by Wilbur Smith
First published 2014
Taita serves as both slave and trusted advisor to the Pharaoh along the fertile banks of the Nile. When the Hyksos army threatens Egypt's survival, he receives a mission that will determine his nation's fate. Taita must forge an alliance with Crete while finding a way to crush the invading forces. His journey carries him far from the familiar temples and palaces of Egypt. He travels upstream along the great river, ventures through the harsh landscapes of Arabia, and marvels at Babylon's towering walls and bustling markets. The seas beckon as his quest expands beyond land. Throughout his travels, Taita discovers that friends can become enemies without warning. Assassins lurk in shadows while political schemes unfold in royal courts. Every decision he makes carries the weight of Egypt's future. Death stalks him at each turn as he navigates between competing loyalties and shifting alliances.
Genres: historical-fiction, adventure, action, ancient
Vibes: emotional, fast-paced, suspenseful
Tropes: enemies-to-lovers, fish-out-of-water
Setting: Arabia, Babylon, Crete, Egypt, Nile
Period: Ancient
425 pages · Hardcover · William Morrow