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Ballantyne #4
Η Λεοπάρδαλη Κυνηγά στο Σκοτάδι
«Ζώντας στη μοναξιά και την αποξένωση της Νέας Υόρκης, μακριά από την πατρίδα του που ήταν και η πηγή της έμπνευσής του, ο συγγραφέας Κρεγκ Μέλοου φλέγεται από τον πόθο να γυρίσει εκεί που πραγματικά ανήκει. Το μόνο που τον αποτρέπει είναι οι εφιαλτικές εικόνες από τον πόλεμο μεταξύ λευκών και μαύρων που έρχονται και ξανάρχονται ολοζώντανες στη μνήμη του και τον βασανίζουν. Ώσπου μια απλή φωτογραφία δεκάδων ελεφάντων σκοτωμένων από νάρκες, με βγαλμένους τους χαυλιόδοντες, τον κάνει να πάρει την απόφασή του.
Ξαναγυρίζει στη Ζιμπάμπουε και, αποφασισμένος για ένα καινούριο ξεκίνημα, βάζει σ’ εφαρμογή το μεγαλεπήβολο σχέδιό του να ξαναζωντανέψει τα παλιά οικογενειακά κτήματα στα λιβαδοτόπια της Ματαμπέλελαντ. Όμως τη χώρα του εξακολουθούν να την κυβερνούν έντονα μίση, απληστία και απύθμενη σκληρότητα. Ξαφνικά ο Κρεγκ δεν είναι πια σίγουρος ποιοι είναι οι φίλοι του και ποιοι οι εχθροί του. Και πολύ γρήγορα θα βρεθεί στη δίνη ενός αιματηρού και αδυσώπητου φυλετικού πολέμου που απειλεί να σαρώσει τα πάντα…»
Ξαναγυρίζει στη Ζιμπάμπουε και, αποφασισμένος για ένα καινούριο ξεκίνημα, βάζει σ’ εφαρμογή το μεγαλεπήβολο σχέδιό του να ξαναζωντανέψει τα παλιά οικογενειακά κτήματα στα λιβαδοτόπια της Ματαμπέλελαντ. Όμως τη χώρα του εξακολουθούν να την κυβερνούν έντονα μίση, απληστία και απύθμενη σκληρότητα. Ξαφνικά ο Κρεγκ δεν είναι πια σίγουρος ποιοι είναι οι φίλοι του και ποιοι οι εχθροί του. Και πολύ γρήγορα θα βρεθεί στη δίνη ενός αιματηρού και αδυσώπητου φυλετικού πολέμου που απειλεί να σαρώσει τα πάντα…»
576 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1984
368 people are currently reading
1569 people want to read
About the author
Wilbur Smith
320 books4,405 followersWilbur 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 119 reviews
January 9, 2016
As the Ballantyne series comes to a close, Smith pulls out all the stops to tell a riveting and powerful story, set in the mid to late 1980s. After fleeing the country during its independence wars, Craig Mellow wants to return to the newly named Zimbabwe. While in exile of sorts, Mellow has written a very popular novel about his ancestors' struggles in the region, based on a collection of journals he was able to take along with him. Returning to this political cesspool, Mellow's main goal is to reclaim his family farm. While he begins to get things in order, he discovers a massive poaching ring slaughtering animals in and around the farm territory. Working with one of the local politicians, he casts blame on a government minister. When the frame-up is discovered, Mellow is accused of being a CIA operative and has everything he owned confiscated and is declared an enemy of the state. Fleeing the scene with American photographer Sally-Anne Jay, they go into the jungles of Botswana as they hide from Zimbabwe officials. Falling in love is but one of their adventures along the way as they remain below the radar until things are resolved and their names can be cleared. A wonderfully illustrative way to end the series, which parallels the struggles the Courtney series depicts in South Africa. Readers will not be disappointed with this novel or the entire series.
Smith has worked hard to show the political and cultural machinations in southern Africa. Depicting the Mugabe iron-fisted rule of Zimbabwe, the story looks at the treatment not only of colonial whites, but of the means by which African politicians sought to rule their own people and distance themselves from colonial oppressors beforehand. Alas, these independence movements have not always been free from corruption, as Smith shows repeatedly. The Mellow struggle for land and recognition is surely not an oddity, though his courage to return after fleeing is also to be applauded. Amidst the political upheavals, Smith has also used this series to show how the African riches (from flora to fauna, to minerals) have helped to corrupt the entire country and that power has caused more problems than it solves. Pitting the indigenous against the colonizing forces, Smith shows how tribal populations were bullied or forced into a lifestyle not their own, as well as the fallout that came from it. The Courtney series began looking into this from the South African perspective, but in these four Ballantyne novels, the issue of diamonds and animal slaughter rises to the forefront of everyone's minds, depicting a group more interested in profit than learning about the lands. Well written and thoroughly researched, Smith has done a marvellous job in showing how a region that has received so little ink in the world of fiction has so much on which to draw, given the time.
Kudos, Mr. Smith for a splendid series on the perils of Rhodesia/Zimbabwe. I took away so much and am eager to look into some of the historical documentation of the region and its people. I hope the remaining novels in the Courtney series are as explosive as these four books have been.
Like/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
Smith has worked hard to show the political and cultural machinations in southern Africa. Depicting the Mugabe iron-fisted rule of Zimbabwe, the story looks at the treatment not only of colonial whites, but of the means by which African politicians sought to rule their own people and distance themselves from colonial oppressors beforehand. Alas, these independence movements have not always been free from corruption, as Smith shows repeatedly. The Mellow struggle for land and recognition is surely not an oddity, though his courage to return after fleeing is also to be applauded. Amidst the political upheavals, Smith has also used this series to show how the African riches (from flora to fauna, to minerals) have helped to corrupt the entire country and that power has caused more problems than it solves. Pitting the indigenous against the colonizing forces, Smith shows how tribal populations were bullied or forced into a lifestyle not their own, as well as the fallout that came from it. The Courtney series began looking into this from the South African perspective, but in these four Ballantyne novels, the issue of diamonds and animal slaughter rises to the forefront of everyone's minds, depicting a group more interested in profit than learning about the lands. Well written and thoroughly researched, Smith has done a marvellous job in showing how a region that has received so little ink in the world of fiction has so much on which to draw, given the time.
Kudos, Mr. Smith for a splendid series on the perils of Rhodesia/Zimbabwe. I took away so much and am eager to look into some of the historical documentation of the region and its people. I hope the remaining novels in the Courtney series are as explosive as these four books have been.
Like/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
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May 21, 2024DNF troppa violenza e Kalashnikov, soprattutto queste ultime pagine (metà libro) mi han convinto a mollare il colpo. Preferisco il Wilbur Smith dei romanzi storici.
October 2, 2022
Come sempre, fluido e avvincente, anche se i personaggi femminili di Smith restano piatti e prevedibili, e le storie d'amore stereotipate.
March 6, 2014
blurb - Craig Mellow, acclaimed author but unhappy exile, seizes the chance to return to Zimbabwe when he is given a spying mission for the World Bank. Accompanied by beautiful photographer Sally-Anne Jay, he is at first unaware of the dangerous currents of tribal conflict that swirl below the calm surface of Zimbabwean politics. Then he stumbles upon a highly organized ivory-poaching operation which masks the treacherous plot to sell the country he once fought for into slavery ...
This strikes me as being close to the author's views on life; through the protagonist, author Craig, Smith manages to give us some insight of living as a popular writer combined with his views on Zimbabwe.
This was crammed full of violence, even by Wilbur Smith standards. I can take it if there is a point. The first three Ballantynes were interesting from the historical point of view and should have ended there.
2*
This marks my TBR Busting completion, however there will be further entries as I'm doing good work in clearing the back log.
BALLANTYNE:
4* A Falcon Flies (1980)
4* Men of Men
3* The Angels Weep
CR The Leopard Hunts in Darkness
The Triumph of the Sun (Ballantyne #5 = Courtney #12)
ANCIENT EGYPT
4* - River God (1993)
4* - The Seventh Scroll (1995)
4* - Warlock (2001)
3* - The Quest (2007)
STAND ALONES:
3* - The Diamond Hunters (1971)
4* - The Sunbird (1972)
3* - Golden Fox (1990)
3* - Birds of Prey (1997)
3* - Blue Horizon (2003)
1* - Those in Peril (2011)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 31, 2016
An excellent read into the history of Zimbabwe though at times it (the description) does become overbearing on the story itself. The descriptions are vivid and beautiful. The words bring alive the entire wild life sanctuary. I could almost feel the thrill and felt that i was there in the wild. This actually makes me wish to travel to "Zambezi Waters".
This is probably the first book that i have read that was based in Africa and is truly a fast paced action traversing across the length and breadth of Zimbabwe although the start is a little sluggish and the story is predictable in parts. The brutal massacre of elephants at the start is heart wrenching.
The tribal conflicts have been described in great details and as a reader one cannot be sure of who is right or wrong (although one cannot define everything as black or white).
All in all - a must read.
This is probably the first book that i have read that was based in Africa and is truly a fast paced action traversing across the length and breadth of Zimbabwe although the start is a little sluggish and the story is predictable in parts. The brutal massacre of elephants at the start is heart wrenching.
The tribal conflicts have been described in great details and as a reader one cannot be sure of who is right or wrong (although one cannot define everything as black or white).
All in all - a must read.
March 31, 2014
A splendid, hard-knuckle African thriller from Wilbur Smith, and a fitting climax to his Ballantyne quadrilogy of novels. THE LEOPARD HUNTS IN DARKNESS dispenses with the historical background and instead delivers a gutsy, then modern (1980s setting) thriller loaded with blood and guts action.
The hero, Craig Mellow, is a man who's driven back to Zimbabwe in order to make a go of it. Once there, he ends up romancing a beautiful young photographer (surprise) and soon finds himself involved a high-level poaching operation (surprise). The story that ensues is packed with incredible twists and turns, as well as some of the nastiest violence that Smith has ever written.
And I was hooked throughout by Smith's vivid, compelling style of writing, which burns through the pages with ease. It's not often I can describe a book as unputdownable, but that's the case here - THE LEOPARD HUNTS IN DARKNESS is one of my favourite Smith books ever, and certainly the best of a very strong series. If you have the stomach for it, then I fully recommend this gripping, ultra-realistic adventure story.
The hero, Craig Mellow, is a man who's driven back to Zimbabwe in order to make a go of it. Once there, he ends up romancing a beautiful young photographer (surprise) and soon finds himself involved a high-level poaching operation (surprise). The story that ensues is packed with incredible twists and turns, as well as some of the nastiest violence that Smith has ever written.
And I was hooked throughout by Smith's vivid, compelling style of writing, which burns through the pages with ease. It's not often I can describe a book as unputdownable, but that's the case here - THE LEOPARD HUNTS IN DARKNESS is one of my favourite Smith books ever, and certainly the best of a very strong series. If you have the stomach for it, then I fully recommend this gripping, ultra-realistic adventure story.
December 24, 2012
I really love Wilbur Smith books, they're so involved. This is #4 in a little series he had, and I am pretty sure I did not read the first three, but it was easy to read this as a stand-alone novel. His series are not usually very dependent on one another. This book took me a while to read because I was reading a few other books in the meantime. It's not a fast book to rush through. I didn't like it as much as some of his books, because I just really couldn't get into the characters, none of them drew me in. Still, I enjoyed it because it was a great adventure book with a lot going on, and beautiful scenery. As with most of his books, he's kind of patronizing, with the people on the farm, and also calling the women the girls the whole way through, but then i realized i do that latter one as well, but just a warning for people sensitive to things like that, you may not like this (or any of Smith's) book. I'm definitely going to go back and read the other three before this!
December 9, 2018
This is my third Wilbur Smith novel that I have read. Book has virtually no dull spots, moves very briskly through the story but not too fast. It's and old-fashioned adventure yarn with plenty of action, especially the many treks through the jungle trying evade capture by the main characters. I would give it five stars except for the fact that at times the way the characters respond to certain situations seems out of line with the plot line at those moments. You have to read it for yourself to judge if i am being picky. Overall, though, highly recommended, be prepared to be immersed in Africa!
September 17, 2020
Another great story from Wilbur Smith involving African Shona and Matabele tribes and tribal wars. The Ballantyne families descendant, Craig Mellow is determined to get his families property back by working hard and employing members of the African tribes, many of whom he remembered.
Craig is a great writer and he falls for Sally-Anne, a photographer who also loves Africa and its plants and animals and history. If only life could be that simple!
But as everyone knows countries and African tribes are up for grabs to the highest - and sneakiest and most underhanded bidder. The excitement and action starts early and doesn't end until the end of the book.
Craig is a great writer and he falls for Sally-Anne, a photographer who also loves Africa and its plants and animals and history. If only life could be that simple!
But as everyone knows countries and African tribes are up for grabs to the highest - and sneakiest and most underhanded bidder. The excitement and action starts early and doesn't end until the end of the book.
July 27, 2011
When I first started reading the book I was taken in by descriptions of the country and could in a way associate with the main character. I was a bit upset when I realised that the painful History of Zimbabwe was a mere excuse to sell a book. I am a bit tired of the descriptions of the noble Ndebele people and the cunning and deceiving Shona – how easy it is to separate the good guys from the bad guys! I have reached the middle and I am going to stop because I feel sick and disappointed…
February 4, 2012
I am completely hooked to Smith now! He really knows Africa which makes his book special. This is another one in the series where we get to know how Zimbabwe started evolving post independence. The severe hatred among the various tribes which was not so visible in colonial days comes to the forefront here and shows how that can become a big hindrance in running the country. A sub plot involving a hidden treasure makes it so exciting that you almost feel like being in those dense forest yourself! Looks like I am going to go after all his books pretty soon :)
October 2, 2019
Modern Africa, oftentimes a pawn of superpowers and their proxy wars, is well illustrated in this next installment of the Ballantyne saga. Interestingly this episode has a much smaller cast of characters compared to the previous sprawling historical works, and meanders in some unnecessary directions too. Nevertheless customs, history and old emnities always linger and fester as we've seen in many parts of the world. It seems we remain slaves of a bloody past doomed to repeat itself. This is also a tribute to the power of friendship, and the sacrifices that true friends make.
June 1, 2022
Not one of the better Ballantyne books, but I prefer the earlier period and not the "modern day". Interesting about how Zimbabwe struggled post Rhodesia and after their civil war as they reverted back to tribal cultures. The theme is the same as the earlier books, with ruffy tuffy hero man falling in love with hard and tough woman, but it is still not the same when it is modernised. Anyway, whatever false limb Craig is using in this book should be patented as he was a superstar trekker and runner etc without any chafing or side effects.
March 14, 2015
Nobody tops Wilbur Smith for pure hold your breath adventure tales....this is one of my favorites.
November 19, 2023
4.5 Stars
The Leopard Hunts in Darkness is the fourth book in the Ballantyne series by Wilbur Smith.
Wilbur Smith books were a familiar fixture in our household when I was growing up. As I grew older and went looking for more ‘interesting’ things to read, Mr. Smith was amongst the first ‘adult’ reads that I gravitated to. I read everything he had written up to that point, and then through the years I kept up with each new release. It had been many years since I last read one of his books, but in the past few months have found myself exploring them once more.
This is a powerful, action-packed adventure that is both engrossing and dramatic. This is another African adventure brining politics, agendas, ivory poaching, tribal warfare, betrayal, survival, challenges, struggles, culture, tension, danger, and dramatic developments for a gripping read.
Mr. Smith has a great knack for writing a great suspenseful and exciting read, and even though my tastes have evolved as I have gotten older, I still really enjoyed revisiting this book/series.
So if you are a history buff, love a powerful read and want a book that will hold your interest and that you can immerse yourself into- then this may be the book/series for you!
The Leopard Hunts in Darkness is the fourth book in the Ballantyne series by Wilbur Smith.
Wilbur Smith books were a familiar fixture in our household when I was growing up. As I grew older and went looking for more ‘interesting’ things to read, Mr. Smith was amongst the first ‘adult’ reads that I gravitated to. I read everything he had written up to that point, and then through the years I kept up with each new release. It had been many years since I last read one of his books, but in the past few months have found myself exploring them once more.
This is a powerful, action-packed adventure that is both engrossing and dramatic. This is another African adventure brining politics, agendas, ivory poaching, tribal warfare, betrayal, survival, challenges, struggles, culture, tension, danger, and dramatic developments for a gripping read.
Mr. Smith has a great knack for writing a great suspenseful and exciting read, and even though my tastes have evolved as I have gotten older, I still really enjoyed revisiting this book/series.
So if you are a history buff, love a powerful read and want a book that will hold your interest and that you can immerse yourself into- then this may be the book/series for you!
March 15, 2022
This was much more linear book. Is has a beginning, a middle and an end. All the parts are great.
The plot is very attractive from an optimist point of view because Craig's aspirations as an entrepreneur are relatable to a reader. The love that Craig and Co. display for animals is like a vortex that will drag you down the rabbit hole.
The pace of the book is great altering between slow developing scenes and super fast high stakes action scenes.
The least attractive side of this book is the brutality and greed that have and forever will make human poach wildlife in Africa. It is just traumatizing to read about the "culling" of surplus animals and about mass killings.
Unfortunately, this is still happening to this day and will continue for a long time.
Overall, this was a realistic story and I will continue to explore Wilbur Smith's books.
The plot is very attractive from an optimist point of view because Craig's aspirations as an entrepreneur are relatable to a reader. The love that Craig and Co. display for animals is like a vortex that will drag you down the rabbit hole.
The pace of the book is great altering between slow developing scenes and super fast high stakes action scenes.
The least attractive side of this book is the brutality and greed that have and forever will make human poach wildlife in Africa. It is just traumatizing to read about the "culling" of surplus animals and about mass killings.
Unfortunately, this is still happening to this day and will continue for a long time.
Overall, this was a realistic story and I will continue to explore Wilbur Smith's books.
April 29, 2019
You can almost smell the African savannah when reading Wilbur Smith books. This is set in the early 1980s, when it was written and reflects the post-independence turmoil of white people, especially farmers in Zimbabwe.
It took a while to like Craig, the hero and also to believe that someone with a 1980s-style prosthetic leg could be quite so agile. Also, stretching it that Jay could be a pilot as well as a photographer. However, these plot conveniences didn't detract from the excellent story.
I counted 7 typos in the book.
It took a while to like Craig, the hero and also to believe that someone with a 1980s-style prosthetic leg could be quite so agile. Also, stretching it that Jay could be a pilot as well as a photographer. However, these plot conveniences didn't detract from the excellent story.
I counted 7 typos in the book.
March 4, 2021
Surprisingly good, I can see what all the fuss is about Wilbur Smith. This was my first read of one of his books and although I've come to it late it was still as relevent and exciting today as when it was written in the 80's.
The story was great, lots of twists and turns but it never got boring or confusing in fact the only downside was I couldn't read it at night as it was too exciting to then go to sleep.
I'm looking forward to a massive catalogue of books to enjoy in the future.
The story was great, lots of twists and turns but it never got boring or confusing in fact the only downside was I couldn't read it at night as it was too exciting to then go to sleep.
I'm looking forward to a massive catalogue of books to enjoy in the future.
January 27, 2022
Libro que te tiene atrapado de principio a fin, con increíbles descripciones de los paisajes de Zimbawe y momentos de tensión extrema a lo largo de la historia que te mantienen a la expectativa de lo que pasará.
Solo había leído “Pájaro de Sol” de adolescente y no me acuerdo casi nada, así que puedo decir que con “El leopardo caza en la oscuridad” re-descubrí a Willbur Smith. Y menos mal que lo hice, disfruté muchísimo esta lectura.
Solo había leído “Pájaro de Sol” de adolescente y no me acuerdo casi nada, así que puedo decir que con “El leopardo caza en la oscuridad” re-descubrí a Willbur Smith. Y menos mal que lo hice, disfruté muchísimo esta lectura.
August 13, 2022
I found this a good, exciting read. Wilbur Smith knows how to build a thriller and maintain tension. He also knows Africa, the land, the people and the animals, and this comes through in powerful descriptions. At times I found his White African depiction of Black Africans slightly disturbing, but this is only to be expected from an author of his background, and it did not detract from my enjoyment of this well-written novel.
November 10, 2025
Wow, what an adventure! Every time I thought it couldn't possibly get worse, it did--and then somehow managed to resolve itself in the end! These are the kinds of quality adventure novels I feel like are no longer around anymore. I thoroughly enjoyed the rollercoaster ride!
Content warning:
Content warning:
August 1, 2018
2018 Pop Sugar Reading challenge, a book with an animal in the title.
Well, that was a blood bath. It was very exciting in places, but in others, it felt like it dragged on. The descriptions of Africa and its people were beautiful. But, I just wanted to shake some of the characters out of their stupidity.
Well, that was a blood bath. It was very exciting in places, but in others, it felt like it dragged on. The descriptions of Africa and its people were beautiful. But, I just wanted to shake some of the characters out of their stupidity.
September 10, 2024
Currently re reading the original Ballentyne series of books. Have not got into the later ones that Smith wrote so for me this is the final book in the series. I do love his style. Easy reading, exciting stories and characters however, these have dated! He also has a habit of romancing his view of history but the core details are there and let’s be honest it’s fiction!
April 10, 2025
Can’t Beat It,
So sad that this great author has passed. I’ve read most of his great stories from Egypt to Southern Africa. Such a blend of history woven with a good story of fiction! The Ballantine series is certainly no exception and anyone fortunate enough to pick up and begin to read just one of his will be hooked!!
So sad that this great author has passed. I’ve read most of his great stories from Egypt to Southern Africa. Such a blend of history woven with a good story of fiction! The Ballantine series is certainly no exception and anyone fortunate enough to pick up and begin to read just one of his will be hooked!!
November 5, 2025
I would give it 4.5*. It is an excellent book. One of Wilbur Smith's best imo. Although I thought it started a little slowly. But once it got going, it was hard to put down. Plenty of twists and turns. Action and intrigue. It can be brutal at times, but reflected on what was happening at that time in history in Zimbabwe. Definitely worht the read.
August 27, 2019
Fantastic story line by a master wordsmith.
I am an absolute fan of Wilbur Smith and the enjoyment of reading his stories of African life throughout the ages has been of great satisfaction.
I am an absolute fan of Wilbur Smith and the enjoyment of reading his stories of African life throughout the ages has been of great satisfaction.
October 24, 2019
Excellent kept me spellbound throughout he just keeps getting better and better everybody should read all of his books
First class tale he doesn't know how to write a bad story plot and characterisation among the best I've experienced
First class tale he doesn't know how to write a bad story plot and characterisation among the best I've experienced
April 30, 2020
Good read for first half. 2nd half uninteresting compared to previous
books in series. Series was very good overall.
The series of past history of the family and
Founding of Zimbabwe very intetesting.
books in series. Series was very good overall.
The series of past history of the family and
Founding of Zimbabwe very intetesting.
June 18, 2020
A thrilling read.😎
This novel was a big read with lots of thrills.It also covered a lot of the incidents and unrest of the 80s in Zimbabwe.The storyline was exceptional plenty of action,all as what you would expect from W.S. 😎😎
This novel was a big read with lots of thrills.It also covered a lot of the incidents and unrest of the 80s in Zimbabwe.The storyline was exceptional plenty of action,all as what you would expect from W.S. 😎😎
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June 28, 2022Wilbur Smith is not for everyone. His descriptions of violence are graphic and I nearly did not continue with it at times, but I did, because I do like his writing. He brings so much to a book, the history, the characters and the landscape, especially in the books set in South Africa.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 119 reviews