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Courtney publication order #3

by Wilbur Smith, Уилбър Смит, Милена Илиева (Translator)

These audiobooks from Macmillan UK offer abridged readings of some of the world s most popular authors. Handsomely packaged, they feature readings by eminent actors of the stage and screen, including James Fox, Martin Shaw, Tim Pigott-Smith, and David Rintoul.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Adventure, Africa, Historical, Thriller, South Africa

584 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1977

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

[Debbie Zapata · Rating 2 out of 5]

About ten years after writing The Sound Of Thunder, Smith returns to the Courtney family saga with this book, published in 1977.

We begin again with Sean Courtney four years after the end of The Sound Of Thunder. Now we are in France, in the trenches of World War I. Sean is a general and is on a surprise inspection tour. He meets a young South African sniper named Mark Anders. Sean is interested in seeing how Anders does his job, and stays until our sniper faces off with 'their' sniper.

After this episode, Sean disappears and Mark Anders takes over the book. Now I have to admit I was heartily disappointed in this one, and that is rare for me with a Wilbur Smith story. But I was expecting to read about the younger generation of Courtneys by now, and I was thrown for a loop when Anders became the main character right off the bat.

Dirk Courtney does feature and he is just as evil as his younger self promised to be in the earlier book, but Michael is mentioned only in passing and it would be a spoiler for The Burning Shore if I say why. Somehow I could never get too involved in this story. It deals with creating unions, the fight for workers' rights, Bolshevism, and the many other topics that were current after The Great War. Intense and complex themes, of course, but I simply couldn't focus on them.

After about 100 pages I skimmed quickly through the rest and decided to DNF.

[Adam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Maybe it was a mistake to read three novels by Wilbur Smith in a short period, which is what I have just done. By doing so, I began to recognise the tricks that the author employs to achieve his incredibly exciting style of story-telling.

This story, which begins in the trenches in France during the First World War, continues in South Africa during the period of labour troubles in the goldmines of the Witwatersrand in 1922 before moving on to the story of a game reserve in the Zulu lands of Natal.

Episodes of nail-biting excitement are separated by over-detailed descriptions of romantic intimacy and also less interesting interludes. A whole host of well-described, sometimes believable, characters populate the novel, often being conveniently killed off by the author when he is not sure what to do with them next. The hero of the book, Mark Anders, survives an unbelievable number of incredible near-death situations. I was amazed that he managed to survive from beginning to the end of this long novel.

A thread of interesting South African history is woven into the story, but somehow I felt that the whole novel was more contrived than it needed to be.

I will read more of Wilbur Smith, but maybe not for a while!

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

My 200th posted review for 2015!

In this, the concluding novel in the Sean Courtney collection, Smith moves the powerful man aside and offers the reader a new focus in the young Mark Anders. Serving under Courtney in the Great War, Anders survives in the trenches and returns to his family homestead, which has been confiscated and his grandfather murdered. Learning of the gang behind the acts, Anders discovers that his former General's own son, Dirk Courtney, is the mastermind. Using this as a pretence for revenge, Anders begins working for General Sean Courtney, first as his assistant and eventually in a position of political patronage as game warden. At this time, Anders falls in love with the General's daughter, Storm, who has grown up with a silver spoon in her mouth and cannot imagine life with such a commoner. As Smith builds the novel's narrative, South Africa comes of age under the Smuts Government, where it begins to bulge at the seams after a surge of socialist upheaval. To quell the workers and the early germination of race clashes, government troops push back the protest, which only delays further action. Anders finds himself in the middle of this and other key aspects of South African independence as he tries to find his way. With the chance to eventually face his nemesis, Anders learns of the lengths to which Dirk Courtney will go to get his way, allowing no one to cross him. As Smith brings the Sean Courtney story to a conclusion, he has only just begun laying the groundwork for the explosive second collection of Courtney novels, in which future generations will surely see the country become cesspool of racism on the African continent. A must-read novel and series by any curious reader.

Over this short three-novel series, Smith has created the foundation for a wonderful series that places South Africa at its centre. Written with the mysteries of the continent in mind, Smith is able to use a core group of characters to live within history and yet forge their own lives and weave highly intriguing tales. His storytelling is second to none and the drama that Smith instills keeps the reader begging for more. Looking only at the first collection, if I were to offer a criticism, it would be that the time period between the books is large and brief narration to weave together the happenings from one book to the other does not adequately suffice. Readers like myself might enjoy additional novels in the series to flesh out the character arcs summarising their lives from one novel to the next, which are handled in a brief paragraph in Smith's narrative. A detailed construction could make for new and exciting storylines, if done properly. Smith has me thoroughly hooked and wondering what will come next in the second collection, a multi-generational addition to the Courtney series.

Kudos, Mr. Smith for the foundational work on this wonderful series. Your climactic ending has me wondering what other twists you have in store. However, it is time to diverge and explore the Ballantyne family to see how they differ or intersect the Courtneys, before returning for another round of South Africa's development.

Like/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/

[Nihal · Rating 3 out of 5]

A return to the Courtney series after many years, Wilbur Smith manages to write a sad and action-packed novel.

A Sparrow Falls is the third novel of the famous Courtney series. But I think this book wasn't as good as compared to the previous two novels. We return to the life of Sean Courtney, along with his merciless son Dirk, and his grown-up daughter Storm. But now there is a new change. A whole new character takes over the book - Mark Anders.

"Some say the lion, others say the leopard. But believe me, my boy, when a man looks in the mirror, he sees the most dangerous and merciless killer in all of nature".

I was fine that a new character was introduced, but not by the fact that he is the protagonist. I mean which series is this, the Courtney series or the Anders series. Also, his story isn't as good as compared to Sean's. He starts by looking out for his land- 'Anderland'. But then he finds that some people have taken over that land, and now he tries to save it. Somehow the plot gets him and Sean together many times, making Mark fall in love with Sean's daughter, Storm.

Sean's story was also not a big improvement. He is 62, his son is evil, his daughter is angry, his wife is happy, and he is sad. Dirk Courtney is as evil as ever, not showing any mercy on whatever comes in his way of success. His daughter is spoiled, without any humbleness. And Sean is sad about all these things. The fact that bothered me the most is that he is not the protagonist, Mark is. And also, Garrick doesn't even have a role in it.

The plot is not so good, too. It's just like the two main characters are somehow navigating through their lives, and there are some dramatic turns in the way. I didn't want to continue reading the book when I reached the middle part, but I couldn't just leave it either. It was only when I came to the ending that generated interest in me. The ending was really sad, and only after finishing the book did I feel glad for not stopping and continuing it. Seriously, if you want to read this book, you must have unlimited patience.

"Dirk, I have known many men, and not one of them was all good nor completely evil. They were all combinations of those two elements, good and evil - that is until I came to know you. You are the only man who was evil, evil unrelieved by the slightest shading of good. When at last I was forced to face that fact, I turned my back on you"

My total rating is 3.5 stars, and I'm hoping the next book will be an improvement.

[Graham · Rating 5 out of 5]

The 5 star rating is for the entertainment value. The style of writing is somewhat dated, but nevertheless manages to keep a firm grip on the reader. The characters are vibrant and you either hate or love them.The plot is on fire sucking the reader into a series of exciting events that are constantly surprising. The reader finds him/herself trying to predict outcomes with partial success, only to be surprised by unexpected twists. Try to read the Wilbur Smith Novels in order, not essential but more enjoyable. Even though names and events have been assumed/changed the book is relatively accurate in capturing the spirit of South Africa. I found it fascinating to read descriptions of the places where I grew up.

[Lakshmi ☾ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very damned wild! It's exactly a Wilbur Smith adventure!

[Andy Wormald · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the third in the Courtney series and completes the ‘When The Lion Feeds’ trilogy

As with the previous books you have a sweeping adventure story which embraces the African landscape in all its majestic glory, as the reader will come to expect the book also covers an expansive time frame.

The book opens in the trenches in France during World War I, however, we are soon taken back to familiar territory. Whilst this is a book about the Courtneys it does to some degree focus more on Mark Anders, someone to who Sean Courtney takes under his wing, almost as a surrogate son. Two people who share a common vision for the protection of the African landscape and the protection of the animals within, you see a different side to Sean, age as transformed some of his thinking. This all takes place to a backdrop where Seans estranged son Dirk plots to bring down his Father.

Wilbur Smith combines a narrative which oozes in atmosphere, each paragraph rich in giving a real feel and depth to the plot, he takes you to the heart of the story, you are able to breath in the landscape, there is a real richness to the whole feel of the book.

The book is wonderfully plotted, in a way that keeps the story moving, the authors paints a picture, it also builds in tension and drama

The story moves and flows wonderfully, you can take in each scene, you get a sense of some of the horrors endured, whilst this is an expansive read, it is also one which I found hard to put down, so eager was I to know what would happen next.

It is fascinating to see how Sean and Dirk have become embittered enemies, the writing gives you a real sense of who Dirk is, someone determined to use whatever tactic necessary to reach the top. We also see more of Storm and the woman she has grown to be

By the end of the book, you start to feel for Mark, torn by a sense of duty and loyalty, where his heart yearns for others.

As this is a family saga of note, the author doesn’t shy away from making difficult decisions in the lifes of the characters, thus giving the story that air of believeability and authenticity

Wilbur Smith is a master of the adventure story for a reason, he creates a novel in which you can lose yourself and invest time with the characters

A story of love both won and lost, greed, power, corruption, a family torn apart, but one with Africa at its heart, is also an emotional and poignant read. One thing I always feel as I read the books is that Wilbur Smith has the reader in mind in bringing things to life and putting the reader at the heart of the action.

This is another outstanding epic read, it leaves you breathless and poses questions as to where the story will go next. One thing the book does do is leave you wanting more

5* I can’t recommend the books of Wilbur Smith highly enough. once you have read one you will be hooked into a whole world of adventure

[Will G · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book 3 in Smith's Courtney series. As is typical of the author, this one is set in Africa and contains many, many elements including murder, war, romance, revenge, betrayal, and ultimately makes all of them work in this entertaining story. Highly recommended.

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Sparrow Falls

Third book in the Courtney series. As well written as the others. On to book four. Reading about South Africa's early days is very interesting

[Theresa Russell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn’t put this one down. Africa, Africa, love the stories and history

[Hugh Worsnop · Rating 5 out of 5]

Satisfying conclusion to the original Courtney saga. Full of action, blood and thunder.

[Mark Evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just a fabulous tale…

Such a great story, twisting and turning - an epic South African saga, that left me breathless, again and again…

[Andrew A. · Rating 4 out of 5]

So good. Not many authors are as good at making me feel things as Wilbur Smith is. What a great book!

[Christian D. D. · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Dad (God rest his soul) and several of my South African friends & colleagues were very fond of this novel, and now I can see why. Packed with action, sex, political intrigue, and historical insights into South African culture (uppercrust white society, working class whites, and Zulu alike) during the first several post-WWI years.
--p. 5: "A sky the colour of old bruises hung low over the battlefields of France, and rolled with ponderous dignity towards the German lines." Catchy opening sentence.

--p. 9: Good to see that Brigadier Sean Courtney is not your stereotypical WWI "chateau general."

--p. 16: "Velapi wena" = "Where are you from" (Zulu)

--p. 17: Fergus MacDonald, bloody Bolshevik, ugh!

--p. 51: Biltong!

--p. 55: "....give him some of your lovely tart." Er, no double-entendre intended, right? 😉

--pp. 57-58: Poor Mark, his chaplain ruined the concept of sex for him....and poor Mary, for that matter!

--p. 63: Aw, dammit Mark, don't leave poor pretty Marion hanging like that!

--p. 77: Locomotive abbreviated as "loco;" I suppose that's a Brit and/or South African slang?

—p. 80: “‘Ngi ya bone — I praise you,’” Zulu (akin to “Sa we bone,” I see you).


—p. 88: Oh great, bloody Bolsheviks.

—p. 94: “‘We are the Party, the praetorian guard of the proletariat, and we are not bound by law or the ethical considerations of the bourgeois age. The Party in itself is the new law, the natural law of existence.’” Such typical Bolshevik commie arrogance.

—p. 96: Wow, the commies employing racist anti-black rhetoric to boot! That sure as hell doesn’t fit the politically correct egalitarian narrative!

—p. 190: “Bubezi was the Zulu name for the lion.”

—pp. 192-193: Tsetse fly, yikes. “slightly larger than the house fly, but it has a sleeker more streamlined body, with transparent wings veined in brown...’the savior of Africa’...’the sleeping sickness – the nagana – that he carries.’”

—p. 194: “ Inyosi, the bees”

—p. 198: Mmmm, biltong...

—p. 199: Assvogel = Vulture?

—p. 203: “‘Some say the lion, others the leopard. But believe me, my boy, when a man looks in the mirror, he sees the most dangerous and merciless killer in all of nature.’”

—p. 221: “Pungushe” = Jackal

—p. 260: “‘Even the best of us gets old and tired, Sean, and when that happens, a man should have somebody to whom he can pass the torch, and let him carry it on.’”

“‘Lesson one.’ Sean cocked a beetling black eyebrow over the amused blue twinkle of his eye. ‘The money is always important.’”

—p. 297: “‘It’s true, you know, Mark. There is nobody so virtuous as a reformed whore.’”

—p. 462: “Always the leopard and the kudu are the last to give way before man and his civilization. Their superior cunning and natural stealth protect them long after the other species have succumbed.”

—p. 474: Biblical passage (and hence the inspiration for the novel’s title): “‘Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? And one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father.’”

—p. 498: “‘Ngidhla!’—I have eaten!”

—p. 502: “‘Sakubona, Jamela. I see you, O Seeker.’” “‘Sakubona, Ngaga.’” I see you, pangolin

—p. 504: Abelungu: the white man

—p. 505: isibamu: rifles
silwane: wild animals

—p. 506: Igoldi: Gold mines

—p. 508: indunas: King’s counsellors

—p. 511: isi-du-du-du, motorcycle.

—p. 514: “Dirk Courtney spoke to them in the young language which had only recently received recognition as a separate entity from its parent Dutch, and had been given the name of Afrikaans.” Wow, that recently, i.e. 1922?!

—p. 543: “ixhegu: elder”

—p. 549: “He reached for the cigar box. ‘They even wanted me to stop these. What on earth is the use of living, if you have to give up all the processes of life—I ask you.’He lit the cigar with a flourish and drew on it with relish.”
Hear, hear! Roll that in your pipes and smoke it, anti-tobacco Nazis! (Ironic pun intended.)

—p. 653: Typo; “Smith Wesson revolver” should be Smith & Wesson.




CENTRAL CASTING CALL: Alex Karras as Sean Courtney, John Rhys-Davies as Dirk Courtney; Helen Mirren as Ruth Courtney, Cherie Lunghi as Storm Courtney; Tobey Maguire as Mark Anders

[Ronald Wise · Rating 5 out of 5]

An action-packed thriller from the first chapter to the last which was also -- with the aid of Wikpedia and Wikimapia -- an interesting tour guide to the geographical layout of South Africa and an introduction to the history of that nation in the early 1920s.

Smith's style reminded me of James Michener's Centenniel in the way he presented the natural landscape through human drama. Young Mark Anders faces difficulties similar to those of Indiana Jones, and at nearly the same pace. His co-hero, General Sean Courtney, is past his prime physically, but is still powerful in the wise exercise of military and political acumen.

It was only after I finished this book that I learned that it was the final episode in a three-book sequence featuring General Courtney, and that this sequence was part of a thirteen-book series featuring the Courtney family. I look forward to reading more of this series, and though this book stood well on its own, I fear I may have ruined the earlier two books of the sequence by starting with the last.

Smith seems to enjoy describing the gory details of the violent scenes and I think I learned more than I wanted to know about the precise damage done by bullets and other weapons during conflicts -- both intra- and inter-species. He is also a gifted creator of erotic scenes, but tends to end those scenes suddenly with a corny euphemism. I had started to think his romantic plot was a bit formulaic, but he managed to dispell that belief before the end of the book.

[Jason Link · Rating 2 out of 5]

Smith shows a vast knowledge of South African and World War I through his description and naming of props and settings. Therefore the world he creates is very believable and intriguing. For that I would give him four stars. His weakness is in characters and how unbelievable they are. The hero, Mark Anders, is presented as all good. Yes, he gives into lust and infidelity, but Smith writes with such a tone as to justify these actions. And he's perfect at everything; perfect soldier, perfect driver, perfect salesman, perfect office assistant. In order to connect to a character, he needs to have some faults just as we all do. The villain is the cliche "all I want is money" bad guy. Think of something evil and he's probably doing it right now. I was much more interested in Pungushe who had a dry wit that was realistic and a hidden depth to his character. There were also vast wastelands of exposition that told me how I was to view the characters. I wanted to yell out, "Don't tell me they had a meaningful conversation that drew them closer together; show me!" If the flat characters were given depth (or cut entirely) and if the exposition was cut down, the novel would be half its length but twice as good. Give me a book where Smith uses only his talent and cuts the fat. I would give that book a 4 or 5.

[Graham · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the outstanding final chapter of Wilbur Smith's initial Courtney trilogy that began with WHEN THE LION FEEDS. With the story of Sean and Garry virtually tied up at the end of A SOUND OF THUNDER, the previous instalment, the plot in this one introduces a new central protagonist who brings freshness to the saga.

Despite being a great deal longer than the first two books, A SPARROW FALLS is never less than unputdownable. Starting off in the trenches of WW1 and gradually moving to the African wilds, Smith creates a compelling portrait of a changing society and changing landscape. Once again, various plot strands of war, terror and romance are woven together expertly, with the miner's strikes of 1922 playing an important background part.

Dirk Courtney, a mere boy in the last saga, has become a ruthless and powerful villain by this time, one of the most memorable bad guys I've read from this author. Mark Anders, shell shocked and innocent, makes for an engaging hero and a fitting contrast to Sean Courtney's alpha male masculinity. The action scenes are superby described as always, and the ending manages to be both powerful, tragic and fitting. Great stuff!

[Tammi Morgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. A Sparrow Falls follows on from The Sound of Thunder and because I did not relate to the later, i found myself hesitant to read A Sparrow Falls. For this reason, I struggled to get into the book. It was a terribly tragic ending, but was not predictable which is sometimes the case with Wilbur Smith books. I was also pleased that the hero of the book, Mark Anders, did not succomb to the same fate as Sean Courtney in life and in love. I was drawn to the character and preferred him to Sean purely because he had less greed and more compassion. He didn't go on endless, senseless hunting expeditions that were purely motivated by money and power. I often found myself getting angry with Sean Courtney as a result of his reckless behaviour. Whilst reading the book, i went to Booysens and the mining city descriped in the book, now Gold Reef City. For this reason i was able to understand the history better and the book was more realistic.

[Suzana Vuksanovic · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love ALL of Wilbur Smith's books, but of-course I like some better than others.
This book wasn't in the top echelon of his writing, in my opinion.
The plot is as Wilbur Smithesque as you could want: the grown up estranged son of the powerful and wealthy Sean Courtney returns mysteriously rich and ready to play politics - dirty politics, as dirty as necessary. Being smart, Dirk Courtney gets his minions to get their hands dirty instead of his. Add to the mix Mark Anders, who Sean met in the trenches of WW1 and treats like the son he never had in Dirk; and his beautiful but tempestuous and very proud Storm Courtney with which Mark has an almost star-crossed relationship, and there you have it.
I enjoyed this book, but for anyone who has read an amount of Wilbur Smith books I think they would probably agree with me that his writing noticeably developed over the years.
Worth reading none-the-less.

[Luckngrace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wilbur Smith never disappoints. In this 3rd book of the Courtney Series, two Courtney men go to war in France, but only one returns. The trip home aboard ship turns into a life and death struggle for the newest Courtney and we see parts of Africa I've never even heard of. All the characters are memorable and I've already started The Burning Shore. ***Note: If you've never read a Courtney book and want to read them chronologically, books #9,10,and11 are prequels to the others, just written later. I had read 4 books before I realized this. So start with Birds of Prey to begin in the 1600s with the first Courtney.

[Luana Rizea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesant și acest Sanctuarul, al treilea roman din Saga Familiei Courtney.
Au fost unele evenimente previzibile, unele acțiuni nu prea pe gustul meu, dar Wilbur Smith știe cum să schimbe rapid macazul de la o chestie la alta.
Romantismul puțin mai siropos pentru gustul meu a purtat vina unor acțiuni care nu prea mi-au plăcut, dar dacă ești fan și d'astea, ești unde trebuie.
Mi-a plăcut acțiunea alertă, natura descrisă superb și faptul că te transportă direct în inima Africii.
All in all merită citit de relaxare, evadare.
Sunt tare curioasă cum se va continua al patrulea roman și mai ales cu cine se va continua.

[Jennifer · Rating 2 out of 5]

After reading the first two books in this series, I had high hopes for this one! But it was fairly disappointing. It continues the saga of the Courtney family, but the story line this time was quite predictable and a bit boring. I couldn't connect with any of the characters and only kept reading because I hoped it would get better. I did enjoy the wildlife and nature descriptions of Chaka's Gate and fantasizing about how the country's wildlife preserves may have come to pass. Note: graphic sexual content throughout the book

[Lavada Dee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book and it would have to be because it's over 600 pages. It holds you captive from the first page to the last and has it all. Action, wonderful descriptive, love, a hero to absolutely love.

[Donna Dieckmann]

Thanks again for new characters
Sadly, saying goodbye to others

[William Boyle · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Sparrow Falls is the third and final book of the Sean Courtney saga of the Courtney series by Wilbur Smith. It is also the longest of the saga, lasting about 620 pages, but despite the long length it still felt relatively quick thanks to Wilbur Smiths knack for writing interesting narratives. Everything that was built up in the previous books comes to a head here and gets resolved, leaving very little up to interpretation. It is a strong conclusion to the saga for Smith, probably the second best book out of the three, behind only “When the Lion Feeds”.

The story in this book was good. The protagonist is Mark Anders, not Sean Courtney, which gives this book a whole different feel than the others. Mark feels completely different from Sean, as he is much less brash and aggressive, but more calm and passive. Despite him being the protagonist, Sean is still the central figure of the story once he is finally introduced about a quarter of the way through, disregarding the prologue. Marks man goal is to discover what happened to his grandfather while he was fighting in World War One, and his search leads him into the crosshairs of Dirk Courtney, Sean’s estranged and disowned son, who has become a wealthy businessman. These three men get caught up in a conflict that has massive repercussions on the family, and it is only resolved in the last 20 pages. Overall, the story has very few dull points, and is constantly throwing in twists to keep it unpredictable, although it is still fairly formulaic, and you can likely tell how it’s going to end about half way through. The only problem with the pacing would be about halfway through with the Rand Rebellion, which could have been cut out, as it does not really contribute much to the story overall. It was a fine sequence though.

The characters in this book are okay, but I would have liked to see more historical characters. Christiaan Jan Smuts is prominent again, but he’s the only major one. Sean and Ruth Courtney return, as well as a grown up Storm Courtney who becomes focal to the plot. Mbejane is killed off in between books, and is only mentioned once when Sean visits his burial site. He is replace by another Zulu, who is an illegal poacher on the national park Mark protects in the second half of the book. Dirk is cartoonishly sadistic again, which was a developmentI I never understood in the last book, but it is amplified now. The best character is without a doubt Sean, whose ark as a character is completed in this book. He went from a brash young buck making his fortune in the goldfields, to a hotheaded but effective commander, until finally becoming a wise and experienced leader and politician. If you read the last book, you will remember Michael Courtney, Sean’s first son. He is also killed off in between books, and Mark basically takes his place as Sean’s adopted son. Garrick Courtney is barely utilized, appearing in very few scenes across the book, which I found very disappointing. His reconciliation with Sean was the most important part of the last book, but then Smith just forgets about him. Overall, the characters were alright, but not overly memorable.

The setting is brilliant as always. The most important part of any historical fiction book is always the setting, and Wilbur Smith is a master of making good settings, specifically when that setting is in Africa. All of the places feel distinct. You can tell that the bush is different than Johannesburg, or how Sean’s ranch is different than his house in Cape Town. The animals are written superbly, the environments are well detailed, and the people act according to the time. The historical events are utilized also utilized well. The first sequence set in World War One was interesting, as was his depiction of the Rand Rebellion, which is very seldomly talked about. The setting is excellent.

Overall, the book is a satisfactory ending to the saga, tying up all the loose ends. The plot is engaging, and the setting is interesting. If you are a fan of historical fiction, I would recommend reading this saga of books, as they are very good.

[Yvonne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the 3rd book in The Courtney series and follows the life, family, friends and enemies of Sean Courtney. A new character is introduced that takes a centre-stage style position in this book and is that of Mark Anders. The first meeting is during The Great War and Mark is a sniper. He was born and raised in South Africa and built an excellent marksman reputation. Sean Courtney comes across him at the battlefield and then they meet up again when they are back home in South Africa.

Mark had been looking forward to returning home only to discover he has no home, his grandfather has died and there is no estate to come to Mark. Something is not right and this is confirmed when someone tried to kill Mark. Fleeing again he goes to live with his friend Fergus, they fought together and know each other well. Fergus is part of the Communist party and while some of their policies sit right and Mark agrees with most of it, there are some tactics that do not. This leads him back to Sean.

This is another fabulous book in the series and the author writes with a passion for the country he loves. This period of African history is one that is violent, unrelenting and dangerous. Dirk Courtney is hellbent on making himself well-known and achieving more than his father Sean in all aspects. Dirk is the throne in Sean's side and Dirk is not averse to using underhand methods. A schemer, planner and cutthroat in business with a firm hand.

The author tells the story with a brutality that matches the time, there are some sections that are tough reading but it is in fact part of the history and should be acknowledged as happening.

The pacing of the story fluctuates and at times it is so fast you race to keep up and at others, there is time for contemplation and seeing things from the perspectives of the characters. The story touches on the evolving landscape and how man is encroaching on nature and wildlife. Noticing dwindling numbers in the game and how man is impacting the environment is mentioned. Nothing has changed but it is good to acknowledge that the writing of the time and historical mentions of landscape changes are mentioned.

This is an action-packed adventure story from start to finish. It tells of the world and way of life and the changes that are at the forefront of the times. Advances in technology, medicine and also the power and greed that is overtaking local people.

Historical fiction as well as a touch of romance, with dangerous situations and people. Battles, conflict, rivalry and disputes are balanced with life, love and hopes for better futures. Another excellent story in the series and it is one I am definitely going to recommend.

[Paul Cornelius · Rating 4 out of 5]

As much as the second novel, The Sound of Thunder, of the first sequence of Courtney family novels fails to live up to the initial book, When the Lion Feeds, so this third volume almost meets the challenge of being a full on success. With but a few exceptions, it is every bit as fast paced and intriguing as Lion. Even more, all the seeds of jealousy, psychopathy, lust, and love established in those early pages are brought to fruition in this story of Mark Anders, an impoverished veteran of World War I who gains the sympathy and support of Sean Courtney. Sean is the hero of this first series. But unlike the first two books, where he is the centerpiece of the action, we only see him through the eyes of Anders in A Sparrow Falls. So much does Sean come to respect Anders that the now aged general makes Mark not only his protege, he eventually gives him all the affection and support he would have given to his own son. This state of affairs is not because Sean does not already have a son. He does. But Dirk Courtney is a psychopath, a killer, a man made mad in no small measure because of the terrible job Sean did in raising him as a boy--all explained in Thunder. Dirk's devious plots for revenge make him the antagonist for every desire Sean and Mark want to build for the future of South Africa. Such includes the creation of a wildlife preserve spearheaded by Sean and Mark and, separately, Mark's pursuit of Sean's daughter, Storm, for his wife.

It is with this latter storyline that Sparrow begins to fumble about somewhat. For Wilbur Smith has a weakness. It appears in his passages about domestic life. Essentially, he isn't worth a damn at it. The pages about Mark and his wives (and, earlier, Sean and his wives), yes, plural, make for some painful and atrocious reading. Tarzan and Jane exhibit more matrimonial dignity and sophistication than either Mark or Sean. What is even worse is the place women come to serve in Smith's writing. Mostly they seem to serve as emotional stepping stones, people put into the story in order for their deaths or tragedies to somehow elevate the development of the main male characters. As a result, they become little more than cliched adornments or sad little side notes to careers of the great heroes.

Still, that is the only flaw of note. The story is engaging. At times, it is impossible to put it down. And it achieves what must have been most important of all for Wilbur Smith. It leaves you craving the next book in the next sequence.

[Andreas Schmidt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Oh si riparte dalla Grande Guerra, circa una ventina di anni dopo dall'ultimo romanzo sui Courtney. Questa volta il protagonista è Mark Anders, che si distingue in un episodio in Francia, in cui i crucchi cercano di perforarne senza successo la plot armor e subito siamo di nuovo catapultati in Sudafrica dove l'autore ci tiene a farci sapere quanto è cattivo Dirk Courtney, almeno tanto quanto l'acqua delle cipolle.
Insomma, lì per lì, la tendenza alla strage e alla distruzione totale tipo le esplosioni di Michael Bay, lo si può fiutare fin da subito quando Mark trova la casa di suo nonno disabitata; ma possiamo pensare di cavarcela così?
No, ovviamente. L'autore ci fa capire che ogni donna dell'emisfero australe si innamora di Mark Anders.
Nel mentre Sean Courtney è impegnato a riempire i buchi nella trama, in un'era in cui si dovrebbero fare figli come conigli ma che in realtà oltre ad aver eliminato l'unico erede Courtney degno (Michael, ucciso nientemeno che da von Richthofen) c'è soltanto una erede: Storm. Quella che in tempi contemporanei potremmo definire con termine tecnico "una f... emmina della madonna", la superstar per la nostra star del romanzo. E quando si incontrano, volano scintille!
Nel frattempo l'autore ci ha già spiegato quanto è cattivo Dirk, quindi proseguiamo subito con il "paradiso in terra", cioè l'unico posto all'apparenza importante del Sudafrica che rischia di diventare un enorme bacino idrico perché Dirk è cattivo (del resto, a che ci serve l'elettricità?).
E nulla, in realtà la storia verte su Storm e Mark, lei rimane subito incinta ma ... i sentimenti! I sentimenti!
Così finisce in sottotrama in cui la Marion la moglie-intralcio i Mark, la sciacquetta cicciottella, viene eliminata da un leone in una scena che è l'antesignano del film Prometheus (dove accarezzano un serpente alieno cattivissimo), e con Storm che da viziata sciacquetta, finisce in un matrimonio inutile e in un divorzio altrettanto inutile.
Il tutto chiuso da una grandissima strage finale, che ci fa pensare lì per lì che nei prossimi quarant'anni di carriera di Smith non si ripescheranno mai più i Courtney.

[Sheila Bracken · Rating 5 out of 5]

The third book in the Courtney series marks the end of the Sean Courtney era. In book one, we saw him transition from childhood to adulthood. In book two he moved from rags to riches time and again and became a family man. In book three we see him experiencing the joys and indignities that come with advancing years. Part of aging is paying for the sins of one’s youth; another is raising up the next generation of leaders. Since his son Dirk proved himself to be the “spawn of Satan,” Sean finds a new protegé in Mark Anders.
Sean meets Mark in France during WWI where Sean is a brigadier general and Mark is a sharpshooter. Mark is called into action when a German sniper picks off anyone who tries to exit the trench or sneak a peek at the enemy. Dealing with that incident creates a bond between the two men, filling a void in each man’s life that lasts long after the war.
Returning home to his portion of S. Africa, Mark finds things much changed. The grandfather who raised him is gone, and the land has been cleared for a new owner with new ideas for its use. While trying to find answers, Mark finds trouble instead and looks for refuge with an old army buddy who was a Marxist during the war, but since then has drunk deeply from that cup and shared the draft with his wife Helena. This provides a snapshot of the country’s struggle to rid itself of communism and the political fallout that resulted when things turned violent.
Sean’s children–Dirk and Storm–play critical roles in the story. Dirk is a prime example of beauty not reflecting goodness but masking rottenness, while Storm remains the spoiled, headstrong girl she was as a child though a few humbling events help to file down her edges. Mbejane is no longer around to counsel Sean, but another Zulu referred to as ‘the Jackal’ serves Mark in similar ways.
This is my favorite book in the series so far despite the graphic violence of a dog fight, a lion attack, and other atrocities committed by men on other men. More than ten years passed between the writing of the first and this closing of the trilogy, and it’s obvious that the author honed his craft in the intervening years. 5

[Steve Prentice · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well, this was a book choc-a-bloc with adventure which I really enjoyed. So many things happened that it is hard to know how to describe the book so I will stick with generalities.

The theme of the book was the struggle between the desire to advance civilisation for personal profit versus those who want to preserve the existing landscapes, ways of life and wildlife. The characters were a little cliched in their being really bad (progress) or really good (conservation) but there were twists and turns galore as the plot developed so being cliched was not a problem with the book. There was also plenty of romance with Storm Courtney being a major character in her own right as she interacted with Mark Anders (the all-action hero).

The novel is a ‘factional’ book which I really enjoy because it teaches a little as well as entertains. What I mean by ‘factional’ is that while the adventures of the individuals in this book were fictional, the main sweep of the broader events - impacting the characters - did happen (at least according to Wikipedia).

If I enjoyed the book so much why only 4 stars? Two reasons: first some of the book was predictable although as already stated there were shocks and surprises galore. Second there were a couple of scenes where Mark appeared to achieve the impossible in terms of strength and resilience when opposed by an adversary. It is much better, to my mind, if the hardships faced by a hero are at least plausible. But all in all these were minor quibbles.

The book is recommended to all those who like a good adventure yarn!