Monday 2 December 2013

In Review: SHIRI

As readers, we sometimes take chances on books outside our comfort zone. It may be with a new author, writing style, series or genre, but whatever the reason, we take a chance and hope we won't regret it in the end. Then, there are times we confidently dive into a book with preconceived notions that it's going to be an incredible read. It doesn't always end up that way, but what a treat when our instincts prove correct. Shiri, by DS Taylor, falls into the latter category. From the moment I read the blurb and talked about it HERE, I knew I'd love this book. I was right.

Shiri is a brilliant historical fiction novel about triumph over tragedy. Set in ancient Egypt during the reign of the Pharaohs, Shiri, a shepherd girl witnesses the murder and destruction of her family and village. Against all odds, she sets off on a journey for revenge, justice, and in the midst of war, and enslavement, finds love and hope. 

Initially, it's Taylor's writing style that captivated me from page one. He is an excellent writer who crafted memorable characters that I easily fell in love with, while also writing despicable characters that I wanted to see die a long and painful death. But another one of Taylor's strengths was the dialogue, well written, and witty in all the right places. Even his descriptions were a joy to read. They were rich and vivid but never overdone. And he was able to describe violent fights and sex scenes in great detail without becoming grotesque or overly graphic.

Shiri was one of my favorite characters in the book, smart, strong-minded, brave, determined, loyal, everything I like in strong female protagonists. However, I do have one mini rant about the book and it has to do with the first five words of the novel which are (SPOILERS): “She was born a woman . . .” I cringed when I read that line. I still do. When I read it I imagined giving birth to my first child and the Doctor looking up from between my legs and saying, “Congratulations, it’s a woman!” David, you know I’m a big fan but, we are not born women, we are born girls or female if you want to be dry and technical and later mature into women. End rant.

The other thing I want to mention is that the book was divided into three parts. The first two focused on (SPOILERS) Shiri and Josef. I was completely wrapped up in their love story to the point that I had trouble transitioning to Part III of the book. I felt as though I had to put Shiri in the background to shine the spotlight on another character, Tiye. And at first, didn’t want to care about Tiye’s character and even fought it for a few pages . . . but, the story and Taylor’s writing, won me over once again and I quickly saw how important this storyline was going to be to Shiri’s character, and guess what? I fell in love with Tiye and her story as well.

Lastly, as a writer I understand as far as the plot is concerned, you can’t ‘put it all in there.’ Proper storytelling and editing compels you to get rid of unnecessary scenes that don’t drive the plot forward. However, there were two scenes that never really made it into the book that I would have liked to have read. (SPOILERS) The first was Josef’s reaction when Shiri told him she was pregnant. And second, the moment Shiri held her daughter in her arms for the first time. As I read, I anticipated these scenes in particular. It may be in part because I’m a mother, and these moments were very important in my life, but regardless, I remember being a little disappointed when these two moments were glossed over or written in as afterthoughts. Again, I understand you can’t write in every moment into the story, I’m simply reflecting a sentiment I had as a reader.  

In the end, I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. It was  a compelling story, brilliantly executed, and I highly recommend it adults who enjoy historical fiction filled with action, adventure, love, and wonderfully crafted characters. 


23 comments:

  1. Cool you found one of those books that is everything you'd hoped and more. And I did skip the spoilers...

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  2. What a great review, Elise. Another one for the TBR. :)

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  3. Sounds amazing Elise- will have to get this one

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  4. Sounds like it has everything indeed

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  5. Sounds a great story. I am reading a story by a friend who lives in Paris. Bella....A French Life by Marilyn Tomlins. I wasn't too sure about it at first, but to my surprise I am enjoying it.

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  6. I have to disagree about 'She was born a woman..' being a negative start or too dry. I think the writer's emphasizing a time period where being female wasn't seen as an advantage. Lovely review Elise.

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    1. Just popped over to see what's going on and look what I found! Thanks for the lovely review, Elise.

      Interesting about the first line, it seems to divide people. (I like dividing people!) I actually fussed over it for a looong time and basically for the reasons you mentioned, it's risky to hit the reader with something that is not completely 'correct' as it were in the very first sentence, but in the end I decided to go with it as I felt it sets the stage quite nicely and elucidates Shiri's situation in one line, and right from the get go. It's mad, cause some people have said it's one their favorite lines in the whole book lol http://ciarareadsbooks.com/2013/12/01/review-shiri/

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    2. Hey Shenna-kay, I guess I didn’t explain myself very well because I agree with you completely. Being born female was seen as a disadvantage during that time and still is in certain parts of the world. I never thought the phrase is too dry or negative. My problem was with the word woman and not with the meaning of the phrase itself. I guess I'd have preferred the sentence as 'She was born a girl . . . ' (:

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    3. Oh look! We're replying at the same time! LOL! Ok, David, again my problem is with the word woman because I believe we are not born 'women' we are born girls or female, and as we age and mature we become women...does that make sense?

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    4. Yeah I totally get you , Elise, I can see how it could be a bit off putting. I pondered using 'girl' or 'female' or other synonyms instead for a long time, but it just didn't sit right with me. I didn't think it flowed as nicely and for some reason my gut just told me it wouldn't have the same impact on the reader as 'woman'. I wanted the reader to be right in there with her from the first line, not from the first page, or even the first paragraph, I wanted first line. So I tried to hit them with something both powerful and yes a little jarring right at the start. I feel that if you make somebody ponder over a word or even stumble over it, or slow them down a little, it focuses their mind on that word and makes them think about it. So instead of reading the opening line of Shiri at speed they read it that bit more slowly, or even a second time and it sinks in. I think if you can do that, the theme/image that you are trying to create has more chance of sticking with with them for longer. I never wanted the reader to forget that Shiri was a woman in what was very much a man's world and wanted that to be hammered into the reader's head instantly.

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    5. Ok, I understand where you're coming from, "Shiri was a woman" BUT she wasn't a woman when the book started. Plus, a girl is born and then matures into a woman, which brings me back to my delivery room example. We could probably go around in circles on this, lol! One thing's for sure, you succeeded in slowing my reading down and leaving an impression from line one, so much so that I kept thinking about that opening a few pages later....in fact, I'm still thinking about it, so mission accomplished!

      Loving the exchange going on here, anyone else have an opinion on this. (:

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    6. Yeah, me too it's an epic review. (I never normally reply to any reviews!) I may even have to write my own blog post on this now!

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  7. Excellent review! That sounds like a book I'd like to read.

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  8. You just gave me my IWSG post! Thanks chick!!

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    1. Oooh! Can I just direct folks to your blog tomorrow for my IWSG post?! :P :D

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  9. Hey Elise,

    Such a detailed review. I can sense your passion for the book. D.S. Taylor and a Pharaoh time, methinks. I always chuckle when I read that somebody has given birth to a baby boy or girl. Because, yes, of course it should hopefully be a baby and not a full grown adult.

    Gary :)

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  10. Ohh...I don't read much adult historical fiction, but I'm adding this to my TBR list. Great review, you've gotten me all excited for this one!

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  11. That's a spectacular cover and the novel seems truly epic. Your review was great! Thanks for the recommendation. :-)

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  12. Great review! I skimmed over the spoilers. ;) I love Ancient Egypt and I have this book downloaded in my queue. ^_^ It's good to know I won't be disappointed.

    When I see she was born a woman, I see the connotation behind it. I guess I immediately think that this is a story about someone who is going to rise against the society enforced barriers that have been placed on her. I do see what you mean though. :) That's funny, "Congratulations, it's a woman!"

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    1. Thanks for stopping by Krystal. I'm still trying to figure out why I can't leave a comment on your blog..... Anyway, I'm sure you're going to love this book.
      "Congratulations, it's a woman!" :D

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  13. Anytime you mention ancient Egypt I'm there and reading. Great to find this review, Elise. Thanks.

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  14. Hi Elise .. I've got the book as I too was betaken with the blurb - and it was after I'd been to the Egyptian museum in London .. and with the troubles in Egypt right now - I wanted to learn more.

    Thanks for reminding me it's waiting for me to read .. cheers Hilary

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