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paul_cornelius's review against another edition
5.0
Zululand prepares for a civil war in this tale of Allan Quatermain's adventures in southern Africa. It's an odd, but ensnaring, tale that is sometimes part anthropology, other times history, and full time mystery rooted in mysticism. Haggard goes to great detail at first in equating and then comparing the moral and ethical system of the Zulus with Western Europe. Of one thing he is sure, Zulus are but little different from Englishmen of times past in the motivations, cruelty, aspirations, jealousy, loves, and friendships that animate their lives.
Child of Storm is built around the actual conflict for succession between the sons of Zulu Chief Panda, Prince Umbelazi and Prince Cetewayo. But Haggard introduces the fictional characters of Saduko, Quatermain's socially ambitious friend, and Mameena, a witch working under the influence of the wizard, Zikali, who has ambitions that stretch even beyond those of Saduko. What plays out is almost Shakespearean in its drama. Mameena is an iconic beauty, a Zulu Helen of Troy whose physical features seem a cross between African and European. But her character doesn't end there. She uses her sexuality to advance herself like a Cleopatra of the Zulu veld, going from one powerful man to another to gain influence. Meanwhile, she is also a schemer of diabolic proportions, an African Lady Macbeth, who fails in her mission to become the ultimate power behind the throne only by the slimmest of margins.
One of the better novels in the Quatermain series.
Child of Storm is built around the actual conflict for succession between the sons of Zulu Chief Panda, Prince Umbelazi and Prince Cetewayo. But Haggard introduces the fictional characters of Saduko, Quatermain's socially ambitious friend, and Mameena, a witch working under the influence of the wizard, Zikali, who has ambitions that stretch even beyond those of Saduko. What plays out is almost Shakespearean in its drama. Mameena is an iconic beauty, a Zulu Helen of Troy whose physical features seem a cross between African and European. But her character doesn't end there. She uses her sexuality to advance herself like a Cleopatra of the Zulu veld, going from one powerful man to another to gain influence. Meanwhile, she is also a schemer of diabolic proportions, an African Lady Macbeth, who fails in her mission to become the ultimate power behind the throne only by the slimmest of margins.
One of the better novels in the Quatermain series.
vayeate's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
tense
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? It's complicated
5.0
It felt like this book has two main characters Allan Quatermain and Mameena, Mameena being the Child of Storm. We follow Allan hunting, visiting witch doctors, getting stuck in conflicts. But Mameena is the source of all events in this story and mind you the events are mostly horrifying.
Mameena made think of a character from Three Musketeers, I do not remember her, but she too was a source of all different events.
Mameena made think of a character from Three Musketeers, I do not remember her, but she too was a source of all different events.
birdmanseven's review against another edition
1.0
I usually really enjoy the Quatermain stories, but this one didn't work for me at all. It read more like a book of Zulu politics with Quatermain tagging along. No thanks.
We discuss this series further on this episode of Howe's Things: https://youtu.be/kCkGJh4Pp8I
We discuss this series further on this episode of Howe's Things: https://youtu.be/kCkGJh4Pp8I
meg_elyse's review against another edition
3.0
I'll admit, this book grew on me. But only towards the very end. In fact, mainly just in the last five chapters.
I found the story hard to relate to, and the continual reference to Zulu jargon was tiring as it seemed to always double back on itself, and simultaneously to tie in to absolutely no aforementioned background.
Having found this book on Goodreads, I now see that it is the second in a series. Perhaps several things would have made more sense if I had started the series properly. However, be things as they may, I will most likely not be reading the first book.
I can't say for sure though. I've grown rather fond of Allan Quatermain, Watcher-by-Night, white trader extraordinaire, user of odd metaphors, and master of backhanded racist comments. (I'm sure the writing is just a product of it's times/circumstances. Nevertheless, I was not fond of his references to the Zulus, although he was, for the most part, quite fond of them himself.)
So we'll just see where the future leads me. Perhaps Zikali himself has seen that I will read the series. If so, there is no use in trying to put it off. Have I wings wherewith to fly over the Tugela in wrath, as it well may be after the rains? Nay, I have not. All will come to its proper end.
I found the story hard to relate to, and the continual reference to Zulu jargon was tiring as it seemed to always double back on itself, and simultaneously to tie in to absolutely no aforementioned background.
Having found this book on Goodreads, I now see that it is the second in a series. Perhaps several things would have made more sense if I had started the series properly. However, be things as they may, I will most likely not be reading the first book.
I can't say for sure though. I've grown rather fond of Allan Quatermain, Watcher-by-Night, white trader extraordinaire, user of odd metaphors, and master of backhanded racist comments. (I'm sure the writing is just a product of it's times/circumstances. Nevertheless, I was not fond of his references to the Zulus, although he was, for the most part, quite fond of them himself.)
So we'll just see where the future leads me. Perhaps Zikali himself has seen that I will read the series. If so, there is no use in trying to put it off. Have I wings wherewith to fly over the Tugela in wrath, as it well may be after the rains? Nay, I have not. All will come to its proper end.
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