2. Crowning the Dead Queen

The Babylonian royal wedding is only days away, but the political marriage with a Median child bride repulses Prince Amel, still in love with Shamhat, his concubine and the mother of his children. Amidst the celebrations, Sennedjem tries to rescue his sister Neith from the royal palace, where she is a nanny to Shamhat’s children. But when he runs afoul of an attempt on Shamhat’s life, fateful events are set in motion that may topple a dynasty. Brought to life by endearing art and thorough research, this second volume of “The Straw King” concludes Isabelle Dethan’s ancient Egyptian epic.