The Shadow Prince
FIVE DEADLY TESTS, ONLY ONE SHADOW PRINCE
In this middle grade solarpunk novel set in an alternate Egyptian universe, twelve-year-old Ash must compete and survive to become the shadow--and protector--of the prince.
Growing up in a village in the middle of the 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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David Anthony Durham was born in New York to a Caribbean family and raised primarily in the Mid- Atlantic area. He holds an MFA in creative writing from the University of Maryland, and teaches at the Stonecoast MFA Program and the University of Nevada, Reno. David is the author of seven books for grown-ups. The Shadow Prince is is his first book for middle-grade readers.
"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 is a master of the fantasy epic." -- The Washington Post
"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
"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. An exciting, magical series opener perfect for fans of Rick Riordan, Kwame Mbalia's Tristan Strong, and Jonathan Stroud's 'Bartimaeus' series." -- School Library Journal
Maine Student Book Award Nominee 2022 - Maine Library Association
Truman Readers Award Nominee 2023 - Missouri Association of School Librarians
