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Ancient Egypt #6
Pharaoh
A thrilling new instalment in Wilbur Smith's beloved Egyptian series.
Egypt is under attack.
The ancient city of Luxor is under attack. Pharaoh Tamose lies mortally wounded. All seems lost.
Taita prepares for the enemy's final, fatal push. The ex-slave, now general of Tamose's armies, is never more ingenious than when all hope is dashed. And this is Egypt's most desperate hour.
With the timely arrival of an old ally, Taita's army repels the enemy invaders; for now at least. But upon his return to Luxor, Taita is seized and branded a traitor. Tamose is dead and a poisonous new era has begun. The new Pharaoh has risen.
Pharaoh Utteric is young, weak and cruel, and threatened by Taita's influence within the palace - especially his friendship with Utteric's younger and worthier brother, Rameses. With Taita's imprisonment, Rameses is forced to make a choice: help Taita escape and forsake his brother, or stay silent and condone Utteric's tyranny. To a good man like Rameses, there is no choice. Taita must be set free, Utteric must be stopped and Egypt must be reclaimed.
From the glittering temples of Luxor to the Citadel of Sparta, Pharaoh is an intense and powerful novel magnificently transporting you to a time of threat, blood and glory. Master storyteller Wilbur Smith is at the very peak of his powers.
'An old-fashioned adventure ... [Wilbur's] legions of fans will demand this latest in the series in order to follow the next chapter in Taita's very long, exciting life' Booklist
Egypt is under attack.
The ancient city of Luxor is under attack. Pharaoh Tamose lies mortally wounded. All seems lost.
Taita prepares for the enemy's final, fatal push. The ex-slave, now general of Tamose's armies, is never more ingenious than when all hope is dashed. And this is Egypt's most desperate hour.
With the timely arrival of an old ally, Taita's army repels the enemy invaders; for now at least. But upon his return to Luxor, Taita is seized and branded a traitor. Tamose is dead and a poisonous new era has begun. The new Pharaoh has risen.
Pharaoh Utteric is young, weak and cruel, and threatened by Taita's influence within the palace - especially his friendship with Utteric's younger and worthier brother, Rameses. With Taita's imprisonment, Rameses is forced to make a choice: help Taita escape and forsake his brother, or stay silent and condone Utteric's tyranny. To a good man like Rameses, there is no choice. Taita must be set free, Utteric must be stopped and Egypt must be reclaimed.
From the glittering temples of Luxor to the Citadel of Sparta, Pharaoh is an intense and powerful novel magnificently transporting you to a time of threat, blood and glory. Master storyteller Wilbur Smith is at the very peak of his powers.
'An old-fashioned adventure ... [Wilbur's] legions of fans will demand this latest in the series in order to follow the next chapter in Taita's very long, exciting life' Booklist
384 pages, Hardcover
First published September 22, 2016
870 people are currently reading
4908 people want to read
About the author
Wilbur Smith
320 books4,405 followersWilbur Smith was a prolific and bestselling South African novelist renowned for his sweeping adventure stories set against the backdrop of Africa’s dramatic landscapes and turbulent history. Born in 1933 in what was then Northern Rhodesia (now Zambia), he grew up in South Africa, where his love for storytelling was nurtured by the rich environment and tales of African history. His early years were shaped by his experiences in the wilderness, which later became a defining element in his fiction.
After studying at Rhodes University, Smith initially worked as an accountant, but his true passion lay in writing. His breakthrough came in 1964 with When the Lion Feeds, a historical adventure novel that introduced the Courtney family saga. The book’s success led to a long-running series chronicling the exploits of multiple generations of the Courtney family, spanning centuries of African and world history. Alongside this, Smith wrote the Ballantyne series, focused on colonial Africa, and the Ancient Egypt series, which delved into historical fiction with a mythical touch.
Over his six-decade career, Smith authored more than 50 novels, selling over 140 million copies worldwide. His works were characterized by meticulous research, vivid descriptions of the African wilderness, and gripping action-packed narratives. Whether set in the colonial era, the world of pharaohs, or modern-day Africa, his books often explored themes of survival, war, power, and human ambition. He collaborated with co-authors in his later years to expand his literary universe, ensuring his stories continued to reach new audiences.
Beyond writing, Smith was an avid traveler and adventurer, drawing inspiration from his own experiences hunting, sailing, and exploring remote corners of Africa. While he was passionate about wildlife and conservation, some of his views—particularly regarding big game hunting—sparked debate. Nonetheless, his deep affection for Africa was evident in his writing, which celebrated both its beauty and its historical complexities.
Smith’s influence on adventure fiction remains significant, with his books continuing to captivate readers around the world. His legacy endures through his richly woven tales of exploration, conquest, and the enduring spirit of Africa.
After studying at Rhodes University, Smith initially worked as an accountant, but his true passion lay in writing. His breakthrough came in 1964 with When the Lion Feeds, a historical adventure novel that introduced the Courtney family saga. The book’s success led to a long-running series chronicling the exploits of multiple generations of the Courtney family, spanning centuries of African and world history. Alongside this, Smith wrote the Ballantyne series, focused on colonial Africa, and the Ancient Egypt series, which delved into historical fiction with a mythical touch.
Over his six-decade career, Smith authored more than 50 novels, selling over 140 million copies worldwide. His works were characterized by meticulous research, vivid descriptions of the African wilderness, and gripping action-packed narratives. Whether set in the colonial era, the world of pharaohs, or modern-day Africa, his books often explored themes of survival, war, power, and human ambition. He collaborated with co-authors in his later years to expand his literary universe, ensuring his stories continued to reach new audiences.
Beyond writing, Smith was an avid traveler and adventurer, drawing inspiration from his own experiences hunting, sailing, and exploring remote corners of Africa. While he was passionate about wildlife and conservation, some of his views—particularly regarding big game hunting—sparked debate. Nonetheless, his deep affection for Africa was evident in his writing, which celebrated both its beauty and its historical complexities.
Smith’s influence on adventure fiction remains significant, with his books continuing to captivate readers around the world. His legacy endures through his richly woven tales of exploration, conquest, and the enduring spirit of Africa.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 427 reviews
November 29, 2016
The first book in Wilbur Smith's Ancient Egypt series (River God) is one of my all-time favorite historical novels. It brought Ancient Egypt alive in compelling fashion and created unforgettable characters along with a memorable narrative.
Pharaoh, the latest installment in the series, unfortunately is not up to par. The characters are flat; the narrative, flaccid; and the plot, way too obvious. Stick with the first three books in this series, the quality has dropped considerably in the last three.
Pharaoh, the latest installment in the series, unfortunately is not up to par. The characters are flat; the narrative, flaccid; and the plot, way too obvious. Stick with the first three books in this series, the quality has dropped considerably in the last three.
March 17, 2021
When Pharaoh Tamos dies, the Egyptian kingdom falls to his son Utteric. Utteric immediately strips Taita of his wealth and sends him to the dugeons. Rameses, brother to Utteric, along with others safe Taita from death and they set out to find two of Tamose's sisters. All for this evolves with their return to Egypt to overthrow Utteric and install Rameses as Pharaoh. This is a continuing series that follows Taita as his rise as a slave to a commanding general and chief counsellor.
One of the special factors about Wilbur Smith's Ancient Egypt series is each of the books has covered an almost next generation of the timeline of it's previous book and each of the books story line tagged along a new ancient region with Egypt. In Pharaoh, Wilbur successfully held on to his typical classic Ancient Egyptian flavour of the fusion between royalty and civil lives like River God, even though the taste had deviated and declined a little bit till the saga reached to Desert God. But overall Pharaoh is a success and quite better than Desert God. For an Ancient Egypt lover, i will recommend it any day.
Any one interested in Egyptian history, would like this historic novel.
One of the special factors about Wilbur Smith's Ancient Egypt series is each of the books has covered an almost next generation of the timeline of it's previous book and each of the books story line tagged along a new ancient region with Egypt. In Pharaoh, Wilbur successfully held on to his typical classic Ancient Egyptian flavour of the fusion between royalty and civil lives like River God, even though the taste had deviated and declined a little bit till the saga reached to Desert God. But overall Pharaoh is a success and quite better than Desert God. For an Ancient Egypt lover, i will recommend it any day.
Any one interested in Egyptian history, would like this historic novel.
October 18, 2016
Pharaoh is my first venture both into the world of Wilbur Smith as well as historical fiction surrounding Egypt. I find Egypt to be fascinating, the time, effort and planning that was required to build their ancient buildings without modern technology that we take for granted; buildings that are still standing today – it is simply awe inspiring. I still remember a question that an old university professor asked, “What did the ancient Egyptians have that helped them build their great monuments that we lack today?” With a baffled class, he simply said, “Patience.”. Enough of my babbling.
Pharaoh is book six in Wilbur Smith’s Ancient Egypt series, but don’t worry, it easily stands alone. After reading Pharaoh, it is easy to understand why Wilbur Smith has a veritable cornucopia of titles attached to his name. Pharaoh captured my attention right from the start and never let me go. It had everything that I would have wanted in a historical fiction book: epic battle, political intrigue, gruesome deaths and larger than life characters. Pharaoh was Homeric in every way possible.
Wilbur Smith’s greatest strength is the characters that he creates. They are over-the-top and larger than life; they are characters where the heroes take center stage and everyone else is just lucky to be in the same place at the same time. It took me a while to figure out Taita. In the end, I decided that his self- important egoism was meant to act as comic relief. He is an incredible character, who not only kept me chuckling and turning the page, but he drove the story forward like a champion chariot driver.
I love it when I come across authors like Wilbur Smith. Not only have I read a fabulously constructed story, but there are now so many more to add to my TBR list.
* I received a copy of the book from the publisher (via Edelweiss) in exchange for an honest review.
Pharaoh is book six in Wilbur Smith’s Ancient Egypt series, but don’t worry, it easily stands alone. After reading Pharaoh, it is easy to understand why Wilbur Smith has a veritable cornucopia of titles attached to his name. Pharaoh captured my attention right from the start and never let me go. It had everything that I would have wanted in a historical fiction book: epic battle, political intrigue, gruesome deaths and larger than life characters. Pharaoh was Homeric in every way possible.
Wilbur Smith’s greatest strength is the characters that he creates. They are over-the-top and larger than life; they are characters where the heroes take center stage and everyone else is just lucky to be in the same place at the same time. It took me a while to figure out Taita. In the end, I decided that his self- important egoism was meant to act as comic relief. He is an incredible character, who not only kept me chuckling and turning the page, but he drove the story forward like a champion chariot driver.
I love it when I come across authors like Wilbur Smith. Not only have I read a fabulously constructed story, but there are now so many more to add to my TBR list.
* I received a copy of the book from the publisher (via Edelweiss) in exchange for an honest review.
October 4, 2016
Loved it, all of the
Ancient Egyptian serious is soooo good..
What a Master Wilbur Smith is .
Ancient Egyptian serious is soooo good..
What a Master Wilbur Smith is .
June 3, 2019
Egito, Terra de Aventura
Egito, belo Egito... terra de pirâmides, múmias, esfinges, faraós, escravos, sarcófagos, Nilo... todo ele transpira aventura.
Preparem-se pois, para aterrar no Velho Egito, e assistir a traições e batalhas corpo a corpo, com muito bronze e à moda antiga!
Wilbur Smith não nos deixa adormecer 😉👍👏
Egito, belo Egito... terra de pirâmides, múmias, esfinges, faraós, escravos, sarcófagos, Nilo... todo ele transpira aventura.
Preparem-se pois, para aterrar no Velho Egito, e assistir a traições e batalhas corpo a corpo, com muito bronze e à moda antiga!
Wilbur Smith não nos deixa adormecer 😉👍👏
October 8, 2016
EDITED:
I've only just started this book, so I'm a little bit confused..... Didn't Pharaoh Tamose, son of Lostris, die in Warlock, killed with an arrow shot by Lord Naja. And then his son Nefer fights to become Pharaoh, overthrowing Naja who has taken his place and married one of Nefer's sisters?
And yet now in this book, Tamose is dying again, with no mention of Nefer but having at least 2 other sons, never mentioned in Warlock?!?!
I mean, I know this series went off into the crazy a little bit with "The Quest" and "Desert God" but come on!!!! I love Ancient Egypt, thought "River God" and "Warlock" were brilliant books but there's no continuity in this new sequel.....
I'm disappointed in this book already.
AND! Isn't Luxor the modern name for Thebes (Waset, to the ancient Egyptians)?
Well, I've finished it, after forcing my way through it and was hugely disappointed. Like I said before, I loved River God, it was the first historical fiction book I read, Warlock was just as good and Seventh Scroll was odd but interesting, but I feel like it should have ended there.
In this book, Taita is full of himself, there's minimal acknowledgement of Egyptian gods, but mentions of Zeus, Hades, Apollo, Artemis etc. Which is understandable on his visit to Sparta (even though Zaras and his Queen were Egyptian...), but when Taita would speak of someone being sent to Hades when they died? He's supposed to be EGYPTIAN!
And Pharaohin when referring to the Pharaoh's wife and Queen?!?! I'm no Egyptologist, and I know authors of Fiction are supposed to take a few liberties, but the made up word really annoyed me every time it was used. Serrena, or as her chosen throne name Cleopatra, (which she wouldn't have because Queens didn't take a throne name) would be referred to as the Pharaoh's Great/Chief Wife....
sorry for the rant, but this book deserved it!
Well, I've finished it, after forcing my way through it and was hugely disappointed. Like I said before, I loved River God, it was the first historical fiction book I read, Warlock was just as good and Seventh Scroll was odd but interesting, but I feel like it should have ended there.
In this book, Taita is full of himself, there's minimal acknowledgement of Egyptian gods, but mentions of Zeus, Hades, Apollo, Artemis etc. Which is understandable on his visit to Sparta (even though Zaras and his Queen were Egyptian...), but when Taita would speak of someone being sent to Hades when they died? He's supposed to be EGYPTIAN!
And Pharaohin when referring to the Pharaoh's wife and Queen?!?! I'm no Egyptologist, and I know authors of Fiction are supposed to take a few liberties, but the made up word really annoyed me every time it was used. Serrena, or as her chosen throne name Cleopatra, (which she wouldn't have because Queens didn't take a throne name) would be referred to as the Pharaoh's Great/Chief Wife....
sorry for the rant, but this book deserved it!
November 23, 2016
A lot has happened since I read this book. My dad got very sick and eventually passed away, so I am finally getting around to posting my review. It probably won't be as good as the one I originally wanted to post when my thoughts weren't suddenly put through a ringer, but here it is:
I enjoyed this book, but nowhere near as much as "River God". It does seem like the author has gotten away from his much better writing from back then. Some reviewers believe he may have a ghost writer. I don't know, it's just not as good as his previous works. With that being said, I still liked it. Taita is as vain as ever, which does get on ones nerves every so often, but you have to understand that that has always been his character. Also, there seems to be some contention that one of the characters in this book has previously been killed in a prior book. I can't remember that far back, but that seems right. It didn't seem to bother me so much though, I just went with it. Just think of it as an alternate timeline or something.
To anyone else who has read the book, I have a question: Is it just me, or did the story seem to be a bit familiar? Maybe it was because I had finished watching the movie, "Troy", with Brad Pitt, but the storyline seemed just a bit like the story of Helen of Troy. I'm not saying it was exactly like it...just some similarities.
Anyway, I'm rambling. Kept my interest enough for me to give it 4 stars. I guess I'll never get tired of this series. I might just have to read "River God" again.
I enjoyed this book, but nowhere near as much as "River God". It does seem like the author has gotten away from his much better writing from back then. Some reviewers believe he may have a ghost writer. I don't know, it's just not as good as his previous works. With that being said, I still liked it. Taita is as vain as ever, which does get on ones nerves every so often, but you have to understand that that has always been his character. Also, there seems to be some contention that one of the characters in this book has previously been killed in a prior book. I can't remember that far back, but that seems right. It didn't seem to bother me so much though, I just went with it. Just think of it as an alternate timeline or something.
To anyone else who has read the book, I have a question: Is it just me, or did the story seem to be a bit familiar? Maybe it was because I had finished watching the movie, "Troy", with Brad Pitt, but the storyline seemed just a bit like the story of Helen of Troy. I'm not saying it was exactly like it...just some similarities.
Anyway, I'm rambling. Kept my interest enough for me to give it 4 stars. I guess I'll never get tired of this series. I might just have to read "River God" again.
May 24, 2018
Ευχάριστο μεν, προβλέψιμο δε. Εάν δεν έχεις διαβάσει άλλα του ιδίου συγγραφέα, προφανώς θα σ΄ ενθουσιάσει. Για όσους όμως έχουν ... γνωριστεί μαζί του, περίμεννα το κάτι παραπάνω. Όχι ότι δεν περάσαμε καλά διαβάζοντας τον Φαραώ. Αλλά σαν να ξαναδιαβάζαμε τα προηγούμενα βιβλία ...
August 12, 2022
Pretty good again but somehow a bit different not sure if it is the ghost writing some are referring too?
March 23, 2017
This is one of the worst books I have ever finished - and I only persevered because it was a hardback and I had paid real money for it. I normally love Wilbur Smith - and his fabulously original creation Taita. But what has happened to them? Both Wilbur Smith and Taita are usually witty, subtle and endearing. In this book I didn't recognise Taita at all - he was a 2-dimensional action hero - and the prose just had no elegance at all. The plot was contrived, the historical detail suspect, and even the gods appeared to be Greek rather than Egyptian! What a disappointment.
September 7, 2024
No me gusta, igual es porque es mitad de la saga y me falta leer los primeros pero no logran gustarme los personajes ni su historia.
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June 24, 2018Είστε για ένα ταξίδι στην Αρχαία Αίγυπτο με φόντο τα νερά του ποταμού Νείλου και τις πυραμίδες; Αν ναι, δεν έχετε παρά να επιλέξετε κάποιο από τα βιβλία της σειράς του Wilbur Smith. Εμείς διαλέξαμε το έκτο και μέχρι στιγμής τελευταίο βιβλίο αυτής της ευφάνταστης σειράς με τίτλο «Φαραώ». Ταξιδέψαμε στην Αίγυπτο των αρχαίων χρόνων τότε που βασίλευαν οι φαραώ και οι άνθρωποι πίστευαν στους θεούς Ίσις, Ανούβις, Ώρος, Άθωρ, Όσιρις και έχτιζαν όλα εκείνα τα εντυπωσιακά οικοδομήματα που επισκεπτόμαστε εμείς στη σύγχρονη εποχή.
Η πλοκή του βιβλίου διαδραματίζεται στην αρχαία πόλη Λούξορ και καθώς ξεκινάει η αφήγηση ανακαλύπτουμε ότι ο φαραώ Ταμώς έχει πληγωθεί θανάσιμα από εχθρικό βέλος ενώ η πόλη είναι περικυκλωμένη και πολιορκείται βάναυσα από τη φυλή των Υξώς. Ο στρατηγός του στρατού του Ταμώς και πρώην σκλάβος Τάϊτα ετοιμάζεται για την τελευταία φονική επίθεση του εχθρού. Και ενώ όλα δείχνουν ότι θα χάσουν τη μάχη αλλά και την πόλη του Λούξορ εμφανίζεται από το πουθενά ένα απρόσμενος σύμμαχος και αντιστρέφει την κατάσταση. Ο φαραώ Ταμώς όμως έχει υποκύψει στα τραύματα του, ένας νέος φαραώ αναρριχάται στον θρόνο και ο Τάϊτα φυλακίζεται με την κατ��γορία της εσχάτης προδοσίας.
Ο Ουτέρικ, είναι ένας αδύναμος νεαρός αλλά ιδιαίτερα σκληρός φαραώ ο οποίος αισθάνεται ότι απειλείται από την επιρροή του Τάϊτα μέσα στο παλάτι. Η φιλία του στρατηγού Τάϊτα με τον Ραμσή, τον μικρότερο αδελφό του Ουτέρικ και πιο άξιο διάδοχο του θρόνου είναι επίσης ένα γεγονός που σπρώχνει τον φαραώ στα άκρα. Ο Ραμσής, μετά τη φυλάκιση του Τάϊτα θα βρεθεί μπροστά σε ένα δίλημμα με μια μόνο επιλογή… Ή θα απαρνηθεί τον αδελφό του και θα ελευθερώσει τον στρατηγό ή θα παραμείνει σιωπηλός και θα αποδεχτεί το νέο καθεστώς τυραννίας. Για ένα άνθρωπο γεμάτο καλοσύνη όπως είναι ο Ραμσής η απάντηση είναι ιδιαίτερα εύκολη. Οφείλει να απελευθερώσει τον Τάϊτα και να ανακτήσει την Αίγυπτο.
Και η περιπέτεια ξεκινά…
Ο Wilbur Smith έχει το όνομα του καλύτερου ιστορικού μυθιστοριογράφου και μάλιστα από τον μέγα Stephen King. Και δεν μπορώ παρά να συμφωνήσω μαζί του καθώς έχει ένα ιδιαίτερο χάρισμα. Καταφέρνει να ζωντανέψει μπροστά στα μάτια των αναγνωστών του μια εποχή που ανήκει στη σφαίρα της μυθολογίας προσφέροντας μας ένα ταξίδι άνευ προηγουμένου. Οι περιγραφές του είναι τόσο παραστατικές και λεπτομερείς που αισθάνεσαι ότι γίνεσαι κι εσύ μέρος της πλοκής του βιβλίου. Η γραφή του ακολουθεί κινηματογραφική ροή και όσο βυθίζεσαι στην αφήγηση της ιστορίας έχεις την αίσθηση ότι παρακολουθείς μια επική ταινία.
Οι αναφορές του στη βασίλισσα Κλεοπάτρα, στον βασιλιά Ευρώτα της Λακεδαιμονίας, στους θεούς του Ολύμπου και των αρχαίων Αιγυπτίων, στη θεϊκή υπόσταση των ανθρώπων που έχουν γεννηθεί από θεούς και στα τεράστια και άκρως μαγευτικά οικοδομήματα απλά συνθέτει ένα ολοκληρωμένο μυθιστόρημα φαντασίας. Οι επικές μάχες, οι πολιτικές ίντριγκες, οι φρικιαστικοί θάνατοι και οι χαρακτήρες που η ηλικία τους ξεπερνά κατά πολύ τα φυσιολογικά δεδομένα δεν θα μπορούσαν να λείπουν από τις σελίδες του βιβλίου καθώς ήταν χαρακτηριστικά στοιχεία εκείνης της εποχής. Παρ’ όλα αυτά διακρίνουμε μια σύγχρονη χροιά στη γραφή του Smith γεγονός που κάνει ιδιαίτερα ευκολοδιάβαστα τα βιβλία του.
Η φαντασία του Smith ξεχειλίζει σε όλες τις σελίδες του βιβλίου και μπλέκει ιστορικά και φανταστικά στοιχεία με μια ιδιαίτερη ευκολία αναταράσσοντας τα νερά της μυθολογικής ιστορίας που γνωρίζουμε μέχρι σήμερα δημιουργώντας ένα βιβλίο επικών διαστάσεων. Η αφήγηση του περιλαμβάνει μυστήριο, δολοπλοκίες, έρωτες, μίση και πάθη αλλά και δράση, ένταση και αγωνία σε μια ιστορία που αναδεικνύει τον συγγραφέα σε έναν εξαιρετικό παραμυθά. Αδράξτε την ευκαιρία να κάνετε ένα ταξίδι στο χρόνο διαβάζοντας ένα βιβλίο που θα σας μεταφέρει σε μια άλλη εποχή η οποία έχει αφήσει πίσω της τα χνάρια της ιστορικής και τεχνολογικής μας εξέλιξης και μας κάνει να κοιτάμε με δέος τα γιγαντιαία υπολείμματα της μέσα από το πρίσμα του σύγχρονου τρόπου ζωής του σήμερα.
Η πλοκή του βιβλίου διαδραματίζεται στην αρχαία πόλη Λούξορ και καθώς ξεκινάει η αφήγηση ανακαλύπτουμε ότι ο φαραώ Ταμώς έχει πληγωθεί θανάσιμα από εχθρικό βέλος ενώ η πόλη είναι περικυκλωμένη και πολιορκείται βάναυσα από τη φυλή των Υξώς. Ο στρατηγός του στρατού του Ταμώς και πρώην σκλάβος Τάϊτα ετοιμάζεται για την τελευταία φονική επίθεση του εχθρού. Και ενώ όλα δείχνουν ότι θα χάσουν τη μάχη αλλά και την πόλη του Λούξορ εμφανίζεται από το πουθενά ένα απρόσμενος σύμμαχος και αντιστρέφει την κατάσταση. Ο φαραώ Ταμώς όμως έχει υποκύψει στα τραύματα του, ένας νέος φαραώ αναρριχάται στον θρόνο και ο Τάϊτα φυλακίζεται με την κατ��γορία της εσχάτης προδοσίας.
Ο Ουτέρικ, είναι ένας αδύναμος νεαρός αλλά ιδιαίτερα σκληρός φαραώ ο οποίος αισθάνεται ότι απειλείται από την επιρροή του Τάϊτα μέσα στο παλάτι. Η φιλία του στρατηγού Τάϊτα με τον Ραμσή, τον μικρότερο αδελφό του Ουτέρικ και πιο άξιο διάδοχο του θρόνου είναι επίσης ένα γεγονός που σπρώχνει τον φαραώ στα άκρα. Ο Ραμσής, μετά τη φυλάκιση του Τάϊτα θα βρεθεί μπροστά σε ένα δίλημμα με μια μόνο επιλογή… Ή θα απαρνηθεί τον αδελφό του και θα ελευθερώσει τον στρατηγό ή θα παραμείνει σιωπηλός και θα αποδεχτεί το νέο καθεστώς τυραννίας. Για ένα άνθρωπο γεμάτο καλοσύνη όπως είναι ο Ραμσής η απάντηση είναι ιδιαίτερα εύκολη. Οφείλει να απελευθερώσει τον Τάϊτα και να ανακτήσει την Αίγυπτο.
Και η περιπέτεια ξεκινά…
Ο Wilbur Smith έχει το όνομα του καλύτερου ιστορικού μυθιστοριογράφου και μάλιστα από τον μέγα Stephen King. Και δεν μπορώ παρά να συμφωνήσω μαζί του καθώς έχει ένα ιδιαίτερο χάρισμα. Καταφέρνει να ζωντανέψει μπροστά στα μάτια των αναγνωστών του μια εποχή που ανήκει στη σφαίρα της μυθολογίας προσφέροντας μας ένα ταξίδι άνευ προηγουμένου. Οι περιγραφές του είναι τόσο παραστατικές και λεπτομερείς που αισθάνεσαι ότι γίνεσαι κι εσύ μέρος της πλοκής του βιβλίου. Η γραφή του ακολουθεί κινηματογραφική ροή και όσο βυθίζεσαι στην αφήγηση της ιστορίας έχεις την αίσθηση ότι παρακολουθείς μια επική ταινία.
Οι αναφορές του στη βασίλισσα Κλεοπάτρα, στον βασιλιά Ευρώτα της Λακεδαιμονίας, στους θεούς του Ολύμπου και των αρχαίων Αιγυπτίων, στη θεϊκή υπόσταση των ανθρώπων που έχουν γεννηθεί από θεούς και στα τεράστια και άκρως μαγευτικά οικοδομήματα απλά συνθέτει ένα ολοκληρωμένο μυθιστόρημα φαντασίας. Οι επικές μάχες, οι πολιτικές ίντριγκες, οι φρικιαστικοί θάνατοι και οι χαρακτήρες που η ηλικία τους ξεπερνά κατά πολύ τα φυσιολογικά δεδομένα δεν θα μπορούσαν να λείπουν από τις σελίδες του βιβλίου καθώς ήταν χαρακτηριστικά στοιχεία εκείνης της εποχής. Παρ’ όλα αυτά διακρίνουμε μια σύγχρονη χροιά στη γραφή του Smith γεγονός που κάνει ιδιαίτερα ευκολοδιάβαστα τα βιβλία του.
Η φαντασία του Smith ξεχειλίζει σε όλες τις σελίδες του βιβλίου και μπλέκει ιστορικά και φανταστικά στοιχεία με μια ιδιαίτερη ευκολία αναταράσσοντας τα νερά της μυθολογικής ιστορίας που γνωρίζουμε μέχρι σήμερα δημιουργώντας ένα βιβλίο επικών διαστάσεων. Η αφήγηση του περιλαμβάνει μυστήριο, δολοπλοκίες, έρωτες, μίση και πάθη αλλά και δράση, ένταση και αγωνία σε μια ιστορία που αναδεικνύει τον συγγραφέα σε έναν εξαιρετικό παραμυθά. Αδράξτε την ευκαιρία να κάνετε ένα ταξίδι στο χρόνο διαβάζοντας ένα βιβλίο που θα σας μεταφέρει σε μια άλλη εποχή η οποία έχει αφήσει πίσω της τα χνάρια της ιστορικής και τεχνολογικής μας εξέλιξης και μας κάνει να κοιτάμε με δέος τα γιγαντιαία υπολείμματα της μέσα από το πρίσμα του σύγχρονου τρόπου ζωής του σήμερα.
June 3, 2017
This is my first novel by Wilbur smith ...I defiantly will be getting the rest . I enjoyed the historical references and characters ! Well worth the wait for the paperback
November 15, 2017
The sixth novel in Wilbur Smith’s Ancient Egypt series finds Taita, our beloved narrator and falsely modest ex-slave and long-liver, once again embroiled in political turmoil, king (pharaoh) making, war-leader activities, and overall strategic thinking and plotting. When Pharaoh Tamose is mortally wounded, his oldest son and heir, Utteric, takes his place. Unfortunately, Utteric is one weak, cruel, slimey, and pretty-much evil incarnate human being so it is not surprising that he upends everything previous pharaohs (with Taita’s firm guidance) have achieved and casts out all of his enemies. Taita flees to Crete and meets with former allies from previous books and their grown children in an effort to take back Egypt from the tyrant.
I tend to agree with many reviewers that the first three novels in this series are wonderful books, (especially the first book, River God) and the rest, so far, have suffered in comparison. However, the later books in the series still have much to offer in the way of good ol’ fashioned adventure. The series has long since given up on any sort of historical reality and fully embraced the fantasy/supernatural element. In this book alone, there are interactions between humans and demi-gods, not to mention the presence of “divines”.
So as long as that is the sort of story you are expecting going in, I think there is plenty to appreciate here. The characters are interesting and the prose is full and exciting and results in a page-turning read. The plot was fairly predictable however and there is very little doubt as to the eventual outcome but, nevertheless, it is fun to see how the whole thing unfolds. Some reviewers are taken aback by Taita’s false modesty and downright boasting but that is entirely consistent with the rest of the series and rings true for the character. My purpose is not to disparage others’ opinions but I have to wonder why they are still reading book six of a series if they don’t care for the main POV character. To me, it is not a negative sort of boasting at all and lends great humor to these novels. It’s sort of the main point after all: watching Taita rise from his roots as a slave to be the ultimate power behind the throne, influencing and even directing all of the major accomplishments of perhaps the greatest civilization in human history.
Regardless, I do recommend readers start with the first book in the series, River God, and proceed from there.
I tend to agree with many reviewers that the first three novels in this series are wonderful books, (especially the first book, River God) and the rest, so far, have suffered in comparison. However, the later books in the series still have much to offer in the way of good ol’ fashioned adventure. The series has long since given up on any sort of historical reality and fully embraced the fantasy/supernatural element. In this book alone, there are interactions between humans and demi-gods, not to mention the presence of “divines”.
So as long as that is the sort of story you are expecting going in, I think there is plenty to appreciate here. The characters are interesting and the prose is full and exciting and results in a page-turning read. The plot was fairly predictable however and there is very little doubt as to the eventual outcome but, nevertheless, it is fun to see how the whole thing unfolds. Some reviewers are taken aback by Taita’s false modesty and downright boasting but that is entirely consistent with the rest of the series and rings true for the character. My purpose is not to disparage others’ opinions but I have to wonder why they are still reading book six of a series if they don’t care for the main POV character. To me, it is not a negative sort of boasting at all and lends great humor to these novels. It’s sort of the main point after all: watching Taita rise from his roots as a slave to be the ultimate power behind the throne, influencing and even directing all of the major accomplishments of perhaps the greatest civilization in human history.
Regardless, I do recommend readers start with the first book in the series, River God, and proceed from there.
October 27, 2023
"È questa la maledizione del vivere molto a lungo: sopravvivi a tutte le persone che ami".
Una sola parola: spettacolare! Non è mai stato un mistero che questa saga è la mia preferita di Wilbur Smith (libri tutti bellissimi… tranne uno: Alle fonti del Nilo , il 4° della serie) e, visto che con questo 6° volume le vicende di Taita sembrano giunte all'epilogo finale, quasi quasi, ora che ho finito di leggerlo, mi sento come se avessi appena perso qualcuno o qualcosa a cui ero affezionato.
Ancora una volta, anzi per l'ennesima volta, il libro ti cattura per la bellissima trama (infarcita ben bene ed in egual misura di intrighi politici, tradimenti ed amore), per l'ottima caratterizzazione dei personaggi e per la straordinaria descrizione dei paesaggi.
[https://lastanzadiantonio.blogspot.co...]
Una sola parola: spettacolare! Non è mai stato un mistero che questa saga è la mia preferita di Wilbur Smith (libri tutti bellissimi… tranne uno: Alle fonti del Nilo , il 4° della serie) e, visto che con questo 6° volume le vicende di Taita sembrano giunte all'epilogo finale, quasi quasi, ora che ho finito di leggerlo, mi sento come se avessi appena perso qualcuno o qualcosa a cui ero affezionato.
Ancora una volta, anzi per l'ennesima volta, il libro ti cattura per la bellissima trama (infarcita ben bene ed in egual misura di intrighi politici, tradimenti ed amore), per l'ottima caratterizzazione dei personaggi e per la straordinaria descrizione dei paesaggi.
[https://lastanzadiantonio.blogspot.co...]
November 10, 2016
I have enjoyed the books of Wilbur Smith for most of my life. He is one of very few authors whose works I have collected in hardcover.
His books no longer appeal to me as they once did. I suspect my taste has changed as I have grown older, and perhaps Wilbur's writing is now reflecting his age and no longer the equal of his earlier works.
Nonetheless, I still enjoy visiting with my old friend who has given me many hours of entertainment over the years.
Thank you, Wilbur Smith.
His books no longer appeal to me as they once did. I suspect my taste has changed as I have grown older, and perhaps Wilbur's writing is now reflecting his age and no longer the equal of his earlier works.
Nonetheless, I still enjoy visiting with my old friend who has given me many hours of entertainment over the years.
Thank you, Wilbur Smith.
July 25, 2017
This book is crap. I'm amazed I stuck with this series. Never mind the glaring inconsistencies from book to book, the man is contradicting him self from page to page in this one!!! Nothing makes sense. And there are so many repetitive sections. Was he hoping to run rings around us, to hide the rubbish and threadbare plot? So glad I'm at the end of this series. I sincerely hope to never have to re join it.
October 3, 2018
At 25% done, I am out.
The narrator is just awful; he is saved from death but complains about the tunic he was given because it doesn't go with his eyes. Add to that the descriptions ("She breasted boobily" comes to mind), I just give up.
This could be interesting, sure, if it had a different narrator, one that wasn't so stuck so far into his own genitals.
The narrator is just awful; he is saved from death but complains about the tunic he was given because it doesn't go with his eyes. Add to that the descriptions ("She breasted boobily" comes to mind), I just give up.
This could be interesting, sure, if it had a different narrator, one that wasn't so stuck so far into his own genitals.
October 2, 2019
Τα πρώτα βιβλία αυτής της σειρας με είχαν μαγέψει. Το προηγούμενο και αυτό απλά αναμασάνε τα ίδια πράγματα. 3 αστεράκια και πολλά και αυτό λόγω καλού πρότερου βίου.
October 10, 2019
Μόνο και μόνο γιατί ήταν διασκεδαστικά κακό
June 14, 2023
Great to be back in Egypt with Taita! Not my favourite of the series but still a solid entry
May 18, 2017
I have been a big fan of Wilbur Smith but this book was really disappointing. Normally i rate Smith's books with at least four stars but I really want to give this book just one star but because it is Wilbur Smith I have given it an extra star.
I am well and truly fed up with reading about Taita. This man can do no wrong and the whole book goes on adnauseum about how perfect he is. I felt like the story missed a lot of Smith's usual mesmerizing excitement but just waffled on about a bunch of nothing. If someone wants to read Wilbur Smith books, do not start with this book as it really isn't a good example of this master story teller.
The beginning of the story was good with Taita returning to Egypt to welcome the new Pharaoh Utteric after winning a war against their enemy and then being thrown into prison after being branded as a traitor. After that, the story goes downhill when Taita miraculously escapes. he endeavours to put the rightful heir Rameses and his new bride Serrena Cleopatra on the throne.
I didn't find this story to be intense or powerful as many reviews state and I truly hope Taita has finally been put to rest.
I am well and truly fed up with reading about Taita. This man can do no wrong and the whole book goes on adnauseum about how perfect he is. I felt like the story missed a lot of Smith's usual mesmerizing excitement but just waffled on about a bunch of nothing. If someone wants to read Wilbur Smith books, do not start with this book as it really isn't a good example of this master story teller.
The beginning of the story was good with Taita returning to Egypt to welcome the new Pharaoh Utteric after winning a war against their enemy and then being thrown into prison after being branded as a traitor. After that, the story goes downhill when Taita miraculously escapes. he endeavours to put the rightful heir Rameses and his new bride Serrena Cleopatra on the throne.
I didn't find this story to be intense or powerful as many reviews state and I truly hope Taita has finally been put to rest.
August 28, 2017
I could not finish this book. I had a hard time getting into the story as it's written in 1st person and I don't think this type of book should be. I'm disappointed bc I love Ancient Egypt and was really excited hoping this would be good.
October 1, 2019
Quanta carta sprecata... e quasi tutta per esaltare le fantastiche doti del vecchio (ma sempre giovane) caro Taita e dei suoi eroi di turno: Rameses e Serrena Cleopatra.
Storia che ha poca, pochissima sostanza: fare di tutto per distruggere l’usurpatore pazzo e crudele del trono d’Egitto, per acclamare infine l’erede legittimo del Regno, bellissimo, saggio e forte più di un dio, accompagnato dalla Regina, ragazza saggia, semidea e, manco a dirlo!, bellissima e forte come una dea, anzi di più!
Eppure, ogni tanto, durante le sfide, le incursioni e le battaglie, mi è piaciuto tornare a fare il tifo per gli Egiziani.
Valutazione effettiva: 2,5.
Mi dispiace, Wilbur, ma ho paura che siano finiti i tempi d’oro de Il dio del fiume e de Il settimo papiro.
🌍 LdM-> Egitto 🇪🇬
📚 RC 2019 - Lo scaffale traboccante
📶 RC 2019 - Effetto Domino
📚 RC 2019 - Abbatti la TBR task 21
🌍 Africa: Egitto 🇪🇬
✍️ W.S.
Storia che ha poca, pochissima sostanza: fare di tutto per distruggere l’usurpatore pazzo e crudele del trono d’Egitto, per acclamare infine l’erede legittimo del Regno, bellissimo, saggio e forte più di un dio, accompagnato dalla Regina, ragazza saggia, semidea e, manco a dirlo!, bellissima e forte come una dea, anzi di più!
Eppure, ogni tanto, durante le sfide, le incursioni e le battaglie, mi è piaciuto tornare a fare il tifo per gli Egiziani.
Valutazione effettiva: 2,5.
Mi dispiace, Wilbur, ma ho paura che siano finiti i tempi d’oro de Il dio del fiume e de Il settimo papiro.
🌍 LdM-> Egitto 🇪🇬
📚 RC 2019 - Lo scaffale traboccante
📶 RC 2019 - Effetto Domino
📚 RC 2019 - Abbatti la TBR task 21
🌍 Africa: Egitto 🇪🇬
✍️ W.S.
March 8, 2023
I found this book to be written too much like a summary It wasn't written like a story which really did not interest me
did-not-finish
March 21, 2017It took me about 10 pages to realize that this book wasn't for me, but I powered on for 70 more just to be sure. And yeah, this is a case of "it's not you, it's me." I picked this up at the library because it's about ancient Egypt, but I knew nothing else about it. Well this is historical fiction in the loosest sense of the word: it has no basis in reality in the characters, plot, and general portrayal of Egyptian life. It's basically low fantasy set in Egypt with made-up Pharaohs and greatly altered history.
It's also ridiculously fast paced. So fast paced that I stopped several times thinking "they did what now?" There's no explanation for any of the actions characters take. For example, our main character sends his share of looting booty off with a friend "reluctantly" but that's all the info we get. Why did he give it to the friend? Why was it reluctantly? Why didn't he just keep it? Was there a reason for this other than (I'm assuming) plot convenience down the line? Who knows. It's literally all action all the time here. Scenes swipe by lightning fast: in the first 70 pages there are 2 epic battles, the looting of a city, the death of a Pharaoh, the rise of a new Pharaoh, the sudden arrival of an unlikely ally, royal betrayal, our main character is jailed & starved, put on trial, and then manages a bold escape. That's like an entire book of content.
Because it's action-action-action there's little character development. Then again, this is apparently book 6 in a series (something I didn't know going on, but you can definitely start with this one--there are recaps) so maybe development happens in later books? I just didn't feel like I knew anyone. Or rather, I felt like there was no time to get to know anyone. If you like fast-paced historical fiction that's larger than life, this is probably great. But it's not at all what I want in a book about ancient Egypt. Also the bad guy was really heavily queer coded which I am not okay with.
It's also ridiculously fast paced. So fast paced that I stopped several times thinking "they did what now?" There's no explanation for any of the actions characters take. For example, our main character sends his share of looting booty off with a friend "reluctantly" but that's all the info we get. Why did he give it to the friend? Why was it reluctantly? Why didn't he just keep it? Was there a reason for this other than (I'm assuming) plot convenience down the line? Who knows. It's literally all action all the time here. Scenes swipe by lightning fast: in the first 70 pages there are 2 epic battles, the looting of a city, the death of a Pharaoh, the rise of a new Pharaoh, the sudden arrival of an unlikely ally, royal betrayal, our main character is jailed & starved, put on trial, and then manages a bold escape. That's like an entire book of content.
Because it's action-action-action there's little character development. Then again, this is apparently book 6 in a series (something I didn't know going on, but you can definitely start with this one--there are recaps) so maybe development happens in later books? I just didn't feel like I knew anyone. Or rather, I felt like there was no time to get to know anyone. If you like fast-paced historical fiction that's larger than life, this is probably great. But it's not at all what I want in a book about ancient Egypt. Also the bad guy was really heavily queer coded which I am not okay with.
September 26, 2016
My first exposure to historical fiction was through Wilbur Smith's "River God."
Having read my share of history and geography I found it rewarding to recognize real people, places, and events in a work of fiction. Of course I was delighted when I won the latest edition of Smith's Egyptian series through Goodreads Giveaways.
In "Pharaoh" Smith continues to bring history to life by making it a first person narrative. Other reviewers have said that the book is boring and predictable. Although there is little doubt that the villains will fail and the heroes will triumph, I still enjoyed following them through their adventures.
The narrator, Taita, is a magus. The story contains just enough of the supernatural to qualify this as fantasy fiction without really relying on magic too heavily.
Having read a couple of Wilbur Smith's books, I feel comfortable with them and will definitely keep an eye out for more. But the long sentences and his tendency to state the obvious limit him to three stars.
Having read my share of history and geography I found it rewarding to recognize real people, places, and events in a work of fiction. Of course I was delighted when I won the latest edition of Smith's Egyptian series through Goodreads Giveaways.
In "Pharaoh" Smith continues to bring history to life by making it a first person narrative. Other reviewers have said that the book is boring and predictable. Although there is little doubt that the villains will fail and the heroes will triumph, I still enjoyed following them through their adventures.
The narrator, Taita, is a magus. The story contains just enough of the supernatural to qualify this as fantasy fiction without really relying on magic too heavily.
Having read a couple of Wilbur Smith's books, I feel comfortable with them and will definitely keep an eye out for more. But the long sentences and his tendency to state the obvious limit him to three stars.
September 11, 2018
This is the worst Wilbur Smith book I've ever read.
The constant typos and grammatical errors are forgiveable, although I think readers deserve the benefit of a thorough copy edit no matter who the author. But the delicious could-be-history twists in the earlier Egyptian series books - the caricature of historical Pharaohs, the narrator Taita inventing the first examples of modern machines, and the romanticising of the historical events - has been swallowed up by a complete binning of historical accuracy at all. All sense of direction is confused in the movement of armies around Egypt, while there are apparently two tributaries of the Nile inside Egypt and a whole host of forests! The founding of Sparta and phalanx warfare six centuries early are just as jarring.
That being said, the plot had enough substance and grip to keep me reading to the end, which is what saves this from being a one-star review.
The constant typos and grammatical errors are forgiveable, although I think readers deserve the benefit of a thorough copy edit no matter who the author. But the delicious could-be-history twists in the earlier Egyptian series books - the caricature of historical Pharaohs, the narrator Taita inventing the first examples of modern machines, and the romanticising of the historical events - has been swallowed up by a complete binning of historical accuracy at all. All sense of direction is confused in the movement of armies around Egypt, while there are apparently two tributaries of the Nile inside Egypt and a whole host of forests! The founding of Sparta and phalanx warfare six centuries early are just as jarring.
That being said, the plot had enough substance and grip to keep me reading to the end, which is what saves this from being a one-star review.
November 9, 2016
I was reading and re-reading Wilbur Smith's books for over 25 years. They hold the power to engage and captivate but the last few (the Ancient Egypt and the Hector Cross series) weren't at all that good. The Pharaoh in particular reads like something a middle-school student might have written.
With all the due respect, Mr. Smith enjoyed a long and proliferate writing career and his earlier books, especially the Courtneys and the Ballantyne series, were deservedly translated into many languages and sold millions of copies worldwide. However, it's important to know when to stop. Now it feels like publishers expect his name alone to sell whatever the quality of a book may be. That is not fair to readers and Mr. Smith himself.
Honestly, it looks like flogging a dead horse and it needs to stop.
With all the due respect, Mr. Smith enjoyed a long and proliferate writing career and his earlier books, especially the Courtneys and the Ballantyne series, were deservedly translated into many languages and sold millions of copies worldwide. However, it's important to know when to stop. Now it feels like publishers expect his name alone to sell whatever the quality of a book may be. That is not fair to readers and Mr. Smith himself.
Honestly, it looks like flogging a dead horse and it needs to stop.
October 27, 2016
Wilbur Smith is one of my most favorite authors and his Egyptian series of novels are my favorites among his books. However, I found this book lacking in length and depth compared to his previous storytelling; I'm left wanting more to the story and weary of the task of once again waiting for more of Taita's exploits. I have never rated at WS book with a measly 3 stars before.
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