Review of Bird in a Snare
-
Susan Halvorsen
- Posts: 1
- Joined: 10 Jun 2022, 07:24
- Currently Reading:
- Bookshelf Size: 0
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-susan-halvorsen.html
- Latest Review: Bird in a Snare by N.L. Holmes
Review of Bird in a Snare
[Following is a volunteer review of "Bird in a Snare" by N.L. Holmes.]
Bird in a Snare by N. L. Holmes is a novel set in ancient Egypt at the time of change from the ruler Amenhotep III to his son Amenhotep IV. In Historical Notes provided for the reader, we learn that Amenhotep IV chose to change the primary god for worship throughout Egypt from Amen, the Hidden One, to Akhet, going to the extreme of building a new city, Akhet-aten that would house the temple and palace dedicated to the Sun God. During the time of this story, the new ruler orders the closing and even desecration of temples, shrines and tombs dedicated to other gods.
The story centers on Hani, whose given name is Amen-hotep, his scribe, Maya (given name Amen-mose), and his wife, children and servants. Hani is a military scribe now serving in civilian matters. He is a mid-level official in the hierarchy of the court and is trusted to serve as an emissary to foreign lands at the King’s direction. Hani even meets with both rulers during the course of the tale.
The novel starts with Hani meeting with a hapiru ruler, Abadi-ashirta. The hapiru can be understood to be several somewhat nomadic tribes or outcast persons that Abadi-ashirta has worked to bring into one group with common goals. Abadi-ashirta would like to be acknowledged by the Egyptian ruler as a king and vassal in his own right. Hani has been assigned to size the hapiru ruler up when he visits Hani at his home in the capital of lower Egypt, Waset. Hani reports his thoughts to the ruler after the visit. Shortly thereafter, Hani is advised that Abadi-ashirta has been assassinated in his northern home Simurru. Hani is assigned to travel to Simurru to learn who performed the deed. As the story continues, Hani is also involved in disputes between two northern areas, both of which could turn the alliances of those regions to the Hittites or Mittanites rather than the Egyptians. Hani learns of betrayal and the sources of greed and revenge that drive the characters to commit their acts of violence, even to the attempt on the life of Hani and his scribe. Hani thinks to himself, “What an ugly, complicated story. The court must have been a seething snake pit. [Page 318]”
Along the way, author Holmes describes life in ancient Egypt. As an archeologist and professor, she has the background to be able to imagine the garden of a mid-level official and what plants would be growing there, what hunting for birds in the Nile would be like, and that Hani’s family would have a tomb prepared during their lifetime filled with statues, jewelry and other items important to their dedication to their primary god Amen. She includes a daughter that is completely paralyzed from an accident but is still deeply loved and tenderly taken care of, and that Hani’s scribe is a midget. Adding these characters is more inclusive for all persons than many authors would tackle. The Historical Notes and Glossary may be off-putting to the reader before the story unfolds, but it is helpful in understanding the many foreign sounding names that fill the story.
There are two topics that were a little confusing as the story unfolded. Author Holmes is lacking in details in how Hani and Maya travelled from Waset to Simurru to Urusalim and back, along with many other journeys taken throughout Egypt. Other servants and soldiers that accompanied him are mentioned a time or two; how many were there? Did everyone walk? Did Hani ride a camel or donkey or did he get carried in a litter? Is this the main reason why a trip to Simurru took a year to accomplish? The trip from Waset to Akhat-aten by boat on the Nile took between three days and a week, with no explanation as to what affected the time of travel. The other topic concerns his scribe Maya, who falls in love with Hani’s second oldest daughter, Sat-hut-haru. Sat-hut-haru’s parents acknowledge that the union will be acceptable, and then in the next chapter, the two are married with no description of the ceremony and feasting that surely took place. Neither issue detracts from the story being told.
Bird in a Snare is very well edited and I give it a rating of 4 out of 4 stars. While travel within these lands may take a bit of time, the action moves quickly throughout the story and trying to figure out “who dun it” will keep the reader guessing. I highly recommend this book to anyone that would enjoy reading a mystery full of intrigue, betrayal, and a glimpse of life in ancient Egypt where belief in multiple gods drives the everyday life of the people.
******
Bird in a Snare
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Bird in a Snare by N. L. Holmes is a novel set in ancient Egypt at the time of change from the ruler Amenhotep III to his son Amenhotep IV. In Historical Notes provided for the reader, we learn that Amenhotep IV chose to change the primary god for worship throughout Egypt from Amen, the Hidden One, to Akhet, going to the extreme of building a new city, Akhet-aten that would house the temple and palace dedicated to the Sun God. During the time of this story, the new ruler orders the closing and even desecration of temples, shrines and tombs dedicated to other gods.
The story centers on Hani, whose given name is Amen-hotep, his scribe, Maya (given name Amen-mose), and his wife, children and servants. Hani is a military scribe now serving in civilian matters. He is a mid-level official in the hierarchy of the court and is trusted to serve as an emissary to foreign lands at the King’s direction. Hani even meets with both rulers during the course of the tale.
The novel starts with Hani meeting with a hapiru ruler, Abadi-ashirta. The hapiru can be understood to be several somewhat nomadic tribes or outcast persons that Abadi-ashirta has worked to bring into one group with common goals. Abadi-ashirta would like to be acknowledged by the Egyptian ruler as a king and vassal in his own right. Hani has been assigned to size the hapiru ruler up when he visits Hani at his home in the capital of lower Egypt, Waset. Hani reports his thoughts to the ruler after the visit. Shortly thereafter, Hani is advised that Abadi-ashirta has been assassinated in his northern home Simurru. Hani is assigned to travel to Simurru to learn who performed the deed. As the story continues, Hani is also involved in disputes between two northern areas, both of which could turn the alliances of those regions to the Hittites or Mittanites rather than the Egyptians. Hani learns of betrayal and the sources of greed and revenge that drive the characters to commit their acts of violence, even to the attempt on the life of Hani and his scribe. Hani thinks to himself, “What an ugly, complicated story. The court must have been a seething snake pit. [Page 318]”
Along the way, author Holmes describes life in ancient Egypt. As an archeologist and professor, she has the background to be able to imagine the garden of a mid-level official and what plants would be growing there, what hunting for birds in the Nile would be like, and that Hani’s family would have a tomb prepared during their lifetime filled with statues, jewelry and other items important to their dedication to their primary god Amen. She includes a daughter that is completely paralyzed from an accident but is still deeply loved and tenderly taken care of, and that Hani’s scribe is a midget. Adding these characters is more inclusive for all persons than many authors would tackle. The Historical Notes and Glossary may be off-putting to the reader before the story unfolds, but it is helpful in understanding the many foreign sounding names that fill the story.
There are two topics that were a little confusing as the story unfolded. Author Holmes is lacking in details in how Hani and Maya travelled from Waset to Simurru to Urusalim and back, along with many other journeys taken throughout Egypt. Other servants and soldiers that accompanied him are mentioned a time or two; how many were there? Did everyone walk? Did Hani ride a camel or donkey or did he get carried in a litter? Is this the main reason why a trip to Simurru took a year to accomplish? The trip from Waset to Akhat-aten by boat on the Nile took between three days and a week, with no explanation as to what affected the time of travel. The other topic concerns his scribe Maya, who falls in love with Hani’s second oldest daughter, Sat-hut-haru. Sat-hut-haru’s parents acknowledge that the union will be acceptable, and then in the next chapter, the two are married with no description of the ceremony and feasting that surely took place. Neither issue detracts from the story being told.
Bird in a Snare is very well edited and I give it a rating of 4 out of 4 stars. While travel within these lands may take a bit of time, the action moves quickly throughout the story and trying to figure out “who dun it” will keep the reader guessing. I highly recommend this book to anyone that would enjoy reading a mystery full of intrigue, betrayal, and a glimpse of life in ancient Egypt where belief in multiple gods drives the everyday life of the people.
******
Bird in a Snare
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Latest Review: Bird in a Snare by N.L. Holmes
