Scan barcode
glenn_rulz's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
4.0
First Wilbur Smith book, it's like a blend of every genre in one book but mostly a page turning adventure
cbro's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
dozylocal's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars
It's been twenty-odd years since I last read a Wilbur Smith, so I wasn't sure what to expect. I quite enjoyed this sweeping epic about a generation of Courtneys, with scenes ranging from England to the high seas and the breadth of Africa. It was a hardcover of daunting size, but an easy and relatively quick read. There's also no need to have read any of the other Courtney novels in the series. A grand adventure!
It's been twenty-odd years since I last read a Wilbur Smith, so I wasn't sure what to expect. I quite enjoyed this sweeping epic about a generation of Courtneys, with scenes ranging from England to the high seas and the breadth of Africa. It was a hardcover of daunting size, but an easy and relatively quick read. There's also no need to have read any of the other Courtney novels in the series. A grand adventure!
sinimini's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
informative
mysterious
reflective
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? No
3.75
sarahmuthoni's review against another edition
4.0
This was my introduction to Wilbur Smith, and boy did I enjoy the ride. This book has everything that one could wish for in a historical/adventure book. Spurned siblings, adventure on the high seas, sojourns in exotic territory and love stories. It kept me entertained and wasn't very hard reading.
alfierose66's review against another edition
5.0
Probably my second favourite in the whole series so far. Absolutely excellent. One thing that always makes me love his books is the way Wilbur Smith writes strong female characters in a setting where women are not always seen as equal. This book has some excellent examples.
Sarah in particular is a new favourite character of mine. Absolutely brilliant. Dorian is a darling and I love his story. So much to love about this book.
Sarah in particular is a new favourite character of mine. Absolutely brilliant. Dorian is a darling and I love his story. So much to love about this book.
shahrun's review against another edition
4.0
Wow! Finally got through this Epic! I just never knew where I was being taken next along the journey of this book. I found every thing I could want in a book conatined in it's pages, Drama, Action, Battles, Love/Romance, Suspence...
eatreadgamerepeat's review against another edition
1.0
DNFing on page 10.... it just feels so meh and the characters & the way things are explained rub me the wrong way so after talking to some peeps & reading reviews (and noticing most of the 3 star + were by men) & looking up a plot summary I decided this probably is not going to be something ill enjoy and even if i finish it id just give it the same rating im giving it now...
sjlee's review against another edition
1.0
I did not enjoy this book. It is a lengthy good that spans a huge stretch of the world but the characters are narrow and flat. This is the first book in this series that I have read. I think it stands on its own just fine. The author goes to some lengths to highlight the connections between previous novels. I will say that it is pretty obvious where future books will build from.
The novel primarily focuses on the eastern shores of Africa in the 17th century. The main characters are Englishmen participating in privateering and trade. I was excited to read about a part of world that attracts my interest, but sadly the story did not engage me. It is written in the romantic style and glorifies England, which simply doesn't appeal to me. As with some romantic work the characters are flat, they are quite black or white. Bad characters are not simply bad, they tend to be hideous and conniving and dishonourable and abusers of the innocent. The heroes are likewise perfect standards of virtue, and at worst, lovable rogues. In addition smart characters are often seem as devious and cloying as compared to the rugged and honest warriors.
I am not sure if it is the author's attempt to catch the spirit of the time or if the author himself is writing in the Orientalist frame. The "East" is depicted in the typical exotic, mystical fashion. The female characters leave much to be desired. Most of the women in the story are introduced as children and simply serve as love interests for the male protagonists.
The plot is predictable and by the end I was just burning through the pages to get to the end. I am confident some will read this book with great enthusiasm but it did not work its magic on me at all.
The novel primarily focuses on the eastern shores of Africa in the 17th century. The main characters are Englishmen participating in privateering and trade. I was excited to read about a part of world that attracts my interest, but sadly the story did not engage me. It is written in the romantic style and glorifies England, which simply doesn't appeal to me. As with some romantic work the characters are flat, they are quite black or white. Bad characters are not simply bad, they tend to be hideous and conniving and dishonourable and abusers of the innocent. The heroes are likewise perfect standards of virtue, and at worst, lovable rogues. In addition smart characters are often seem as devious and cloying as compared to the rugged and honest warriors.
I am not sure if it is the author's attempt to catch the spirit of the time or if the author himself is writing in the Orientalist frame. The "East" is depicted in the typical exotic, mystical fashion. The female characters leave much to be desired. Most of the women in the story are introduced as children and simply serve as love interests for the male protagonists.
The plot is predictable and by the end I was just burning through the pages to get to the end. I am confident some will read this book with great enthusiasm but it did not work its magic on me at all.