Author: Joanne Williamson
Recommended Age: 12-14
Date Published: 2002
Genre: Historical Fiction
Summary: Prince Taharka was never supposed to ascend to the throne of Kush and Egypt. But in a sudden reversal of authorities, he is gifted the throne and every curse that comes with it. But someone else is after Taharka’s throne, and when he is forced to flee for his life, solace may only be found in the northern kingdom of Judea.
Notes from The Radical Reader:
- Noble Characters: Twelve-year-old Taharka spends his days hunting alligators, dreaming of a life away from the palace as a physician, and playing with his best friend, Shepnu. But growing up means facing the responsibilities of the Kushite dynasty, a role Taharka isn’t prepared to accept.
- Captivating Plots: Taharka never wanted the throne. But when it is suddenly thrust upon him, Taharka becomes the god of Kush and Egypt. But there are those who want him dead. And saving his own life means running away from the throne and north to the country of Judea.
- Elaborate Worlds: Set around 701 BC when Egypt is under the rule of the Kushite dynasty, young Taharka succeeds to the throne of Kush and Egypt. When he flees for his life north to Judea, he meets the Jewish King Hezekiah whose miraculous faith in his God will be the only thing that saves Israel.
Notes from The Radical Reader:
- Violence: When surveying the carnage of the Assyrian attacks, Taharka sees “lifeless bodies thrust through and hanging high upon the long, sharpened stakes”. Taharka makes a reference to how ancient Kushite kings were killed by strangling or being walled up alive. There is a reference to Samarian captives being impaled on stakes. Taharka comments how he “had once seen a condemned criminal thrown to the crocodile”.
- Sexual Tension: Taharka’s mother was one of many wives to the king of Egypt. Taharka’s brother, in response to Taharka’s questioning, comments “This is a cage? Being the god is a punishment? All this and, in a little while, to choose all the wives you want and any wife you want?” No explicit details are ever given.
- Spiritual: Taharka’s friend, Shepnu, says that the priests “make me breathe poppy smoke til I go out of my head and say stupid things and they’ll say it’s the god Amon talking”. Taharka contemplates whether a hawk he saw was an omen. There is a reference to the ka or spirit of Taharka’s dead mentor. Taharka prays to foreign gods, but it is shown in stark contrast to the faith of King Hezekiah and the Israelite people.
