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
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
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.
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.
jimbowen0306's review
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.
stonypockets's review against another edition
2.0
Way too long. Descriptions of the desert were beautiful, and the action scenes were captivating. Way too many gratuitous gory rape scenes.
alexctelander's review against another edition
4.0
There is a new magician to be added to the pantheon where the likes of Merlin and Gandalf reside: his name is Taita, a former eunuch slave, who is now the mighty and much-feared warlock of ancient Egypt.
Wilbur Smith, bestselling author from South Africa, brings us his compelling sequel to River God, a novel of Egypt’s past, where a pharaoh and her eunuch slave evaded capture to fight against an evil conspiracy. The premise originally arose from a papyrus scroll that was brought to Smith, where these two characters were show to have existed at some time in the past. Smith then set about novelizing this account and creating the amazing world of River God. He does exactly the same in Warlock, with just as much gusto and skill.
The lovely pharaoh Lostris is now long dead, but her slave, now a warlock – who must be over a hundred years in age – is still revered and feared by many. A new pharaoh, the young prince Nefer, is about to take the throne, his father having been recently assassinated and the killers remaining unknown. Since Nefer is too young to take the throne, Naja, the former pharaoh’s right hand man, automatically appoints himself regent of all Egypt. He hatches a devilish plan, unbeknownst to the prince, where he will unite with the enemy, the Hyksos who control northern Egypt, and get rid of Nefer, and together they will rule, abusing their power in as many ways as they can, meanwhile gaining untold riches.
Wilbur Smith has a writing style that is entirely his own. His imagery reaches the point of over-description but never passes it, keeping the reader so entrenched in the world, that once they put the book down, they wonder if they are not actually in Egypt during the time of the pharaohs. Smith takes you through all the emotions, even if you don’t want to tag along for the ride, making you sad then happy by the turning of the page, appalled and shocked then satisfied and appeased.
There is a lot in this book, where any reader can get entirely lost, whether it be in the love between prince Nefer and his Mintaka, or the anxious deception concocted by Naja, or the great battles fronted by Nefer and controlled by Taita. There is even some magic in there for all you fantasy buffs. This book, quite simply, has it all.
Originally published on November 5th 2001.
For over 500 book reviews, and over 40 exclusive author interviews (both audio and written), visit BookBanter.
Wilbur Smith, bestselling author from South Africa, brings us his compelling sequel to River God, a novel of Egypt’s past, where a pharaoh and her eunuch slave evaded capture to fight against an evil conspiracy. The premise originally arose from a papyrus scroll that was brought to Smith, where these two characters were show to have existed at some time in the past. Smith then set about novelizing this account and creating the amazing world of River God. He does exactly the same in Warlock, with just as much gusto and skill.
The lovely pharaoh Lostris is now long dead, but her slave, now a warlock – who must be over a hundred years in age – is still revered and feared by many. A new pharaoh, the young prince Nefer, is about to take the throne, his father having been recently assassinated and the killers remaining unknown. Since Nefer is too young to take the throne, Naja, the former pharaoh’s right hand man, automatically appoints himself regent of all Egypt. He hatches a devilish plan, unbeknownst to the prince, where he will unite with the enemy, the Hyksos who control northern Egypt, and get rid of Nefer, and together they will rule, abusing their power in as many ways as they can, meanwhile gaining untold riches.
Wilbur Smith has a writing style that is entirely his own. His imagery reaches the point of over-description but never passes it, keeping the reader so entrenched in the world, that once they put the book down, they wonder if they are not actually in Egypt during the time of the pharaohs. Smith takes you through all the emotions, even if you don’t want to tag along for the ride, making you sad then happy by the turning of the page, appalled and shocked then satisfied and appeased.
There is a lot in this book, where any reader can get entirely lost, whether it be in the love between prince Nefer and his Mintaka, or the anxious deception concocted by Naja, or the great battles fronted by Nefer and controlled by Taita. There is even some magic in there for all you fantasy buffs. This book, quite simply, has it all.
Originally published on November 5th 2001.
For over 500 book reviews, and over 40 exclusive author interviews (both audio and written), visit BookBanter.