The Maiden’s Song

Debra Tash
Zumaya Publications (2002)
ISBN 1894869257
Reviewed by Rebecka Vigus for Reader Views (5/06)

Debra Tash takes you back to the land of the Pharaohs.  You will journey the fertile ground between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers.  Sargon, an orphan raised by strangers, sells himself into slavery to help support them. On his journey he rescues the maiden Naram-tani, whose lovely voice captures his heart.  He has a vision and leaves his ship after paying for his freedom and the freedom of his friend Menna to travel north to the town of Kish.

In Kish he is arrested and made a slave to the King’s cupbearer.  Naram-tani becomes the songstress to the King.  Sargon continues to follow his visions.  His goal is to be King of all Sumer. While he is able to get Naram-tani out of Kish, she is sought by Lugal-zaggesi, son of her former king. Naram-tani was to have followed her king to his grave by drinking poison; instead she escaped on Sargon’s ship.

Naram-tani’s escape is halted when she is taken by a band of thieves and Menna is killed protecting her.  Her travels with the thieves allow her an opportunity to make another escape.  Does she ever reach Egypt?  Does Sargon ever find her again?  Does Lugal-zaggesi kill her?  These and many more questions will be answered when you read the book.

The book is very well researched and gives an accurate account of the time period it portrays.  Ms. Tash has given believable characters that face difficult challenges. She gives a good description of the worthlessness of women.  Women were merely chattels of their masters. There is also talk of the gods who are given sacrifices to help the people and the terrible things that happen when the gods are angry.  The book has much history woven into it and is a good read.

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