Thank you to Netgalley and Melusine Draco for granting me free access to the advanced digital copy of Understanding the Egyptian Gods and Goddesses. This was a 4 star book from me - full of well researched and informative writing that explore the history of archealogical discover into ancient Egyptian history, culture and ethos on life. The detail of cultural insights was amazing and found new things that I didn't know about a culture I have studies since childhood. A great read for anyone who loves non-fiction, history and discover more about our world.

I’m sorry, I really struggled with this one, I just could not get into it and found it to be very draining to read. Which is a shame because I love reading about the Egyptian era,

Because it didn’t work for me, doesn’t mean it won’t work for you.

If you enjoy history, check this one out.

This book was absolutely fascinating, but definitely reads like a text book. The information is dense and thorough and I really learned a lot about the different aspects of the Gods and the customs and myths surrounding them. I will say that i was really disappointed that there were no pictures or illustrations. I think that it really would have helped break up the heft of the information.

**I was provided an ARC copy from the publisher through NetGalley.**

DNF @ 16%

Melusine Draco contributes Understanding Egyptian Gods and Goddesses to her pre-existing body of publications through John Hunt Publishing on modern magical practices. Ms Draco has a background as a magical and spiritual instructor and has affiliations with the Temple of Khem as well as the Coven of Scales.

Let me acknowledge first and foremost that I am not the target audience of this book. My interest in Egyptian history and mythology is purely through the lens of someone a couple classes shy of an Ancient Studies minor at the undergraduate level. I am taking a trip to Egypt this year and have always sought out stories about international culture and mythologies. I am a well-versed student of Egyptology, but not an expert. I am, however, very familiar with research compilation and summarization as a scientist by education.

This book is not very accessible at the beginner level. Which is okay. I'm not a beginner. There are very few to no images (at least to the point where I stopped) and the text blocks are very dense. As a student of Greco-Roman mythology, I am well-versed in the co-existence of multiple origin myths and how all forms of myth combine in the body of the work. It also makes sense for the origins of various deities and their prevalence to be impacted by geography. Unfortunately, for me, the utility of the information presented is impacted by its presentation. Ms Draco's writing style is not one that aligns well with me, nor is it one that would be super widely accessible to the layman.

As I don't particularly need a scholarly understanding of the topic at hand, nor do I intend to utilize understanding through the lens that Ms Draco offers, I am cutting my losses here. I will refrain from rating this book as a result.