milesbw's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
j2teapot's review against another edition
adventurous
slow-paced
- Strong character development? No
3.0
A typical Wilbur Smith book and a good follow-on from the previous two, however, it lacked the tension and excitement I loved from the first two. Taita is now too over-powered, to the point that (even though he didn't) it was obvious he could have changed the outcome all on his own. Nefer never made a bad decision, always guided by Taita. There was nothing interesting left to read about him. Finally, the ending was terrible. After nearly 700 pages of waiting, it was extremely anti-climactic.
So the book was fine, but I would not read it again.
So the book was fine, but I would not read it again.
silverlotus's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed this book, even though it wasn't any where nearly as good as the first book in the series. (The second book, set in modern times, was good but not really comparable given the different setting.)
I like Tatia. I enjoy reading about him, and especially about ancient Egypt (even this alternate version). And, even though this is a long book, it was a quick and enjoyable read. There were a few parts, though, that I felt were put in just for shock value.
I like Tatia. I enjoy reading about him, and especially about ancient Egypt (even this alternate version). And, even though this is a long book, it was a quick and enjoyable read. There were a few parts, though, that I felt were put in just for shock value.
a_proud_bibliophile's review against another edition
1.0
I cannot bear to give this book any higher rating simply because of how atrociously this book treated its female characters. They were static through the book and only used as love interests or to show how powerful the men had gotten. Despite the large cast of characters in the book, there were only three woman of import, all princesses, whom the author spent an egregious amount of time describing by the development and visibility of their breasts and ass. Anytime they excelled at anything, the men were always better, and even the bravest, smartest, and strongest of the women was often reduced to screaming and crying if things went bad.
There was even a moment when I though the author had given one of the female characters a moment of redemption; she drew the enemy forces to her and into the waiting trap, then delivered a fatal blow to the man that murdered her father, forced her into marriage, beat her and attempted to rape her. But even that was revealed to be the workings of the Magus; she couldn’t even have the agency to stand on a rock as bait.
The final straw on the camels back for me was the ending of the book. When the dust settled, of the three main women, only the protagonists lover survived. The two other princesses, who had been sisters, had died in the worst way possible; the eldest sister, driven mad with power and grief, had raped her younger sister to death with a spear. After that she was captured, still raving mad, and put to death.
I can not recommend this book to anyone who has any respect for women. It’s atrocious, and if you are interest in ancient Egyptian fiction, there are plenty of other books out there.
There was even a moment when I though the author had given one of the female characters a moment of redemption; she drew the enemy forces to her and into the waiting trap, then delivered a fatal blow to the man that murdered her father, forced her into marriage, beat her and attempted to rape her. But even that was revealed to be the workings of the Magus; she couldn’t even have the agency to stand on a rock as bait.
The final straw on the camels back for me was the ending of the book. When the dust settled, of the three main women, only the protagonists lover survived. The two other princesses, who had been sisters, had died in the worst way possible; the eldest sister, driven mad with power and grief, had raped her younger sister to death with a spear. After that she was captured, still raving mad, and put to death.
I can not recommend this book to anyone who has any respect for women. It’s atrocious, and if you are interest in ancient Egyptian fiction, there are plenty of other books out there.
annemieks's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
4.0
As all Wilbur Smith novels, this book was very well written. The only minus I found, was that Taita from books 1 and 2 of this series, suddenly changed from a man with many talents into a warlock. His character went from very confident to kind of non-descript.
shahrun's review against another edition
5.0
This took me ages to read as I was recovering from an operation. However, once I got going, I could not put it down! A real page turner with something for everyone. Also, as this book is so long it feels like many books in one (in this case it's a good thing). I just love the characters, their interaction with each other, their dialogue and the way Mr Smith skilfully navigates them around constant troubles and dangers. But what I really appreciate is the way he leaves no loose ends. Nothing worse than getting to the end of a book and being left (unnecessarily) hanging!
catsflipped's review against another edition
4.0
What a brilliant story teller Wilbur Smith is, he takes you on a journey where you are immersed in the lives of the characters he brings to life so vividly you are transported back in time and find yourself in Egypt on the shores of the Nile.
It was a treat to be back with Taita many years after we left him in the first book of the series, much older and much much wiser. Now he is a powerful warlock and his skills will be needed if his young ward Nefer is to win back the double crown rightfully his and avenge the premature death of his father.
Nefer is the grandson of queen Lostris and Tanus who's story we following in River God and in this book we are once again on the edge of our seats hoping and praying good will prevail over the evil infuence of greed and the hunger for power.
It was a treat to be back with Taita many years after we left him in the first book of the series, much older and much much wiser. Now he is a powerful warlock and his skills will be needed if his young ward Nefer is to win back the double crown rightfully his and avenge the premature death of his father.
Nefer is the grandson of queen Lostris and Tanus who's story we following in River God and in this book we are once again on the edge of our seats hoping and praying good will prevail over the evil infuence of greed and the hunger for power.
jimbowen0306's review against another edition
2.0
It’s not often I wonder why I get given a book as a gift, but as I never showed any interest in Wilbur Smith, Ancient Egypt, books that could be aimed at children (were it not so violent, maybe), or books about wizardry, I have no idea why I was given this book as a birthday present.
This book sees 3 pharaohs try to unite Egypt. There are battles, boys coming of age, attempted rapes, wizards giving advice, and all round ancient battling. If you like this sort of thing, then you’ll enjoy this book, but it wasn’t for me, as it wasn’t my sort of book
My biggest issue with the book is that it felt like he padded the run time. There were meanders that really didn’t need to be there, beyond making the book longer.
This book sees 3 pharaohs try to unite Egypt. There are battles, boys coming of age, attempted rapes, wizards giving advice, and all round ancient battling. If you like this sort of thing, then you’ll enjoy this book, but it wasn’t for me, as it wasn’t my sort of book
My biggest issue with the book is that it felt like he padded the run time. There were meanders that really didn’t need to be there, beyond making the book longer.
plantbirdwoman's review against another edition
1.0
This book is a cross between an ancient Egyptian bodice-ripper and "The Return of the Jedi," with a little Marquis de Sade thrown in for good measure. I had read the first two books in the series, "River God" and "The Seventh Scroll," and had found them interesting enough to carry on to the third, but as far as I am concerned Smith went completely off the track with this one.
Taita, the eunuch slave, was an enormously talented MAN in the first book. He used his knowledge in the service of his beloved mistress Lostris and her lover and his friend, Tanus. He was enormously talented but still human. In this one though, he has become a Jedi knight of the highest order. He practices mind control over the enemies of the young pharoah he now serves, Nefer, the grandson of Lostris.
Oh, and that is another thing: It appears that Taita is now immortal and ageless. He sprints around like a young man and his age is never revealed, although various characters speculate that he is at least two hundred.
So we have Taita fulfilling the role of Obi Wan Kenobi, Nefer is alternately Luke Skywalker and Han Solo, and his lady love Mintaka is a spirited Princess Leia. Give me a break! It is just a mish-mash and, at 735 pages, a very long mish-mash at that. About halfway through, I began skipping long passages of rape and mayhem and torture. Just not my cup of tea, thank you.
I love the history of ancient Egypt and I love historical fiction - especially mysteries - based on the true history of that remarkable civilization. But this series, as far as I can tell, is pure fantasy, designed perhaps to appeal to the wet dreams of 14 year old boys. I'm not a boy and I'm certainly not 14 years old, so it's not for me. I won't be returning here.
Taita, the eunuch slave, was an enormously talented MAN in the first book. He used his knowledge in the service of his beloved mistress Lostris and her lover and his friend, Tanus. He was enormously talented but still human. In this one though, he has become a Jedi knight of the highest order. He practices mind control over the enemies of the young pharoah he now serves, Nefer, the grandson of Lostris.
Oh, and that is another thing: It appears that Taita is now immortal and ageless. He sprints around like a young man and his age is never revealed, although various characters speculate that he is at least two hundred.
So we have Taita fulfilling the role of Obi Wan Kenobi, Nefer is alternately Luke Skywalker and Han Solo, and his lady love Mintaka is a spirited Princess Leia. Give me a break! It is just a mish-mash and, at 735 pages, a very long mish-mash at that. About halfway through, I began skipping long passages of rape and mayhem and torture. Just not my cup of tea, thank you.
I love the history of ancient Egypt and I love historical fiction - especially mysteries - based on the true history of that remarkable civilization. But this series, as far as I can tell, is pure fantasy, designed perhaps to appeal to the wet dreams of 14 year old boys. I'm not a boy and I'm certainly not 14 years old, so it's not for me. I won't be returning here.