Uruk

A Novel of the First City

De: James Zwerneman

Narrado por: Jonathan Sleep

The first in a series inspired by ancient Mesopotamia, following a small band of misfits on an epic, dangerous journey to realize their dream, their establishment of Uruk, the first city.

Ki, a member of a nomadic tribe, has figured out how to plant seeds to grow food and invented a dart-thrower, a new weapon that can kill from a distance. Labeled a witch, her sister is the only person who appreciates her genius. That is until Magog, a vicious warrior tribe, attacks, killing her entire family and enslaving her people. The Magog leader discovers Ki’s talent and takes her prisoner, wanting to exploit her knowledge for his own gains. Ki manages to escape down the river, but Jakka, the insecure and cruel son of the Magog leader, relentlessly pursues her, seeking to redeem himself to his father.

Ta has been exiled from his tribe with other unwanted members, his hand cut off for stealing food. When he steals again and is cast out of the small group, he fears he will die alone. Luck comes in the form of a man, woman, and her baby who have fled their tribe to be free of its rules. Hopeful for a new start and more freedom, they are headed toward the Euphrates River and invite Ta to join them. They discover Ki stranded during a storm, and Ta risks himself to save her. The misfits dare to dream of a new tribe that lives by a revolutionary new code, where everyone has a voice and the elderly and disabled are protected, not left to die. But Jakka is coming for them, and they'll need to pool all their talents to stop the Magog from advancing their reign of terror over the region.

©2025 James Zwerneman (P)2025 Dreamscape Media

Loved it!!

Uruk does not disappoint! Even after finishing this book, I found it difficult to get into something new as my mind was still in ancient Mesopotamia. This epic adventure is thought provoking, exciting, and full of heart with found family, band of heroes, and hope for a better world. I am eagerly awaiting book 2!

good listen

interesting book about an interesting time. makes me want to look into the origin more

Original, Refreshing, Wow!

Uruk pulls you in with the first line and doesn’t stop the page turning until you reach the back cover. I am always looking for new titles to read and most of the time I am disappointed — most of them sound and feel the same, trying to replicate something that has already been done, but they do it poorly. This book, however, provides the reader with a plot, characters, and storyline that feels and truly is fresh and new. This is historical fiction at its best. If authors were stocks or crypto, I would buy a lot of James Zwerneman.