What the experts say about "Babylon"!

In The Shadow of Babylon was professionally edited by a woman who has written three NY Times best sellers and 13 other books. Here's what she had to say about "Babylon".

Overview

The manuscript was extremely well researched and thus very realistic, and the characters were equally well developed and surprisingly believable. Despite the complex subject matter and the significant amount of information covered over many diverse locations and ages, there were no lapses in the timeline, and all of the scenes flowed smoothly from one to the next with tightly structured transitions.

Characterization and Dialogue

The number and variety of characters in the book is astonishing, and it’s quite a feat that all of them—from the modern-day academic Bryan Feroz to the simplest beggar in the streets of the ancient kingdom of Hamood—are so realistically portrayed. This very complex yet deftly blended mix of people, both ancient and modern, served to set the stage quite dramatically for the shepherd Ayuba’s remarkable story. All of the characters were finely and intelligently drawn, and despite the large cast, each one was rendered with remarkable authenticity and a distinctive voice.

Plot Flow, Structure, and Formatting

The story of In the Shadow of Babylon followed Ayuba’s dramatic life and the discovery of his scrolls/“song” via a high-tension timeline that was both exciting and inspiring and at times humorous and heart-breaking. (I must confess that I truly teared up when the wonderful she-beast died.) The book’s deftly manipulated story arc seamlessly blended present and past, an admirable feat since some of the most common weaknesses in terms of a story like this one—which unfolds over a relatively short period of time (in terms of the immediate present) yet is filled with action taking place both in the present day and tens of thousands of years ago—are problematic plot shifting, awkward transitions, and poor timeline organization. However, the unfolding plot was tightly structured, with seamless transitions and strong, solid scenes.

Tone and Style

The writing In Shadow of Babylon is truly lyrical. Your command of the language and your ear for its nuances are both so finely tuned that Ayuba’s story should instantly draw readers into his world. All of the descriptions, especially in terms of the settings, were remarkably vivid. (The Shale Sea was one of my favorites; I could almost feel the heat shimmering off the ground.) There were few, if any, awkward turns of phrase, and you’ll find I made very few changes in terms of the book’s wording as none were really needed

Although this is my first novel I have been a writer for several decades but mostly in the commercial area. My second book will be published next year with a third to follow shortly there after. I hope you enjoy the book.