By the Gods of Babylon

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Pub Date 30 Aug 2020 | Archive Date 31 Dec 2020

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Description

From the lands of Sumer and Babylon ... lands that birthed writing, the first author, and the first epic story.

Mesopotamia, 2300 BC.

Sargon is reveling in a casual banquet days before he is to be crowned king of kings, when the court jester steps forward and recites a song ("Genesis" Sumerian style) that is fiercely denounced as blasphemy by a priest, and the cheerful feast turns into a gory scene.
It is a bad omen for Sargon who anticipated a smooth transition to power, only to be embroiled in a chain of bloody events that spiral out of control, inciting many of the city-states he rules to the verge of rebellion.

Adding to anarchy is a host of unsavory characters with deadly grudges and ambitions for power.

The paranoid king knows that this most ancient of civilizations, despite its cultural advances, also provided a fertile ground for savagery which always promised a most ugly fate for leaders who lose their battles.

(The Back matter following the end of the novel contains historic notes and comments that relates to this work of fiction.) 

From the lands of Sumer and Babylon ... lands that birthed writing, the first author, and the first epic story.

Mesopotamia, 2300 BC.

Sargon is reveling in a casual banquet days before he is to be...


A Note From the Publisher

Warning: This novel contains material that might prove to be violent, sexually explicit, or religiously controversial to certain readers.
So, please read the 'Approval Preferences' before submitting a request.

Warning: This novel contains material that might prove to be violent, sexually explicit, or religiously controversial to certain readers.
So, please read the 'Approval Preferences'...


Advance Praise

“A debut novel offers a story about ancient palace intrigue … A lively and intriguing tale about polytheistic Sumerian society … Plots and subplots abound among the multitude of characters … Vivid imagery and courtly formal dialogue, often followed by the characters’ thoughts, bring both the players and the period to life…The last third of the engaging novel deftly connects the stories of the principal characters and ultimately delivers an unpredictable ending.”—Kirkus reviews

"The book begins with a strange retelling of a familiar religious story ... As the reader gets further in, the more they are absorbed and fascinated and engaged … The book features a wonderful balance with historical and religious tales ... the characters feel real, fully developed, complex and interesting.”—Tulsa book review

 "By the Gods of Babylon follows the lives of several people as they twine, part, and intertwine yet again, from kings to sculptors to religious devotees and simple boatmen … all take their own place in the tapestry being woven. Throughout inter-city conflicts, the reign of terror caused by a serial killer, and treasonous intra-city plots run tales from the Epic of Gilgamesh that invite the discerning reader to explore where our modern religions first were birthed. It's well worth the read, especially if you enjoy historical fiction.”—Manhattan book review

“Stories upon stories overlap in this long work of historical fiction … like ripples in a pond and converge into a startling conclusion. The author captures a great sense of the ancient world—the sights, sounds, and textures of ancient Mesopotamia, as well as the brutality and orgy of blood-lust."—Seattle Book Review

"An epic tale of ambition, power, lust, and love. The pacing can be frenetic, as the action jumps from one character and their tale into the next. The story overall is strong … the detail is exhaustive.”—San Francisco book review

“A debut novel offers a story about ancient palace intrigue … A lively and intriguing tale about polytheistic Sumerian society … Plots and subplots abound among the multitude of characters … Vivid...


Available Editions

EDITION Ebook
ISBN 9781733360722
PRICE US$8.99 (USD)

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