Slaves of the Shinar - Hardcover

Allen, Justin

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 158567916X ISBN 13: 9781585679164

Publisher: The Overlook Press, 2007

Synopsis

Slaves of the Shinar is the story of a land consumed by war, of a people trying to survive, and of two men in the middle of it all, redefining themselves and their futures.

The storied land of Shinar can be both brutal and forgiving. For two men making their way under its harsh sun, it is a land of fate, blood, and strife. Uruk is a nomadic thief from the jungles of sub-Saharan Africa braving the hard walk across the desert. His destination is nothing less than the fabled city of Ur, its temples swollen with riches. Ander is a slave, and has been since youth. But when a chance at freedom presents itself, he strikes, vowing to destroy his captors by whatever means necessary. As these two men navigate the world they share―an ancient world, which first-time author Justin Allen has painstakingly researched―their stories converge in a tale of destiny, triumph, and death. Set against the chaotic and bloody backdrop of the Middle East’s first great war, this fantasy epic―part Homer, part Tolkien, part R. Scott Bakker―brings us into a gritty, realistic world where destiny is foretold by gods, and death is never more than a sword-stroke away.

About this title

About the Author

Justin Allen received his MFA in fiction from Columbia University and his BA in Philosophy from Boise State University. He lives in New York with his wife, Day.

From Booklist

Allen's high-quality first novel depicts a fictional war in ancient Sumer from the perspectives of wandering thief Uruk, from the jungles south of the Sahara, and Ander, an escaped slave of the Nephilim. Uruk leaves the great city Ur for Pan-Kuran, city of thieves, where he meets the king of thieves and winds up owing him a life-debt. Ander reaches Pan-Kuran just before the Nephilim army arrives. Uruk's debt keeps him in town, and Ander is determined to fly no further. Moreover, their knowledge and wits may keep the Nephilim from rolling over Pan-Kuran. The Nephilim are a historical mystery, said in Genesis to be giants descended from the sons of God and the daughters of men. Allen makes them proto-Spartans, who enslave anyone they can to work at providing their necessities, including mining the metal for their superior weapons. The plot is quite plausible, the characters are well drawn, the setting is credible, and what is known of Sumer isn't contradicted, but the pacing is a bit awkward, as in many lesser first novels. Murray, Frieda

Edition details

• Publisher: The Overlook Press
• Publication date: 2007
• ISBN 10: 158567916X
• ISBN 13: 9781585679164
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 432