He’s one of the best storytellers around and if you want an epic adventure then look no further. Existing fans will devour this even though to my mind, it’s not as good as some of his earlier blockbusters. New fans will enjoy the fast-paced action and flowing writing style. For me, there’s a time and a place for a Wilbur Smith and that’s lounging in the sun in some exotic location or just curled up on a sofa at home.
Queen Victoria's reign is in full flourish, her Empire expanding and her colonies stretching across the globe. In Africa, the land proves rich with minerals, and the trading companies continue to cross the seas and grow. On the banks of the river Nile, two families meet: the Courtneys and the Ballantynes. Both influential, powerful, and determined to dominate, their encounter provides the background for Wilbur Smith's dramatic and powerful novel.
Wilbur Smith was born in Central Africa in 1933. He was educated at Michaelhouse and Rhodes University. He became a full-time writer in 1964 after the successful publication of When the Lion Feeds, and has since written nearly thirty novels, all meticulously researched on his numerous expeditions worldwide. His books are now translated into twenty-six languages.
Wilbur Smith lives in London and continues to have an abiding concern for the peoples and wildlife of his native continent, an interest strongly reflected in his novels.
