The Amazing Voyage of Azzam [Paperback]

Kelly Godel (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 1, 2000

The greatest lost treasure of Solomon is waiting to be found--promising its discoverer every wish he could possibly imagine. An evil magician and swashbuckling sailor are in a race across the Arabian world to find it first, but whoever does--may regret it!

It is the 9th century, and Azzam the sailor longs for a reputation to equal that of another Arabian adventurer--enjoying fame and fortune for his seven spectacular sea voyages. After he crosses paths with an evil magician, the mariner is drawn into a hunt for a mysterious and ancient treasure that takes him from the lush islands of India and the subterranean passageways of Constantinople to the boiling deserts of Africa, battling giants, freakish tribesmen, and fiery demons along the way. It is a thrilling adventure promising to grant Azzam's greatest wish-if it doesn't kill him first!

Editorial Reviews

Review

"...A Star Wars-like whirlwind of action...Godel's five year labour of love is a thoroughly enjoyable read;" -- John Crocker, The Arabian Nights' Entertainments website, April 16, 2001 --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From the Publisher

It is the 9th century, and vainglorious adventurer Azzam the sailor desperately seeks a reputation to equal that of another Arabian mariner, enjoying fame and fortune for his seven spectacular sea voyages.

After the daring rescue of an Indian princess from the island harem of a monstrous tyrant called the Spider-King, Azzam and his crew steer a course home to Baghdad, but en route their ship is boarded by an evil magician.

He demands a mysterious parchment scroll that Azzam had brought by accident from his last adventure. When the sailor hesitates to comply, the sorcerer takes it by force, and as a demonstration of his power, transforms two of his crewmates into monsters. Barely escaping this horrific episode, Azzam discovers a fragment of the scroll that his adversary had unwittingly left behind, and takes it to Maruf, a trusted friend and scholar, for examination.

The Arab sage concludes that the ancient document is part of a Roman inventory report, describing artifacts taken from Palestine to a Christian monastery in Constantinople. But Maruf is alarmed to learn that a single owner connects the items: King Solomon, the Israelite ruler renowned for his wisdom, fabulous wealth, and magical powers. Furthermore, he theorizes that the sinister magician may be none other than Zaavan, an outcast sorcerer notorious for his ruthless ambition. Azzam 's friend proposes they launch an expedition to find this unknown treasure of Solomon before their foe can exploit it for evil purposes.

In order to defend themselves against the occult prowess of Zaavan, Azzam and Maruf visit the Sultan of Hamadan, an old friend of the scholar whom he had once helped to defeat an evil conjuror. Maruf hopes that some of the magician 's possessions may be utilized for their defense, but the sovereign reveals that the villain 's only legacy in the palace is his daughter Fatima, found in the ruins of the sorcerer 's lair and raised by the Sultan 's servants. She has grown into a distant and difficult young woman, but Azzam is immediately taken by her beauty.

The adventurers depart with their reluctant protector, and soon embark on a dangerous journey across the Arabian world, from the lush islands of India and the subterranean passageways of Constantinople to the boiling deserts of Africa, battling giants, freakish tribesmen, and fiery demons along the way. It is a thrilling adventure promising to grant Azzam 's greatest wish, if it does not kill him first! --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Xlibris Corporation; 1 edition (December 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0738836281
• ISBN-13: 978-0738836287
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.3 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #6,019,108 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

K.G. Godel lives in a small seaside community in British Columbia, Canada. The Amazing Voyage of Azzam is his first novel. A sword and sorcery story collection is scheduled for publication in 2012. He is also a sculptor and experimental animator.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This imaginative adventure is a true delight to read., September 5, 2001

By 

Jill Cooper (Bellevue, WA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Amazing Voyage of Azzam (Hardcover)

The Amazing Voyage of Azzam was an extremely enjoyable read for me. While reading, I soon found myself sucked into the story. The way this adventure story is written allows the reader to imagine everything so clearly that it seems to come alive. Azzam's action packed voyage is a well rounded adventure with witty humor and a few wise proverbs mixed in. It is a truly creative storyline with both intellectual and philosophical depth. The characters in this imaginative adventure have strong, well developed personalities, and the archetypes were obviously well thought out. I would recommend this to anyone that enjoys reading a good book.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent read, November 7, 2001

By 

BD (Indiana, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Amazing Voyage of Azzam (Paperback)

The "Amazing Voyage of Azzam" is a book filled with adventure and mystique. With every page comes suspense and surprises. If you are the type who likes to escape into a world of fantasy, then this is truly the book for you. Many villians seek to destroy Azzam on his journey; will they? Do they? Only one way to find out! I, personally, recommend this book and look forward to this author's next published work.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Amazing Voyage of Azzam, February 13, 2003

By 

maximilian nietzschmann (Germany) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Amazing Voyage of Azzam (Hardcover)

Featuring a famous sailor, treasure hunter, and rescuer of scantily clad virgin princesses out of dire need?
Well, sort of famous. Almost. At least widely known. To some. Anyway, you hear rumors...

Scantily clad virgin princesses in dire need?
Of course!

Hidden treasures, giant jewels and gaurded vaults waiting to be found, stolen and broken?
For sure.

Saving humankind from extinction?
Yes, again.

Super villains scheming for world domination?
Another classic you simply can't do without.

Foreign lands infested with cannibals?
Always a good one.

Assorted ogres, ghosts, ghouls, geanies, ravaging fishmen and other mere nuisances in the way of an old school adventurer?
Jinkies!!

Flying carpet chase with a 3-headed mutant?
Goes without saying.

Gore, splintering bones, melting flesh and eternal damnation?
Why not?

Treachery, tradgedy, comedy, romance, and sex appeal?
Hey, this IS another Godel after all...

Self-irony?
Refreshing!!

Would it make for a decent B- movie?
Yeah dude, that's the cool thing about it.

Well, I don't know about you guys, but I'm gonna buy (or at least read) his next book...