The Serpent's Lair

Prey Zone #2

by Wilbur Smith, Keith Chapman, Steve Cole

The electrifying sequel to Wilbur Smith's new series for the next generation - starring teen protagonists Ralph and Robyn Ballantyne.

In the wild Lebombo Mountains of South Africa, Ralph and Robyn are on the run from the nefarious Josef Gerhard. His beastly man-made predasaurs have unleashed a deadly virus and only the Ballantynes have the evidence to prove it. They need to regroup and plan their next move if they want to stop him before it's too late and find a cure for the virus.

But deep in the forest, dangers lurk; poachers are circling, and Gerhard has a brand-new creation he wants to show off, if he can lure the Ballantynes to its lair...

Can they outrun him in time to expose his monstrous crimes? And more importantly will they make it out of the serpent's lair alive?

Get ready for more predasaurs, more betrayals and more action in the thrilling sequel to PREY ZONE!

Genres: Fiction

258 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 14, 2023

About the author

Wilbur Smith was a prolific and bestselling South African novelist renowned for his sweeping adventure stories set against the backdrop of Africa’s dramatic landscapes and turbulent history. Born in 1933 in what was then Northern Rhodesia (now Zambia), he grew up in South Africa, where his love for storytelling was nurtured by the rich environment and tales of African history. His early years were shaped by his experiences in the wilderness, which later became a defining element in his fiction.
After studying at Rhodes University, Smith initially worked as an accountant, but his true passion lay in writing. His breakthrough came in 1964 with When the Lion Feeds, a historical adventure novel that introduced the Courtney family saga. The book’s success led to a long-running series chronicling the exploits of multiple generations of the Courtney family, spanning centuries of African and world history. Alongside this, Smith wrote the Ballantyne series, focused on colonial Africa, and the Ancient Egypt series, which delved into historical fiction with a mythical touch.
Over his six-decade career, Smith authored more than 50 novels, selling over 140 million copies worldwide. His works were characterized by meticulous research, vivid descriptions of the African wilderness, and gripping action-packed narratives. Whether set in the colonial era, the world of pharaohs, or modern-day Africa, his books often explored themes of survival, war, power, and human ambition. He collaborated with co-authors in his later years to expand his literary universe, ensuring his stories continued to reach new audiences.
Beyond writing, Smith was an avid traveler and adventurer, drawing inspiration from his own experiences hunting, sailing, and exploring remote corners of Africa. While he was passionate about wildlife and conservation, some of his views—particularly regarding big game hunting—sparked debate. Nonetheless, his deep affection for Africa was evident in his writing, which celebrated both its beauty and its historical complexities.
Smith’s influence on adventure fiction remains significant, with his books continuing to captivate readers around the world. His legacy endures through his richly woven tales of exploration, conquest, and the enduring spirit of Africa.

Reviews

[Helen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to read this one after being an arc reader for the first book in this trilogy. This one was completed by Keith Chapman and Steve Cole after Wilbur’s death as sadly he passed away shortly after the release of the first book. This one continues on a few weeks after the first book drops off. There is still a great amount of action and high stakes adventure but it did feel less polished than a traditional Wilbur Smith book - I am not sure how much he had plotted out on this one before his passing. It should be noted this series was always meant to be targeted at younger middle grade readers so that should also be taken into consideration when comparing it to the calibre of Wilbur’s other novels. The characterisation is done well and the writing itself is fine. Yes, the creatures are a bit far fetched but as it’s aimed for 10-12 year olds I would say this works absolutely fine. I will definitely still read the rest of the series. I’m going with 3.5 stars just because it isn’t quite as good as the first book and I wouldn’t re-read it again.

[Brian Jones · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not the best

Very dissapointed but this titled Wilbur Smith book. Not like any of his books and was really sad that his name has been dragged down to this level. I will not buying any more of these books in future.

[Recato · Rating 2 out of 5]

If Wilbur Smith actually had any say in this book, he would have known there is no such thing as a "catty". It is "kettie". Not really Wilbur Smith material.