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Oct 04, 2007

Art rated it:

THE WONDERFUL TAITA HAS LOST HIS CHARM

I've read Wilbur Smith's novels, "River God" and "The Seventh Scroll", and although I thought both went on too long and tried to do too much, I loved them for their originality and the excellent drawing of the principal character and narrator, the eunuch Taita.

In Warlock, as in the two "Taita" novels mentioned above, Smith again tries to bite off a smidge too much scope but where the ear More...

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Jan 23, 2012

Allie rated it:

My God, this is hilariously bad writing. How do I loathe thee? Let me count the ways.

Obi wan Taita is so ridiculously overpowered I never felt like the "Good Guys" could fail. Yes, he did do the "These are not the droids you're looking for" scene. He also managed to call up a sandstorm, fake someone's death, and communicate telepathically. Since he can also control people as well, I view the whole story as his fucking about with the world for a sense of amusement. More...

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Jan 28, 2011

Alex rated it:

There is a new magician to be added to the pantheon where the likes of Merlin and Gandalf reside: his name is Taita, a former eunuch slave, who is now the mighty and much-feared warlock of ancient Egypt.

Wilbur Smith, bestselling author from South Africa, brings us his compelling sequel to River God, a novel of Egypt’s past, where a pharaoh and her eunuch slave evaded capture to fight against an evil conspiracy. The premise originally arose from a papyrus scroll that was brought to Smi More...

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Sep 02, 2010

Benjamin rated it:

This book is the third book in Wilbur Smith's ancient Egyptian series although, chronologically, it is a direct follow-up to the first book, "River God" which ranks among my all time favorite historical novels. The second book of the series, "The Seventh Scroll" actually takes place in the present day and concerns some archeologists/anthroplogists that become embroiled in a mysterious adventure dealing with the events of the first novel. So now, here in the third novel, the a More...

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May 15, 2010

(´*•.¸ღBexღ¸.•*´) rated it:

The third in a series of books about ancient Egypt, WARLOCK returns to Taita, an eunuch slave who has served several pharaohs. Readers who met Taita in the first books of this series will love being able to read about him again in his latest mission. After getting a vision from the deceased Lostris, the queen Taita faithfully served and loved, he returns from his solitary life in the desert to help her grandson, Nefer Seti. Taita protects Nefer as he is thrust into a dangerous position at the yo More...

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Sep 07, 2011

Charmaine rated it:

I love Wilbur Smith. He manages to write a book that espouses adventure, history, friendship and romance all at once.

The central character Taita; though a eunuch, is a dashing “romantic” lead with his on-going love for Queen Lostris. In this world and time, it is refreshing to read of love beyond the physical.

The story of ancient Egypt unfolds colourfully and the other lead characters are so relatable in their contrasts - Light and dark, love and hate, arrogance and More...

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Sep 10, 2011

Neil rated it:

I almost didn't read this book. I loved River God, but this one got disappointing reviews from others who loved River God. I will say that while I don't think it was nearly as good as River God, it's still a very good story, and well worth the time reading it.

I liked the first person voice of Taita better in River God, but using this narrative form allowed the author to more easily be telling several different lines of narration at the same time, which was perfect for this story.
More...

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Nov 14, 2011

Peter rated it:

It's embarrassing to have read another one of these Smith books while I've still got Catch-22, The Executioner's Song, and Treasure Island on my list. (Of course, that list also includes The Bog, so maybe I'm not fooling anyone.)

The first-person narrative of River God told a story fascinating for its perspective as much as for its substance, flowing from Taita's egotism and (not exactly) false modesty. It's believable as an autobiography because of this. (See the official biograph More...

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Mar 09, 2010

Stef rated it:

I really enjoyed the first book, 'River God'...couldn't put it down, and and was excited to read the next book which I think is 'Warlock' (which I can tell you in hindsight you should skip <painful painful painful>...in fact you can go straight to what I think is book three).

Warlock is the sequel to River God that details the later life of Taita 60 years on from the death of Lostris - Taita drops all scientific ways and becomes more supernatural. Don't get me wrong...I'm all More...

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Dec 17, 2009

Mary rated it:

Sigh...this was just not as good as the first book in the series. All the cool characters, save one, are dead. It's told in the third person, as opposed to the first. Didn't finish it.

1 comment like (1 person liked it)

Sep 05, 2011

Shahrun rated it:

This took me ages to read as I was recovering from an operation. However, once I got going, I could not put it down! A real page turner with something for everyone. Also, as this book is so long it feels like many books in one (in this case it's a good thing). I just love the characters, their interaction with each other, their dialogue and the way Mr Smith skilfully navigates them around constant troubles and dangers. But what I really appreciate is the way he leaves no loose ends. Nothing wors More...

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Feb 01, 2012

Sofia rated it:

Neste terceiro volume da saga Egípcia, voltamos a ver Taita, desta vez um homem velho que passou anos a estudar as artes místicas em solidão. Mas o reino precisa dele novamente, e Taita regressa, para se envolver em estratagemas políticos e batalhas pela segurança do Egipto e do seu legítimo faraó.

Desta vez a narrativa é apresentada na terceira pessoa, o que por um lado permite mais liberdade no acompanhamento da história, mas por outro perde aquele registo íntimo de ver tudo pelos o More...

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Jul 09, 2009

Dorothy rated it:

This book is a cross between an ancient Egyptian bodice-ripper and "The Return of the Jedi," with a little Marquis de Sade thrown in for good measure. I had read the first two books in the series, "River God" and "The Seventh Scroll," and had found them interesting enough to carry on to the third, but as far as I am concerned Smith went completely off the track with this one.

Taita, the eunuch slave, was an enormously talented MAN in the first book. He More...

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Jun 19, 2008

Karen rated it:

I decided to try a book totally out of my normal range when I picked up this book. I don't feel great about recommending it because it is filled with violence and has a few very descriptive sexual encounters(which I skipped - honest). However I really liked this book. I couldn't put it down because it was filled with action, adventure and excitement. I kept thinking it should have been a Cecil B. DeMill (sp?) movie.
It tells the story of a ancient spiritual man who is called Warlock a More...

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Jun 07, 2010

Tracy rated it:

I really wish that you could give 1/2 star increments when rating on goodreads. This was more of a 2.5 than a 2. It was slightly better than okay but I'm not going to go out on a limb and fully say that I liked it.

The "egyptianness" of it wasn't very strong and the plot was rather cliched. About the only things that I really liked were Taita's fights with Ishtar. If it had been a fantasy book it would have been indistinguishable compared to so many other fantasies out t More...

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Mar 23, 2011

Heather rated it:

I enjoyed this book, even though it wasn't any where nearly as good as the first book in the series. (The second book, set in modern times, was good but not really comparable given the different setting.)

I like Tatia. I enjoy reading about him, and especially about ancient Egypt (even this alternate version). And, even though this is a long book, it was a quick and enjoyable read. There were a few parts, though, that I felt were put in just for shock value.

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Aug 26, 2010

Siomha rated it:

Well, damn...All of you guys are saying you read the first two books, and that this one was horrible, basically. But i haven't read the other two book, this is my first time reading a book by Wilbur Smith, and i LOVED it. As far as I'm concerned, this was a well-written thought out book, couldn't have been better.
I realize you might not agree with me, and in order to see where you guys are coming from, I'll go read his other books.

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Oct 23, 2011

Andreas rated it:

These books are both set in ancient Egypt. The descriptions are quite good and adequately set the scene for epic battles to save the nation and the royal family.

While the stories themselves are pretty decent, Smith’s style can be summed up in one word: Wordcrapper! Argh! Descriptions of feelings in epic prose are all well and good, but Smith just needs to learn to shut up and move on!

http://www.books.rosboch.net/?p=1288

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Jul 05, 2010

Christina rated it:

Third installment of the ancient Egyptian series by this author. I really liked this book. Mr. Smith writes with the depth and attention to detail that I think other authors should take into consideration. The continuing tale of the warlock Taita and his life through yet another Egyptian dynasty is just as attention holding as the first book "River God". Didn't want it to end but there is more out there to read.

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Jul 31, 2011

Paul rated it:

One warning: Smith uses graphic descriptions including violence and sensuality. There are a lot of parts the reader would do well to simply skip. This novel asks us to stretch our willingness to go with him into the supernatural enough that you can't really call this historical fiction. Nevertheless, Smith is an amazing story-teller and I got totally lost in the story.

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Dec 26, 2009

Phair rated it:

3.5 stars: River God was one of my all-time favorite books so was looking forward to this sequel. Lots of Egyptian color but a bit gory with too many battles in this one. Taita's magic is getting too mystical now- not just clever stuff but heading into woo-woo territory. Not enough attention to characters & personalities. Still- a fun follow-up that kept my interest.

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Jun 20, 2010

Lyn rated it:

Another re-read, again from close to the publishing date. Parts toward the end were a bit gory, but no one ever said ancient times was a walk in a theme park! I like this author's style; and while I thoroughly enjoyed his group of Egyptian novels, I'm really going to have to take a look at some of his other collections.

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Dec 31, 2011

Charisa rated it:

I was reading what some other readers thought of this book. From what I saw, I am in the minority. I liked this book so much more than River God. I enjoyed that it was not first person and that some of the characters were not quite perfect (alhtough Taita, Nefer, and Mintaka were still a little too perfect). This book had everything; adventure, romance, and a good story.

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Dec 30, 2011

Wessel rated it:

The second time I read the book. The first time intrigued by the adventure of the story but actually very childlike almost immature highly unlikely story. The second time just now I see that the author can really develop characters very well and maybe that is the real greatness - the characters.

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Aug 02, 2011

Terry rated it:

A little diassappointing. Not as good as "The River God", Taita is still a good character but I think the use of cunning rather than magic would have made for a better story. I will still read the last of the series. I've missed out the modern day book, not sure if it is needed to fill out the story but I thought it might be a side story that I could do without.

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Jul 03, 2010

Jack rated it:

In the depths of the deserts of North Africa, Taita has passed the years since the death of his beloved Queen Lostris. He has become the Warlock, wise in lore of the ancient gods and an adept of magic and the supernatural.Then he goes to help Queen Lostris' grandson Nefer...

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Jan 04, 2009

Amy added it

I am positive I read this...it is part of a three-part series then a fourth was added later, and I am sure I read it. However, it wasn't noted on my reading list I keep up, so I really don't know if I did for sure. I think I'll have to read it again!

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Jan 21, 2011

Humber rated it:

This was the conclusion to the River God/Seventh Scroll books and it was a great conclusion. I LOVE this series and do go back and read it every few years. If you like anything to do with Ancient Egypt, this is a great series for you to read.

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Feb 18, 2010

Donnee rated it:

I downloaded this book at random whilst on holiday and, to my surprise, quite enjoyed it. Egyptian settings wouldn't normally be my choice. I now discover that there are 'Taita' forerunners that are potentially better...may well look them out.

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Sep 05, 2011

Lisa rated it:

Great book; really enjoying these stories. I was really sad about part of the end though and apalled by what happened to one of the characters and by whom, but I won't say anymore than that; don't want to give away spoilers!

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