With the passing of his ill father, Tashmi-sharrumma inherits the glorious throne and becomes Tudhaliya the Great King. Stepping into the new role is an exhausting task as he must balance the desires of his wife, the demands of his mother, the needs of his people, and more than anything else, the will of the gods. As a man who is neither quick-tongued, nor quick-witted, Tashmi-sharrumma struggles with his own inadequacies as he throws himself into a position of self sacrifice. Not one to relish in the limelight, the new king just wants a little privacy, especially where his scandalous relationship with his cousin Kurunta is concerned. But everything in Tashmi-sharrumma’s life has been carefully calculated and plotted for maximum benefit to his family and the throne. So if he charts his own course, it is sure to make some waves. Will the price of thinking for himself be too great to pay?
A meticulously well-researched historical fiction novel, The Sun at Twilight is as much a political thriller as it is an engrossing period piece. Though I haven’t read more than a few stories set during the Hittite Empire, N.L. Holmes does a terrific job of providing enough background information and context to compensate for whatever a reader may be lacking in knowledge regarding the chronology and customs of the time. The attention to detail given to historical accuracy is so polished, so refined, so smooth, that it could be easy to forget that you are immersed in a different time period altogether. The intrigues and greedy machinations of those in orbit around Tashmi-sharrumma add to the constant conflict raging within this sensible and sensitive man. Supporting characters, particularly Kurunta and the tawananna, Puduhepa, take center stage as manipulations and deceit threaten the kingdom. For those who enjoy action, there is a war brewing with many moving parts to absorb. And for those that delight in the intricacies of politics, there are plenty of backroom deals and blatant coercion that gradually chase down a steadily building plot. To take a trip to an ancient land where exciting new life is breathed into real-life figures of antiquity, The Sun at Twilight is an engrossing novel that will challenge your views on an ancient empire.
