Το νέο βασίλειο

Ancient Egypt #7

by Wilbur Smith

Στην καρδιά της Αιγύπτου, κάτω από το άγρυπνο βλέμμα των θεών,
μια νέα δύναμη αναδύεται…

Ο Χουί είναι ο ευνοούμενος γιος του Καουί, κυβερνήτη της Λαχούν, και η μοίρα του μοιάζει προκαθορισμένη. Πίσω από τη φαινομενική ευτυχία, όμως, φωλιάζει το κακό. Χολωμένοι από την εύνοια που δείχνει ο κυβερνήτης στο γιο του, από άλλη μητέρα, η μητριά του Χουί, η Ισετνοφρέτ, και ο γιος της, ο Κεν, ενορχηστρώνουν την πτώση του κυβερνήτη και ενοχοποιούν τον Χουί, ο οποίος δικάζεται και καταδικάζεται σε ευνουχισμό και διαμελισμό. Με τη βοήθεια όμως της αδερφής του, της Ιπουέτ, καταφέρνει να δραπετεύσει από τη φυλακή και να φύγει από τη Λαχούν.

Διωγμένος και μόνος, ο Χουί καταλήγει αιχμάλωτος των Υξώς. Αποφασισμένος να εκδικηθεί για το θάνατο του πατέρα του και να σώσει την αδερφή του, ο Χουί ορκίζεται πίστη σ’ αυτούς τους βάρβαρους εχθρούς της Αιγύπτου και δίπλα τους μαθαίνει την τέχνη του πολέμου.

Όταν όμως στραφεί κατά των Υξώς και συναντήσει τον Αιγύπτιο στρατηγό Τάνους, ο Χουί θα βρεθεί σε μια ακόμη μεγαλύτερη μάχη –μια μάχη για την ίδια την καρδιά της Αιγύπτου. Και τώρα θα πρέπει να επιλέξει το δρόμο του. Θα γίνει ήρωας στον παλιό κόσμο ή άρχοντας σ’ ένα νέο βασίλειο;


Ο δεξιοτέχνης της αφήγησης Wilbur Smith επιστρέφει στην Αίγυπτο με ένα βιβλίο που εξερευνά νέες, συναρπαστικές πτυχές του αρχαίου κόσμου που ο ίδιος εμπνεύστηκε πριν από τριάντα χρόνια.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Historical, Egypt, Fantasy, Adventure, Thriller

408 pages, Paperback

First published September 2, 2021

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

[Ky · Rating 2 out of 5]

I feel like this book would be great for action movie lovers. Those who don't need much plot or character details, but who love non-stop movement and action... and not much else. I felt that a lot of the book was Hui jumping from group to group, and making really base level relationships that come into play not very satisfyingly or clever later on. The beginning of the book really hyped the Ka Stone, but I felt never really capitalized on what it was or could do or anything at all.
Hui was kind of bland as a character, too. There wasn't really anything that made him interesting or relatable, and really the only thing that made him likable was his "goodness/loyalty". Overall this book left me wanting, and I found myself just trying to get through it towards the end so I could move on to something else.

(TW: mother-son incest, multiple instances of rape)

[CYIReadBooks (Claire) · Rating 4 out of 5]

The New Kingdom is the author’s seventh novel in his The Egyptian Series. This being the case, some readers may want to defer reading this novel until the other six prior novels are read. However, I found that The New Kingdom could be read as a standalone, albeit there was a soft ending — not conclusive, but not open ended.

The characters are varied and many. There are more than a dozen actors in this novel. And for me, that was probably too many to fully grasp each player’s personality and their place in the narrative. Perhaps the character development started with Smith’s first novel, River God. And I probably need to read the first novel to fully appreciate the seventh novel in this series. However, there are a few characters that stood out for me. Hui, the main protagonist, Khyan who took Hui under his wing, and Fareed, a tracker that stood by Hui through thick and thin. Nevertheless, Hui by far stood out for his perseverance, bravery and courage.

The world-building was a little lax and this too probably has to do with not reading the first novel in the series. However, there is enough information to get a feel for the era, the cities, townships, and weaponry.

The New Kingdom is an enjoyable read. Especially if the reader enjoys ancient Egyptian history. I found The New Kingdom absorbing, but I wanted more excitement, and mystery. At 432 pages, it wasn’t a slog to read, but there were some dips in the pacing of the novel. Still a four adventurous star read.

I received a physical ARC from Bonnier Zaffre through the Bookish First Raffle. The review herein is completely my own and contains my honest thoughts and opinions.

[Mallory · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would give this a 3.5 so I rounded up for reviews. I really love Egyptian history and mythology, so I was excited for this one. I think he adventure parts were well done, but there wasn’t much beyond the adventure scenes which made it lack substance for me. I did like the mythology woven into the story. The main character Hui had potential, but I felt like there wasn’t enough character development. Hui, his brother Qen, and their good from Kyky start off this book on an adventure looking for the Ka Stone for the glory of Egypt. This adventure starts Hui on a path he could have never have imagined full of surprises, hardship, and adventure. I did find a lot of the plot pretty predictable, but the story moved along at a good speed and it was very adventurous. I haven’t read the rest of this series and I did not think that I was missing anything because of that.

[Adrienne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excitement rushed through me. A number 7 book in the Ancient Egyptian series by Wilbur Smith. So glad I had read the previous 6 books: that I knew some of the key characters, understood the prior history to the time of Hui and understood the rivalries faced by Egypt. Not just Upper Egypt versus Lower Egypt. But the forces coming to them from East and West.
Hui, our lead character, is son of the ruler-in-waiting in the city of Luhan. But evil awaits and he ends up unfairly outed from Lahun. His goal then is to seek justice for his disgraced father, save his loyal sister and oust the outlaw enemies from his beloved Egypt.
Unputdownable.

[Athena (OneReadingNurse) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you so much to Zaffre and Bookish First for the opportunity to read yet another new Wilbur Smith novel!

I swear by Smith's historical fiction, with it's  unapologetic brutality and what I feel is probably a pretty honest portrayal of how things would have been.  By all accounts his novels are well researched, plus always an interesting adventure whether the book is read in order or as a standalone.

Smith saw potential in the Hui character and wrote him a history/spinoff story, possibly series.  I totally 100% endorse this decision and can't wait to see what the next one holds.

While each and every one of Smith's books can be read as a standalone, the cameos in The New Kingdom are there along with quite a few easter eggs for returning readers.  I thought Taita's eyes would fall off his face from rolling them so much.

Despite solid pacing and excitement throughout, I thought the book didn't quite deliver on the synopsis. The Ka stone and the Gods were hinted to be a big part of the novel and to avoid spoilers, I will just say that I wanted more from both of those topics.

I wanted more from Hui becoming a charioteer as well, but I believe we will see the fruits of that in the next novel.

I liked watching Hui come so close to losing his true self. He was so sweetly naive until his family's betrayal. Then he became a thief, a guard, a Little Rat, then a killer, and finally, in an amazing scene, a hardened captain.  Throughout the book Fareed, a scout, was a static character but acted as a soul mirror for Hui.  A running theme throughout the book was to find out how much humanity Hui retained through all his trials, and in another amazing scene Smith showed that through it all Hui never did lose his true self.

Smith is not an author for inner monologue but Hui is a fairly deep and interesting character.

Tanus and Taita, well, all I can say is go read the other Ancient Egypt books.

Tim Holland wrote a great afterward to provide a broad historical context for the characters, and I almost wish it had been presented as a forward.  It makes sense that with thousands of years of peace and prosperity, Egypt felt pretty invincible.

The other thing that makes these books seem so realistic is how well Smith brings the climate, setting, and mood of the populace into play: whether in a baking desert, war-torn city, refugee camp, or Pharaoh's palace, I feel like I can picture those sun burnt dripping slaves and sandstorm, midden heaps and incense, terrified citizens... For historical fiction and immersion these things always feel important to me

The only other thing I would have asked for was either section breaks or dates, because it was very hard to tell how much time was passing between major events and I feel like that information would have been helpful to the story.

Overall, not Smith's best but another very solid book.  He is one of my auto buy authors.  Definitely and always recommend for HistFic readers and adventure lovers

[Alexander Theofanidis · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book appears to be a cheap "filler" in the "Ancient Egypt" series, likely written by Mark Chadburn and co-authored by Wilbur Smith (who, at 88 years old when it was published, I’m not even sure if he was still alive to see it).

Set during the Hyksos invasion of Egypt, the plot follows Hui, the son of the governor of the city of Lahun. After witnessing his father being poisoned (by his stepmother and half-brother), his stepmother engaging in... religious ecstatic sex "under the watchful eye of Seth" with her own son, and being wrongly accused of his father’s murder, Hui flees the city and is eventually captured by the Hyksos. Naturally, they treat him well—despite the fact that they’re about to raze Egypt to the ground. He later betrays their trust, escapes, steals a bow from them, and joins the "Eagle-fighters" (a kind of desert crime syndicate), where he takes part in murders and looting for profit. Of course, when they face off against the regular army and are decimated, he betrays them too, moving over to the side of legitimacy.

What follows is a journey that seeks to culminate in vengeance (against his stepmother and half-brother) while the Hyksos forces prepare to conquer both Egyptian kingdoms.

In case you missed it, the book also features a bit of Tyta (remember, this is before he... magically regains his testicles), though the presence of the shrewd eunuch hardly saves the book.

As we approach the tragic finale, both in terms of quality and respect for the reader, Hui will duel with his half-brother, who has betrayed Egypt and allied himself with the Hyksos, within the temple of Lahun. Hui wins because... a sacred stone explodes in his hands. Later, he will kill his... mentally unstable stepmother while she dances naked before him, with poison on her nails, invoking Seth—or, more accurately, he will stab her and throw her into a pit of snakes that she has gathered (now you find your aunt’s collection of teaspoons in a glass display case much more reasonable, don't you?).

As a subplot, because the book was released in 2021, the authors throw in an entirely unnecessary lesbian romance between Hui’s sister and... his would-be wife, which Hui innocently catches them in the act of, literally.

In the background of Hui's life, Egypt falls almost without a fight to the invaders, while Tyta and a few thousand of the people head south via the Nile (as we saw in a previous book in the series).

It is obvious that the publishing world doesn't "kill the horses when they age"; rather, they continue to milk them, providing tragically poor sequels to established series. And the best part? It’s not even the last one. Following are Titans of War and Testament, both written exclusively by Chadburn, unless Wilbur Smith appears in the heavens like a dead Jedi (or Thundercat) mentor to guide him.

[Aniruddha M · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book No. 7 of the Ancient Egypt series – The New Kingdom. Hui, the younger son of Khawy, Governor of Lahun, is a precocious teenager. One night, Hui, his elder brother Qen and friend Kyky slip into the camp of the Shrikes, a brutal band of pillagers, to steal the Ka Stone. It is known to be the source of unimaginable power and prestige for its owner. But what follows is great tragedy and Hui is blamed for it. But he escapes into the wild to take up the Shrikes and then the Hyksos. His only aim is to return one day to Lahun, clear his name and reclaim lost glory.
Through a series of adventures, Hui lands up with General Tanus and his wizened old advisor, the mage Taita. Hui by now has learnt the art of warfare, charioteering and horsemanship. He’s proved himself invaluable to Tanus, will he be able to return to Lahun to his rightful place?

Please read my detailed review from the link below:

https://www.aniblogshere.com/book-rev...

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[Amy Hagberg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wilbur Smith, the legendary master of historical adventure, immerses readers in ancient Egypt with The New Kingdom. Known for his vivid storytelling, Smith’s novels span continents and eras, and this book certainly adds to his impressive legacy.

Hui, a young scribe, sees his life shattered when betrayal and murder tear his family apart. Cast out by a conniving stepmother and brother, Hui’s journey takes him from the comforts of Lahun to the harsh realities of exile. Along the way, he joins the Hyksos—a formidable army of outlaws—and transforms into a fierce warrior. His quest for vengeance becomes intertwined with the fate of Egypt itself, as gods and mortals collide in a battle for the nation’s soul.

Smith’s meticulous research shines through in his portrayal of ancient Egypt’s bustling cities and harsh deserts. The setting feels alive, rich with vivid details of temples, marketplaces, and chariot warfare. However, the novel falters slightly with its reliance on one-dimensional characters and stretches of heavy narrative, which might test some readers’ patience.

Despite these flaws, the fast-paced action and Hui’s transformation keep the story engaging. The book works well as a standalone, even for those unfamiliar with Smith’s earlier Egyptian novels.

While The New Kingdom didn’t fully ignite my interest in Egyptian history, it proved Smith’s skill as a storyteller. For those craving an epic adventure, this is worth a read. Next, I’m eyeing one of his African-set novels, which promise just as much excitement. 4 stars.

** Thanks to the publisher for a review copy. The opinions are my own.

[Shirley McAllister · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exotic, exciting, riveting and steeped in History.

A tale of Ancient Egypt, of pharaohs and slaves and a city called Lahun where Hui lives with his father, his stepmother Ipsetnofret, his brother Qen and his sister Ipwet. He is favored by his father and is expected to take over the govern ship when his father is gone . Ipsetnofret, his stepmother, is jealous and wants her son Qen to be in favor. She is a sorceress and she orchestrates the death of Hui's father so Qen can be in charge making it look like Hui is the murderer of his own father. With his sister Ipwet's help he escapes with his life and vows revenge upon his mother and brother.

The story follows Hui's travels among the Hyksos Warriors, the Shrike bandits, the armies of the Red Pretender and finally the Pharoah's Army. It takes us to battle grounds, the banks of the Nile, cities and the desert sands. We see the lives of the slaves, the beggars, the wealthy, and the royals. We visit so many exotic places as we read and learn of the long lost customs and beliefs.

I always feel like I have been on an adventure when I read one of Wilbur Smith's books. They always take me away to some far away land. I really enjoyed reading the book and I would recommend it.

Thanks to Wilbur Smith, Bonnier Zaffre USA, and NetGalley for allowing me to read a complimentary copy of the book for my honest review.

[Joe Hilley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Received and ARC of this book from the publisher. Wow! Elegant prose. Pitch-perfect dialogue. Adventure right from the start. You'll wish you had written it.

[Ben Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! Once I started reading it, I couldn't put it down.

[Romanticamente Fantasy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bea65 - per RFS
.
Fenici, è sempre un piacere parlarvi di un romanzo di Wilbur Smith.
Per la prima volta all’inizio del volume ho trovato scritto che Smith aveva un coautore (magari sono io che non ci avevo mai fatto caso) e ho pensato: “Certo che ha una bella età, magari un aiuto gli serve”. E proprio mentre ero immersa nella lettura arriva la notizia della sua scomparsa, sono rimasta basita, ho guardato il libro che avevo in mano e l’unico pensiero che mi è passato per la mente è stato: “Questo è l’ultimo, il suo ultimo romanzo”.
Ci pensate? non ci saranno più capolavori che usciranno dalla sua penna.
Il suo modo di scrivere mi ha sempre appassionata, non solo per le storie che ha raccontato, ma per come lo ha fatto, quando mi immergo in un suo romanzo mi sento come Bastian che segue le imprese di Atreiu nel libro “La storia infinita”.
Questo racconto ci porta tra le sabbie dell’Egitto, nella città di confine Lahun, dove iniziamo a seguire la vita del giovane Hai, figlio del governatore.
Un ragazzo dolce e di buon cuore, che ama il padre e i fratelli, con uno spirito avventuroso che segnerà la sua vita.
Curioso come una scimmia, Hui sente un viaggiatore parlare della Pietra di Ka, che racchiude dei poteri magici e chi la possiede sarà benedetto dagli Dei; il ragazzo, insieme al fratello Qen e all’amico Kyky, si avventura così nel deserto per rubare la pietra alle Averle, una tribù di predoni.
I ragazzi riescono nell’impresa, ma Kyky perde la vita e questo lutto finisce per incrinare i rapporti tra i fratelli.
Al rientro a casa Hui consegna la pietra al padre Khawy, che con sommo orgoglio organizza una festa per mostrarla al nobile Bakari e presentargli il figlio.
Ma la sera della festa Khawy viene avvelenato e dell’assassinio è accusato Hui; durante il processo la sorella Ipwet prende le sue difese mentre Qen lo considera colpevole.
Il povero Hui, già straziato dalla morte dell’amato padre, non riesce a credere al tradimento del fratello.
Dopo la condanna, in attesa della morte viene buttato in un pozzo dove riceve la visita della madre di Qen che gli rivela di essere stata lei a orchestrare l’omicidio del marito e la sua colpevolezza per favorire l’ascesa al potere del figlio.
Il ragazzo non riesce a credere che l’amato fratello si sia potuto macchiare di un crimine così grande, ma l’alba si avvicina e con essa la morte; all’ultimo istante arriva la sorella che lo aiuterà a scappare.
Da quel momento è un fuggitivo, pur non essendo pronto per la vita che lo aspetta, la determinazione di vendicare la morte del padre gli permetterà di affrontare le esperienze che lo attendono.
Il personaggio di Hui mi ha affascinato, così dolce e ingenuo, cresciuto protetto dall’amore del padre, diventerà uomo tra mille avversità e scelte rischiose, pur rimanendo un’anima buona.
Per contro Isetnofret, la madre di Qen, mi inquieta moltissimo; seguace di Seth, il Dio del caos, sembra una strega folle che cerca il potere divino a ogni costo, ama solo il figlio maschio mentre la femmina le serve solo per raggiungere i suoi scopi, è proprio brutta persona.
Un romanzo che ho letto tutto di un fiato, amando la narrazione, ma soprattutto il modo di scrivere di Smith, con le sue frasi ben strutturate e i periodi belli corposi, per fortuna il traduttore ha fatto un ottimo lavoro e anche l’editor, di questi tempi è difficile trovare tanta professionalità.
Vi consiglio di leggere questo ultimo libro del maestro, non solo perché non potrà scriverne altri ma soprattutto perché ne vale veramente la pena.
Buona lettura.

[Jacqui · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wilbur smith has a way of peopling plots with such believable characters that you feel their world is yours. In Smith's New Kingdom, seventh in the Egyptian series and co-wrote with Mark Chadbourn, the son of a minor Egyptian city ruler leads an enchanted life until being accused of murder and condemned to death. Hui manages to escape but without the money and power he is accustomed, in fact, with only his life and his wits. His world is now that of a commoner, his very food at the pleasure of any merchant who will employ him. He accepts the challenge, knowing when he becomes comfortable in this uncomfortable world, he can then exact revenge against those who killed his father, wronged his sister, and tortured him in preparation for his death. To survive these new circumstances, he must make alliances with nefarious characters he once condemned, and find loyal friends who will help him in his quest.

When the book ends, Hui is not the same boy who we started this journey with:

"‘You still have city eyes, good for what’s at your feet, but near-useless here,’ Fareed said. ‘In the desert you learn to see over great distances. One day you will see a fox run across that peak.’"

"...felt his fear harden into unfamiliar cold anger."
x
"...hard men, used to the privations of the road, made iron-strong by long marches under the hot sun, hearts turned to stone..."
x
"he realized many more equally murderous thoughts he never knew existed were beginning to awaken within him."

His metamorphosis from pampered royalty to charismatic justice fighter is a riveting tale not to be hurried.

A few points gave me pause. The first: I wasn’t always sure why Hui or his loyal friend Farrouk did some of the things they did--details that could have been fleshed out better to allow me to accept them more willingly. Every story has these situations, usually for small plot points, but in this case, they were big. I won’t say more because I don’t want to give the plot away. A second thread spread throughout the story is that Hui seems to be a user. He has no qualms about lying to people, stealing, breaking laws he used to uphold for his own needs. I get that he's from royalty with those sort of preconceptions but it didn't make me like him better which meant I rooted less for his success and wondered at times if I really wanted to travel through the rest of the story with a man I didn't respect. That dropped the rating to 4/5.

But let me be clear: Wilbur Smith is a master of historical fiction for this era. His facts are spot on, details riveting, and pacing unbeatable. Check out this quote:

"Sweat slicked them both, soaking through their kilts and stinging their eyes as the day’s heat licked across the land."

I will definitely read his next story.

[Bookish Mom · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great book as far as historical accuracy and research of a certain time period of Egypt. Obviously lots of work went into that and building the foundation of a great adventure. I’ve loved that Egyptian era ever since reading The Egypt Game as a child so this kept my interest.
The story itself is also very thrilling and the main character, Hui, has great depth and character development. I think part of the reason the book is so thrilling is that Hui is constantly in position of potential death but always seems to bounce back. Sometimes that can get a little old to me. Combine that with descriptive incest and it becomes something extremely off putting to me. It could have been a DNF but wanted to see what happened! However, the book is very well written, flows nicely, and is historically based. A thrilling read! I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving a free copy.

TW-


Incest mother/son

[Brinley · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF at 19%

I really wanted to love this one, but I was wary of it from the beginning. It was a deviation from the genres I typically read, which may have been why this failed so badly. I wasn't invested in it at all, and I found myself reading just to read, not because I was actually enjoying the content.

I think my main problem with this has to be the choppiness. There was no flow in between events, stuff just happened. From the very first page, stuff is happening with very little explanation. I never connected with the plot, and I barely understood what was even happening.

This is a minor spoiler, but considering it was part of the reason I gave up on this, I feel like it has to be mentioned. Around 50 pages in, there's already a detailed incestuous coupling. I didn't care what part this had to play with the rest of the story, it wasn't something I was interested in reading more of.

This was my first book in this series, and considering I couldn't even get through it, I don't think I'll be picking up the rest.

Thanks to BookishFirst for providing a free copy in exchange for an honest review

[Grant · Rating 1 out of 5]

A hollow imitation of a great original.

I originally read and fell in love with River God nearly thirty years ago. Dazzled as I was by the depth of history, the sense of place, the carefully woven tapestry of story and character filling every page.

This has none of that. Instead reeking of cynical, profit-driven, mass production that adds nothing and takes away too much from the legacy of Wilbur Smith.

Don’t do it.

[Francesco · Rating 5 out of 5]

Un viaggio finisce e uno comincia.
Il maestro, il re dell’avventura, ci mancherà tanto.
Per fortuna, avremo sempre i suoi libri.

[Gregory Mele · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is really more like 3.5 but I rounded up because this book does what it sets out to do well. If fast-paced adventure isn't your jam, round down to a 3.

This novel, the last published in Smith's lifetime, is listed as co-authored by Mark Chadbourn (an accomplished writer in his own right), as are the next to that followed, but I suspect Smith's involvement--indeed, his introduction suggests it--was to provide ideas, notes and permission for someone else to use his characters. The writing style is smooth and polished, but the voice isn't Smith's, nor is the pacing or flow. This isn't inherently bad thing, and God knows authors of IP's have either passed the torch in life (see the recent permission granted by Terry Brooks to a new writer to continue Shanarra stories) or posthumously (Doyle, Robert E. Howard, Edgar Rice Burroughs, etc.). So what do we have?

Smith's Egyptian series played with all kinds of things, from a dense historical epic (River God) to an Indian Jones/Clive Cussler-style modern adventure based on events from that epic (Seventh Scroll) to a return to the original, historical timeline and then two more novels slotted inside the year gap between those two. NEW KINGDOM is another 'story inside a story,' following the tale of a somewhat minor character from River God, Hui, a bandit turned soldier who builds the first Egyptian cavalry of chariots. This novel tells Hui's story and even weaves in a few events that occur in RIVER GOD but from his PoV. How does it hold up?

Well, it's a different beast, to be sure. Hui's tale is most reminiscent of the sort of serialized novels written by Talbot Mundy, Harold Lamb, etc., and ran in the pages of ADVENTURE or ARGOSY in the early 20th century, which themselves are an evolution from the work of, say Dumas. There is an overarching plot, but Hui jumps from adventure to adventure: a heist of a purported magic stone (a meteorite), to family betrayal, to escape on the road, to life among the Hyksos, then a bandit, then a soldier, then the inevitable catching up of past escapes as past villains return, until a final adventure and resolution of what is, at heart, a revenge story. The modern comparison is an historical action movie: after a set-up and character establishment, the characters race through adventures to the conclusion.

As that kind of story, NEW KINGDOM mostly succeeds. There are a few character twists, but not many: the villains are villainous, the "adversary of necessity" are going to have a moment when they can destroy our hero or show mercy, etc. The characters of Taita and Tanus are writ rather broadly here, relying on the reader to know them from previous works, or to understand there is a larger story. At one point, Hui "intuits" a major plot reveal from RIVER GOD for no reason, I'd say, then because some readers might not have read that novel. Hui himself is an interesting, flawed character, although there are inconsistencies in his character: at one point he is trounced in a swordfight against a Hyksos redshirt because "he was no match for such well-trained swordsmen"; 10 pages later he defeats a named Hyksos villain because of the improvements in his swordplay.

The other problem is time: it's unclear how much time passes in this novel? Months, certainly, but a year? More?

There are all of the problems and inconsistencies you see in adventure films or pulp fiction written on spec at speed...but theoretically that wasn't at play here. But what the story does do well is provide a fun, exciting story. The Hyksos and Shrike bandits are detailed, their lives, looks, behaviors clearly woven. The creepy cult of Seth the arch-villainous leads we only see once, but their rituals and beliefs are worthy of sword & sorcery story...which this somewhat is. Much like Harold Lamb did years ago, magic and illusion here is mostly a mix of drugs, disguise and careful manipulation, as seen through the eyes of characters who believe in sorcery; but now and then there are touches that are...inexplicable. Lamb always made sure at the very end that such were given some explanation, but not here--one such factors in the very end that there's no clear mundane reason that can be attached. Is that enough to tip this into fantasy? No, but it is a reminder that pulp sword & sorcery grew from pulp historical adventure, and this is exactly a modern version of the latter.

A fun novel, that could have left more room for Hui's adventures, although it seems ensuing novels went another direction.

[Rehan Farhad · Rating 4 out of 5]

ঢেউয়ে ভেসে এলো লাশটা; মরা মাছের মতই ফ্যাকাসে হয়ে ফুলে আছে। সাদা চোখটা মেলে আছে নীল আকাশের দিকে। গরম বাতাসে ভাসতে থাকা তীব্র গন্ধটা টের পেতে শুরু করেছে হুই। পরিষ্কার দেখা যাচ্ছে যে একজন মিশরীয় সৈনিকের লাশ, কিল্টে লায়ন রক্ষীদের প্রতীক অঙ্কিত। উপরেই আকাশে ভিড় করে আছে চিলের দল, ঘন ঘন পাক দিয়ে উড়ে যাচ্ছে আর গা শিউরানো আওয়াজ করে ডেকে উঠছে থেকে থেকে। চিলগুলোকে দেখে বোঝা যাচ্ছে শুধু এই বেচারাই তাদের একমাত্র ভোজ না, মনে হচ্ছে হাজার হাজার সৈন্যের পঁচাগলা লাশের শাহী ভোজ আসতে চলেছে তাদের জন্য। 

উপরের ঘটনার প্রত্যক্ষদর্শী হুইয়ের কথা কি আপনাদের মনে আছে? যারা রিভারগড বইটি পড়েছিলেন তারা একবার মনে করে দেখুন, হুই সেই শ্রাইক দস্যু ছেলেটা যে ব্লু ক্রোকোডাইলসের অধিনায়ক ট্যানাসের কাছে ধরা পড়ে পরবর্তীতে ঘোড়ার সহিস হয়েছিল। আমি যে ঘটনার কথা বলছি তখন উত্তরদিক থেকে ভুয়া ফারাও রেড প্রিটেন্ডারের আর্মি আসছে, অমানবিক দস্যুর দল শ্রাইকরা তান্ডব চালাচ্ছে মিশরজুড়ে আর সব শেষে মিশরের ভাগ্যে মরণঘাতী আঘাত দিতে আসছে রথবাহী সুশৃংখল,দুর্ধর্ষ হিকসোস সেনাবাহিনী। সময়ের হিসাব করলে দ্য নিউ কিংডমের মূল ঘটনা শুরু হয়েছে রেডপ্রিটেন্ডারের আগমনের সময়ে। এই ভুয়া ফারাওয়ের উৎপত্তি লোয়ার কিংডমে। মিশরের সেনাবাহিনী একদিকে শ্রাইক দস্যুদের মূলোৎপাটন করার চেষ্টা চালিয়ে যাচ্ছিল, অন্যদিকে তারা লোয়ার কিংডমের এই ভুয়া ফারাও এর সাথে যুদ্ধের প্রস্তুতি নিচ্ছিল। এখানে মড়ার উপর খাড়ার ঘার মত হিকসোস সেনাবাহিনী এসে হাজির হয়। দ্য নিউ কিংডম উপন্যাসটি রিভারগডের সমসাময়িক ঘটনার কিছু অংশের সাথে প্যারালালি এগিয়েছে। তবে এই বইটা পড়ার জন্য অ্যানসিয়েন্ট ইজিপ্ট সিরিজের আগের কোনো বই না পড়লেও হবে।

কাহিনি শুরু হয়েছে হুই (Hui), তার বন্ধু কাইকাই (kyky) এবং ভাই কোয়েন (Qen) মিলে কা-স্টোন চুরি করার মধ্য দিয়ে। সৎ মা আইসেনফ্রেতের (Ipsetnofret) চক্রান্তের শিকার হয়ে এক সময় কা-স্টোন হারানো থেকে‌ শুরু করে নিজের জীবনে সবচেয়ে বড় বিপর্যয় নেমে আসে হুইয়ের। কোনক্রমে নিজ শহর লাহুন থেকে পালিয়ে আসে সে। ঐদিন হুই বুঝতে শুরু করে ওর জীবন শূন্য নয়, ওর জীবনের একটা লক্ষ্য আছে। সেটা অর্জনের জন্য ও মুক্ত হয়েছে, পরিণত হয়েছে একজন হাবিরুতে(ফেরারি)। দেবতাদের ইচ্ছায় সে যে নতুন জীবন পেয়েছে তার একটাই উদ্দেশ্য ছিল প্রতিশোধের স্পৃহা, অপশক্তির বিরুদ্ধে রুখে দাঁড়ানো। এভাবেই এক কালের প্রভাবশালী পরিবারের সন্তান হুই নিঃস্ব ও একাকী অবস্থায় তার জীবন সংগ্রাম শুরু করে পরবর্তীতে একজন পরিণত মানুষ হিসেবে গড়ে উঠার কাহিনি নিয়ে দ্য নিউ কিংডম উপন্যাস নীল নদের স্রোতের মত তর তর করে এগিয়েছে।  

হুইয়ের জীবনের বাঁকবদলে একের পর এক হিকসোস, শ্রাইক দস্যুর দল এবং পরবর্তীতে মিশরের সেনাবাহিনীর সাথে তার সম্পৃক্ততা পাওয়া যায়। মানইজ্জত বিসর্জন দিয়ে বেঁচে থাকার তাগিদে এবং নিজ স্বার্থে প্রত্যেকটা দলের কাছ থেকে প্রশিক্ষণপ্রাপ্ত হয় ও তাদের বিভিন্ন কায়দা কানুন শিখে নেয়। একা সম্পূর্ণ বিরূপ পরিবেশ টিকে থেকে হিকসোসদের কাছে রথ চালানো, নৌযুদ্ধে জাহাজ পরিচালনা করার মত চমৎকার সব ঘটনার ভিতরে দেখতে পাবেন হুইকে। সৎবোন আইপওয়েট (Ipwet) ও হুইয়ের পরস্পরের প্রতি নিখাদ ভালবাসা ও টান পাঠক মনকে ভাল করে দিতে বাধ্য। সৎ মা ও সৎ ভাইয়ের কাছে প্রতারিত হবার পরও তার মধ্যে যে খুনে মানসিকতা আসেনি সেটা হুইয়ের দূর্বলতার বদলে তাকে শক্ত মানসিকতা ও হৃদয়বান হিসেবে গড়ে উঠতে সাহায্য করেছে। অবশ্য এই ঘটনাগুলোই এক সময়ের ভীতু নরম শরম একটা ছেলে যে কিনা রক্ত কিংবা সহিংসতা কখনোই পছন্দ করত না; তাকে পরবর্তীতে দুর্ধর্ষ সৈনিকে পরিণত করে। ট্যানাস ও টাইটাকে খুব বেশি সময়ের জন্য দেখা যাবে না। বইয়ের আরেকটি চরিত্র ফরিদকে এখানে কাহিনির প্রয়োজনে ভালভাবে উপস্থাপন করা হয়েছে। খায়ান ও বাস্তি চরিত্র দুটির বিল্ডআপও ভাল ছিল। সিরিজের পরবর্তী বইগুলোতে ফরিদ ও খায়ান চরিত্র দুটো বড় ভূমিকায় থাকবে সেটা সহজেই আন্দাজ করা যায়।

সুদীর্ঘ ঘটনা এবং পূর্বের করা অতি জঘন্য অনুবাদগুলোর জন্য যারা উইলবার স্মিথের এর বই পড়ে মজা পাননি, হুইয়ের জার্নিটা আপনাদের ভালো লাগবে কারণ বইটা অ্যানসিয়েন্ট ইজিপ্ট সিরিজের অন্য বইয়ের মত স্লো বার্ন নয়। বরং একটার পর একটা ঘটনায় চমৎকার অনুবাদে কাহিনি রোলারকোস্টারের মত টেনেছে। এই বিষয়টা ভালো লাগলেও এখানে উইলবার স্মিথের সিগনেচার লেখনশৈলী অর্থাৎ ৪০০০ বছরের পুরনো মিশরীয় সভ্যতার বর্ণনা, সেই সময়ের ঘটনার ভাবগাম্ভীর্য এবং ভাষার আভিজাত্য অনেকাংশে 'দ্য নিউ কিংডমে' মিসিং ছিল। বইয়ের কয়েক জায়গায় ১৮+ ঘটনা আছে এবং সেটা পড়ায় খুব বেশি সমস্যা হবে না। দ্য কোয়েস্টে এর চেয়ে বেশি রগরগে বর্ণনা ছিল। বহুদিন পর উইলবার স্মিথের আরো একটা বই পড়ে ভাল লাগা আর বিষন্নতা একই সাথে কাজ করেছে কারন চ্যাডবর্ন সিরিজটা চালিয়ে গেলেও স্মিথের লেখা আর পাবো না। 

দ্য নিউ কিংডমের ঘটনার এক পর্যায়ে দেখতে পাবেন এক ডাইনির ষড়যন্ত্রে লাশের স্তুপ আর বিধ্বস্ত নগরীতে মানুষের হাহাকার,হিকসোসদের তান্ডবে পুরো মিশর যখন কাঁপছে, তখন নীলের বুক চিরে এগিয়ে আসছে মিশরীয়দের বিশাল নৌবহর। যুদ্ধের দামামা বাজিয়ে সব জাহাজের সামনে দাঁড়িয়ে আছে নৌবহরের কাপ্তান……

[Noelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

So this book sounded like something that would be really fun and interesting. I love learning about ancient Egypt and the first few chapters grabbed my attention. From there things went down hill for me. Our main character, Hui, is so beyond clueless. We start off with him hatching a plot to steal the kaa stone, a magical stone that will bring whoever owns it wealth and power. Things go south, of course and his brother Qen, ends up throwing their other friend to an angry horde of bandits to save his own ass. They get away with the stone though and bring it home to their father who plans to give it to the Pharoah, who will in turn showed their town with wealth. Hui also witnesses a disturbing ritual between Qen and his stepmother.. that gives him big creepy vibes. It becomes obvious that his brother and step mother are no good, but Hui is too dumb to realize it until its much too late and they have murdered his father and framed him for the murder. Hui becomes an outlaw on the run and must learn to survive on his own.

The plot was good, it's the style of writing that I didn't like. There was so much action but the writing style and the dialogue between the characters was so monotone that it was kindof boring. I also felt that the characters had no voice or personality, it was hard to follow who was saying what because they all sounded the same. So while I'm sure some people will love this story, it just wasn't my cup of tea.

[Huw Evans · Rating 3 out of 5]

It has been a while since I read anything by Wilbur Smith. I got bored of his transposing members of the Courtney family into various points of history with sultry women, muscular, bronzed men and improbable plot lines. River God (1993) was excellent and captivating. So here we are, thirty years later, rehashing history sufficiently ancient that nobody knows what is true and what isn't. The Shrike and the Hyksos are back again and our hero, victim of a wicked step-mothers machinations straight out of Grimm's Fairy Tales, is forced out of his opulent life-style into the rugged and unforgiving desert where he becomes a man under the tutelage of a caravan driver. Be warned this book is the first in what will almost certainly be a trilogy - these things always do.

This book has to be seen as Smith's swansong - he died later the same year. This book is co-authored by Mark Chadbourn (prolific but often pseudonymous) and it is clear that there has been a battle of styles. I do not remember anything that Smith wrote as being quite so humourless. The descriptions of ancient civilisations have a dryness that would not be out of place in an earnest travelogue. All life, as it was then, is invested on the pages and I am sure that the sources are impeccable but disinteresting. There is so much, in fact, that you can miss the action and even the storyline. At the end of the book there was a sense that was not enthralling enough to want to read the next one.

[Kamilla · Rating 5 out of 5]

The New Kingdom takes us back to the times of Taita and Ancient Egypt. In this new series we get to know Hui’s story, the young bandits who becomes the Pharaoh’s best cheroteer. Hui’s story runs parallel to the original series, so now we see the events unfold not from Taita’s but from Hui’s point of view. Hui’s story is just as fascinating, jus as captivating as Taita’s was. It is a testament to the magic of the writing that this first book of the series was read in practically one sitting. One can get totally lost in the words, lost within the pages, lost to the times where cruely and death were common, where kindess of men was rare, where good men lived through tremendous hardships to protect their own.
Hui is immediately likeable, his naïvity endearing, his growth in character mesmerising. The good, the bad and the ugly can all be found here, mixed with sorcery, dark magic, poisons, visions and sacrifices. Hui’s quest to right the wrongs, his clever was to survive keeps us glued.
Wilbur Smith was one of the original storytellers whose bookes defined the times. I’m so so glad that he has ventured back into the stories he knows best to give us his last series. I cannot wait to read the following instalments.
A truly magnificent read.

[Penny lurkykitty · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read the first two books Wilbur Smith's first Egyptian series many years ago and enjoyed them. The New Kingdom is the origin story of Hui, a side character in the main series. Hui is the privileged son of the governor of the city of Luhan in Ancient Egypt. After a power struggle in which his stepmother and brother seize control of the city, Hui flees as a fugitive and must live by his wits to survive. He is captured by, and lives among, bands of bandits and outlaws, acquiring skills and strength along the way. He eventually becomes a respected soldier in the Egyptian army but his overarching goal is revenge against his stepmother. I enjoyed the details about life, culture and religion in Ancient Egypt, which I've always found fascinating. The New Kingdom was evidently well-researched. There could have been more character development, especially with the two female characters Ipwet and Ahura. There was so much potential for these women. The action and adventure are non-stop and the book compelling, enjoyable, and hard to put down.

[Alyssa Taylor · Rating 3 out of 5]

The New Kingdom is a historical fiction novel set in Ancient Egypt. The story follows Hui, the favored son of an Egyptian Official. Hui, along with best friend KyKy and brother Qen, set off to steal the Ka Stone, a stone rumored to have mystical properties. Hui feels the stone will bring them fortune and fame.
Things take a very wrong turn when they are caught in the Shrikes camp (a blood thirsty army of bandits) and Qen sacrifices Kyky's life to save his own. As the two brothers escape with the stone Hui knows things between them will never be the same.
On return to the city Hui quickly discovers the jealousy and hatred felt by his brother. Hui's father is murdered and Hui is accused and condemned to death with the help of evidence brought forth by his own brother.
Hui escapes his imprisonment and sets out to avenge his father's death.
I enjoyed this story enough to keep reading to the end. However historical fiction is not my genre by any means. This was a good story and good writing but it did feel drawn out and a bit redundant. That being said, I know historical fiction readers will love the story so I can comfortably give it 3 stars.
Btw, I read this book without knowing it's part of a series. Easily can be read as a standalone although it feels like there will be a sequel.

[Annarella · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn't read any Wilbur Smith's book set in Ancient Egypt and this was my first one.
I thoroughly enjoyed it as it's a gripping and highly entertaining story, a page turner that kept me reading.
Mr Smith is a master storyteller and the plot flows without any hiccup or dragging.
The historical background is vivid and well researched, the characters fleshed out and lively.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

[K Saju · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ancient Egypt comes alive under the masterful words of Wilbur Smith. He leaves behind a legacy which will be remembered for ages.
This book can be read as a standalone, and while there are cross references to the charcters of the series it does not complicate or create confusion in this story.
Recommended read

[Kay · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely adored the first six books in the Ancient Egypt series. So when I heard of a seventh addition, I was so excited that I preordered.

It's very easy reading. It's a good story with believable characterisations. However, I feel it is missing 'the spark' that ran through the previous books. Now, whether this is because the story is not always set in Egypt, or because of the addition of a co-author, I don't know. It just feels a wee bit different. But please, don't let that put you off reading this adventure. You'll be gripped from the start and turning the pages like Billy Whizz on speed. Roll on book #8!

[Jo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can’t get enough of Wilbur Smiths Egyptian series. Started reading them years ago, encouraged by my Dad who has read all his books. I love reading about Taita and the adventures in Egypt. Wasn’t disappointed, couldn’t put it down. Catapulted into another world of adventure.

[Caden Strampe · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lot of fun! Doesn't want to send a message so much as just tell an entertaining story, but sometimes that's okay.

[Fabiola Parmesan · Rating 4 out of 5]

libro avvincente, interessante e ben scritto come tutti i libri di wilbur smith