The shadow prince

MASL Book Trailer Winner

The Shadow Prince Book Trailer - Emmett G. from Reed Academy

About the Author

DAVID ANTHONY DURHAM is an award-winning author of historical, science fiction, and fantasy books. The Shadow Prince is Durham's first middle grade novel. He describes it as a "solarpunk fantasy."

Durham was born in New York City to parents of Caribbean descent. He grew up mostly in Maryland, but has spent the last twenty years on the move, jumping from East to West Coast to the Rocky Mountains, and back and forth to Scotland and France several times. 

He has published at least 7 other novels for adults, and his stories have appeared in four of George R.R. Martin’s Wild Cards novels. Durham has also worked in development for HBO shows and screenwriting for Warner Bros, and taught at several universities. He currently teaches at the University of Southern Maine in their Stonecoast MFA Program.

About the Book

In this "solarpunk" novel set in an alternate Egyptian universe, twelve-year-old Ash must compete to become the Shadow—and protector—of the prince.

FIVE DEADLY TESTS, ONLY ONE SHADOW PRINCE

Growing up as an orphan in a remote village in the Egyptian desert, Ash's life is pretty ordinary—sort of. He spends most of his time working in irrigation canals and avoiding bullies, but he is also being secretly trained by his mentor Yazen for some great purpose. Yazen has never said what that is, until now: the night before Ash's twelfth birthday. According to Yazen, Ash was born on the same day as Prince Khufu, which makes him eligible to compete to be the prince's shadow, a lifelong confidante and bodyguard. Ash doesn't really believe Yazen, but when a floating royal barge driven by solar-powered sails arrives, things get real. Ash and his mentor are taken to the bustling, magical, and solar-powered capital city.

What awaits Ash is deadly—five days of dangerous tests, each overseen by a different Egyptian god. Unfortunately, they've been told, not all will survive. On top of the tests, Ash is up against Set, the devious god of chaos, secretly working toward the candidates' demise. If they fail, a different prince will inherit the throne, one Set can manipulate for his evil schemes. Ash finds two friends willing to fight by his side, but he's been warned. Some candidates lie, cheat, and even try to harm others to win.

Can Ash and his friends do what it takes to save the kingdom? And will there be anyone left to become the Shadow Prince?

Praise for The Shadow Prince:

From School Library Journal:

(Gr 3-7) This entertaining fantasy, set in an alternate solar-powered ancient Egypt features Ash, a poor orphan boy of unknown parentage, whose skin tone is described as "the same red-brown as Egypt's." Picked on by other village boys, Ash is secretly being taught demons' traits and fighting skills by his mentor Yazen-for what, Ash doesn't know. On Ash's 12th birthday, Yazen confesses he's been mentoring Ash because he is one of the children born on the same day as the prince. Ash is destined to become one of the candidates in a multiday contest where the winner becomes the shadow to Prince Khufu, the future pharaoh of Egypt, charged with keeping the prince safe. Ash and the other diverse candidates (including a lioness) have to fight magical demons and monsters commanded by different Egyptian deities. A few candidates befriend Ash; others are hostile, like arrogant Sutekh and snotty red-headed Kiya. Prince Khufu's unscrupulous older brother Rami has also enlisted the deceitful god Lord Set to sabotage the candidates, so the rule of succession reverts back to him. Adult author Durham's middle grade debut is full of action, political intrigue, inventive solar powered gadgets, and quirky creatures. Ash is a sympathetic character who discovers his own self-worth and a surprising talent while competing in the grueling competition. VERDICT An exciting, magical series opener perfect for fans of Rick Riordan, Kwame Mbalia's Tristan Strong, and Jonathan Stroud's "Bartimaeus" series.-Sharon Rawlins, New Jersey State Lib., Trentonα(c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Reviews:

"David Anthony Durham never disappoints. I can't wait to read whatever he writes next."—George R.R. Martin

"Wildly imaginative and thoroughly thrilling, The Shadow Prince is a Hunger Games for a big, strange, magical new world."—Lev Grossman, author of The Magicians Trilogy

"Durham's story is rich in detail and imagination. . . A rousing romp that shows kindness as a strength and power as a chance to improve our world."—Booklist

"Durham offers up an action-packed, magic-filled adventure made all the more fun by its evocative world building. . . Ash's narrative voice is distinctly contemporary, full of endearing snark and self-deprecating wit, and readers will appreciate both his happy ending and the unresolved mysteries that leave the door open for sequels."— Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

"A fantastical, solar-powered Egypt complete with solar chariots and kiteboards is original. . . Solid and earnest."—Kirkus Reviews

"Inventive. . . 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."—Publishers Weekly

"A unique science fiction atmosphere. . . Middle grade students will identify with this coming-of-age story of peril and survival."— School Library Connection

"Durham is a master of the fantasy epic."—The Washington Post

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