Vicious Circle

 Vicious Circle by Wilbur Smith is the second of a three-book series regarding his protagonist, Hector Cross. Recently, I favorably reviewed the first book, Those in Peril. We quickly learn in this second book that not only has his step-daughter Cayla been murdered by the evil forces with which Hector had contended in the first book, but also Cayla’s mother, his wife, Hazel Bannock was murdered. Hazel is quite the remarkable woman in all regards. We learn much more about the death of her husband, oil baron Henry Bannock from whom she inherited billions and his significant net worth. The story dives deeply in the Bannock family history to help understand the horrible tragedies to which Hector was subjected. Importantly, more details about Henry’s death are revealed.

 

The plot is just as intense and fast paced as the first book. However, I must say that this is probably the darkest story that I’ve ever read with regard to human cruelty, torture, perversion, sexual trauma and hate. So, be forewarned about that if you choose to pick up this book. I need not write more except that I probably will eventually get to reading the third book in this series, entitled Predator. However, I need a break from the depravity before I get to that.

Pharaoh

 Pharaoh is the sixth of eight books in the Ancient Egypt series by Wilbur Smith. I have previously reviewed River God, written in 1993. Pharaoh was published in 2018. The story is essentially narrated by Taita, the eunuch ex-slave of Tamose, the current Pharaoh. While Taita is remarably brilliant and is terribly impressed with himself, the story is about the transfer of power from Tamose to the great young warrior Ramases. But in between, the cruel Utteric, the older brother of Ramases, seized the thrown and kidnapped Taita. Utteric had to be defeated for the true heir to assume power. There is warfare, blood lust, love, alliances and traitors.

 Smith is an impressively prolific author. Born in South Africa in 1933, he wrote for nearly 60 years and produced more than 49 novels. I fell into these novels as I was looking for books to read about Egypt. I don’t really have a strong recommendation for this one, but if you love stories about ancient Egypt, then the Ancient Eqypt series of eight books could be on your reading list. Personally, I don’t plan to read more of that series – enough is enough for me.

 

Those in Peril

 

Those in Peril is the fourth Wilbur Book that I’ve reviewed, some of which I’ve raved about, others which left me somewhat bored. This one is also the first in Smith's Hector Cross series, and it falls into the category of a very good thriller. I was thoroughly entertained. So, not only does Smith write historical fiction, but he's also adept at the mystery-thriller genre.

The book begins with a history of the remarkable Hazel Bannock, a woman who was a tennis champion and fashion model who fell in love with one of the wealthiest oil barons in the world. She absorbed much about running a large corporation from her husband who then suffered an early death, leaving Hazel to run the company and manage their only child, a 19-year-old spoiled brat of a daughter, Cayla. The story is about how Hazel fairly quickly showed her business acumen. But given the global nature of her oil business, some of which is in a fictional country in the Horn of Africa. she kept her husband’s security forces intact. That’s how she met Hector Cross who is a true action hero. Hector has made enemies in the Middle East and the story, which is often times gruesome, is mostly about them working through those dangers.The characters and the plots are excellent.

 

I listened to this one in audiobook format, and I was caught up in it during my long dog walks. I’m going to read more of this series. It gets my favorable recommendation.

River God

River God by Wilbur Smith is the first of a 10-book historical novel series about ancient Egypt. I chose to read this book as the result of my interest in the history of Egypt and as preparation for a trip there in a few months.

 

The story seems to have taken place in about 1780 BCE, and is primarily about the very talented eunuch slave Taita, who was the property of Lord Intef. Taita was mainly assigned to take care of and educate his daughter, the beautiful Lostris. However, because of Taita’s many talents, he quickly arose to become an important advisor to the Pharoah. The story is also one of political intrique. Taita’s owner is revealed to be the bad guy when the militarily superior Hyksos kill the Pharoah and force the other people aligned with the Pharoah to leave Eqypt. In their absence, Taita helps evolve the new Pharoah’s military through the introduction of horses, the use of chariots, and the creation of a better bow (all of which may be historically accurate).

 

The story is also one of Taita’s travel during this period of excile, his capture by the brutal Ethiopan chief Arkoun, his eventual return to Eqypt, and the military successes that made that possible.

 

I probably would not have picked this up had it not been for my upcoming trip, and if I had begun to read the book, I would not have finished it. It was a long book, 675 pages, and I listened to the audio format. I hung in there to the end of the story, but I had several long breaks while I read a dozen other books. At this time, I have no plan to read the other nine books in Smith's Egyptian Series. I cannot give River God a strong recommendation.

 

When the Lion Feeds by Wilbur Smith

After being impressed by Wilbur Smith’s novel A Sparrow Falls, I decided to start at the beginning. This prolific author wrote three sequences of books about the Courtneys of South Africa, and When the Lion Feeds, is the first book in the first sequence, written in 1964. It  really had a common feel with some other great saga writers of that era, be that James Michener or the early works of Alex Haley. In elegant and descriptive prose, Smith told the beginning of the story of the Courtney twins, Sean and Garrick, who were born in the 19^th century. The story is a saga, so be prepared to be with this one for a while. It is definitely not a one-sitting, one-day read. The lives of the twins are entwined even though they feud and go through long periods of separation. The research that was done for this story is impressive, and it will give a sense of life on the “dark continent” in that era. There is heroism, villainy, great successes and great failures. I will read more Wilbur Smith.

When the Lion Feeds is available on Amazon.

A Sparrow Falls

At menreadingbooks.blogspot.com, we’ve already done 667 book reviews, but until now, not one by the prolific Wilbur Smith. Mostly, we read crime novels and thrillers, but historical fiction is also one of our favorite genres. This book was suggested by Karen A. Chase, an author of historical fiction, and she has promised to write the formal review of the book in the very near future, so stay tuned for that. She said this was her first Wilbur Smith novel and it was the book which set her on the course of writing in the same genre. A Sparrow Falls is the third book in an eight-book series about the Courtneys. This one starts at the end of WWI and extends through the 1920s, after the war, the story moves from France to South Africa. Smith writes with remarkable prose, and his characters are alive and real. This 630-page book kept me in it’s grip and I’m immediately moving Smith into my power rotation. I’m glad I don’t have to kick anyone off my island of favorite authors because it is starting to get crowded – and Smith belongs there. He’s written 33 novels, so shame on us for not getting to him any sooner. I’ve already acquired the first novel in this series, “When the Lion Feeds,” and now I’ll take on Smith in the order that he wrote his books. This is wonderful literature. Ms. Chase has led me into a treasure of novels. Thank you, and I await your review.