The Twelfth Transforming [Paperback]

In The Twelfth Transforming, bestselling author Pauline Gedge returns to ancient Egypt to reveal the mysterious reign of Akhenaten, the impetuous pharaoh who threatened to ruin his country. The dramatic story of Akhenaten’s disastrous ruling is also the tale of Empress Tiye, a mother struggling to save her land from the catastrophe of her son’s choices. Gedge’s vivid descriptions of imperial court life among the lushness of the Nile and the desiccation of the desert lands will enthrall readers seeking an evocative tale of power, dynasty, family and curses, all set in the enchanting world of ancient Egypt. 

“Stunning realism . . . a multicolored tapestry.” —Publishers Weekly

“A beautifully detailed historical biography in the tradition of Mary Renault . . . a sensuous, teeming, complex world of intrigue and passion.” —San Francisco Chronicle

“A lustrous tale about Pharaonic decadence, told not in strident, panoramic fashion, but in the quiet undertone of an intimate chronicle. . . . A sad and often lyrical narrative of a self-centered family’s corruption and downfall. [Gedge] tells it truthfully, if slowly, convincing the reader that inhabitants of an alien culture with improbable mores remain painfully human, that fundamentals endure.” —New York Times Book Review

“Blends impeccable historical research with superb fiction . . . draws the readers completely into the splendor and pageantry of a rich and complex civilization [with] a cast of characters so memorable that they seem to breathe on every page.” —Cleveland Plain Dealer
 

“Makes ancient Egypt come alive. . . . Historical fiction at its best.” —Daily Oklahoman
 

Since the publication in 1977 of her prizewinning first novelChild of the Morning,Pauline GedglăI