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El séptimo papiro

(Ancient Egypt #2)

Wilbur Smith,

Daniel Zadunaisky (Translator)

4.12 · Rating details · 16,543 ratings · 580 reviews

Wilbur Smith ofrece una vez más una historia desbordante de suspenso, romance y acción.
Cuatro mil años después de la muerte del faraón Mamóse, sigue sin hallarse su tumba, en la que fue enterrado un tesoro de incalculable valor. Para llegar hasta ese desconocido lugar y devolver al pueblo egipcio su patrimonio histórico, Duraid Al Simma y su esposa Royan intentan descifrar ...more

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Paperback, 536 pages

Published July 2006 by Booket (first published 1995)

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Nov 10, 2015 Lizzy rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: stars-4, crime-mystery, egypt

There are moments that I feel like reading something light and entertaining. What could be better than an adventure-treasure hunting suspense? That is exactly what Wilbur Smith, a masterful writer of such stories, created in The Seventh Scroll. It is about the archaeological quest and discovery of the lost Pharaohs Mamose's tomb. The action sets off swiftly in Egypt moves to England to end up in Ethiopia. There are very believable and engaging characters, good and honorable or totally evil. For ...more

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Jun 23, 2016 Werner rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Recommends it for: Indiana Jones fans; adventure fans generally

Shelves: action-adventure

In the 1994 opening novel of his Ancient Egypt series, River God, (which I haven't read) veteran South African novelist Wilbur Smith depicts the fictional Pharaoh Mamose finding a temporary refuge, with some of his people, from the invading Hyskos in the valley of Ethiopia's Blue Nile --a region that's wild and largely unexplored even in modern times. This novel presupposes the events of the earlier one; but although it's billed as the second book of the series, it takes place nearly 4,000 years In the 1994 opening novel of his Ancient Egypt series, River God, (which I haven't read) veteran South African novelist Wilbur Smith depicts the fictional Pharaoh Mamose finding a temporary refuge, with some of his people, from the invading Hyskos in the valley of Ethiopia's Blue Nile --a region that's wild and largely unexplored even in modern times. This novel presupposes the events of the earlier one; but although it's billed as the second book of the series, it takes place nearly 4,000 years later, in the author's present, and can be read as a stand-alone (any information about the earlier events that the reader needs is supplied in the text of this book).

While excavating the tomb of Mamose's queen Lostris, archaeologists Duraid al-Simma and his beautiful (and much younger) Anglo-Egyptian wife Royan have unearthed ten scrolls written by the queen's scribe Taita. The seventh scroll provides clues to Mamose's Ethiopian resting place, with its treasures. But knowledge of these clues has fallen into the hands of a ruthless, wealthy and powerful antiquities collector who's not about to let minor things like laws against murder and theft keep him from adding this loot to his private collection. When Duraid is killed early on, and the scroll stolen, Royan must follow his dying instructions by joining forces with another wealthy collector, widowed adventurer Sir Nicholas Quentin-Harper (who's much closer to her age) to find the tomb before her husband's killers do. There's a complication, though. Royan wants to turn the treasure over to the proper authorities. But while Nicholas, like Royan, wants himself and her to be first at the tomb, and is ethical enough (unlike their competition) to not hurt any innocents --and chivalrous enough to protect Royan as gallantly as she could wish-- he has ambitions to add the find to HIS collection. So our heroine and hero here are working partly as allies --but partly at cross purposes, too, which makes for an interesting battle of wits. (And Cupid may complicate things, too....)

Smith's reputation is as a popular novelist of action-adventure fiction, much of it set in his native Africa, delivering excitement and suspense. I've never read any of his other work, except for a Reader's Digest condensed version of The Sunbird, but this (his 25th novel) would suggest that his reputation is deserved. He also provides convincing characters, a well-constructed plot, and realistic (sometimes wryly humorous) dialogue. Where appropriate, his descriptions are vivid, and he has an obviously considerable knowledge of African history, culture and geography, which he draws on to enrich the book. In the best tradition of action-adventure fiction, he views his characters' actions in terms of a moral code that accurately distinguishes between good and evil. (While religion isn't a major theme here, Royan and some other characters are Coptic Christians who take their faith seriously, and Smith treats it respectfully.)

As Smith depicts him, Nicholas had (before his marriage) a womanizing past, which he appears to be furnished with in order to establish his virility credentials, in the misguided assumption that this will make him more swoon-worthy to female readers. (If they have much sense, it won't!) But despite what movie raters would describe as "some sensuality," the central romantic plot here is clean, and the only explicit sexual content involves the villain. (This is disgusting, but it's intended to be.) There's some profanity in the book, but not a lot, and no obscenity that I can recall. Some of the violence is extensive and gruesome (and my oldest daughter, who's read more of Smith's work than I have, reports that this is characteristic), but it was nothing I couldn't handle.

Most fans of action-adventure, IMO, would find this right up their alley! It also has the advantage of essentially being a stand-alone, and not sucking the reader into a potentially long series. ...more

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Feb 07, 2009 Bettie rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: re-read, afr-ethiopia, winter-20122013, published-1995, treasure, afr-egypt, epic-proportions, ancient-history, series, fraudio

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Sep 02, 2010 Benjamin Thomas rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-fiction, thriller-historical

"The Seventh Scroll", by Wilbur Smith is the follow-up to "River God", one of the best historical novels I have read in a very long time. "The Seventh Scroll" was meant to be read after "River God" but it is not exactly a sequel. It actually takes place in the present day with a couple of archeologist types who are out to discover the hidden tombs that were depicted in the first book. What an intriguing concept! What we got to live through before is now seen through the eyes of history, includin "The Seventh Scroll", by Wilbur Smith is the follow-up to "River God", one of the best historical novels I have read in a very long time. "The Seventh Scroll" was meant to be read after "River God" but it is not exactly a sequel. It actually takes place in the present day with a couple of archeologist types who are out to discover the hidden tombs that were depicted in the first book. What an intriguing concept! What we got to live through before is now seen through the eyes of history, including all the distortions of history that are bound to happen. Afterall, what we assume to be true through archeological research isn't necessarily the way it really happened.

The author does another intriguing thing in this book. He inserts himself into his own fiction, having a main character refer to Wilbur Smith as having authored the fictional "River God" from information uncovered in the first 6 scrolls found in the tomb. Of course it is the 7th scroll that the characters are after in this second book. This leads to some funny moments as the two main protagonists argue about just how accurate Wilbur Smith was in the first book; one of them goes so far as to dismiss Mr Smith as a hack writer who changes the historical record in order to include more sex and violence. It's a twisted loop whereby an author actually negatively critques his own work...I guess you have to be pretty secure in your own writing career to do that. Regardless, it works wonderfully here.

The book itself was only slightly less enjoyable than the first. When you get right down to it, this is a pretty straight forward adventure/treasure hunting story along the likes of "Romancing the Stone". But Wilbur Smith is an outstanding writer who has a knack for making you read just a little more and then still more despite any deadlines you may have to deal with. You know the two main characters will hook up by the end but its not predictable how that happens. The dangerous scenes in the book are really dangerous and the suspense is spot on. As for historical accuracy...everything sure seemed to be accurate based on my limited knowledge of ancient Egypt and my trip to that country a few years ago. I hadn't planned on reading this series this year but now I am already looking forward to the third book, "Warlock", where we get to return to the ancient times and see what happens next!
...more

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May 15, 2010 Bex rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: own

By now, I have read this book about 4 times which tells you how much I loved it. Smith has written a beautiful, adventerous story about love, greed, death and courage. It takes place in a few different places, starting in Egypt, moving its way to England and then to Ethiopia. Wilbur Smith created wonderful characters, both lovable and detestable. The basic plot of the story is that a tomb found in Egypt reveals seven scrolls, the last scroll containing cryptic clues to the burial site of an anci ...more

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Aug 31, 2015 Tanja Berg rated it it was ok · review of another edition

Shelves: thriller

Abandoned at page 313. I made the mistake of taking a break and after picking the book up again I simply could not care less about what happens. It's not badly written and I'm sure the clues to the pharao's untouched grave might be more fun if I had read "River Gods". As it is, there is just so much repetition I just can't take anymore. In fact, this book has put me entirely off reading, which rarely happens. I hardly know what to do with myself! I don't expect this feeling to last longer than m ...more

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May 23, 2008 Alan rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

A sequel that takes place 4000 years later! It drags a little in the middle and has some violent sex scenes that detract from the book, but is an overall good read. I like the way this man does his research.

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Apr 16, 2020 Elizabeth A rated it did not like it · review of another edition

Shelves: dnf, 2020

Oh good grief, but this is simply awful! Here in week 6 of the Covid-19 pandemic, I thought a treasure hunt for lost Egyptian tombs would be just the thing, but after 253 pages (a little under halfway) I'm out. The writing is awkward, the dialog ridiculous, the characters paper thin, the plot inane, and the author inserts references to himself and River Gods into the story.

I really enjoyed River Gods, but alas this second book in the Ancient Egypt series is not worth the time. That these two id ...more

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Jun 06, 2012 Sunny rated it liked it · review of another edition

I'm not even sure where I got this book from - I think it might have been out of a bag of books that my mom gave me. I'd never heard of the author before, and didn't even realize it was part of a series until I looked it up on Goodreads when I was about halfway through the novel. But even though The Seventh Scroll is actually the second book in a series, it works as a stand alone novel.

Mostly, I enjoyed The Seventh Scroll. The character of Royan was entertaining to read and easy to relate to, fo I'm not even sure where I got this book from - I think it might have been out of a bag of books that my mom gave me. I'd never heard of the author before, and didn't even realize it was part of a series until I looked it up on Goodreads when I was about halfway through the novel. But even though The Seventh Scroll is actually the second book in a series, it works as a stand alone novel.

Mostly, I enjoyed The Seventh Scroll. The character of Royan was entertaining to read and easy to relate to, for the most part. Overall it's a decent story, and parts of it were fascinating. Many other parts were boring, dull, poorly written, overly descriptive, super predictable, and a few were actually cringe-worthy. And something that bothered me immensely, the POV changes randomly, sometimes even in the middle of a paragraph. I love multiple Points of View, but I'm of the opinion that the POV change needs to happen at a chapter break, or at least a section break within a chapter. But in The Seventh Scroll, the POV seems to change completely randomly, and didn't always makes sense to me.

As I read through the many reviews from other people, though, I almost wonder if I'm missing something. Many others seem to love the author and this series, and rave on and on about how good it is. I didn't hate The Seventh Scroll, but I didn't love it either. It's a good read, and starts well, but the middle part of the novel loses momentum and never quite picks it back up again. By the time I muddled through to the end I just wanted them to find the treasure and be done already.

I'm giving The Seventh Scroll two stars. I feel vaguely bad about doing so, but I'm also not quite willing to go to three stars and say I liked it. It was ok. I probably won't try any of the rest of the series, even though the first book in the series, River God, seems to get rave reviews. But I think I'll pass, for now at least.

Have you read The Seventh Scroll by Wilbur Smith? What did you think - am I way off base?

http://sunnyreads.blogspot.com ...more

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Feb 02, 2012 Barbara rated it it was ok · review of another edition

Smith inserted himself and his book River God throughout the story - as though archaeologists and Egyptologists look to him as an authority on ancient Egypt (refers to photos of himself and the characters, how all the Egyptologists of the world were excited to find this missing tomb after reading River God – strange to me that such highly educated people would think he has this knowledge that no one else does simply because he wrote a work of fiction) every time I read one of these references it ...more

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Jan 07, 2013 Leila rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: my-challenge-books, so-many-books-so-little-time, magic, adventure, my-wow-books, paranormal, unforgettable-books, fantasy, romance

A fascinating read.

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Apr 05, 2015 Alan Veale rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

I was first introduced to Wilbur Smith’s writing several years ago while laid up with my leg in plaster halfway through a holiday in Lanzarote. I needed something to read, and there were several paperbacks left behind in our rented villa. When The Lion Feeds was my introduction to this most diligent of writers. I was immediately immersed in historical fiction the like of which I have never experienced throughout the thirty or more years since that holiday.

I followed the Courtneys and the Ballant I was first introduced to Wilbur Smith’s writing several years ago while laid up with my leg in plaster halfway through a holiday in Lanzarote. I needed something to read, and there were several paperbacks left behind in our rented villa. When The Lion Feeds was my introduction to this most diligent of writers. I was immediately immersed in historical fiction the like of which I have never experienced throughout the thirty or more years since that holiday.

I followed the Courtneys and the Ballantynes, and then came River God... Well! I was stunned by an epic tale revealing the sweeping grandeur of Ancient Egypt, and narrated with the same authority and attention to detail that I had already encountered in at least a dozen other of Smith’s novels. I was captivated by the character of the eunuch Taita. So much so, that I nearly found myself checking through history books to see if Smith’s story and characters had any basis in fact... (I’ll leave you to make your own enquiries!)

And then along came a sort of sequel that I was not expecting: The Seventh Scroll.

Instead of giving us another adventure with Taita, Smith presents us with a modern day treasure hunt, but with the River God story acting as the map! Immediately I found myself returning to the question: was Wilbur Smith’s remarkable first venture into Egyptian history simply a work of fiction? The pursuit of the truth (and the treasure) is immaculately portrayed, tantalising the reader like a set of hieroglyphs that are both beautiful in presentation, and mysterious in their translation. It would be impossible not to draw a comparison here with the writing of Henry Rider Haggard, and Smith’s hero (Nicholas Quenton-Harper) does have more than a passing resemblance to Allan Quartermain, but I’m not complaining. While Haggard’s stories may have been original, his storylines had more place in comic book fiction. On the other hand Smith manages to take us into a real place, and even the peculiarities of his art-collecting villain manage to avoid the implausible scenarios of a fantasy akin to the likes of Indiana Jones.

Whether you enjoy adventure or romance, mystery or thriller, historical fiction or travel guides, there’s something here for you! Wilbur Smith is unrivalled in painting on a broad canvas, and his artistry at bringing Africa to life in book form has never been beaten. In The Seventh Scroll he has added an extra mixture of intrigue and suspense that takes his writing to the highest level. What is there not to like?
...more

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Jan 02, 2012 Alex rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 2012-books

Website | Goodreads | Twitter | Facebook
Publication Date: November 10, 1995
Publisher: MacMillian
Country: United States of America
ISBN: 0333637704
Original Language: English
Age Group: Adult
Genre: Historical, Thriller
Buy the Book: Amazon
Lootability: Grab it and go

The Seventh Scroll is Wilbur Smith's 25th book and the second in his popular Egyptian series featuring the enigmatic slave Taita. A modern look at the events of River God, The Seventh Scroll follows the archaeological rediscovery of Pharao ...more

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Oct 05, 2015 Regan rated it did not like it · review of another edition

BOOK FAIL -
OK. I don't have a LOT of quirks when it comes to my reading habits. If it's interesting and holds my attention I'm pretty forgiving about a lot of things that might annoy another reader.

But my ONE unforgivable, throw the book across the room, stomp on it, then vow (out loud and with MUCH vehemence) to NEVER NEVER NEVER read that author again is when an author references themselves and/or one of their other books within the context of the plot of the book I'm reading.

Which this jacka ...more

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Jul 12, 2014 Chakib Bahbaz rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Recommends it for: Historical Fiction fans

Shelves: favourites

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Jul 21, 2016 Mary rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Nothing better than an archaeological hunt for treasure. Superb.

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Jan 26, 2020 Anne Hamilton rated it liked it · review of another edition

A bit like Alfred Hitchcock, Wilbur Smith occasionally drops in for a moment or two as a cameo character.

Royan Al Simma and her husband have dedicated themselves to unravelling the secrets of the Seventh Scroll, a cryptic four-thousand year old document, full of riddles and clues to the last resting place of the Pharaoh Mamose. A treasure trove awaits anyone who can decipher the enigmatic puns and misdirections of the self-proclaimed genius, the slave Taita. And that treasure is enough to tempt ...more

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Apr 15, 2020 Coleen rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

The premise of the book is, I thought, unusual although there may be other books that use the same approach. The characters in 'The Seventh Scroll' have read the novel written by author Wilbur Smith, River God, and believing the Egyptian characters, and the buried treasure to be real, set out to find it after four thousand years.

Of course, I read 'River God' and loved it, but never for a moment believed it to be real. But who knows? Wilbur Smith manages to write another terrific blockbuster bas ...more

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Apr 30, 2020 Khadija Farjana Ria rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: historical-fiction

Treasure hunting is something that always exictes me. So I decided to read this sequel of River god.

Duraid Al Simma and his wife Royen Al Simma found 10 scrolls from the tomb of Queen Lostris. The scrolls were written by Taita as a token of love to his queen. They had secrets no one knew before. Duraid and Royen almost deciphered each scroll except for the seventh scroll which holds the most desired secret.

At the same time, there was someone else who was desperate to know the secrets of the sc ...more

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Apr 14, 2018 Jonny rated it liked it · review of another edition

I wanted to break up a string of biographies by reading something moronic, and this really tried to deliver. Unfortunately Smith’s blend of obvious plot twists, Orientalism and sporadic violence works a lot better in ancient Egypt than in the present day. A highlight is when he makes the historical accuracy of the first book in this series a topic of ongoing debate throughout this book.

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Oct 31, 2019 Lorraine rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

I really enjoyed this book, i was immersed right from the first chapter.
its well written and keeps you gripped from start to finish.

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Sep 02, 2018 Doris Pearson added it · review of another edition

More twists and turns than the tunnels of a hidden tomb. Love, treasure, and look out for sharp teeth.. A must read for Wilbur Smith fans.

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Aug 16, 2013 Susie rated it it was ok · review of another edition

Shelves: fiction, sold, adventure, mystery, thriller

This book is based on a previous book, which I hadn't actually read. However, I don't think it's actually necessary to have read the previous book, unless you are interested in the fictional historical references about the places they're visiting and the items they're looking for.

This book, I felt, was completely full of ridiculous ideas. For me, that wouldn't be so bad if it was obvious from the start that it was an overblown and obviously fictitious idea of what's possible; I've read enough fa ...more

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Jun 16, 2009 Duygu rated it it was ok · review of another edition

I picked this up thinking it would be a mix of Clive Cussler and other adventure history type books. I am obssessed with Egyptian mysteries so was very excited when I first started on this. While it was action packed (with all of the fighting and gruesome details it had concerning torture) I found it considerably lacking. It didn't have the intricate detail of Cussler nor did it have excitement that swept me up and caused me to look forward to reading it. The descriptions of ancient Egyptian myt ...more

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Apr 04, 2010 Jenn rated it liked it · review of another edition

Let me start by saying that I LOVED The River God. It was one of my favorite books last year and I've not been able to stock recommending it. So, of course, when I heard that there was a whole series, I picked up more of the books. I hadn't gotten to read them, but finally picked up the second one this week. I didn't realize this one took place in current time. Still, it was cute when they'd refer to The River God in this book and complain how Wilbur Smith changed too many things, etc. But then, ...more

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Feb 20, 2015 Chuck rated it it was ok · review of another edition

As the second book of Wilbur Smith's Ancient Egypt trilogy, this book was somewhat disappointing. Most of the setting is modern-day Ethiopia where the two main characters search for the tomb and treasure told about in River God River God, the first book of the trilogy. I really enjoyed River God, but this book, with the exception of a few exciting sections, was slow-moving. Another dissatisfying aspect of the book was the dialogue between the two main characters, Royan and Nicholas. No matter ho ...more

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Jun 17, 2010 Laura rated it it was ok · review of another edition

I really cannot see why so many people enjoy this book. It was really one of the worst books I have read. It was quite a struggle to get to the end considering half the book was in depth description of dam construction, so dull. Also, the random sex scenes seemed really unnecessary. I'm not a prude but it just seemed like the pervy fantasies of a sad old man. I wasn't enthralled like everyone else seems to have been, the whole story seemed a little lame. Although maybe my view is a little biased ...more

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Mar 02, 2008 Angela rated it really liked it · review of another edition

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Jun 03, 2013 Sumeetha Manikandan rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Half way through this book, I went back to my lending library and got the River God (first part) again. Though Seventh Scroll can be read individually too, I wanted to read River God again.

In Seventh Scroll, we see an archeologist and an adventurer trying their best to decipher the scrolls of slave Taita. It also brings home the fact that how history is distorted and presented as fact. This was a nice adventure book that I enjoyed immensely.

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Mar 27, 2015 Marti rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

This was an amazing book. I read it over quite a long time, as it is 602 or more pages in paperback. I was going to donate it to a library book sale, but have decided to keep it, at least for the forseeable future, and maybe check out the companion book--River God. Sir Nicholas Quenton-Harper, a wealthy historian joins up with Royan, a newly widowed Egyptian scholar to mount an expedition to locate the tomb of Pharoah Mamose. THis has plenty of adventure.

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topics	posts	views	last activity
Traveling to Egypt - practical guide.	1	2	Oct 22, 2019 04:59AM
South African Boo...: The Seventh Scroll (Spoilers)	3	8	Sep 30, 2009 11:26AM
South African Boo...: The Seventh Scroll (No Spoilers)	2	9	Sep 30, 2009 10:26AM

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About Wilbur Smith

Wilbur Smith

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Wilbur Smith is the bestselling author of many novels, each meticulously researched on his numerous expeditions worldwide. His bestselling Courtney series includes Assegai, The Sound of Thunder, Birds of Prey, Monsoon, and Blue Horizon. His other books include Those in Peril, River God, Warlock, The Seventh Scroll, and The Sunbird. His books are now translated into twenty-six languages and have so ...more