The Grain God

Saga Of The Rah #1

by Susan Shepherd

In the spring of the year 1600 BC, the Minoan world is flourishing. At the height of its power it is the crossroads of the Bronze Age world, with Greece to the west, the Hittites to the north, and Egypt to the south. Into this world a beautiful boy from the Nordic peninsula is injected.

Arriving on a slave ship and sold to the High Priest Mochlos, his exquisite feline features, his physical grace and strength, and his extraordinary ability to dance quickly make him the most prized slave in the city of Knossos, and after a rigorous contest Mochlos wins the right to perform the ritual that transforms the boy into the Grain God, a human vessel for the god of fertility, the Rah.

The magic unleashed by the boy's creation soon causes Knossos' crops and seas to flourish and neighboring king Cyrus, his own kingdom withering with drought, hires an assassin to kill him. But there is a greater evil brewing. And as the volcano that will become the greatest natural cataclysm in history smolders offshore, the man who was sent to kill him will become his savior.

Genres: Historical Fiction

439 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 14, 2012

About the author

Susan Shepherd is a retired law enforcement officer who has spent most of her career interviewing criminals and writing reports for the Court. She lives on the North Fork of Long Island with her husband, three horses and four cats.

Reviews

[Cj · Rating 5 out of 5]

By far this is the most intriguing book I have read in several years. It is a thriller and faced paced novel. There was no putting the book down without finishing the chapter, only to find the book back in my hand to see what happens next. The author awakens all of your senses and pulls you right into the plot. You will interact with the characters whether you choose to or not, the author is that good. The plot is unique, yet brilliant. The falling actions, as well as the rising action are both superb. The climax took me to the edge of my seat. The Palace of Knossos, a product of the Bronze Age, is only one of the many places the author brings you in this fiction meets history novel. Doug Liman, Paul Greengrass and Tony Gilroy could easily create a film adaptation as good as, if not better then the Bourne Trilogy. This novel, the first of the trilogy, is bound to become an unforgettable classic of the Bronze Age during 1620 B.C. C.S.McClellans review regarding certain aspects of this book:"The problems with vocabulary, wonky formatting, words left out of sentences" should be overlooked, unless you're a literary critic or wanabe editor. Yes, the author interchanges some minor details, cottage/cabin etc. but if you read for enjoyment, YOU WILL ENJOY this book, as well as others the author has written. PS: the artwork on the cover is simply stated yet a strong statement to the contents of the book.

[Sanford Alpert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ms. Shepherd's lyrical prose that engage all of the senses and thrusts the reader into a memorable and moving saga. Virtually all of the characters are fleshed out and fully realized and give the impression that they are going about their lives even when the reader is absent. I found myself caring about most of them and even the worst of them is a multidimensional creature, and not the polarized, cardboard figure all too common in today's fiction.

A warning, this is a long, complex tale with some graphic brutality and if one is looking for a light, superficial romp then steer clear of this one. But if you are looking for a satisfying, epic tale of substance then you will truly enjoy this book.

[Gerry · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is unique, and I would venture to guess that its reviews will range from the superb to the ridiculous. But if you have an ear for magical prose, an eye for brilliant story telling and a brain that longs to travel to far off lands and mingle with the characters of a beautiful mosaic, then step over the threshold of the House of the Moon into the parlors of Mochlos the High Priest and meet the Grain God, a dazzling cat-like slave boy who is about to catapult you into a world of wicked delights, deeply moving relationships and introduce you to an assassin-to-die-for.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an amazing book. Susan Shepherd is a remarkable author and had me on edge wanting more all the time. It was impossible for me to put the book down, and often I would have coffee to stay awake just to keep reading. Towards the end of the book, I became anxious, knowing that the story would end soon. I was elated to hear that there were two other books in this series and could continue with the adventures of Rah and "the assassin."

[Jesse · Rating 3 out of 5]

Intriguing setting if a long setup. Be warned, these characters are not resolved & continue into further volumes. I found this intriguing, largely because the setting was well done and unusual, but several of the intriguing aspects are unfinished... hinted at but hopefully held for future volumes. I felt this was long. I'll read the next one, but was not so much enamored with this book as intrigued by the story's promise.

[Deborah Hughis · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author has a way of wrapping the reader into the story so you feel like you are a part of the 17th century BC. As I read this I couldn't help but to visualize many of the scenes described in magnificent detail and often thought how wonderful this book would transform into a play. Just started Soul of Rah and already I know it will be as intriguing as this one .

[Heather Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great, Great, Great! A stunning debut. A historical fiction that comes to life and jumps off the pages. I read it (over 600 pages) in five days. Couldn't put it down, didn't want it to end. I loved this book.