While not as action packed or as gripping as the first installment, Empire Rising is a respectable sequel, and sets up the rest of the series for incredible potential in telling the story of ancient Akkad. ( )

Empire Rising is Part 2 of the Eskkar Trilogy abut the early days of civilization when people stopped their nomad way of life in favor of gathering together, growing crops, and setting up trade. The first village and cities started to appear. Eskkar and his wife Trella, rule over one of the larger cities to spring up between the two great rivers, the Tigris and the Euphrates. Of course, this rich city eventually draws the attention of barbarians who desire to pillage and loot.

The first book dealt with how they decided to built walls around their city, stand their ground and fight off the barbarian horde that attacked them. This book deals with Eskkar’s desire to spread his territory to other villages and farms, but while he is away expanding his kingdom, his wife must deal with a new kind of invader. Korthac, an Egyptian, realizes that the way to take control is from inside the walls. And so sets himself and his men up as jewel traders while working all the while to take over the city with plans to enslave the population and become it’s ruler.

This was a fun read, with lots of fighting and swordplay to keep the readers attention. Is it history? Probably not, more speculative than accurate, but nevertheless, a good action story, with strong characters and plenty of excitement. ( )