New Book Alert: Shiri by D.S. Taylor; Strong Leads Steer Dark and Violent Novel About Slavery in Ancient Egypt

New Book Alert: Shiri by D.S. Taylor; Strong Leads Steer Dark and Violent Novel About Slavery in Ancient Egypt




By Julie Sara Porter

Bookworm Reviews




Spoilers: Shiri is a book that begins dark and violent and pretty much stays that way. When early on the protagonist's family and the entire village is wiped out except her, you know that you won't be in for a fun jolly time. Also considering the majority of the book involves slavery, regicide, child rape, forced prostitution, abuse, and characters having to assume false identities for decades, you are in for a disturbing but unforgettable time.

One thing that keeps the narrative from being oversaturated in violence and dark images are the protagonists. They are both strong figures that use their wits and persistence to fight against these circumstances which they are forced in. They are both survivors and fighters to the end.

The first of our main characters is Shiri, who lives in a Habiru village in the desert. (There is no specific time set but the plot suggests that it is pre-Biblical days since the people around Shiri worship Ba’al and they fight one of the Amenhoteps though no number is given).

Shiri is shown to be close to her loving family particularly her father, a former warrior turned diplomatic village leader. The Egyptian Army massacres the entire village at the orders of their Prince Amenhotep. There are many graphic moments but one of the hardest to read is when Shiri is an eyewitness to some Egyptians cutting her father down with a sword then raping and murdering her mother.

Shiri manages to escape and runs to the dwelling of the so-called Shepherd King, the ruler of the various desert tribes. His wife, called The Beautiful One, was abducted and possibly murdered by the Egyptians so he has been at war with them ever since. Shiri arrives to warn the Shepherd King of the approaching army.

In other novels, this may lead to a decisive battle in which the protagonists come out if not the winners then at least ahead. But in this novel, all her actions do is lead the Egyptians right to them and we are witness to another violent battle in which the villagers are captured or killed including the Shepherd King leaving behind his son, Joseph, our second protagonist.

Joseph has to face some quick decisions after his servant, Yuya turns traitor on him. Joseph kills Yuya and assumes his identity. The Egyptians “reward” him with a new slave, of course, Shiri. When the two are alone, they quickly realize that they are on the same side but must play the roles of Yuya, the Egyptian Master and Shiri, his new Habiru slave, while in Egypt.

So begins a masquerade that lasts over 20 years as Joseph assumes Yuya’s identity, his place in his family home, and his arranged marriage with Tjuya, the High Priest's daughter. When Tjuya threatens Shiri with revealing that she knows that the man claiming to be Yuya is a fraud, Shiri willingly submits herself to the abuse given by her vain mistress and Tjuya’s sadistic handmaiden, Meira.

D.S. Taylor puts brilliant lead characters in this dark setting. The antagonists are terrible but they are supposed to be. Amenhotep is written as a spoiled Prince committing foul deeds for his father's attention. Tjuya is a manipulative jealous bitch who delights in abusing Shiri. Meira gleefully humiliates Shiri on her mistress's behalf. They are a ghastly bunch which makes Shiri and Joseph more likable.

In Shiri and Joseph's struggles with their enemies, we see how they differ in gender and social structure and how those differences play into their conflicts. Shiri is forced to endure the worst treatment that a slave woman has to overcome. She is raped by male masters and abused by Tjuya. She is forced to allow her daughter, Tiye, to be raised in Tjuya's household, but she stoically holds her ground and bonds with the girl in secret.

Shiri is maternal and loving towards Tiye and she continues to love Joseph even under his false identity. While their romance begins rather quickly, it makes sense considering that Shiri lost her family and only has Joseph to hold onto.

Shiri fights as well as she can by showing kindness when none is given to her, strength when her body is weakened, and courage when her masters try to break her. She is able to endure the long years of suffering.

Joseph has a different path facing his antagonists. Acting as a wealthy Egyptian male, he has to play the role of stern overseer on the outside while being the Shepherd King on the inside. He shows kindness to slaves so he can gain their loyalty and they act as his army in an eventual rebellion. He is a consummate politician negotiating and strategizing between allies that aid him in facing his Egyptian enemies. He also is able to see the big picture and plan far ahead for the future of his people while Shiri has to live day to day, moment by moment for herself, her daughter, and the man she loves.

However, Joseph has to keep up the lie of being Yuya for years. He is forced to compromise his beliefs and religion, hide his allegiances with his former people, and his love for Shiri all under the guise of being a wealthy Egyptian. This makes Shiri a stronger character than Joseph. She may be in horrible circumstances, but at least she is honest about who she is, who she loves, and what she believes.
Fortunately, as dark as the book is, there are some great hopeful moments towards the end as secrets are revealed and unions are made. Even when some characters die, their legacies live on.

In one juicy moment, the tables are turned as a master becomes a slave and vice versa. This moment shows the real heroism in Shiri and Joseph and how they are able to use their strength, leadership, and endurance to visualize a better world than the one they entered.