From My Fantasy Writing Desk
This was an exciting week in my world with the launch of the 3rd book in my Tesha series, Of Kings and Griffins. Click here to order at the launch week price of $2.99. In honor of that event, I’ll share my favorite review thus far.
From Tinney Heath, author of Lady of the Seven Suns:
“I am a fan of this fascinating historical fantasy series, which is based on the ancient Hittites, and this one is the best yet. If you haven’t read the earlier books, don’t hesitate to start with this one – you will have no trouble following who’s who or what’s happening. You will probably want to go back and pick up the others, though.
Starkston has mastered the art of dual storytelling. We get both the fast-paced, can’t-put-it-down story between the covers of each book, and also the longer, gradual weaving of the lives of her characters over time, played out as the series expands: their unfolding experiences and how those adventures change them, their growth as people (or, in some cases, griffins), their relationships as they shift and change and deepen. In this book, we see added character depth as both humans and magical creatures find themselves trying desperately to protect their beloved offspring, even while dealing with dangerous power struggles.
My own enthusiasm for this series begins – though it does not end – with Starkston’s vast historical knowledge and the ingenious way she has made the Hittite civilization come alive, even while transforming it into exciting fantasy complete with Hittite-sourced magic and ancient gods and goddesses. I especially love it that her heroine, Tesha, is based on a historical queen. Fans of Guy Gavriel Kay will appreciate the seamless blend of history and fantasy in these books.”
You can see why I love this review!
Archaeology I Enjoyed
What Did They Wear?
I enjoyed this discussion of the traces of clothing and fabrics in the archaeological record of the Near East. Thomason talks about the relative status of wool versus linen, with linen being the “imported,” high value textile in her assessment.
That interested me because in the Hittite context, there are disparaging references to the perennial enemy of the Hittites, the Kaskan tribes who lived in the northern reaches of Anatolia, as linen producers, as if linen was less civilized than wool. In modern terms, I suppose it would be like saying someone wears polyester pant suits instead of silk blouses. The anti-linen stress never made sense to me, and I suspect somehow the intent of the insult is getting lost in translation. Isn’t it fascinating how we put each other down using the common accessories of daily life like clothes?
My favorite snippet of vivid information from this excellent post includes details about elite “bling” for public appearances. I have to say, this aspect of human behavior has not changed:
“The dangling and flexible items of jewelry, and hanging gold beads and tassels in the Nimrud tombs demonstrate that elites preferred clothing made with components that dazzled the senses and which would flash and jingle as they moved. Such clothing was “high-maintenance” and required the wearer to make multiple adjustments in posture and wrapping to properly comport themselves. Throughout the ancient Near East, such attention-grabbing ensembles donned for important events are discussed in texts and represented in images on different types of objects, from the portable to the monumental.”
Click here for Ancient Near East Today “The Archaeology of Clothing in the Ancient Near East”