The Blurby Bit
3000 BCE, Ancient Egypt. The age of Titans is ending. Bastet, one of the last pure-bloods, walks a realm slipping from divine hands into human rule — a world of betrayal, exile, and shifting sands.
1923, Cairo. Linda Loache, forging her place in a man’s world scarred by war, stumbles upon a discovery in the desert — one that could ignite revolution and reshape history.
Across oceans of time, their fates entwine. As ancient grudges awaken and cosmic forces rise, Bastet and Linda are drawn together in a battle that will decide more than empires.
In a story of myth and memory, of sacrifice and survival, witness the return of a legend — and the tragic, timeless love of two souls bound for eternity.
The sands shift. Love endures.
The Release
On the 4th November, 1922, a flame flickered in the darkness. A man’s personal obsession hinged upon a single image – which would greet him as he peered through into an ancient tomb. Would it be riches? Would it be nothing but dust? Was it finally time to give up the search and head home in potential disgrace? As it turned out, it would be history made. It would be ‘wonderful things’.
That story – the finding of the Tomb of Tutankhamun – did indeed make it into the history books. However true the details may be (and honestly, when it comes to a good story do we really mind?), the story persevered and sparked a generation. Some, a love for the history of the ancient world and Egypt in particular, while some the stories of a curse became campfire chills that persisted even to the days of my youth.
So it had to be the 4th – 103 years later – that I released Bastet (more or less, thanks to KDP). It had to be that day, for my love letter to the sand and sandals epics I watched growing up. The culmination of a love of ancient Egyptian myth born from that wide-eyed youth watching Strange But True with a Friday night chippy on his lap, learning all about the Curse of King Tut. And now, it’s here!
What’s it About?
* mild spoiler alert *
I only mention in case the blurb above was too shockingly revealing for you. Otherwise, just a touch more flavour. The book is historical fantasy, taking place across two timelines. It is a tale told as though around a campfire, a reflection on the history of Bastet. In the time of Ancient Egypt, she is a God amongst a growing human population, finding the shifting sands of political court distasteful for a warrior such as she. Blood, betrayal and love amongst the oases combine.
Then the action moves to 1923, as the Tomb of Tutankhamun is about to be opened. We are brought into a world destabilised by World War I; a world in which technology is ramping forward and espionage is taking on new forms. Enter Linda Loache, a woman of a relatively newborn Strategic Intelligence Service, sent to bring stability to a recently independent Egypt. There, ancient power is awoken, old grudges resurfaces, and a love that lasted longer than the stars is reclaimed.
Darkly comic, wildly bonkers and deliberately anachronistic, the tale woven by these two women defies expectations and conventions. Saving the world, tackling the MacGuffins and ending ancient feuds takes more than just a hero.
It takes a God or two.
The Soundtrack
Once again, this new novel comes with it’s own playlist of songs that inspired the writing of it. However, the mood is not one of 1920s flappers and wartime ragtime – this is an out of time and out of the chaos kind of a playlist. Songs evoke mood as a simple act of defiance – a celebration of power and vulnerability, as well as the kind of mythic resonance only a God can bring to the party. Florence pairs with Sia, swinging through Self Esteem and Amy Winehouse. Robyn pops up with a wild bit of LaRoux and even some Halestorm. The sound is one of cosmic emotion, grand in scale and attitude – and I find myself coming back to it even after the writing is done.
If you have Spotify you can find it through this link, but if you want to compile it yourself through your own streaming service, the recommendations are below (the order is your own, however!)
Chandelier by Sia; Prioritise Pleasure by Self Esteem; Rabbit Heart (Raise it Up) by Florence + the Machine; In for the Kill by LaRoux; Dancing on My Own by Robyn; Fucking Wizardry by Self Esteem; Oh My God by Mark Ronson & Lily Allen; Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow by Amy Winehouse; You Forever by Self Esteem; Now I’m in It by HAIM; If I Could Change Your Mind by HAIM; With Every Heartbeat by Robyn & Kleerup; Unstoppable by Sia; Drumming Song by Florence + the Machine; Like a Woman Can by Halestorm.
Where to Find It!
Now for the important bit, right? eBook and Paperback now available across Amazon marketplaces! You can pick it up in:
United Kingdom
United States
Germany
France
Japan
Canada
Italy
Spain
India (eBook only)
Netherlands
Poland
Sweden
Belgium
Ireland
Brazil
Mexico
Australia
Ending with a Plea
If you are ever so inclined to pick up a copy, either eBook or Paperback and do partake in a read, I would really appreciate your support in one tiny other way. If you like it, please drop a review or even just a rating on Amazon or Goodreads. It does make a difference. I am a one man band with no backing from massive publishing firms or huge marketing budget, so every little bit of positivity helps – and is very much appreciated.
Peace and love y’all.
Rick Rawes
Leeds, West Yorkshire
14th November, 2025
Rick Rawes 
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