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Vengeance of the Lion

by Peter Danielson

Reviewed by Coral


The nomadic army of the Shepherd Kings continues its assault, intent on marching all the way to Egypt where they intend to settle. But they are met with resistance as cities have heard what befalls those who have opened their gates to the invaders.

Kirta and his son Shobai are intent on arming their new city, using the newly found secret of iron use in weapons. But as old age is beginning to take its toll on Kirta and the desire to find his nephew and train him in their arts is its toll on Shobai, they might not have time before the enemy arrives.

Danataya tries to raise her son as best she can, with the help of Joseph. But after Hadad’s death, she is lonely. When a new love enters the picture, she is eager to grab onto it. Has she chosen the best path for her and her son?

Joseph’s family trouble continues. The resentment that the sons of Joseph’s other women feel towards Jacob, the son of Joseph’s second wife and real love, has reached a turning point, one that will have disastrous results for Jacob.

I liked this book, though I thought that not much happened in it. The Shepherd Kings continued to march, people continued to run from them and Joseph’s family continued to have problems.

I also had a problem with Shobai’s romance, as the woman he was falling in love with was already married. On top of that, the author was depicting her husband as a brave soldier who was being conspired against will trying to save his city from invaders, which made me cheer for him and not his cheating wife and her new lover.

It was hard for me to piece together what the book was saying about Egypt at the time of the Shepherd King invasion and the historical books I’ve read. I guess since not much is known about the reign of Sobekneferu (from what I’ve read, maybe I’ve missed something) and as she was the first confirmed woman ruler of Egypt, maybe there could have been some internal strife that split Egypt as described in the book.

Overall, the book was interesting enough, if slow paced at times. I will be continuing with the series for at least one more book.

 

Grade: B