What do you think?
Rate this book
The Orfeo Saga #6
The Slave Boy
After his time as a double agent, Cyrus is bored with his easy life in Kuragalu (in modern Iraq). He returns to Babylon to find his old friend Balik, who has fallen on hard times. They decide to head to Elam (in Southwest Iran) and take up their old profession of merchant/spies. They find more adventure than they bargained for during their trip. Both of them are sold into slavery. Cyrus frees himself, and with Balik is soon in command of a band of ex-slaves. After proving their worth in a battle against bandits, they are hired to transport the sister of a powerful General to her home further east. Arya has her own carriage and does not mix with the men. Cyrus soon finds out that the General stands to inherit a large amount of money if Arya dies. They will face extreme risk as they travel across the mountains. The situation becomes more serious when the caravan is caught up in a battle between the Prince of Lahore (in modern Pakistan) and the King of Cabol (in modern Afghanistan). Arya offers to become Cyrus’s wife, thus giving him wealth, status, and security. However, Cyrus is determined to stop the siege of Cabul and the massive loss of life that will follow. Is it possible to bring the war to an end without paying the ultimate price?
240 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 17, 2017
17 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
October 23, 2017
Slave Boy” is a sequel by Murray Lee Eiland, Jr. about the continuing adventures of Cyrus the Kassite. Soon after the successful defense against the Babylonian siege, the ranger heads East in order to escape his former retainers. As he comes upon an errand captive, their lives become entwined against soldiers of fortune and bounty pirates. While the ordeals are harrowing, Eiland does not forget the human element between his main characters, resulting in credible plot twists and happy endings. Overall, it is a fancy historical fiction reaching from eastern Iran to northern India, with flourishes of indigenous peoples and geopolitical fealties.
As a casual writer in love with the Near East, Murray Eiland walks aptly between history and creativity in his latest serial. A nomad from the Zagros Mountains in northeastern Iran, the protagonist is anxious for a life on the open plains. Having repelled the advance of a great people, the Babylonian dialectic is fast becoming a local tradition. Full of their soliloquy, Cyrus urges himself to leave no matter the condition. Indeed, not soon after taking off was his life in the hands of other nomads, but it leaves his adventure in doubt. Surely this was not what Cyrus have in mind when he forsakes the comfort of his city friends by slipping through the outposts. A life of hard labor with little food, water but lots of beating wind and sun is disconcerting, but such is Eiland’s cartographic accuracy between the Fertile Crescent and the Indus Valley, when Cyrus makes his escape and finds the story’s main character.
Cyrus discovers a foreigner in chains, a fellow escapee with an incredible past and ties to another fellow kingdom. This foreigner is no older than a teenager, but is more resourceful than someone twice as old as Cyrus. With ingenuity they replenish the Afghan sands with the colors of danger, as time again they outwitted the nomads, garnering the masters of the Near East. It is in that direction they were summoned, leading freedmen as captain and squire to settle a score. A southern baron demands reparations from a northern lord, a sum equitable to his son’s missing bride. We learn of the unrequited tale, a typical betrothal of two powerful families spurned by a daughter gone missing, and the war to avenge a doting son. The baron of the Indus flood plains gather a host, Cyrus and Slave Boy accompanying, to seek recourse and address the stalemate. Perhaps contrived, the subplot serves to bring the protagonist and Slave Boy to the subcontinent on the pretext of a demographic schism that exists today.
Albeit nondescript, Eiland does well to paint the flurry of skirmishes and reactions of a battle-fatigued warrior. The permutations of a tactician is explained with little complexity, as is the anxiety on Cyrus when the prospect of war jeopardizes the lives of himself and his squire. More color would compliment the basic foundations to the already excelling installment of Murray Lee Eiland, Jr’s “Slave Boy.”
As a casual writer in love with the Near East, Murray Eiland walks aptly between history and creativity in his latest serial. A nomad from the Zagros Mountains in northeastern Iran, the protagonist is anxious for a life on the open plains. Having repelled the advance of a great people, the Babylonian dialectic is fast becoming a local tradition. Full of their soliloquy, Cyrus urges himself to leave no matter the condition. Indeed, not soon after taking off was his life in the hands of other nomads, but it leaves his adventure in doubt. Surely this was not what Cyrus have in mind when he forsakes the comfort of his city friends by slipping through the outposts. A life of hard labor with little food, water but lots of beating wind and sun is disconcerting, but such is Eiland’s cartographic accuracy between the Fertile Crescent and the Indus Valley, when Cyrus makes his escape and finds the story’s main character.
Cyrus discovers a foreigner in chains, a fellow escapee with an incredible past and ties to another fellow kingdom. This foreigner is no older than a teenager, but is more resourceful than someone twice as old as Cyrus. With ingenuity they replenish the Afghan sands with the colors of danger, as time again they outwitted the nomads, garnering the masters of the Near East. It is in that direction they were summoned, leading freedmen as captain and squire to settle a score. A southern baron demands reparations from a northern lord, a sum equitable to his son’s missing bride. We learn of the unrequited tale, a typical betrothal of two powerful families spurned by a daughter gone missing, and the war to avenge a doting son. The baron of the Indus flood plains gather a host, Cyrus and Slave Boy accompanying, to seek recourse and address the stalemate. Perhaps contrived, the subplot serves to bring the protagonist and Slave Boy to the subcontinent on the pretext of a demographic schism that exists today.
Albeit nondescript, Eiland does well to paint the flurry of skirmishes and reactions of a battle-fatigued warrior. The permutations of a tactician is explained with little complexity, as is the anxiety on Cyrus when the prospect of war jeopardizes the lives of himself and his squire. More color would compliment the basic foundations to the already excelling installment of Murray Lee Eiland, Jr’s “Slave Boy.”
October 25, 2017
The Slave Boys by Murray Eiland Jr
Cyrus’ former life as a double agent was thrilling. Fighting the Babylonian war and occasionally sharing secrets with Orfeo, the enemy. Back in Kuragalu things are too still and calm for his tastes. He contemplates what life would be like if he settled down to a simple life as is expected but it just will not cut it. Therefore, he embarks on a journey to find adventure. He is advised to leave and live by the highest standards of honor then return to his people a more complete man. He takes the advice and embarks on a journey to Elam with Balik, his old friend and partner in shenanigans. On the way, they interact with the Queen of Araka, which gets them into trouble. They are sold into slavery but they escape and Cyrus heads a troop of ex-slaves. After winning a battle against bandits, a General tasks them with the responsibility to protect his sister until she gets home. However, the Arya’s death would be a very lucrative tragedy for the General. The job gets more difficult at that point when the General sends mercenaries to kill his sister. Things get thicker when the caravan transporting Arya is caught in the war between two communities. There is a contract in place to bring to an end but an integral party is missing. Arya makes an offer of marriage to Cyrus to accord him affluence and protection. However, Cyrus has his mind set on ending this battle. A surprising revelation makes Cyrus the new King of Cabol with a wife he actually cares for. His days are filled with adventure and plotting. He has found adventure in his own household. Could Cyrus and his unlikely ally really come up with a viable plan to end the skirmishes?
Murray Eiland’s The Slave Boy is a valuable lesson on dignity and honor. This book is a well-narrated tale of the all too familiar desire to find adventure, which often ends in trouble. Cyrus is said to have a golden tongue as he can very easily charm friends and enemies into doing things to his benefit. This paired with his intelligence and bravery makes him an exceptional leader. His character is endearing to the reader and one finds themselves rooting for him throughout the book. The conversations between the characters are friendly and teasing like it is in the military but without being overly crass. The characters do not curse like sailors and the reader can enjoy the banter without getting uncomfortable.
The book is written in the third person. This can be a little disconcerting to the reader. The author jumps from one scene to the other and it takes a little time for the reader to adjust to the new surroundings. In general, this is a good book. For a fan of historical fiction that tells realistic accounts with relatable and likable characters, this is definitely the book to read. It is compelling and gripping right to the last page. A four out of five for this book.
Cyrus’ former life as a double agent was thrilling. Fighting the Babylonian war and occasionally sharing secrets with Orfeo, the enemy. Back in Kuragalu things are too still and calm for his tastes. He contemplates what life would be like if he settled down to a simple life as is expected but it just will not cut it. Therefore, he embarks on a journey to find adventure. He is advised to leave and live by the highest standards of honor then return to his people a more complete man. He takes the advice and embarks on a journey to Elam with Balik, his old friend and partner in shenanigans. On the way, they interact with the Queen of Araka, which gets them into trouble. They are sold into slavery but they escape and Cyrus heads a troop of ex-slaves. After winning a battle against bandits, a General tasks them with the responsibility to protect his sister until she gets home. However, the Arya’s death would be a very lucrative tragedy for the General. The job gets more difficult at that point when the General sends mercenaries to kill his sister. Things get thicker when the caravan transporting Arya is caught in the war between two communities. There is a contract in place to bring to an end but an integral party is missing. Arya makes an offer of marriage to Cyrus to accord him affluence and protection. However, Cyrus has his mind set on ending this battle. A surprising revelation makes Cyrus the new King of Cabol with a wife he actually cares for. His days are filled with adventure and plotting. He has found adventure in his own household. Could Cyrus and his unlikely ally really come up with a viable plan to end the skirmishes?
Murray Eiland’s The Slave Boy is a valuable lesson on dignity and honor. This book is a well-narrated tale of the all too familiar desire to find adventure, which often ends in trouble. Cyrus is said to have a golden tongue as he can very easily charm friends and enemies into doing things to his benefit. This paired with his intelligence and bravery makes him an exceptional leader. His character is endearing to the reader and one finds themselves rooting for him throughout the book. The conversations between the characters are friendly and teasing like it is in the military but without being overly crass. The characters do not curse like sailors and the reader can enjoy the banter without getting uncomfortable.
The book is written in the third person. This can be a little disconcerting to the reader. The author jumps from one scene to the other and it takes a little time for the reader to adjust to the new surroundings. In general, this is a good book. For a fan of historical fiction that tells realistic accounts with relatable and likable characters, this is definitely the book to read. It is compelling and gripping right to the last page. A four out of five for this book.
October 25, 2017
Living a life full of freedom to only then have it snatched from right under you is never an ideal situation. Surprising enough, this can really give way to an opportunity of discovering the strength you have as a person. In “The Slave Boy”, author Murray Lee Eiland Jr. allows his readers to experience the life of one individual named Cyrus, who once was a double agent, to take on a new life of responsibilities as an army commander. Talk about switching from one life he grew bored and tired of to another that seemed to serve more purpose and was overall more thrilling. We begin to learn that Cyrus was suitable to be a leader in charge of an army, as he had an advantage of being prepared for all possible threats and potential security breaches before it even occurred. The thought of thinking on your feet that keep majority, if not all, of his soldiers alive to see another day, is extremely impressive.
The part of experiencing slavery occurred out of spite for a king who felt threatened by the presence of Cyrus, and his good friend Balik. While reading this book, you can develop a bond with Cyrus as he shares a moment of fear, when he feels that he would die before leaving a legacy behind. This topic is relatable because not many feel their lives would be complete if they didn’t have their own family to mourn their departure of this world. As long as he believes he’s living his life full of purpose, protecting everyone under his watchful eye, he then understands that he too can receive what he deserves to make him happy. We also learn about the deception that the royal families have, trying to overthrow each other or rid them from reaping the full benefits of possessing a kingdom that was rightfully theirs.
I felt the pain Cyrus was experiencing constantly looking out for everyone’s best interest while his interests seem to be cast aside. The writing style of Murray Lee Eiland Jr. was well-written from detailing the settings, what the characters were currently feeling, what they thought about each of the scenarios they were in, their inner fears and desires, and even what they planned to accomplish. I enjoyed being a witness while Cyrus saved as many people as he could under his watchful eye, while still having the time to build great relationships with those he encountered. I highly recommend this book and those previously written as this author brings a level of talented writing that would have you connecting with at least one character due to how relatable they are.
The part of experiencing slavery occurred out of spite for a king who felt threatened by the presence of Cyrus, and his good friend Balik. While reading this book, you can develop a bond with Cyrus as he shares a moment of fear, when he feels that he would die before leaving a legacy behind. This topic is relatable because not many feel their lives would be complete if they didn’t have their own family to mourn their departure of this world. As long as he believes he’s living his life full of purpose, protecting everyone under his watchful eye, he then understands that he too can receive what he deserves to make him happy. We also learn about the deception that the royal families have, trying to overthrow each other or rid them from reaping the full benefits of possessing a kingdom that was rightfully theirs.
I felt the pain Cyrus was experiencing constantly looking out for everyone’s best interest while his interests seem to be cast aside. The writing style of Murray Lee Eiland Jr. was well-written from detailing the settings, what the characters were currently feeling, what they thought about each of the scenarios they were in, their inner fears and desires, and even what they planned to accomplish. I enjoyed being a witness while Cyrus saved as many people as he could under his watchful eye, while still having the time to build great relationships with those he encountered. I highly recommend this book and those previously written as this author brings a level of talented writing that would have you connecting with at least one character due to how relatable they are.
November 22, 2017
The Slave Boy by Murray Lee Eiland Jr. is a complex tale of self-discovery, adventure, and politics. Set in Kuragalu we follow Cyrus, who is bored with his rather easy life. He journeys to Babylon to find his old friend, Balik, who has recently been having a hard time. They travel to Elam and start up their old roles as merchants and spies, but soon after they are captured and sold into slavery. Cyrus frees himself and ends up commanding a group of ex-slaves and after a skirmish are hired to transport a sister to a powerful general, who is heading home in the east. The adventure only escalates from there, especially when Cyrus finds out the general stands to gain wealth if his sister perishes. It is only the beginning of shadowy intrigue that follows. Cyrus will have to make choices that could not only change his life but the lives of everyone around him, including his good friend, Balik.
Eiland weaves a fascinating story centered on friendship and adventure. The Slave Boy is number six in the Orfeo Saga, but in some ways, it stands on its own. There are some history and the characters clearly tie back into the previous novels in the series, but none of this seriously harms the narrative itself. The setting of the middle east and Iran is great and a welcome breath of fresh air, considering it is not too often anyone in the West rights such a story with a clear intimate connection to the region.
The character arcs are also interesting to witness and Balik goes through the most change as he rises to the various challenges that try and stop them in their tracks. Cyrus saves him from drowning in wine in Babylon. Balik grows and deals with his inner struggles, especially a world that no longer cares for the veterans of war.
The added flavor of political intrigue is welcome, considering the novel would otherwise be left with a plot that would be too simplistic, Eiland navigates this with expert handling. He explores royal families and the complex governments of these regions and does so in a way that is sensitive to the setting and cultures involved.
The style of writing is inherently readable and the shorter chapters allow for quick escapes and even encourages readers to not stop as they follow Cyrus and Balik’s journey. Eiland is clearly an accomplished writer and knows what to bring to the table to make an enjoyable story. The small historical note at the end was a nice touch considering the story is grounded in the geography of real places.
I would recommend this read to any who enjoys historical fiction with an adventure bent.
Eiland weaves a fascinating story centered on friendship and adventure. The Slave Boy is number six in the Orfeo Saga, but in some ways, it stands on its own. There are some history and the characters clearly tie back into the previous novels in the series, but none of this seriously harms the narrative itself. The setting of the middle east and Iran is great and a welcome breath of fresh air, considering it is not too often anyone in the West rights such a story with a clear intimate connection to the region.
The character arcs are also interesting to witness and Balik goes through the most change as he rises to the various challenges that try and stop them in their tracks. Cyrus saves him from drowning in wine in Babylon. Balik grows and deals with his inner struggles, especially a world that no longer cares for the veterans of war.
The added flavor of political intrigue is welcome, considering the novel would otherwise be left with a plot that would be too simplistic, Eiland navigates this with expert handling. He explores royal families and the complex governments of these regions and does so in a way that is sensitive to the setting and cultures involved.
The style of writing is inherently readable and the shorter chapters allow for quick escapes and even encourages readers to not stop as they follow Cyrus and Balik’s journey. Eiland is clearly an accomplished writer and knows what to bring to the table to make an enjoyable story. The small historical note at the end was a nice touch considering the story is grounded in the geography of real places.
I would recommend this read to any who enjoys historical fiction with an adventure bent.
February 21, 2017
It is great to have another novel in the series. I am really into the history of ancient Iraq. This adventure goes further east. I know it is the Orfeo Saga, but having another strong character is a good idea. Cyrus can always pretend to be a businessman, but we all know that he is really a leader. This novel is really filled with political intrigue, and has a little bit of a mystery element. I read a couple of other books in the series, and this one might be the best. The descriptions are excellent!
February 22, 2017
“The Slave Boy,” by Murray Lee Eiland Jr. it’s a meaningful mix of fiction, ancient history, politics, intrigue and subtle life lessons about ambition, honor, and dignity and I have to confess that I found Cyrus’s story fascinating down to the last page.
What I most enjoyed it’s the manner in which the story clicks along, as the author related it to a historical context (of what is it today the modern Iraq, Pakistan, and Afghanistan). At the same time, the storyline it's framed by an original and, at the same time, a realistic and elaborate set of characters, a fact that got me involved in the action of the book even from the first pages.
I appreciated reading a story in which the slavery topic it’s seen from a different point of view and, as I had a positive experience reading it, I warmly recommend it!
What I most enjoyed it’s the manner in which the story clicks along, as the author related it to a historical context (of what is it today the modern Iraq, Pakistan, and Afghanistan). At the same time, the storyline it's framed by an original and, at the same time, a realistic and elaborate set of characters, a fact that got me involved in the action of the book even from the first pages.
I appreciated reading a story in which the slavery topic it’s seen from a different point of view and, as I had a positive experience reading it, I warmly recommend it!
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews