Vengeance

by Wilbur Smith

A brand-new Courtney Series adventure and book 8 in the Birds of Prey sequence by Wilbur Smith.

ENEMIES BY BIRTH. BROTHERS IN BLOOD.

Van Diemen's Land, 1835

Ralph Courtney has had everything taken from him - his wife, his son, his fortune, his freedom . . . Chased from the hills of Zululand, he had found refuge with Ann and Harry at the mission station at Mahikeng. Behind the great Barrier of Spears, out of reach of King Shaka's murderous brother, they had been safe for a time. But even here, a hundred miles north of the Orange River and British justice, Ralph could not escape his past . . .

Captured. Convicted. Sentenced. Transported six thousand miles - to the end of the world, the worst prison on earth. Ralph knows that escape is impossible. All is lost. But one day, a ship comes in over the bar and he is brought back to life by a man he believed dead.

Meanwhile, Ann and Harry are trapped in Mahikeng, their fate tied to that of the mission station. When new orders come from London, they have no choice but to return to the Zulu court and face the enemy they thought they'd left behind . . .

Blood, vengeance and destiny collide in the latest thrilling novel from the bestselling master of adventure, Wilbur Smith.

480 pages, Hardcover

Published May 21, 2026

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

[Ross Sanders · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another brilliant read.
Thankyou.