The Good Shabti

NOMINATED FOR THE SHIRLEY JACKSON AWARD 2014. 


A thrilling debut that spans thousands of years.   In the twilight days of Pharaoh Mentuhotep IV, a slave stumbles into the path of a vizier's imperial ambitions. And, in the near future, a brilliant scientist and her ruthless companions edge closer to completing an impossible experiment: the revivification of an ancient mummy. 


The two stories weave together in a tale that combines science and myth, anticipation and horror... 


“The Good Shabti works wonderfully. Several days later, and my excitement for this story still hasn’t abated. The past is equally as alive as the present, two worlds inhabited by characters that are vividly brought to life in few words. It’ll leave you wanting more – that’s the nature of a novella – but it also ensures that no word is wasted, making this the ideal story for its length. Exciting and enthralling..." 

—Alister Davison, Fantasy-Faction.com 


"In the Good Shabti, Robert Sharp spins a frightening tale of the hubris of scientific discovery. The story masterfully mingles science with historical fiction, and updates the mummy story for the digital age. It's a prescient reminder that technology may give us the ability to hack our own biological codes, but we may not like what we'll discover about ourselves or our past." 

—Deji Bryce Olukotun (Nigerians In Space) 


"Michael Crichton meets Wilbur Smith - a short sharp shocker that brings the mummy genre triumphantly back to life in the 21st century. Ancient Egypt, modern science and a climax to make your skin crawl. I want more!" 

—Tom Harper (The Orpheus Descent)