A Historical Fantasy Saga
Mithra
Roman Egypt after Cleopatra. A hidden heir. Elemental power tied to the Nile itself.
The world
A Dynasty in Shadow
Set in the aftermath of Cleopatra's fall, Mithra's story emerges from the collision of Roman rule and Egyptian mysticism. The old ways surviveβhidden in temple rites, elemental bloodlines, and oaths sworn to gods Rome cannot name.
Roman Egypt, 30 BCEβ
The Ptolemaic dynasty has fallen, but its secrets endure beneath Roman garrisons and imperial decree.
Elemental bloodlines
Mithra inherits power drawn from the Nile's essenceβearth, water, fireβwoven into her very being.
A hidden line
Mithra stands in the shadow of a fallen house, descended from a power Rome believed it had extinguished.
The magic
Stone, River & Flame
Mithra's abilities are not spellsβthey are expressions of the land itself. The Nile speaks through her, and the desert answers.
Elemental communion
Stone rises at her will. The river bends. Fire answers when fury demands.
Audio immersion
Experience Mithra's journey in full voiceβnarrated with cinematic depth. Audiobook available for Book I.
Book I
Stone Sorceress, Hidden Pharaoh
The novel that began the saga. Enter Mithra's world.
Where silence becomes power.
Stone Sorceress, Hidden Pharaoh
Mithra lives unnoticed in Roman Egyptβuntil the Nile answers her call and reveals a lineage Rome tried to erase. Elemental power, buried temples, and a throne thought lost collide in a story of awakening, danger, and the cost of legacy.
Learn moreReception
What Readers Are Saying
"It is rare to find a work of fiction which is able to seamlessly weave together a what-if situation with historical fact... Rattenbury is truly skilled at taking a fictional work and making it seem like these could have been plausible events that occurred in the ancient world."
β Stephanie Sherrett
"A sincere compliment to the setting: I could feel myself navigating the fertile Nile, with the sand cutting my face while I wear a linen cloak and prepare for confrontation. It is a free journey through space and time."
β Livian Bonato Moraes
"Rattenbury's prose effortlessly transports readers to the splendour of ancient Rome and Egypt, vividly depicting the setting with meticulous attention to detail. The era's sights, sounds, and smells are painted with such precision that the historical backdrop becomes a character in its own right."
β Andrea Edwige
"Through the main character's journey, the reader is captivated and this book quickly becomes very hard to put down. The reader is constantly made curious and anxious about what happens next, and is held captive until the very last page."
β Sarina McMorran
"Mithra's character is incredibly relatable. Her journey is not just a physical one but also a deeply emotional and intellectual adventure... a mesmerizing tale of bravery, destiny, and the enduring power of hope."
β Srinjanamukherjee11
"With meticulous research, cinematic storytelling, and a strong feminist lens, Rattenbury has crafted an immersive historical novel that both educates and entertains... a page-turner that leaves readers eager for more."
β Tejas Koli
Book II
Blade of Fury
The conflict widens. The cost deepens.
A Trial of Loss
Blade of Fury
Mithra's story continues after the traumatic events of Stone Sorceress, Hidden Pharaoh. As she faces new trials involving loss, grief, and the heavy weight of leadership, the line between compassion and brutality begins to blur. The conflict widens, the cost deepens, and Mithra must confront the question: how far will she go to protect those she loves?
Learn moreThe author
John M. Rattenbury
Speculative fiction blending Roman-Egyptian history with elemental magic and mythology.
Background
John Rattenbury is the author of Mithra: Stone Sorceress, Hidden Pharaoh, a speculative fiction novel blending Roman-Egyptian history with elemental magic and mythology β the origin story of the Mithra character. The Rattenbury name traces back to a family linked to Frank Lloyd Wright's Taliesin Studio co-founder, John Francis Rattenbury, and his father, Francis Mawson Rattenbury, a noted architect known for British Columbia's landmark buildings in western Canada.
John is a licensed architectural engineer working in the Boston, Massachusetts area, while pursuing his passion for novel writing. He writes stories that explore loyalty, betrayal, and the heavy burden of destiny. When not writing or designing piping systems, Rattenbury enjoys watching movies excessively and studying astronomy.