The Sea Kings: The Prophecy

This first book in Les Cole's Sea King Trilogy is an exciting, detailed romance of the high seas of the Mediterranean Sea during the Bronze Age. The hero, Tanuati, a selfish Cretan lout, wanders around the sea picking up knowledge and girls at about the same rate. An entertaining way to spend an afternoon.

Les Cole's Sea Kings trilogy is set during end of the 18th century BC, during the Late Bronze Age and among the vast trading network of the Cretans and their associates in Egypt and the Mesopotamia. The first book is apparently out of press (but can be found at your local library) follows the life of one Tanuati, a Minoan sailor and adventurer, as he careers about the Aegean and Mediterranean Seas, learning to make glass, visiting ancient cities such as Ugarit, Babylon and Tiryns, learning to make glass, be a proper slave, chase after women with a young man's lust, and run a pirate ship.

The prophecy which underlies all three books is that given to Tanuati's mother, who visits the cave of Eileithyia on Crete to plead with the ancient sybil for a son. Eileithyia tells Duwa that she will indeed have a child, but the child will experience the wrath of Poseidon, god of the sea. And boy was she right.

Adventure runs high in the first book of a trilogy, and I'm looking forward to spending some more time with Tanuati as he sails around the rocks of fame and fortune.