BOOK TOUR: By the Horn of the South - Sue Davies
Official Website | Buy from Amazon
Based on a true story, this historical adventure is set on a Greek merchant vessel, The Delphis, as it sails down the coast of West Africa in search of treasure.
It is about 500 BCE. There is a volatile mix of navigators, healers and soothsayers on board. The seas are huge and the hunt for gold, relentless. The skies are overcast and navigation by the night sky impossible. They get lost in lakes and lagoons, fall ill with mysterious fevers and some die. They ride out a tidal wave and hunt for gorillas.
When they return home they must answer for their actions to one of the most dangerous men of the known world. He hauls them up before an enquiry. Was any treasure found? Who was responsible for the failure of the voyage? Most importantly of all, why is their leader not amongst them? The man seems to have completely disappeared.
This multi-voiced, historical adventure is fast paced and gripping. It explores what was it like to travel the world when it was thought to end at the Straits of Gibraltar and Helios, the sun, disappeared sizzling into the sea each night only to rise, fresh faced again, every morning.
* * *
A unique and intriguing read, By the Horns of the South has a massive cast, each with their own goals and motivations at play. At the core of the group is a family of healers, bearing both the physical ills and the biases of their gathered party. Both during the voyage and after, everyone wants an explanation for the poor fortune of the journey—or, if necessary, a scapegoat.
Gravitating between a post-journey explanation and the cramped quarters of the voyage itself, the book seeks to plunge the reader into the midst of the experience. Between ill health, violent weather, and unkind crewmates, it's not a pleasant world. Even so, bonds are forged, and the crew's healer does her best to care for her crewmates despite their inclinations otherwise. While the ending isn't necessarily joyful, it is peaceful.
If you're interested in historically-inspired reads, this is a great one to pick up. A prequel, By the Pillars of Herakles, is apparently en route for publication in September 2024. Be sure to check out the author's website for more information!
This blog post is part of a book tour sponsored by The Book Network.
About the Author
0 comments