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The Shadow Prince

Audiobook
1 of 1 copy available
1 of 1 copy available
Growing up in a village in the middle of the Egyptian desert, Ash thinks his future holds nothing but sand, sun, a few annoying bullies, and lots of boring chores. Boy, is he wrong! On the night before his twelfth birthday, Ash learns that he was born on the same day as Prince Khufu, which makes him eligible to compete to be the prince's shadow, a coveted position as the friend and bodyguard of the boy destined to be pharaoh of all of Egypt. At first, Ash can't believe it, but when a floating royal barge takes Ash and his mentor to the bustling, magical, solar-powered capital, things get real. What awaits Ash and the candidates is deadly—five days of dangerous tests filled with demon fighting, monster slaying, and magical spells, each overseen by a different Egyptian god. Ash finds two friends willing to fight by his side—the first friends he's ever made. But there are candidates who will lie, cheat, and even harm others to win. Not all will survive, and only one can become the prince's shadow. To make matters worse, Ash is up against Lord Set, the devious god of chaos, who is secretly working to make the candidates fail. But if they do, the very survival of the kingdom is in peril. Can Ash and his new friends save Egypt? And will any of them survive to become the shadow prince?
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    • Publisher's Weekly

      September 27, 2021
      In an inventive alternate Egypt where technology is solar-powered, dark brown–skinned orphan Ash, 11, has resigned himself to a prosaic life of bullying and drudgery in his desert village. On the eve of his 12th birthday, however, the discovery that he shares a birthday with Prince Khufu shatters his unexceptional existence, as it enables him to compete to become the future pharaoh’s shadow, occupying the position of confidante, friend, and bodyguard. To win, Ash must overcome nine other highly trained candidates in a divine tournament filled with demons, magic, and deadly tasks proctored by gods. Though Ash befriends fellow competitors Seret, a talking lioness, and small, wavy-haired boy Gilli, not everyone he meets can be trusted. Set—god of chaos—harbors nefarious plans for the candidates, forcing Ash and his newfound friends into a battle to save Egypt itself. Though the story is hampered by tropes and limited descriptiveness, rapid plot progression smooths over any unevenness, while a cast of mostly well-rounded characters infuses the narrative with warmth. Bolstered by an accessible voice, Durham’s middle grade debut weaves the power of renewable energy into a rollicking tale of gods and monsters. Back matter includes a glossary of the gods, as well as online resources. Ages 8–13. Agent: Tina Dubois, ICM Partners.

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  • English

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