The Quest
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Review
"Best historical novelist: I say Wilbur Smith."--Stephen King
"Smith brings to life...the world of Egypt so much so you can almost feel the heat and taste the dust as the narrative builds to cracking pace."--"Irish News" --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Review
"Best historical novelist: I say Wilbur Smith."--Stephen King
"Smith brings to life...the world of Egypt so much so you can almost feel the heat and taste the dust as the narrative builds to cracking pace."--"Irish News" --This text refers to the Paperback edition.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
81 of 86 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
First let me say this, I am a huge Wilbur Smith fan and have read almost all his work and especially enjoyed the Egyptian novels.
However this book feels more like a cheap imitation of one of his than the real thing. If I hadn't read his previous work I would have thrown it down in disgust as fantastical rubbish.
I have nothing against fantasy novels and enjoy reading them, but this takes it too far. We are supposed to believe that Taita and other 'long livers' have been around for thousands of years? And as for the childish nonsense about 'the truth' and 'the lie'- well, it would be funny if it wasn't contained in what is supposed to be an adult novel.
I finished reading it only on the authors reputation and the one redeeming feature - his wonderful description of events and setting. But as for the events themselves? Maybe Smith should stick to what he does best, writing entertaining but generally historically accurate books. Magic was present in his previous books I know, but for me in 'The Quest' magic seems to be more common than reality, and without reality Smith has created a childish and unbelivable work of fiction.
If this book had been realised by a new author it would have been panned by everyone who read it - it only gets good reviews on Smith's reputation and as far as I'm concerned didn't deserve to be published. Maybe I'm being a little harsh, it's not the worst book I've ever read, but it is so far below the standard I expect from this quality author that I can't stand to see it get such a mixed reception.
Don't buy this book, stick to his earlier work. But if you really want to read it wait until it comes out in paperback! Don't waste your money like I did.
However this book feels more like a cheap imitation of one of his than the real thing. If I hadn't read his previous work I would have thrown it down in disgust as fantastical rubbish.
I have nothing against fantasy novels and enjoy reading them, but this takes it too far. We are supposed to believe that Taita and other 'long livers' have been around for thousands of years? And as for the childish nonsense about 'the truth' and 'the lie'- well, it would be funny if it wasn't contained in what is supposed to be an adult novel.
I finished reading it only on the authors reputation and the one redeeming feature - his wonderful description of events and setting. But as for the events themselves? Maybe Smith should stick to what he does best, writing entertaining but generally historically accurate books. Magic was present in his previous books I know, but for me in 'The Quest' magic seems to be more common than reality, and without reality Smith has created a childish and unbelivable work of fiction.
If this book had been realised by a new author it would have been panned by everyone who read it - it only gets good reviews on Smith's reputation and as far as I'm concerned didn't deserve to be published. Maybe I'm being a little harsh, it's not the worst book I've ever read, but it is so far below the standard I expect from this quality author that I can't stand to see it get such a mixed reception.
Don't buy this book, stick to his earlier work. But if you really want to read it wait until it comes out in paperback! Don't waste your money like I did.
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Wilbur Smith doesn't often let you down, he has this time - BIG TIME. This is a load of prententious rubbish neither enjoyable nor interesting. Come on Wilbur you must be able to do better than this! Go back to your roots and develop another Ballantyne or Courtney series but don't try this again!
63 of 67 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
As an avid Wilbur Smith fan who has held River God as my most loved book for years, I looked forward to The Quest from the moment it was announced a new Taita novel was on its way.
However now that Ive managed to read it I find myself incredibly disappointed with the huge differences between Smith's usual style and this.
No longer our slightly vain, not so modest early Taita or even the enigmatic older Magus Taita. We now have a young, all powerful warrior Taita in a story involving outlandish magics, modern day genetic manipulation, long dead characters resurrected with noticable differences, and extended 'sex battles'.
Not only does Taita gain immense magical power and manage to regrow his entire genitals and the virginity that cost him the loss of them in River God but also discovers the reincarnation of his decades dead love, Lostris (who has mysteriously become a blonde), who also has immense magical power and conveniently falls in love.
No sign of the flaws that made Taita into the wounded hero that so appealed originally. No sign of the undying love Lostris bore for Tanus her entire lifetime until her death. No sign of the rich storyline that I love so dearly about Smith's other novels or the well developed and thought out characters.
However now that Ive managed to read it I find myself incredibly disappointed with the huge differences between Smith's usual style and this.
No longer our slightly vain, not so modest early Taita or even the enigmatic older Magus Taita. We now have a young, all powerful warrior Taita in a story involving outlandish magics, modern day genetic manipulation, long dead characters resurrected with noticable differences, and extended 'sex battles'.
Not only does Taita gain immense magical power and manage to regrow his entire genitals and the virginity that cost him the loss of them in River God but also discovers the reincarnation of his decades dead love, Lostris (who has mysteriously become a blonde), who also has immense magical power and conveniently falls in love.
No sign of the flaws that made Taita into the wounded hero that so appealed originally. No sign of the undying love Lostris bore for Tanus her entire lifetime until her death. No sign of the rich storyline that I love so dearly about Smith's other novels or the well developed and thought out characters.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
SUPER SLAVE
Having thoroughly enjoyed the other "Egyptian" themed novels, how disapointing was this! It reads like some fantastical science fiction. Read more
Published 26 days ago by Hilary
absolutely riveting read about ancient egypt -3
This is the continued story of the eunuch Taita in the reign of Pharaoh Sefer Neti- and it is here that he develops his powers , in particular his ability of concealment (... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Terry
It's A Long Haul....
I do agree with a lot of the criticisms levelled against this book but above all, I just found it really boring. Read more
Published 3 months ago by N. Clark
Enjoyable
I read all four egyptian novels one after the other recently and found that I enjoyed them all much more than singly with time gaps. Read more
Published 12 months ago by grador
Disappointing
Definitely not the best of Wilbur's books. Every other one I love and have read many times but this one dragged a bit and I found it a bit silly.
Published 15 months ago by J. M. Marshall
The story continues
I love Wilbur Smith's books and have been waiting for the sequel in the River God series. I was certainly not disappointed. Highly recommended
Published 16 months ago by Mrs. Elaine Crook
impressed
Very impressed with the short time it took for this item to be delivered, especially with the very bad weather we are experiencing at the moment. The book is an absolute winner.
Published 17 months ago by viki
So disappointing!
I enjoyed the first three books in the series so much that I was desperate to get hold of this latest offering. What was Wilbur Smith thinking? Read more
Published 19 months ago by Linorm
Different for sure, but great nonetheless
I have never written a book review before in my life, but felt that I just had to do so in this case, not least as a huge fan of Mr Smith but also to protect prospective readers... Read more
Published 20 months ago by Brendan Herbert
Another great book in th Egyptian series
Great book in the series. Taiti's adventures continue - well worth a read!
Published 21 months ago by suzyQ
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