The Fowler’s Snare
The Fowler’s Snare is an adventure novel set in Ancient Egypt following the fortunes of a handful of characters as they undertake a race through the desert to win Pharaoh’s prize. The race is hazardous and men die before they reach the end. Two teams accept the challenge, the Alodian runaways, escaping justice for attempting to kill the king, and the champion of Pharaoh, Commander Shenq who has won it before. Who will win this time, and how will they win it, and who will they meet on the way?
There is a strong psychological element to the novel, it is not just action but a great deal of soul searching on behalf of all the characters. They are all utterly ruthless and yet they all have something that softens them and makes them rounded and not cardboard cut-out heroes, villains or warriors. They have weaknesses, physical, mental or a deeply flawed character, caused by life, or the joyroot they seem to take as later cultures used opium.
Although based on real history, there is a thorough treatment of magic and fantasy, but as the Egyptian culture was heavily reliant on a plethora of gods, magic spells and incantations, it is entirely in keeping and brings the ancient world into focus.
The novel is well written, intense, and the well-crafted story is one that keeps you guessing. Although one thinks one knows how it will end, Stibbe leaves you guessing, never making it easy. One choses one’s hero and hopes for the best.
The version I read was the e-Pub which I read on my iPhone. There were a few formatting errors which could be confusing but these vanish when read on a device with a larger screen. This is a great read and I would highly recommend it to lovers of Egyptology and high adventure.
e-edition reviewed
