The Scarab
The final story in the Oracle sequence, drawing on ancient Greek and Egyptian ritual. In a tale rich with action, betrayals and mystery. Mirany and the Archon struggle to bring peace to their people.
Once again we're in the distand land of deserts and islands ruled by one god whose wishes are conveyed through the Oracle. The Archon, child god-on-earth, returns from his journey across the desert to the Well of Songs, to find the tyrannical General Argelin has siezed control and his reign of madness is oppressing the Two Lands. He has publicly denounced the gods, and established a reign of terror. Mirany is in hiding, and the Nine are scattered. Will Argelin's obsession bring the Rain Queen's wrath down on them all And whose is the sinister new power hidden in the sign of the Scarab In the descent into anarchy, Mirany and the Archon must attempt the final, impossible journey of the soul. Through the Nine Gateways into death. And back.
Note: This book has also been published with the title, 'Day of the Scarab'.
About the Oracle Series
Books in series order
- 1.The Oracle(2003)
- 2.The Archon(2004)
- 3.The Scarab(2005)
Reading age: 11+ years
This series should be read in order.
Mirany lives in the hot desert country of Two Lands, a land beset by drought and anxious to seek peace with the Rain Queen. A shy and scared priestess, Mirany is the new Bearer, charged with carrying out perilous duties in rituals to honour the scorpion god. But the leading priestess seeks ultimate power and is conspiring to betray the god by substituting an imposter as the Oracle Archon – the god’s revered representative on earth.
Initially unsuspecting, Mirany begins to receive direction from the scorpion god himself, soon teaming up with a scribe called Seth, a tomb thief known as The Jackal - and Oblek, a drunken and sometimes violent musician. The four devise a high-risk plan and work together in order to find and protect the new Archon.
A compelling trilogy, full of action, betrayals and mystery, and drawing on the rituals of the ancient Greeks and Egyptians. This fantasy world is richly-detailed and the adventure set against a backdrop that explores themes of ambition, motive and the implications of divinity.