Set in Egypt, and following on from River God and The Seventh Scroll, Warlock is the prequel to the new Wilbur Smith hardback The Quest which marks the return of one of the world's finest adventure writers
Warlock (Egyptian Novels)
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Wilbur Smith (a name synonymous with the massive blockbuster thriller) has recaptured the verve and impact of his earlier work in Warlock. This Egyptian epic thriller follows on from the equally accomplished River God and The Seventh Scroll and re-establishes Smith at the top echelons of thriller writing. The customary continent-spanning canvas is here, with a key new element in an adroitly handled supernatural aspect that gives the sequence the feel of fantasy whilst still retaining the plausibility that was always Smith's strongest asset.
The reader is plunged into a vividly realised evocation of life in ancient Egypt but one presented with insights into the various characters that infuse a very contemporary feel. In the secluded deserts of North Africa, Taita has spent the years since the death of his adored Queen Lostris studying to become a Warlock, steeped in the arcane arts of the ancient Gods and a master practitioner of magic. Responding to an occult summons, Taita abandons the desert and returns to civilisation, only to find himself at the centre of a massive conflagration in which dark and sinister forces are undermining the throne of Egypt and attempting to destroy the young prince Nefer. Soon, his hard-won skills are tested to the limit.
As in the previous books in the sequence, Smith knows that a strong and passionate agenda on the part of his protagonists will allow the reader to identify with them, despite the gap of centuries. Here, it is family ties: Taita is defending the young prince who is the grandson of his lost Queen, and we are quickly engaged in a narrative that rarely flags over its considerable length. The action set pieces are as impressive as one would expect:
The instant he was within range the Cobra struck again, but Nefer caught the blow on the thick leather folds of the bag. The beast's fangs snagged in the leather and held fast. As Nefer swung back the snake was dragged with him. It was hauled cleanly out of the nest, a writhing, seething ball of coils and polished scales. It thrashed against Nefer's legs, the heavy tail lashing him, hissing fearsomely, clouds of venom spraying from its gaping jaws and dribbling down the leather bag. So great was its weight that Nefer's whole body was shaken violently.--Barry Forshaw --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Review
"Action is Wilbur Smith's game, and he is a master."--"The Washington Post Book World"
"Fascinating...[a] magical sequel to "River God,""--"Tulsa World"
"Brilliant...irresistible and impossible to put down."--"Times Record News "(Wichita Falls, TX)
"Fascinating...[a] magical sequel to "River God,""--"Tulsa World"
"Brilliant...irresistible and impossible to put down."--"Times Record News "(Wichita Falls, TX)
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
15 of 15 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Smith has certainly done it again with this fast paced ancient Egyptian thriller. Impossible to put down from the first page to the last, it carries you off to another world, another time altogether. The descriptions are so vivid you could swear you had seen everything he describes with your own eyes, and the storyline is, as always, utterly engrossing. His obvious love of ancient Egypt and his vast knowledge of the subject give the story such a realistic tone that you want to believe every word he has written to be the truth. A master story teller indeed, telling another riveting tale. Definately one to buy to read again and again and again.
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Hardcover
Once again the indomitable Wilbur Smith captivates both old and new readers. Even those unfamiliar with River God will find this adventure captivating. I read it in two days, and I'm not normally a fast reader. All the classic elements for an adventure are here, and Smith makes the most of them, thrilling with the action, building up the tension and weaving plots within plots. If the character of Taita was enigmatic before, now he is the very essence of mystery, and the reader can never take anything for granted. Just when you think you know what's going to happen - bamm! - the plot twists like the cobra that is symbolic to the characters. With every turn of the page a new puzzle, who killed Pharaoh and why? Can the House of Lostris possibly survive against seemingly overwhelming odds? Of course the reader knows it will all turn out right in the end, but not before a great deal of pain and suffering all around (not to mention murder, war, love and sex). Whether a fan of Smith, of adventure, or just a passing interest in Egypt, Warlock is sure to have you hooked.
20 of 21 people found the following review helpful
By wilco121
Format:Paperback
the original in this trio of books, river god, without a doubt makes my favourite read in the history of my favourite reads. Part 2 , the seventh scroll - flashing forward a few millennia also was fantastic (maybe even top 10). Warlock, going back to ancient Egypt, should have followed in the same success... however as strong as it was, it failed to meet the high bar of its predecessors. I would put it down to the formula being changed. Where as it needed a fresh approach & a new concept to make it a novel in its own rights, I am not entirely convinced that this was the recipe for success. the formula in question is the introduction of magic / wizardry / sorcerous powers / the force (?!). The book is set a few decades after the 1st novel (overlook the fact that taita is probably outlived ancient Egyptian life expectancy many times over!). Queen Lostris is dead, her bloodline is in danger of ending, new powers are emerging in the political arena, and Taita, well taita the hero from river god has left the house of lostris and now is a hermit in the wilderness, studying, praying and doing all things mystical to become a warlock. note the similarities with a character from a well loved series of films? cough! old Ben kenobi, star wars cough! further case study comparisons include a not-so-unique escape from an enemy palace within the novel. "these aren't the droids your looking for..."
Despite being the title character, taita surprisingly takes more of a back seat role. for this I was glad - as a favourite character in river god - his warlocky abilities in this book didn't grip me or allow me to 'believe' in the tale as much. I preferred the action to remain on the 'down to earth' characters. saying that, however, it was refreshing to have taita's presence, as with him, you kinda knew things couldn't go too wrong - especially with those powers...
A big change from river god - is the switch from 1st person narrative to 3rd person. I think I prefer the former option - it adds a lot more personality and opportunity for emotive description. with the tale following many different stories & characters it would have been hard to have a single narrator. Again, a change in the formula from original, possibly taking some of the charm away. However the characterisation, storylines and wilbur's trademark 'romance' remain strong and make up for some of the losses as such. to touch upon the romance, some would describe as too in-your-face and over powering. I disagree. I will say that the encounters seemingly come out of nowhere, are very graphic (in quite a tasteful way), and then disappear just as fast. a number of times whilst reading (as a self-confessed skim reader), I would end a page and question 'did I just read that?' and would have to flick back and re-read just to make sure. its good to be shocked now and again. There are some great character cameos from 1st novel - which I loved even if they were brief. I soon forgot their lack of presence outside the first few chapters as the story gripped me again in true wilbur smith style.
I'm glad I read it, I think the Egyptian series has now brought itself to a well deserved end. For those devotee river god fans - I think its unavoidable to get another taste of taita's tales - although beware, it is a completely different concept / formula from that of #1. still a 'gripper' and a 'hard-to-put-downer' but definitely not river god returns. Any one picking this book up afresh, would suggest getting the background flavour and taste for the series by reading river god & seventh scroll first.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great read
Couldn't put it down. After reading River God, I couldn't wait to read this sequel to find out what happened next.
Published 11 days ago by Linda Stapleton
4.0 out of 5 stars
Ancient Egyptian swashbuckling fantasy
Wilbur Smith makes me pay attention. I know there's a fair amount of "magic" but it'd tongue in cheek and self-aware; the story is immersive and the characters are developed and... Read more
Published 13 days ago by Tim Parkes
4.0 out of 5 stars
A good read.
Not too bad but not on par with the first of the series, The River God. Worth the read if your a fan thou!
Published 15 days ago by Liz
5.0 out of 5 stars
Warkock by Wilbur Smith - Review
This is an epic historical drama tracks a power struggle in ancient Egypt between false pharaohs and a true royal heir, evoking the cruel glories and terrible torments of the era. Read more
Published 28 days ago by Mr. Peter Mitchell
4.0 out of 5 stars
good read
This is another book we wanted to compleat all the ones in this series,it has not been read yet but is in great condition
Published 2 months ago by C. A. Bringloe
4.0 out of 5 stars
Warlock
A great read always something going on this would make a great film, Wilbur Smith really brings to life how it must have been in those times
Published 2 months ago by andrew mcdermott
5.0 out of 5 stars
Warlock
Good read. Completes my Egypt reads from Wilbur. On to the next series! This is the last in the Egypt series, so, if you're interested in these books, go on the net, search for the... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Chas
4.0 out of 5 stars
Warlock
Good book, Well writen
Wilbur smith books are alway6s a pleasure to read as evry page is full of tension and wants you to carry on reading
Wilbur smith books are alway6s a pleasure to read as evry page is full of tension and wants you to carry on reading
Published 3 months ago by Gerry
5.0 out of 5 stars
Warlock
I love anything about ancient Egypt. The story carries you along with the young prince destined to be pharoah and the intrigue and plotting that takes place around him and his... Read more
Published 5 months ago by Jean
4.0 out of 5 stars
Warlock
Great for a long car journey - but to really enjoy this book you should have read or listened to the previous books in the series
Published 10 months ago by Peanut
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