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Ben Hope #14
The Devil's Kingdom
HAS BEN HOPE FINALLY MET HIS MATCH?
The master bestseller returns with the most explosive thriller you will read all year.
Held hostage by a despicable tyrant in the heart of Africa – within the lawless and unforgiving Congo – it’s not looking good for Ben Hope. Even worse, someone very important to him has fallen into the enemy’s hands, and they’re using this against Ben as part of a depraved plan to bend him to their will.
The master bestseller returns with the most explosive thriller you will read all year.
Held hostage by a despicable tyrant in the heart of Africa – within the lawless and unforgiving Congo – it’s not looking good for Ben Hope. Even worse, someone very important to him has fallen into the enemy’s hands, and they’re using this against Ben as part of a depraved plan to bend him to their will.
483 pages, Paperback
First published November 17, 2016
313 people are currently reading
707 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 118 reviews
September 9, 2017
Picking up moments after the end of the previous novel, Mariani has readers on tenterhooks in this fourteenth book, and for good reason. Explosive and brilliant in its delivery, Ben Hope fans can only wonder if this is the end of the former SAS hero. Having seen Jude carted off by General Jean-Pierre Khosa, a bloodthirsty Congolese warlord, Hope and his crew face significant issues. Hope has to decide if he will rage to free himself, thereby jeopardising Jude’s life, or play it calm and try to plot in his mind. Choosing the latter, Hope becomes a military advisor for Khosa, all the while trying to surmise how he and Jeff Dekker will be able to get out of this mess. Firmly in possession of the Star of Africa diamond, Khosa begins bandying around selling the stone to fund his own army and looking to enact a coup to gain even more power. While Hope and Dekker toil for the crazed man, Jude is hidden away, where he meets a young American journalist. After learning a little more about the region’s recent history, Jude discovers that there is an international mining aspect to the larger story, one that could present this country’s leader with many riches, while keeping the population firmly in a state of abject poverty. Plotting their escape, Jude and Rae Lee try to outmanoeuvre guards with little impetus to do their jobs, hoping that they can reach out to Hope before it is too late. All the while, Hope is suppressed and subjected to countless beatings. This has gone beyond a mere diamond or territorial grab, pitting one man’s soul against the other. However, when in the Devil’s Kingdom, the rules don’t matter. Perhaps the most impactful of all Mariani’s novels to date, series fans will surely flock to this after reading STAR OF AFRICA. I can see few being disappointed with it, as word of mouth will surely garner many new fans for Scott Mariani.
Pairing some of my comments from the previous review with this one, the reader can surely see much growth in Ben Hope. From a man whose concern was for his team while with the SAS through to a solo life thereafter, Hope has always known exactly what needed doing and how to accomplish that. However, with the introduction of Jude Arundel, the possibility of a change arose, only exacerbated when danger befell the son Hope never knew he had. These two novels force Hope to choose parental worry over self-preservation, or at least test that crossroads. When Hope chooses to save his son at his own peril, the reader can let out a cheer that things may finally be taking a turn and the shards of his recent self-destruction may be coming back together. Mariani pulls on the reader’s heartstrings repeatedly, bridging the relationship between the two men, even when they are not together. Continuing with some of the other characters in the novel, their personalities shape things significantly and allow the reader to tease out even more development by the protagonist. The brutality found in this novel surpasses most anything that has been seen previously. While some may criticise Mariani for creating a ‘savage mentality’ of the African soldiers (particularly Jean-Pierre Khosa), one need only look to news reports of clashes in the region over the past twenty years to see that this is a different type of fighting and brutality that ignores the treaties of humanity. Graphic, yes, but it pushes the limits of what the series has shown the enemy combatants capable of doing to get their own way. It also pushes Hope and his crew completely out of their comfort zone, which adds a layer of intrigue and thrill to the genre, needed to differentiate it from much on the market. The story is gripping and takes the reader to the depths of despair on many occasions, which is needed and appreciated by some series fans. Hope cannot always be expected to waltz in and crack a few skulls before scooping up the captive and prancing off. Blood will be shed and lives will be lost. It is only a matter of how patient and dedicated the reader is to see the story arc through to the end. Please pardon the pun as I say Mariani executed his intended delivery flawlessly and has cemented my dedication to his writing.
Kudos, Mr. Mariani stepping it up yet again. I am constantly surprised at your pool of ideas and cannot wait to see what comes next.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
Pairing some of my comments from the previous review with this one, the reader can surely see much growth in Ben Hope. From a man whose concern was for his team while with the SAS through to a solo life thereafter, Hope has always known exactly what needed doing and how to accomplish that. However, with the introduction of Jude Arundel, the possibility of a change arose, only exacerbated when danger befell the son Hope never knew he had. These two novels force Hope to choose parental worry over self-preservation, or at least test that crossroads. When Hope chooses to save his son at his own peril, the reader can let out a cheer that things may finally be taking a turn and the shards of his recent self-destruction may be coming back together. Mariani pulls on the reader’s heartstrings repeatedly, bridging the relationship between the two men, even when they are not together. Continuing with some of the other characters in the novel, their personalities shape things significantly and allow the reader to tease out even more development by the protagonist. The brutality found in this novel surpasses most anything that has been seen previously. While some may criticise Mariani for creating a ‘savage mentality’ of the African soldiers (particularly Jean-Pierre Khosa), one need only look to news reports of clashes in the region over the past twenty years to see that this is a different type of fighting and brutality that ignores the treaties of humanity. Graphic, yes, but it pushes the limits of what the series has shown the enemy combatants capable of doing to get their own way. It also pushes Hope and his crew completely out of their comfort zone, which adds a layer of intrigue and thrill to the genre, needed to differentiate it from much on the market. The story is gripping and takes the reader to the depths of despair on many occasions, which is needed and appreciated by some series fans. Hope cannot always be expected to waltz in and crack a few skulls before scooping up the captive and prancing off. Blood will be shed and lives will be lost. It is only a matter of how patient and dedicated the reader is to see the story arc through to the end. Please pardon the pun as I say Mariani executed his intended delivery flawlessly and has cemented my dedication to his writing.
Kudos, Mr. Mariani stepping it up yet again. I am constantly surprised at your pool of ideas and cannot wait to see what comes next.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
August 12, 2022
This double Hope set in Africa is my favorite to date.
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January 29, 2020
Audiobook - 12:15 Hours - Narrator: Colin Mace
Listened to: 06:05 Hours (50.0%) - Balance: 06:10 Hours
I am an avidreader listener to the "Ben Hope" series of novels. To date I have heard 14 of the books, including "Ben Hope, #0.5, Passenger 13", which launched the series for me. I have really enjoyed most of them, awarding rankings of 4 Stars to ten novels, 3 Stars to three and 1 Star to just one, the subject of this review, "#14, The Devils Kingdom".
I went to bed early tonight and I listened to about three hours of this audiobook, having to really push myself to continue, but in the end I simply had to give up.
It was the gratuitous violence and death inflicted on an old man, and an old priest, and a group of missionary nuns, that first hit me in the guts. This was followed by a lot more wicked violence that caused pain and injuries to a large group of young orphanage students (boys 8-15 years) who had been kidnapped by the perpetrators. I found it intolerable and simply too difficult to listen to, let alone digest as part of the plot and storyline.
This book is now shelved as a DNF and I no longer intend to hear "#13, Star of Africa" (which I thought I had heard, but I hadn't) because reviews indicate it is more or less a prequel to #14.
I am sad and disappointed due to the fact that one of my favourite series has very much let me down. Of course, I can and do tolerate gratuitous violence in most of the 'action' books I listen to, but in the case of "The Devil's Kingdom" the slaughter of religious innocents, children and women, young and old, was more than I was prepared to tolerate tonight.
Listened to: 06:05 Hours (50.0%) - Balance: 06:10 Hours
I am an avid
I went to bed early tonight and I listened to about three hours of this audiobook, having to really push myself to continue, but in the end I simply had to give up.
It was the gratuitous violence and death inflicted on an old man, and an old priest, and a group of missionary nuns, that first hit me in the guts. This was followed by a lot more wicked violence that caused pain and injuries to a large group of young orphanage students (boys 8-15 years) who had been kidnapped by the perpetrators. I found it intolerable and simply too difficult to listen to, let alone digest as part of the plot and storyline.
This book is now shelved as a DNF and I no longer intend to hear "#13, Star of Africa" (which I thought I had heard, but I hadn't) because reviews indicate it is more or less a prequel to #14.
I am sad and disappointed due to the fact that one of my favourite series has very much let me down. Of course, I can and do tolerate gratuitous violence in most of the 'action' books I listen to, but in the case of "The Devil's Kingdom" the slaughter of religious innocents, children and women, young and old, was more than I was prepared to tolerate tonight.
June 29, 2017
I really enjoyed this, it follows on from the Star Of Africa perfectly.
The traditional mid section history lession doesn't go on too long.
The personal touches (family), and the reality of the violence (which is, on its own, no more than in any other Ben Hope book) make the effect that much more real and therefore traumatic. It is at those key points that the death toll raises several genuine issues (political or otherwise).
At times the action is bloody and there for action's sake, point made, so while it remains high pace it does not progress the actual story greatly. But, like Star Of Africa (Ben Hope #13), both action and story go nicely hand in hand at key points.
A (typically) good twist at the end and a personal touch that will surprise many.
#13 and #14 go together essentially and are a return to form after the (by comparison) lacklustre previous two.
The traditional mid section history lession doesn't go on too long.
The personal touches (family), and the reality of the violence (which is, on its own, no more than in any other Ben Hope book) make the effect that much more real and therefore traumatic. It is at those key points that the death toll raises several genuine issues (political or otherwise).
At times the action is bloody and there for action's sake, point made, so while it remains high pace it does not progress the actual story greatly. But, like Star Of Africa (Ben Hope #13), both action and story go nicely hand in hand at key points.
A (typically) good twist at the end and a personal touch that will surprise many.
#13 and #14 go together essentially and are a return to form after the (by comparison) lacklustre previous two.
November 20, 2016
I was annoyed that the last book ended so abruptly, thinking that it and this book should have been one novel . I found this adventure disappointing, the violence and detailed descriptions of the terrible deeds of the main bad guy were way too graphic and unessesary ; African dictator stero types spring to mind. The last third of the tale was ok, but again the ending was just that little too pat and I just cannot believes one of the characters would be so naive after everything they had been through.........
January 3, 2018
A fantastic conclusion to the sensational two-part Ben Hope action thriller begun earlier this year with Star of Africa. Fantastic, horrifying, brilliant.
December 22, 2016
I missed the historical aspect of many of his previous Ben Hope novels. This one became just another fast paced action thriller. It was ok but nothing special.
July 12, 2021
'He would not be defeated or deterred, not by anything, not by anyone.'
In the continuation from the Star of Africa, Ben, Jude, Jeff and Tuesday are still trapped in the gated city in Africa along with the vicious Khosa.
Having well and truly met their match. Beaten, broken and damned.
This duology has been incredible, brutal and extremely tense, and is probably the best part of Ben Hope's story so far.
If your squeamish I wouldn't recommend this at all.
Brilliantly thrilling with some shocking twists, and a sh*t load of edge of seat reading.
'This wasn’t Khosa’s world any longer. It was his. The violence and gunfire exploding all around him as if in slow motion felt like laughter and sweet music drifting on a summer evening’s breeze.'
In the continuation from the Star of Africa, Ben, Jude, Jeff and Tuesday are still trapped in the gated city in Africa along with the vicious Khosa.
Having well and truly met their match. Beaten, broken and damned.
This duology has been incredible, brutal and extremely tense, and is probably the best part of Ben Hope's story so far.
If your squeamish I wouldn't recommend this at all.
Brilliantly thrilling with some shocking twists, and a sh*t load of edge of seat reading.
'This wasn’t Khosa’s world any longer. It was his. The violence and gunfire exploding all around him as if in slow motion felt like laughter and sweet music drifting on a summer evening’s breeze.'
December 14, 2022
Perhaps Ben's most formidable opponent, or so it would seem.
Numbing cruelty and kidnapping.
Ben & Co. are kidnapped. Ben needs to behave because love and care sometimes makes even the strongest to pull the brake.
Numbing cruelty and kidnapping.
Ben & Co. are kidnapped. Ben needs to behave because love and care sometimes makes even the strongest to pull the brake.
November 5, 2023
Phew!! What a marathon!
April 23, 2018
This is a superb action book that is the 2nd part of Ben Hope’s story in Africa. Deals done to build a whole city in the middle of the Forrest. An army to train. Taken prisoner. And a diamond worth millions as an added extra as well. With added violence and crazy stunts, this is well worth it.
April 12, 2023
This, and the book preceding it, are the two best BHs I've read so far. Be warned, they're even more bloodthirsty than usual!
November 22, 2016
Finishing what was started in Star of Africa - Ben Hope's most violent, blood-soaked adventure yet - The Devil's Kingdom continues in a similar vein. Also at times a hard-to-read book because of the relentless, nasty violence (I know from reading other people's reviews, that some think Scott had gone too far) like it's predecessor, The Devil's Kingdom however does at least have a satisfying ending. I'll have to admit that the most recent Ben Hope books, although readable, have been lacking something. I hope that Scott will be getting back to writing books more akin to The Mozart Conspiracy, The Heretic's Treasure (would make a great Ben Hope movie), and The Sacred Sword. Great to see Jeff Dekker back in the action and touching base with La Val.
Four stars award because of the bonus short story The Tunnel which is great. And two chapters of the next Ben Hope adventure - The Babylon Idol, which sound to me like a return to Ben Hope of old, here's …hoping!
Four stars award because of the bonus short story The Tunnel which is great. And two chapters of the next Ben Hope adventure - The Babylon Idol, which sound to me like a return to Ben Hope of old, here's …hoping!
June 30, 2020
Ben is held captive in Congo by a crazy war lord, Khoza. The same man also has Ben’s son Jude. Ben is forced to work for Khoza, but naturally he is not playing along. Khoza has retrieved an immensely expensive diamond and he wants to take control of Congo. His nemesis is his brother. In Congo lives are not worth anything and people are disposable. Ben is worried about his friends who are also kept captive, but saving his son is priority number one. A fast and well-paced read, enjoyable as always. However, I felt like Ben was not really himself and the book left me a bit cold. Let’s hope he’s back to his old self in the next book!
December 23, 2018
These last two books were very disappointing
There is terrific violence and vicious cruelty and death. So unnecessary to the meat of the story which basically was good. It's like all the scenes of the antagonist brutally killing and maiming every person is just filler to make the book longer. I found myself just skipping page after page to get back to the storyline. It was very unpleasant.
There is terrific violence and vicious cruelty and death. So unnecessary to the meat of the story which basically was good. It's like all the scenes of the antagonist brutally killing and maiming every person is just filler to make the book longer. I found myself just skipping page after page to get back to the storyline. It was very unpleasant.
November 23, 2016
I was very disappointed with this book. I have read all 14 of the Ben Hope Series and really like them. With this book it was just blood guts violence etc no conspiracy theory running in the background just all killing etc etc etc.... It picked up with about a third to go but still disappointing.
I couldn't wait to finish it to be done with it..
I couldn't wait to finish it to be done with it..
February 6, 2017
The Devil's Kingdom. Scott Mariani
Book two , in this two part adventure series. Ok, a series? How about an atomic powered, action packed thriller of epic proportions!!! Typical Ben Hope adventure! Ben Hope has to take down an African warlord. An inhumane, incredibly cruel tyrant. This novel oozes action on every p age! I highly recommend!!
Book two , in this two part adventure series. Ok, a series? How about an atomic powered, action packed thriller of epic proportions!!! Typical Ben Hope adventure! Ben Hope has to take down an African warlord. An inhumane, incredibly cruel tyrant. This novel oozes action on every p age! I highly recommend!!
December 9, 2016
The tendency to continue a story in a second book seems to be growing and I personally find it somewhat annoying. I have always enjoyed Scott Mariani's books but this one was extremely disappointing, the very explicit descriptions of violence by sick African despots rather unnecessary.
January 15, 2017
Although I did enjoy the book, I must agree with other reviews - it did get really graphically violent and I got pretty uncomfortable with it. I hope the next book is a return to form. Plus I really don't like Jude. He messes up every situation and I'll be damned if he can make a good decision
January 16, 2017
Far too dark
I have read air of Ben Hopes books and up to now have given them all 5 stars but this one is sickening dark an disturbing I hope this theam does not continue
I have read air of Ben Hopes books and up to now have given them all 5 stars but this one is sickening dark an disturbing I hope this theam does not continue
February 16, 2017
Disappointingly poor from the usual go to master storyteller. Hoping this is a blip and not the future.
March 21, 2018
I can't get enough of Ben Hope, really. I want to read more, and more... That's so addictive! I remember telling a friend that I might get bored at some point reading the same kind of books for quite some time but now if you ask me I'd like a bunch more books of Ben Hope. And I have only two left to read. And then join the club of readers waiting for the new book release. How I hate this part, ah. The 17th book is supposed to be released in May I think. Still a good bit of waiting.
Scott Mariani really doesn't have any remorses making his characters suffer (how familiar that sounds, I have the same issue). But I must admit he surpasses me for sure. You need many and strong nerves to imagine the kind of things I've read in his books. And I'm not sure if I want to know where he gets his inspiration or more like information.
The first part of this two-book sequence ended very, very badly. But nothing could've prepared for what came next. Ben and company are still in Africa, still unable to do anything but wait and survive. That pretty much describes the whole hopeless situation they're in. I must admit I spoiled myself with the end of the book, just in case because I could not have waited any more second and I had to reassure myself in case of an unpleasant ending. Well, I won't say what I've obviously now have read. But you'll be waiting forward for the next Ben Hope adventure for sure.
This man Khosa... he just made a new definition of the words cruel, brutal and mad. He kills innocent people like flies. That's so gross. I wished the whole time that someone might end this rather sooner than later. He's such a monster for f**k's sake! And when I think about Jude's interference again ... it really drives me crazy, you know? He's not as strong as his father at all. He'd experience all this sh*t and still, he talks about this non-existent idea of modern justice. He was going to be butchered but no, don't be like him, spare his life. Such things really annoy me. And thanks to Jude's awesome intervention the whole story almost repeated itself.
But still, the action à la Ben Hope pleased me a lot. Now, that's another story. This man is a real natural phenomenon. He can beat a whole legion by himself! I can only imagine what a group of the same Special Forces warriors can do together. So this absolutely confirms my opinion about teamwork(I'm not a team member, that's why) - you can't equal a bunch of ordinary men and a highly intelligent one. The fact is, the second one is always much better than the first and an employer should know it because why having hundred average men while you can have one but better than the rest? So a squad of such exceptional individuals is very, very interesting. You can only imagine what they're capable of together. Hm, now I'm intrigued to read more on the topic.
The Devil's Kingdom is exactly what it says. Sometimes, the authors choose such corresponding titles that it's somewhat a mockery with the reader(not in a bad way). The book has too many of everything, I think I need a little break for today but who am I kidding? I'll begin the next book as soon as possible. However, I hardly say no to myself when it comes to books. Too much temptation, too much willingness. That sounds good, btw.
So, any fans of Ben Hope? I'm truly a big one. And that book frightened me about what can happen to Ben! But I loved the dad-son relationship. Finally appreciating his dad, hm? I wish Jude calls him more often 'dad', I think that makes Ben happy, well, who wouldn't be? And he pretty much deserves it, saving Jude so many times from deep trouble and willing to sacrifice himself for his son... Well, that's a very good dad in my opinion and Ben should know it as well. I'm really looking forward to reading about them in the future, it's sweet.
Scott Mariani really doesn't have any remorses making his characters suffer (how familiar that sounds, I have the same issue). But I must admit he surpasses me for sure. You need many and strong nerves to imagine the kind of things I've read in his books. And I'm not sure if I want to know where he gets his inspiration or more like information.
The first part of this two-book sequence ended very, very badly. But nothing could've prepared for what came next. Ben and company are still in Africa, still unable to do anything but wait and survive. That pretty much describes the whole hopeless situation they're in. I must admit I spoiled myself with the end of the book, just in case because I could not have waited any more second and I had to reassure myself in case of an unpleasant ending. Well, I won't say what I've obviously now have read. But you'll be waiting forward for the next Ben Hope adventure for sure.
This man Khosa... he just made a new definition of the words cruel, brutal and mad. He kills innocent people like flies. That's so gross. I wished the whole time that someone might end this rather sooner than later. He's such a monster for f**k's sake! And when I think about Jude's interference again ... it really drives me crazy, you know? He's not as strong as his father at all. He'd experience all this sh*t and still, he talks about this non-existent idea of modern justice. He was going to be butchered but no, don't be like him, spare his life. Such things really annoy me. And thanks to Jude's awesome intervention the whole story almost repeated itself.
But still, the action à la Ben Hope pleased me a lot. Now, that's another story. This man is a real natural phenomenon. He can beat a whole legion by himself! I can only imagine what a group of the same Special Forces warriors can do together. So this absolutely confirms my opinion about teamwork(I'm not a team member, that's why) - you can't equal a bunch of ordinary men and a highly intelligent one. The fact is, the second one is always much better than the first and an employer should know it because why having hundred average men while you can have one but better than the rest? So a squad of such exceptional individuals is very, very interesting. You can only imagine what they're capable of together. Hm, now I'm intrigued to read more on the topic.
The Devil's Kingdom is exactly what it says. Sometimes, the authors choose such corresponding titles that it's somewhat a mockery with the reader(not in a bad way). The book has too many of everything, I think I need a little break for today but who am I kidding? I'll begin the next book as soon as possible. However, I hardly say no to myself when it comes to books. Too much temptation, too much willingness. That sounds good, btw.
So, any fans of Ben Hope? I'm truly a big one. And that book frightened me about what can happen to Ben! But I loved the dad-son relationship. Finally appreciating his dad, hm? I wish Jude calls him more often 'dad', I think that makes Ben happy, well, who wouldn't be? And he pretty much deserves it, saving Jude so many times from deep trouble and willing to sacrifice himself for his son... Well, that's a very good dad in my opinion and Ben should know it as well. I'm really looking forward to reading about them in the future, it's sweet.
July 17, 2025
With Ben Hope books you can usually expect the action to start early on in the story as he is a man of decisive action. Not this book. You have to get two thirds of the way in before he finally gets his act into gear and you get the Ben Hope you were expecting. So there is a long slow start to the book. Things happen but it did get frustrating as nothing was successful for him.
This book starts where the previous book in the series ended, on the back of a truck driving across the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Why he is event there doesn't make much sense as he wasn't a hostage, never did what he was suppose and was just a pain in the arse to the war lord holding him. None of this made sense which is why this book dragged in the beginning. The only good thing was the last third where we finally met the real Ben Hope.
Not as good as some in this series but is an import book as he features some import events referred to in other books.
This book starts where the previous book in the series ended, on the back of a truck driving across the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Why he is event there doesn't make much sense as he wasn't a hostage, never did what he was suppose and was just a pain in the arse to the war lord holding him. None of this made sense which is why this book dragged in the beginning. The only good thing was the last third where we finally met the real Ben Hope.
Not as good as some in this series but is an import book as he features some import events referred to in other books.
May 25, 2017
With this addictive and thrilling sequel, Mariani brings to closure the high tension adventures of Benjamin Hope that began in The Star of Africa. Once again, the reader is reminded of the theft and murders that happened in "The Star". Ben's son Jude is held captive by the African warlord General Jean-Pierre Khosa somewhere in the depths of the Congo. Khosa hires Ben to use his skills as a highly trained former SAS major to train his ragtag army and turn it into an awesome fighting machine. Ben only wants to rescue his, at times estranged, son whom he truly loves.
The Devil's Kingdom is probably the most brutal, bloody tale in the Ben Hope series. Greed, blood lust, political corruption, arrogance and a touch of Satanic worship are all mixed in this high paced page turner. The finale is one that no one could anticipate, but a fitting finale nonetheless.
The Devil's Kingdom is probably the most brutal, bloody tale in the Ben Hope series. Greed, blood lust, political corruption, arrogance and a touch of Satanic worship are all mixed in this high paced page turner. The finale is one that no one could anticipate, but a fitting finale nonetheless.
April 12, 2018
the first disappointing book in the long series, which really should have been edited down and included in the previous one, from which it continues, to make one fantastic story.
However, what we have here, is very little plot movement, for three quarters of the novel, other than to repeat the background and development that was in the previous book. Instead we get a series of what are basically atrocities played out in somewhat too much detail, with characters jumping from one to the other, without much else happening.
Once the plot does get moving it is as good as always, it just takes too long to get there even if the ending is a little bit of a stretch, but then that's not overly unusual for this series.
Oh and can Ben actually be wrong about something. You know, just once. Like a real human.
However, what we have here, is very little plot movement, for three quarters of the novel, other than to repeat the background and development that was in the previous book. Instead we get a series of what are basically atrocities played out in somewhat too much detail, with characters jumping from one to the other, without much else happening.
Once the plot does get moving it is as good as always, it just takes too long to get there even if the ending is a little bit of a stretch, but then that's not overly unusual for this series.
Oh and can Ben actually be wrong about something. You know, just once. Like a real human.
July 18, 2018
We sometimes hear about genocide and tribal warfare in Africa, but seldom do we have it written about in such great and shocking detail. Most of this follow-up to "Star of Africa" is taken up with the ambitions of Jean-Pierre Khosa whom we first came across in that book. Some of the detail is quite hard to bear, revealing the suffering and cruelty that can take place.
Having said that, I have to say that Scott Mariani has produced another extremely lively, fast-moving Ben Hope episode, that also does a great deal to inform us of what can happen in our world, not just in Africa. Ben, Jeff Dekker, Tuesday Fletcher and Ben's son, Jude, all have their very important parts to play in dealing with what seems to be insurmountable odds. The plot doesn't just develop, it explodes onto the pages.
It is, perhaps, the darkest of the series so far, but it is an excellent read, one that reveals just how bad man's inhumanity to man can be, and provoking quite a bit of thought about the world in which we live. Not a comfortable read, but well worthwhile.
Having said that, I have to say that Scott Mariani has produced another extremely lively, fast-moving Ben Hope episode, that also does a great deal to inform us of what can happen in our world, not just in Africa. Ben, Jeff Dekker, Tuesday Fletcher and Ben's son, Jude, all have their very important parts to play in dealing with what seems to be insurmountable odds. The plot doesn't just develop, it explodes onto the pages.
It is, perhaps, the darkest of the series so far, but it is an excellent read, one that reveals just how bad man's inhumanity to man can be, and provoking quite a bit of thought about the world in which we live. Not a comfortable read, but well worthwhile.
July 2, 2019
This was the second and final part to what had started as The Star of Africa and it didn't disappoint.
Gory in parts even by Scott Mariani's standards, anyone who has seen pictures of all those mountains of skulls in the killing fields of Cambodia will know that there are bad people out there who do this sort of thing.
Ben was after a real villain, a real Idi Amin of out times and not looking for the fountain of youth or the tomb of Alexander...and finding it.
I must admit I do prefer a milder Ben Hope but this was still a very satisfying read nonetheless. Ben's dream is to find some peace in his life and you never know we might one day get a Ben Hope book where he sits at Le Vel and does absolutely nothing! :-D
Gory in parts even by Scott Mariani's standards, anyone who has seen pictures of all those mountains of skulls in the killing fields of Cambodia will know that there are bad people out there who do this sort of thing.
Ben was after a real villain, a real Idi Amin of out times and not looking for the fountain of youth or the tomb of Alexander...and finding it.
I must admit I do prefer a milder Ben Hope but this was still a very satisfying read nonetheless. Ben's dream is to find some peace in his life and you never know we might one day get a Ben Hope book where he sits at Le Vel and does absolutely nothing! :-D
April 29, 2021
Drivel
Scott Mariani’s books sit somewhere between Dan Brown and Lee Child, closer to Mr Child in terms of subject, closer to Mr Brown in terms of writing ability. Generally, the plot involves tough men solving perceived problems with considerable brawn power. During lockdown I’ve read quite a few of them and they pass the time enjoyably.
This book and its predecessor, to which this is a sequel, can be skipped through rapidly as they consist of an endless catalogue of thick idiots being deeply and endlessly unpleasant in far off lands. The first book, which started with a tanker hijack, began promisingly. Thereafter, there was nothing to detain the reader for long.
If you are new to Mr Mariani don’t start with these 2 books.
Scott Mariani’s books sit somewhere between Dan Brown and Lee Child, closer to Mr Child in terms of subject, closer to Mr Brown in terms of writing ability. Generally, the plot involves tough men solving perceived problems with considerable brawn power. During lockdown I’ve read quite a few of them and they pass the time enjoyably.
This book and its predecessor, to which this is a sequel, can be skipped through rapidly as they consist of an endless catalogue of thick idiots being deeply and endlessly unpleasant in far off lands. The first book, which started with a tanker hijack, began promisingly. Thereafter, there was nothing to detain the reader for long.
If you are new to Mr Mariani don’t start with these 2 books.
January 3, 2018
Darker than the other Ben Hope adventures, and a little too drawn out for my usual fare. The story is an excellent one, and reading a tale as dark and horrific as this one over the holidays was not a wise choice. So many things to brighten my day and pull me away from this very realistic tale of the Congo. Ben Hope, his pals Jeff and Tuesday, and even his estranged/recently realized was his son are involved, captured, and terrorized in this story.
I give it three stars, but it could have easily been 4, simply because the story is good, I just was not in a place to read something that is much darker than previous Ben Hope tales.
I give it three stars, but it could have easily been 4, simply because the story is good, I just was not in a place to read something that is much darker than previous Ben Hope tales.
December 14, 2019
Africa is a continent, not a country, and yes, there are some extremely violent countries. The Republic of Congo is one of these and versions of the bloodthirsty stereotyped villain and his henchmen certainly do exist. However, the story doesn't hang together properly, hinged as it is on the mining of coltan and the existence of a fabulous diamond, with a tenuous Chinese connection never fully explained. There are just too many improbabilities strung together - e.g. a city cannot be built without an existing transport infrastructure - with incredible violence for the story to gel properly, and the ending stretches the bounds of believability. Ben Hope needs to retire.
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