To be honest, this book started off as a 4. The prologue was enticing, but the first chapter was strange and then we kept being introduced to more and more characters that it could get confusing. But after you get to understand who plays what role in the "prophecy of lamb" things start to form into place. I had a hard time putting it down because I was so intrigued by what each character was going to do next.

Based off ancient Egypt with multiple POV.

We are told so many times throughout the story that we know how the prophecy begins, but we don't know how it ends. We know that the river will run with blood and that a war is coming, but we don't know why and we don't know how. There are so many secrets, plot twists, and just overall fun moments that keep you entertained.

There is some romance, but it is very much a subplot compared to the overall story.
Basically, the prophecy is foretold where four people will come together and save the Kingdom from the destruction that is coming. And just when we are understanding the destruction about to unfold, the book ends. It was so frustrating. I start to get to know these characters and see what their roles in the prophecy are, only to then be cutoff from the conclusion.
The four people all come from very different backgrounds. There is a princess, a priestess, a rebel, and a tomb robber.

Such an interesting story with political intrigue, the chosen ones, and very high stakes.
I recommend it for anyone who is a fantasy lover.

A major THANK YOU to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Fire for this ARC!

Okay, okay, I just need to start off with my immediate honeymoon phase reaction: I am obsessed. This was so so good. I JUST finished it and I’m devastated that I can’t pick up the next one immediately. The book was great from the beginning — the prologue and Sita’s first chapter charmed me right away with the style, ambience, tone, and overall energy — but the more I read the better it got until, at the end, I was practically vibrating. A few of my students had the pleasure of seeing me read Karim’s final chapter (iykyk). The characters are outstanding, the magic is dynamic, the setting is vibrant, the mythology is well-researched… this is a must read. I really hope it gets the attention it deserves.

I do hope the marketing team shifts, though, because calling it “YA Game of Thrones in Egypt for Maas fans” I think actually diminishes the book and all its independent successes. It’s good enough to stand independent of “big names”. I dread that anyone might read it wanting/expecting a certain thing and walking away disappointed because it wasn’t that thing. This book deserves to be read for what it is!

Anyway. I am seated. I cannot wait to buy my trophy copy. I need so many people to read it so we can all talk and gush.

3.5 stars

“His Face is the Sun” is an ancient Egyptian-inspired story of court intrigue, rebellion, and personal discovery. We follow four primary characters: Sitamun, a princess of Khetara; Raetawy, a village girl who joins an uprising; Nefermaat, an anonymous girl favored by the gods; and Karim, a young man from an ostracized tribe who finds himself facing consequences he never imagined after helping rob a tomb. Bound together by an ancient prophecy, each of these four young people find themselves facing challenges and danger while political upheaval reshapes the kingdom they know.
The interweaving of plot points was certainly well done in this story. The action was interesting, the politics complex yet easy to follow, and the inevitability of prophecy unfolding before the reader’s eyes places just the right constraints on the plot. I could have used a little more character depth, especially from Rae, but overall I found this story enjoyable and would recommend it to anyone looking for a suspenseful YA adventure in a fantastical and historic setting.

From the very first page, this novel sweeps readers into a fully realized fantasy world that thrums with tension, prophecy, and power. The Kingdom of Khetara is no mere backdrop; it’s a living, breathing landscape, brought to life with intricate political intrigue, ancient magic, and the looming weight of history. The narrative lingers in just the right places, letting you soak in the atmosphere, before quickening its pace with breathtaking urgency. The result is a perfectly balanced epic that knows when to dazzle and when to strike.

Each of the four main characters—a sharp-witted princess, a devout young priestess, a reluctant rebel, and a roguish tomb robber—brings a unique perspective to the looming storm. Their stories are compelling on their own, but when woven together through the thread of a forgotten oracle, the scope of the tale expands into something truly epic. Themes of loyalty, sacrifice, and fate echo with every twist, and the threat of an ancient evil casts a delicious shadow over the entire story.

I was completely captivated by the worldbuilding. It’s immersive, complex, and utterly transportive. The spiritual undertones, political machinations, and monstrous dangers all blend into a story that feels like the start of a powerhouse fantasy series. I’m already counting down the days for the next installment.

A spellbinding debut with unforgettable characters and a world that feels as real as myth. Bold, atmospheric, and brimming with potential, Khetara is destined to reign.

A Priest, a Princess, a Rebel, and a Thief walk into your imagination in this captivating YA debut set in ancient Egypt. From the very first page, I was pulled into a world rich with mystery, intrigue, and masterful storytelling. The world-building is vivid and immersive, making it easy to lose yourself in the story.

Neff quickly became my favorite character. Watching her evolve from a curious, innocent girl into a strong, self-reliant young woman was both emotional and empowering. Her journey—marked by loss, resilience, and growth—was beautifully told and deeply moving.

This is a standout coming-of-age story that I believe will resonate with a wide audience. I anticipate it becoming a popular title among YA readers, and I highly recommend it.

Okay this had better be book one. This book is intense and interesting and was just starting to get really good and then it ended. Ugh I loved all four main characters in this book. I can’t wait to see where they go next. I really want to know how they all tie together under the prophecy. The next book better not be far off.
Thank you to Sourcebooks Fire and Netgalley for allowing me to read an advance copy of this book.

His Face Is The Sun was a great read! I hadn’t heard about it until there was a NetGalley campaign, and I must say I was pleasantly surprised! This is an Egyptian inspired fantasy that is technically YA, but I feel reads higher than that.

I really enjoyed the characters and their different storylines. I thought the way they converged was well done. There wasn’t any one character I didn’t want to read, which is pretty rare for me. My favorite characters were Rae and Neff, though the others were equally as enjoyable. I also thought the world was awesome and different than what I typically read. Give us more Egyptian inspired stories! They’re so cool!

I’m very curious to where this story goes! There was a lot of build up to what seems to be an exciting political standoff with monsters looming over our characters.

The only reason this isn’t 5 stars is the pacing was off in a few spots. Though by the halfway mark it was pretty consistent.

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks for an eARC in exchange for an honest review!

A huge thank you to NetGalley, Sourcebooks, and Michelle for the arc! Set in ancient times with heavy Eqyptian influence, this story was moving and the story-telling being character driven was a big highlight of this story. The world-building was a lot at times but it sets up the visuals for each scene.

This book was super interesting but was jumping from character to character quickly making it hard to fully get immersed because once you were hooked at part of the story, the POV changed. Some characters are more captivating than others making it frustrating when their POV was over right as it was getting good. It just seemed choppy to me.

By the end of the story, I was interested in how it is going to continue and will read the next installment! Overall, a 3/5 read for me. It was good, I was waiting for it to be great. I do have hopes for the second book!

The only reason this book took me so long to read is because I didn’t want it to end!! I have loved this world since the very first page, and was deeply immersed in the lives of each of the four pov characters. I was not ready to leave them! The author has set so many things in motion with this complex plot of epic proportions, and I absolutely cannot wait to see how all the strings weave together. I’m ready for the second one, please and thank you!

This is my honest review in exchange for a free eARC. However, I loved this book so much that I couldn’t help preordering the absolutely stunning physical copy.

Thank you, NetGalley and Sourcebooks Fire, for approving me for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

When I read the book synopsis, I loved the concept! Game of Thrones vibes set in Ancient Egypt had me in a chokehold! Sadly, I struggled to stay focused. I read four chapters in six days, and I found it hard to pick this book back up. Unfortunately, I had to DNF at 15% because I just could not connect with the characters, storyline, or dialogue.

Perhaps I will give it another try later, but for now, I will not continue on this journey.

Thanks to Sourcebooks Fire for gifted access to this book via Netgalley. All opinions below are my own.

Oh yes, this is the first fantasy of the year that really energized me. Set in an Egyptian inspired world triplets are born to a queen amidst a storm and are ushered into the world by three mysterious strangers. Four strangers are connected by a prophecy. We follow the triplets, a young woman forced to be a priestess after a public vision, a tomb robber who awakens a horrible monster and a rebellious young girl angry at the way the monarchy treats the common people. Their stories become intertwined as the monarchy becomes destabilized and their lives are all in peril.

I loved every second of this book. It had great characters, immersive settings and so much action. It was one of those books where I found myself reading a little slower to make it last. It had the right blend of historical fiction and magic with super scary baddies both human and non. The switching of POVs per chapter actually made me frustrated because I was always so engaged when the moment switched but that just propelled me to want to keep reading. Also one of the POVs is a cat, so there's that! It does leave you with an ending where you want more but it's not a frustrating cliffhanger.. although I can't wait for the next book!

His Face is the Sun by Michelle Jabès Corpora is the first book in the Throne of Khetara series and it is hands down the best YA book I’ve read so far this year. It follows four strangers who are torn from their lives by fate foretold by a long forgotten oracle. As they struggle to understand their purpose and destiny can they unite to save their kingdom?

His Face is the Sun is ripe with political intrigue, adventure, and world building. Michelle paints a beautiful picture of ancient Egypt and expertly weaves the lives of four strangers into a gripping epic that will surely have you desperate for more. I loved everything about this book. The story draws you in immediately and the characters are well developed and feel extremely relatable. I cannot recommend this book enough.

Thank you Sourcebooks Fire for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All
opinions are my own.

Whew this book fulfilled my The Mummy and Ancient Egyptian loving heart to the max! The way I was IMMERSED into this story, it was truly like I was transported directly into Khetara. It was like I could sense the heat and smell the flowers and picture everything so vividly, I was in awe while reading this book.

I can definitely see why this book is compared to Game of Thrones and can most definitely see that being even more of the theme come the next book in the series. The king (which one I won’t say 👀) is RUTHLESS and does and thinks unimaginable things, just like a lot of GoT characters but keeping it YA (mostly?)

I love the multiple points of view in the story— the princess, the tomb robber, the seer and the rebel. I think Sita and Karim’s POV’s were my fav but I would have LOVED to see more from Paws 👀, her two chapters were my fav 😂. This story was heavy on it being a character drive story with a small dash of romance. But surprisingly even though there was VERY little (I’m a Romantasy reader) I still completely enjoyed the start of this series and can’t wait to see where it takes me in the next book even if I’m also slightly scared to see what’s next 😂.

The only con for me really was the EXTREMELY long chapters ahaha but that really is just a preference thing

His Face is the Sun is a sweeping, atmospheric start to what promises to be an epic trilogy. Set in a beautifully crafted Ancient Egyptian-inspired world, this story blends magic, monsters, gods, and rebellion into a rich tapestry of intrigue and danger.

I absolutely loved the setting—Ancient Egypt isn’t explored often enough in fantasy, and this book leans fully into its lush history and mythos. Sitamun and Karim’s character arcs were compelling, and I found myself especially invested in Nefermaat’s wild, chaotic journey. (That cliffhanger? I need the next book immediately!)

However, I did have a few mixed feelings. While I enjoyed three of the four protagonists, Raetawy’s chapters dragged a bit for me, slowing down the story’s otherwise strong momentum. It also felt like there were just a few too many points of view early on, making the start of the book feel slower than I would have liked. Additionally, while romance was teased, it was definitely more of a subplot than a main theme—readers looking for a strong romance arc may find themselves wishing for more.

That said, the overall plot is gripping, the stakes are massive, and the ending left me desperate for more. I’m very excited to see how these characters—and the kingdom of Khetara—evolve from here.

Egyptian myhology is my favorite since visiting the pyramids for the first time as a child. This books takes the good stuff and makes it into a well written story with en epicness to it. I need to read the next installment.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

His Face Is the Sun is a stunning historical fantasy immersed in the mythology of Ancient Egypt! The world building in this book is incredible - everything from the rituals to the spells to the gods are infused with Egyptian history following the unification of the Lower and Upper kingdoms. As someone who inhaled everything Ancient Egypt growing up, this story was all I hoped it’d be!

The plot had everything I look for in a fantasy novel - there’s political machinations, themes of injustice and rebellion, and an ancient curse. I loved all four POV characters and was impressed by how well each character was developed and by the uniqueness of their individual arcs to the overall plot. This first book was very much setting the stage for the trilogy, but I soaked up every detail and flew through the pages. Highly recommend for your next immersive fantasy read!

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Fire for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

Absolutely loved this book! It started off a little slow but once it picked up I found I couldn’t put it down. I loved it and am so looking forward to the next one, which I hope the author writes very soon. I must know how this unusual and beautiful book ends.

4.75 🌟

"Do not fight the currents that carry you toward your fate." (ch 27)

The book starts off with a chapter for each character.

A princess, one of the King's triplets, wishes to be free. But a secret shared has an unease growing within her. She has no one to turn to, no one to trust, and instead drowns her thoughts and burdens in wine.

A girl plagued with visions pleads to the Goddess Bass. She is taken from her home and bound for priesthood. She befriends an eccentric prince. She soon learns that the palace is a dangerous place, full of secrets and intrigue, and she'd have to tread carefully where her visions are concerned.

A reckless and hot-headed fighter, struggling with her elderly father to meet the unreasonable demands of the ever increasing king's tax as set upon the common people, joins the rebellion after an event that pushes her to the limit.

A Jackal, a tomb raider who unwittingly releases an ancient evil, does what he does best... tries to survive. He meets a priest and discovers an eerily uncanny portrait that propels him into a voyage to find answers.

These four, from different walks of life, have something in common... a vision, a thought, a fate that interlinks them together --"The Oracle of the Lamb" -- a prophecy foreboding disaster, devastation, and treachery.

The characters were well-written and developed. The story depicted a decent sense of their world. Many parts of the plot were gripping and pulled me in. In other parts, I felt my attention drifting. Overall, it was worthwhile and intriguing as the story progressed and unfolded. From chapter to chapter, the pieces started to come together as if building a pyramid, until at the ascension to the top, at the zenith, the picture unfolded. "The sun shines..... but it also burns." (ch 25) But it does not end there, the horizon is vast and the journey continues.

A journey into an ancient Egyptian-inspired setting through the views of four teenage charcaters from vastly different backgrounds: the Priestess, the Tombrobber, the Princess, the Warrior

Overall Rating~ 4.5 stars (rounded up)
Themes~ Dark Prophecies, Embracing Divine Destiny, Familial Duties, Royal Power and Authority
—————————————————————-
“When the bloodshed is done, which of Khetara’s children will sit on the throne?

Summary Analysis~
The story features courtly politics, discontent among the masses, and magical mythological elements all in the setting of an ancient Egyptian inspired kingdom. The aging ruler of Khetara and his triplets face the reality of his rule in different ways. Meanwhile, the story focuses on four teens and their personal journeys in the midst of the oracle’s dark prophecy. There’s a light romantic plot but there won’t be significant romantic themes. Be open to utilizing the guide at the back of the book to recall characters, the religious system, and names as there is detailed world building early on and you jump frequently to different character perspectives.

Standout Characters~
~ The Cat: The cutaways from the palace cat offer a mysterious and playful tone switch throughout the story that remind the reader this is only the first book in a complex series
~ Princess Sitamun: Sita’s personal journey emphasizes how people can struggle to process guilt. Through her struggles, her character remains admirable as she perseveres

Standout Aspects~
~ The opening is jarring but in a good way! The reader is introduced to three key characters and the setting of the story through a traumatic event before jumping into the 4 main characters POV
~The diverse ages and backgrounds of the teens make the story feel dynamic for the YA audience as there’s more potential to relate to a character
~ The unfolding of the prophecy through the viewpoints of everyone involved is like reading a mystery novel!

Thanks Netgalley for the ability to review this great ARC!

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

This was pitched as a Game of Thrones meets an ancient Egyptian inspired story, and I think that is accurate after reading the book. Obviously it’s not as complex as GoT and is marketed as YA, but I found a lot of the things portrayed in this book not really for a super young audience either. The plot, while we follow several different characters from different walks of life, does feel YA in its relative simplicity though (not really a bad thing as I did enjoy it).

I think some of these characters are better written than others. Sita to me read as by far the most complex and interesting of the pov characters, which appears to be an unpopular opinion. Her siblings both interest me as well. Neff was a unique, sweet character I really enjoyed. Karim was likable, especially with his dog, but forgettable. Rae felt like she had the least depth of all of them and I looked forward to her chapters the least.

Romance wise, this is currently not something to pick up for a romance. There were two very tiny side romance plots that were giving nothing, and I am a side romance enjoyer. One potential future romance is on the horizon that I could love a lot, but if it happens how much I like it will depend on the execution. There were some lovely platonic relationships, the standout to me easily being Neff and Kenna, but this is very clearly more focused on the plot and individual characters as a story.

The writing and set up was very cinematic and easy to follow. I think this would make an excellent tv show. The plot was sometimes slow and there were some characters I found myself more interested in than others, but overall I did really enjoy this and will be picking up the next book. I think this very much read as a set up for the series (though it had some very good moments) and has potential to take off more in book two. This provided the good taste of Egyptian fantasy I’ve been looking for, and the author’s love and knowledge of Egypt really shines through.