If you grew up watching The Mummy on repeat, love a good prophecy, and live for ancient magic with high-stakes drama—His Face Is the Sun is absolutely your kind of book.
I went in expecting a fantasy adventure and came out completely hooked on this Egyptian-inspired world, where gods whisper, tombs hide deadly secrets, and four strangers may be the only hope of saving a kingdom.
This one starts slow, but by the end, I was practically speed-reading just to keep up with the twists. Let’s talk about why this debut fantasy completely swept me away—and why it deserves a spot on your TBR!
Summary (Spoiler free):
Let me just start by saying: this book seriously surprised me—in the best way. I went in expecting a romantasy, and while there’s a hint of romance here, what I got instead was an intricate, character-driven epic fantasy with a lush, ancient Egyptian-inspired world, creepy buried gods, and political intrigue that slowly unravels into a fast-paced, high-stakes adventure!
His Face is the Sun is set in the kingdom of Khetara, a desert realm full of danger, decadence, and divine secrets.
The kingdom is teetering on the edge: rumors of the pharaoh’s illness swirl, rebellions simmer, and an ancient oracle has begun to awaken.
Against this backdrop, four characters—each with wildly different lives and loyalties—are pulled into a prophecy that promises both salvation and ruin.
- Princess Sita lives a life of privilege inside the palace, but one fateful night unearths a betrayal that changes her fate—and the court’s—forever.
- Neff, a priestess-in-training, is dealing with increasingly intense visions and magic she doesn’t fully understand (and maybe shouldn’t trust).
- Rae, a peasant and rebel-in-the-making, knows what it feels like to have everything taken from you. She’s had enough—and she’s ready to fight back.
- Karim, a charming tomb robber, uncovers more than gold in a crypt deep in the Red Lands—he awakens a darkness best left buried.
Each chapter rotates perspectives, and honestly? I never found myself rushing to get back to any one of them. Every voice was distinct, every storyline compelling, and the way their threads wove together? So satisfying!
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Review:
⭐ 4 Stars | Mythology-Driven Epic Fantasy | Perfect for Fans of The Mummy & Sabaa Tahir
If you’re the kind of reader who loves stories that feel like they’re building toward something epic, this one’s for you.
I’ll admit, the beginning was a little overwhelming—four POVs, a complex prophecy, multiple plots—but once I settled into the rhythm, I was hooked!
Corpora's world-building is rich and immersive. You can feel the dry heat of Khetara’s sun, hear the whispers of the gods in temple corridors, and feel the energy in the marketplace
Also: shout-out to the pacing. While the first half was definitely more of a slow build, the last quarter went feral (in the best way).
Plot twists came fast, alliances shifted, and I found myself flipping pages way past my bedtime. I was genuinely shocked more than once!
The romance takes a backseat here—it’s present, but this is not a swoony, trope-heavy romantasy.
Instead, the book focuses on legacy, power, sacrifice, and what it means to shape the future of a broken kingdom. And honestly? That felt refreshing.
Final Thoughts:
His Face is the Sun feels like the beginning of something truly epic. I’m already counting down to book two (which I am told is well on the way!), because if the ending is any indication… things are about to get wild!!
Don’t be fooled by the early pacing—if you stick with it, you’ll be rewarded with an unforgettable fantasy ride.
Thank you Netgalley for the ARC! All opinions are my own.
If you loved His Face Is the Sun for its rich mythology, layered character arcs, and sweeping desert setting, here are three books you should absolutely add to your TBR:
An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir
Set in a brutal, ancient Rome–inspired empire, this YA fantasy follows a rebel girl and a reluctant soldier on opposite sides of a revolution. The world-building is intense, the stakes are high, and the tension—both romantic and political—is perfection.
The Wrath and the Dawn by Renée Ahdieh
This lush retelling of One Thousand and One Nights features a strong-willed heroine, a cursed king, and slow-burn romance set against a vibrant Middle Eastern backdrop. The magic, mystery, and palace intrigue will totally hit that same vibe.
The Daevabad Trilogy by S.A. Chakraborty
If you're craving more political fantasy with deep mythology, morally grey characters, and ancient magic, this series is an absolute must. Set in a magical Middle Eastern city, it blends djinn folklore with epic storytelling that’s both rich and cinematic.
