A RAGE OF LIONS

In this third series installment, Ash faces new tests of courage and character in helping to defend his charge, Prince Khufu, and all of Egypt from an invading three-headed lion god from Kush.

Following a set piece chariot race in which, against his inclinations, he saves the life of a bully he aptly dubs “Merk the Jerk,” Ash and his mixed bag of friends, royal and otherwise, fly south aboard the mystical Bennu Bird. They’re hoping to track down Khufu’s traitorous older brother, Prince Rami, and Rami’s (supposed) ally, Set, god of chaos and mischief. Unfortunately, following false starts with Gilgamesh and Anatolian weather god Tarhunz, Set has in the meantime advanced his scheme to conquer solar-powered Egypt by getting Apedemak, the Kushite lion god of war, interested in an invasion of Egypt. The stage is set for a boss battle between Apedemak, who loves a good brawl and commands all lions living or dead, and the gods of Egypt, joined by Shana, the peaceful but powerful queen of Kush, and the nature spirits she can summon. Durham weaves mythological tidbits galore into an engrossing climactic whirl of watery wrangles and awesome exploits on and in the Nile, then neatly wraps up his storyline with just deserts for the trickster Set, mended fences for the royal family, and, for Ash, glimpses of a bright past and future. The cast members are largely cued Black.

Propulsive solarpunk.