THE REIGN OF OSIRIS, book three in the Ramses the Damned series, is most likely the last book that the late Anne Rice penned with her son, Christopher. This time, their band of immortals are coming face to face with the start of the First World War.

Beyond this global horror is another evil that is seeking to eliminate them one by one in a treacherous plan that must be stopped. How profound, then, that the quotation used to open the book came from Marcus Aurelius: “A king’s lot: to do good and be damned.”

"Filled with history and [Anne Rice's] unique brand of drama, romance, suspense and the supernatural --- which thankfully she has passed down to her son --- this is a page-turner of a story with much to savor and enjoy."

In July 1914, a man named Nikolai Vasilev vows that Russia will not plunge into this great war that is about to come. He looks at a set of handwritten lists that he shares with his comrade, Anton, and states that all those who loved Lawrence Stratford must die. On these lists are individuals connected to Ramses the Great (formerly known as Ramses the Damned) and immortals, beginning with Ramses’ lover, Julie Stratford.

Meanwhile, at Brogdon Castle, high above the English Channel, Bektaten summons all the immortals to gather for a meeting to discuss matters. Among those who have been invited are Ramses, Julie, American novelist Sybil Parker, and the immortal to whom she is connected that may be the risen Cleopatra herself.

One commandment they live by is that there shall be no immortal intervention in the war to come. They are to never use their immortal elixir to cure mortal disease in any way. It really won’t matter as all their time will be spent battling those who are now hunting them. It begins with famous statues around Europe coming to life and fighting the immortals in some scenes of incredible action. Later, it will become even deadlier as the attacks are more personalized --- especially since not all of the names on the list are immortals. Ramses recognizes the sign of the Eye of Osiris being used as a marking behind these attacks, which makes him realize they are not dealing with a new enemy.

Will Ramses and his band be enough to stand up to an ancient Egyptian power sworn to destroy them all? If this indeed is Anne Rice’s final novel, then THE REIGN OF OSIRIS is certainly a fun one. Filled with history and her unique brand of drama, romance, suspense and the supernatural --- which thankfully she has passed down to her son --- this is a page-turner of a story with much to savor and enjoy.