Spuckler gives SIROCCO 4 Stars

Joseph Spuckler gives Sirocco, Storm Over Land and Sea
(Legends of the Wing Scarab #2) 
4 Stars

SIROCCO, Storm Over Land and Sea (Legends of the Winged Scarab) by Inge Borg is the follow up to Khamsin (reviewed earlier this year at Author Alliance). This may be the first sequel I have read that takes place 5,000 years after the initial book. Khamsin set the stage in the ancient world and Sirocco picks up in modern Egypt, in fact, modern enough to include the 2011 revolution.

The Sirocco is a Mediterranean wind out of the south-east that can reach hurricane strengths and carries with it sand from Libya and North Africa. Sand from these storms reach Italy, Greece, and Albania and is dense enough to be seen on satellite photographs. Although slow in developing, the storms can wreak havoc on boats that are not prepared or do not take proper precautions.

Overall the story is well done and fast moving. It does fit well into the thriller category and ties in with real world and practical matters in antiquities. The novel has several subplots that converge to make an exciting story that is a bit more complex than your average thriller. There are several competing factions in the story. First is the team of archaeologists from the Cambridge Research Institute with the stand out character Naunet Klein. Their assistance is requested by the Jabari El-Masri who heads the Cairo Museum. El-Masri is feeling the pressure or the growing public unrest. He holds his position through favors and loyalty to President Mubarak. He is concerned with his future and the loyalty of his staff. Not everything he does is above board, but he rationalizes that it is for the safety and protection of the national and historical treasures. Also in the mix is the British gentleman Edward Guernsey-Crock: A man of mystery…a cocky man of mystery. Throw in some townspeople, art “collectors,” and fifty ancient golden tablets and a story quickly forms.

There is tension and suspicion between the various groups with Naunet taking on the role of the central character. Borg does an excellent job of filling the reader in on what would be for most unfamiliar subjects. She describes laser cleaning of metal artifacts used by archaeologists. There are some nautical lessons when the story line moves the open water. Borg has earlier shown in Khamsin that she knows Egyptian history. Her work is well researched. She also exposes the shadier side of the art and artifact world. As with her previous novel, it is nice to finish a novel and, although it is fiction, walk away a bit smarter.

Sirocco proves itself to be an action packed adventure story with an intriguing plot. It is the perfect book for a rainy afternoon or a story that allows you to live a vicarious adventure when your planned adventures fall through. Very well done.

See Joseph Spuckler's Review of KHAMSIN under the "Reader Reviews" tab

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