Ancient

by Michelle Novak

At the close of one sweltering day's journey beneath Egypt's unrelenting sun, a young woman and her nomadic parents lead their flock into the calm of an unexpected and flourishing oasis. It is a place of ideal refuge in the desert, at least for one night along the family's annual passage through a barren land...Taking advantage of what little light remains, Hem trails away to search for nabk berries by her mother's command. Only, finding a verdant spot right for fruit, this single child of Amosis and Oila will soon discover that she and her family are not alone. Someone else has also discovered the sanctuary in the wilderness. Someone who is about to endanger all of their lives, and alter each of their fates, forever...There is a place where the sands run deep. High above, a scorching sun beams. Far below, the ancients sleep. Scorpions scuttle, and the ibis stalks. People chant, while the gods, they watch...Sleek statues stare, and vipers slither. Incense streams like a gentle whisper. Hem has a perilous journey, with no choice but endure. Whether or not she will live, no one's destiny is sure.

347 pages, Paperback

Published May 26, 2019

About the author

Michelle Novak holds an M.A. in Speech & Interpersonal Communication from New York University and is the author of Venice, Veleno, Ancient, and Beauty Sleeping. She is also the writer behind InspiredByVenice.org, an eclectic blog encouraging readers to Stay Inspired! She currently lives in Evanston, IL.

Join Michelle on Instagram @InspiredByVenice

Reviews

[CallahansBooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

True to its name, our story takes place in a perilous epoch when fulfilling even the most basic needs of human survival was an unrelenting challenge. So it is with sympathy that one could root so easily for Michelle Novak’s “Hem,” a young girl who finds herself exposed to the depredations of an arid land and the strangers it conceals.

Beginning a journey through the Egyptian wilderness with her parents, Hem is soon forced by circumstance to scramble after the self-sufficiency needed to survive the terrifying bewilderment of being alone. Novak uses language beautifully to describe the scenery of Egypt in a way that feels both imaginative and vividly real.

As the suspense of the book builds, the author’s wonderful descriptive powers give the reader a sense of intimacy with a story well worth reading.

[AmeliaK · Rating 3 out of 5]

the book got really good towards the middle end part of the book. it took awhile to get started but once you did it was an amazing book, and i would highly recommend this book to people who engy book with lots of details and an amazing story line.