Tomorrows Sphinx

by Clare Bell

Book Overview

Two unusual black cheetahs share a mental link, one cat coming from the past to reveal scenes from his life with the young pharaoh Tutankhamen, and one struggling to survive in a future world ravaged... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0689504020
• ISBN13: 9780689504020
• Release Date: November 1986
• Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books
• Length: 292 Pages
• Weight: 1.20 lbs.
• Age Range: 12 years and up
• Grade Range: Grade 7 and higher

Customer Reviews

Tomorrow's Sphinx

Tomorrow's Sphinx is an extremely imaginative and thought provoking read. With wonderful characters and beautiful descriptions, Clare Bell has created an exquisite world like no other. Kichebo, a cheetah who's lucky to have survived past year one, is not like the rest of her kin. She is unique in the sense that she is black with gold tear lines, gold ear tips, and a gold tail tip, and that she is mentally different from her brethren. Shunned because of her differences, Kichebo is destined to find out that she is different in a way that she could never have fathomed. Through the guidance of Asu-Kheknemt, a long dead cheetah who protected and befriended Tutankhamen, a wise, grayed cheetah named Gray Cape, and the affectionate human child, Menk, Kichebo will soon discover what her place in the world is, and find herself. I would highly reccomend this book to anyone who wants a fresh original fantasy read, you will not be dissapointed!!

Cats and Time Travel Just Seem to Go Together!

Kichebo is a black cheetah, born in a far-flung future. Unlike the gold-coated, black spotted cheetahs around her, her coat is sable with gold markings. Everywhere she goes, she is hunted by strange creatures in sky vehicles that try to capture her. Unable to find acceptance or safety among her kind, she makes contact with another--amazingly like herself. Kehknemt lived thousands of years ago, the companion of an Egyptian Prince. Through these shared memories across time, and the strange friendship Kichebo strikes up with small two-legged creature, the black cheetah hopes to find the answers to the questions of why she is so different, and what her future might hold.Clare Bell has a real love of the big cats, and provides an insightful look into the lives of these large hunters. Her depiction of the cheetah society does not try to over-anthropomorphize the cats into human beings. Although they communicate in a sentient manner and are provided with personality and purpose, their behaviors and lifestyles remain those of powerful semi-solitary predators. It makes for an interesting glimpse into how an intelligent society of cats might develop. Beyond this, Kichebo's story is one coming of age and discovery of self. The questions Kichebo most seeks an answer to are: "Why am I so different?" and "What is the meaning of my life?" Questions that are universal and easy to understand, if not easy to answer. Kichebo is destined to take her people in a new direction, one she never imagined. The time travel aspect of this book gives us a fascinating look into what might have been in the days of King Tutankhamen, and the reasons behind the young King's early death.This book is written with young readers in mind, much of Kichebo's search for self and struggle to become who she is will echo with adolescents who are going through the same struggle. I read this book in my teens and have reread it several times since. I think adult readers will find the story lacks the kind of mature sophistication they might be used to in adult science fiction, but it fits the intended readership well. For those who enjoy this book, see if you can find Ratha's Creature, also by Clare Bell. Happy Reading! Shanshad ^_^

Excellent scifi and animal book

This is my favorite book. I could read it over and over again and never get tired of it. It has an excellent point of view from the animal and great scifi entertainment. If you love wild cats especially cheetahs and you like Egypt and it's history and you're into scifi I suggest you read Tomorrow's Sphinx.

A definate reader

This story manages to combine history and sci-fi in an incredibly belivable tale told through the eyes of two rare phenomena, the only Black Cheetahs to ever live. Kichebo's outlook on life, and Keknemt's version of Tutankamen's history are amazingly realistic and, for all we know, might actually be true. The story is extremely well written, and gives a clear picture of what life would be like through the eyes of an ill-treated animal. One of Clare's best, IMHO.

A must read for Clare Bell Fans

I loved this book. Kichebo was so... realistic. Torn in a way many of us feel. The flashbackas and backgrounds of Ancient Egypt as well as future Egypte were astounding and thorough in thier description This is a wonderful book by a wonderful author. I don't understand why all her books are out of print!