only spoke the truth!

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  18. What a pawesome review, as Penny the Jack Russell dog and modest internet superstar, just mentioned to me.

    It seems a Pharaoh read and a cat in Egypt might also set up a Pyramid scheme.

    Penny's alleged human,

    Gary :)

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  19. Hi Caren,
    Pleased to meet you. I met you on Ellen Pilch's site. She was thoughtful to give me that shoutout. Off to bed here. 11:00 on a California school night. Before I go, I wanted to thank you in advance. I read in your comments that you subscribed to my blog. Exciting! However, I didn't get a notification from MailChip or WordPress. Please check your Email to see if there is an activation link. Thanks so much! I look forward to getting to know you.
    Janice (from MostlyBlogging)

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    1. Hi Janice! Nice to meet you too! Yes, I did sign up....I might have not gone through all of my email yesterday when I did to click on the activation...I will check for sure before I sign off today!

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  20. Always pleased to read your reviews, Caren and Cody. We always check if it's available in Dutch, so we can read it more easily. Pawkisses for a great week ahead :) <3

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    1. thanks so much!!!!! Wish I knew how to write in Dutch!! xoxo

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  21. That sure sounds like a great book. It is fun to read about how they treated the cats way back when. Great review too. Very thorough and great description. Hi Cody.

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    1. oh it is! It's so much fun! Thank you so much for your kind words. Cody says hi back!!!! xoxo

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  22. Happy 2016!


    We are back,
    Emma and Buster

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    1. Happy 2016 to YOU too!!! Welcome back! We have missed you!

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  23. That book sounds fun, fascinating and fantastic, all in one! Thanks for reviewing it, Caren, and thanks for the chance to win a copy. :)

    Hugs to you, Cody and Dakota!

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  24. That looks like a great book. Thank you for your kind comments about the loss of Stinky on my blog XO

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  25. Sounds like a great book!

    Purrs xx
    Athena and Marie

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