Published: 1990
Illustrator: TBD
Published by: Bantam
Genres: Historical Romance, Ancient World Romance
Format: Paperback
Reviewed by: Introvert Reader
TOTAL SPOILER ALERT ⚠
The Book
What a rarity in the romance genre was Heart of the Falcon, a historical about lovers in ancient Egypt. Although Suzanne Robinson wrote Egyptian mystery novels under her given name, this is her sole romance set in this era. Most of her other romances took place during the Elizabethan, Medieval, or Victorian time periods.
The Plot
Anqet is an orphan and her evil uncle lusts after her. To get her in his bed, he connives to steal her land. Anqet may be an innocent all alone in the world, but she’s no push-over. This is a woman determined to gain them back. She will go to the Egyptian court and maneuver through a realm of politics and lust. Anqet is stunningly beautiful and perfect and maybe a teensy bit too good to be true.
Thankfully, the hero is far more interesting and complex. Set is a red-haired man of mystery. His heritage is mixed, as his mother’s people come from a place to the north. There was a horrible scandal years ago where Set burned his mother’s corpse rather than have her embalmed and entombed. This is seen as sacrilegious and marks Set as an outsider.
Anqet gets pulled into a world of political intrigue. The villains really steal the show here. There’s a court priest and Set’s former mistress, with the two scheming and lusting over the protagonists. The villainess vamps it up Ancient Egypt style, donning multiple wigs and breast-revealing robes.
Final Analysis of Heart of the Falcon
Unfortunately, there’s this moment just before Heart of the Falcon ends that soured me, forcing me to drop a star rating.
WARNING SPOILER ⚠️ AHEAD
To save the Anqet’s life, Set must sleep with the villainess, his former lover, one more time. He’s able to complete the act by thinking of the heroine. If this had taken place in the middle of the book, I wouldn’t have cared. But with this scene just pages from the end, it put a bitter taste in my mouth about the conclusion. That’s the first thing I think about when recalling this book, besides the setting.
That’s a personal peeve, however. Otherwise, this unique tale of love and drama in the ancient world was a solid read by Suzanne Robinson.
3.5 Stars
[rating-info]Synopsis
Only one woman could win the…Heart of the Falcon.
All her life, raven-haired Anqet had basked in the tranquility of Nefer…until the day her father died and her uncle descended upon the estate, hungry for her land, hungry for her. Desperate to escape his cruel obsession, she fled. But now, masquerading as a commoner in the magnificent city of Thebes, Anqet faces a new danger.
Mysterious and seductive, Count Seth seems to be a soldier loyal to the pharaoh. Yet soon Anqet will find that he’s drawn her into a web of treachery and desire, where one false move could end her life… and his fiery passion could brand her soul forever.
Set against the glorious opulence of the pharaoh’s court, this is a breathtaking tale, rich with pageantry and aflame with unforgettable romance.
Heart of the Falcon by Suzanne Robinson